Graham

If I came upon one of these metallic finish versions in a toy store, I'd probably buy it, if it wasn't any more expensive than a regular version. The idea of a fixed fighter mode actually appeals to me for zooming around the house. No need to worry about floppy or misaligned parts or bits fallling off all the time. Not going to actively hunt one down though, but if one does cross my path for a reasonable price, well.............. Graham

Found one shop selling random tape-sealed boxes today. So I picked two at random, just to see what they are like. I got Mayor Milia's VF-1J from Macross 7 and the VF-19F also from Macross 7. These are quite small and quality is quite gashapon-like. They are not glued together, so if you are going to be playing with these rather than just displaying them, you may want to glue them, as some parts may fall off or can get knocked off. Of course at this size and with gashapon-level quality, the locking pegs are not really that secure. For example, on the VF-1J, the legs have two small rectangular holes, that attach to small rectangular pegs on the bottom of the VF. The attachment is not that secure so I will likely glue the legs on. The gunpod too as well. On the VF-1J, the canopy, tail fin assembly and movng wings appear to be ABS. All other parts, such as the nose, legs and gunpod appear to be PVC. On the VF-19F the wings, tail fins, cannopy and part of the main body appear to be ABS. The legs, nose etc looks to be PVC. The VF-19F measures about 7.3cm long and the VF-1J is 5.7mm long. The gunpods are unpainted, so that means Milia's VF-1J has a red gunpod and the VF-19F has a blue gunpod. Paid HK$35 each (approx US$4.5 each). Way overpriced IMO. Doubt I will buy more. Graham

How does one get the VF-27 again? I think I have all the mecha accept Battle 25, the VF-27 and Roy's VF-1S without FAST Packs. We really need a pinned FAQ. Graham

Just discovered the insane fun that is the Extra Missions. Graham

Kinda ambivalent about Bryan Singer as a director. The only films of his I sort of liked were 'The Usual Suspects' and the recent Tom Cruise movie 'Valkyrie'. Really not sure who would be the right or better director for this, as there are so few good genre directors now. A pre-titanic James Cameron would have been a good choice IMO, but now........!!!!!!!!????? Graham

Is it confirmed that those metallic VF100s VF-25 are non-transforming? First I've heard of it. Graham

For Macross or other favorite shows/groups etc I always buy original to support the creators/artists and damn the cost. For stuff I may like, but which is not my favorite, I will sometimes go the rental/download/pirate route, but with the caveat that if I really like it, then I will buy the original. Graham

Most definitely an attempt to cash in on the succes of Moore's BSG. Strike while the iron's hot and all that. Graham

I wouldn't go so far to describe the production as "lousy". However, I do conceed that the majority DX toys will have some sort of cosmetic blemish out of the box. For myself, I'm willing to accept these minor cosmetic issues, but I fully understand that a lot of fans are not so forgiving. A lot of these issues are beacuse of the following IMO: - 1) Bandai not paying sufficient attention (or not caring) about QC. 2) B-grade factory with poor internal QC choosen (lowest bidder wins right to make toys?). 3) Choice of glossy plastic as main material, given that the paint and printing don't stick as well to gloss plastic. Graham

Hey, it's Ozma remember, he's a MAN. He's supposed to have hair on his chest!....LOL Graham

Big surprise that they are doing this. Guess the hollywood execs couldn't think of something original to do....heh, heh, heh. Anyway, will be following this with much interest. Agreed they will have to work really hard to surpass Ron Moore's BSG. Graham

Except that the book lists both VF-1J and VF-1S continuing to be made after Space war 1. Production figures by year as follows: - VF-1J Production figures by year 2007 = 6 made. 2008 = 19 made. 2009 = 4 made. 2010 = 12 made. 2011 = 4 made. 2012 = 2 made. 2013 = 2 made. VF-1S Production figures by year 2007 = 6 made. 2008 = 13 made. 2009 = 0 made. 2010 = 8 made. 2011 = 3 made. 2012 = 0 made. 2013 = 0 made. Graham

I have 8 DXes so far and none of them have any super glue vapor stains. Agreed the toys are far from perfect, but they are the best versions we have for now. Graham

Honestly, the only QC issues on my toy are a small paint chip on one of the yellow lines on the shoulder (which I didn't even notice until somebody here pointed it out on one of my photos) and an overly tight right shoulder, which was solved by loosening one screw. Apart from that, it's great. Don't deprive yourself of a great toy by falling prey to the "Chicken Little" syndrome. People here are making it sound like it's the worst toy ever, when in fact, some of the problems like not being able to insert the wing root pegs into the armor are user error and other issues such as paint chips are isolated and/or very minor problems. One or two people have a minor issue and the whole of Macrossworld starts panicking and cancelling orders. It's really getting ridiculous guys. If parts breakages had been reported I could understand it, but the only things being reported are greasy plastic, the occasional 'super glue fingerprints' and the odd paint chip, which are already known issues with the DX line. If you are happy with the previous DX'es, then you will love the Armoured Pack. It's a great fun toy. Don't let a few small cosmetic blemishes put you off a purchase. I've just bought my second one, that's how much I like it. It may be a long while (if ever), before Yamato get to make these and they are selling out fast, so don't regret not buying now and having to pay inflated prices on ebay later. Graham

Hey, where's the wedding pics? We wanna see the lucky/unlucky girl that the 'Uncharismatic Hermaphrodite' married! C'mon, you are a senior member here, we gotta know. Graham, (posted in a bar, on my mobile phone after 3 beers). Anyway, I will be visititing Japan next March, hopefully we can hook up for a beer or 5.

Hey, where's the wedding pics? We wannd see the lucky/unlucky girl that the 'uncharismatic hemephrodite' married! Does she look like Minmay, Mylene, Rankb etc? Mwahahaha! Raham, a3ter 3 beers

I love it. It's a great toy IMO. Most of the negatives that people are complaining about are minor stuff. It looks fantastic, is fun to zoom around & pose & for the most part locks together really securely.

Yes Alex, you are very, very, very late to the party! So late that it's already the day after and we are all sleeping off our hangovers. Guess you weren't invited huh. Mwahahahahahaha! ;) ;) Graham

GNUs all the way. They have a good sculpt, nice crisp clean lines and decent poseability. Saw a YF-19 GNU for only HK$60 (US$7.70) the other day. Revys on the other hand are made of PVC which I hate, as it lacks the crispness of line that mecha toys need. The VF-1's have horrible hunched shoulders, Plus, the legs are permanantly spread like a cheap whore. Graham

You don't need to file the pegs. At first I had difficulty in getting them intoo the armour. Actually, I was scared of using too much force and causing stress marks around the hole, but I found you just gotta angle the peg a little and sort of wiggle it in. It gets easier after 2-3 lockings and unlockings. Graham

Yes it is. I also tested that out last night.

OK, I just transformed from armored fighter mode to armored battroid mode for the first time. The transformation was pretty painless and easy and quite quick. I'm happy to report the toy can stand unsupported on its own without the display stand. No incidents of premature crotch unlocking yet either. I haven't visually compared the crotch lock on the new toy with that of an older toy, to see if there is any physical difference, but the crotch lock on the new VF-25S does feel tighter. How the joints and crotch lock hold up in the long-tem under the weight of the Armoured Pack, I don't know, only time will tell. Two minor issues: - 1) The wing hinges are very loose on my toy and in battroid mode with the weight of the boosters, the wings actually want to swing forward sometimes. 2) While the toy can stand unsupported, it can take a little balancing to get it to do so, as the weight of the boosters makes the torso want to slouch back sometimes. Not so much that the toy will topple over, but just makes it look like it's leaning backwards. Oh, and the right shoulder ball joint on the VF-25S was really tight. I was afraid something was going to snap when I was rotating the shoulder. Anyway, here's a few quick pics snapped at night in my bedroom, both with and without the display stand. Graham

Can't wait. Graham

Eh? You are getting married? And double eh a new Fire Bomber album????? Tell me more. Graham

Ah, I didn't notice that in the instuctions, well it was late and I was tired. Anyway, it's good to know. I shall reattach mine tonight. Graham