Graham

I have the first issue of the Macross F Official Creators Magazine and it has cutaway lineart of the VF-25F in fighter mode that I have not seen published anywhere else. Worth it just for the price of that one pic. I keep meaning to scan and post it. Graham

Looks great. Good job. Graham

Never realised that the beam pod adaptor possibly fitted over the muzzle of the regular gunpod. I always thought it just sat exactly in place of the regular magazine. Makes sense then that it can be considered the equivalent of an add on single-shot grenade launcher. Graham

I still think the VF-17's gunpod comprises both beam weapon (with adaptor fitted only) and cannon, but obviously, the beam weapon component will not fire without the adaptor fitted, thus implying that the power source and possibly the majority of the components for the beam weapon are actually in the adaptor. I don't think the beam fires through the standard cannon barrels. However, the beam does seem to fire from the front of the gunpod, hence my theory that the two protruding prongs at the muzzle are actually part of the beam emitting mechanism. Graham

And if they had more mechanical hands, then no doubt somebody else would be complaining that hey are not 'anime accurate' to the TV series. Graham

Thor has an alter-ego? Didn't know (or remember that)! Mind you, it's over quarter of a centuary since I last read any Marvel comics, except for Marvel Zombies. Graham

Could any of the following movies be considered science fact (said with tongue firmly in cheek)? 1) Stealth. 2) Independance day. 3) The Final Countdown. 4)The Andromeda Strain. Honestly, I don't think this thread can realistically go very far, given the dearth of science fact movies that are not actual documentaries. Graham

As mentioned, fighter mode hanger shots look very tan IIRC. Graham

My own thoughts on the VF-17's gunpod, based on watching Macross 7 over half a dozen times all the way through and also from the lineart in the various TIAS boooks: - The VF-17's gunpod seems to have 7 barrels in a typical rotary barrel "Vulcan" style arrangement. The detachable magazine is the top cover of the gunpod, ala the VF-11B/C gunpod. The VF-17's gunpod is a dual (multi-purpose) type, being both a traditional rapid fire projectile cannon and also a beam weapon. In standard configuration, the VF-17's gunpod is a 7 barrelled Vulcan type cannon, probably 30mm calibre, with a detachable magazine lying along the top of the gunpod directly over the barrels. When shown being fired, in Macross 7 TV series, it seems to have typical cannon muzzle flash and ballistic effects on the target. The VF-17's gunpod can be converted to a single shot high-powered beam weapon. The beam emitters are actually built into the gunpod (I have previously theorised they are the two prongs located in the 12 O'clock and 6 O'Clock positions at the muzzle). However, there is no room inside the gunpod for a power capacitor to power the beam weapon, thus the standard cannon shell magazine must be removed and the optional beam weapon adaptor (a big battery IMO), stored insiode the battroids left leg, is installed in order to fire the beam weapon. The capacitor only holds enough energy for one high-power shot. Probably referred to as 'stealthy' as it can be fired from inside the Fighter's leg. Graham

Shouldn't the CF be more tan? It certainly looks tan whenever we see them in the SMS hanger. That image while nice, looks a littloe too green to me. Graham

So for those Japanese readers among us who already have issue 22, does it definitively say whether or not the VF-17's gunpod without the beamgun adaptor is a standard projectile (slug throwing) vulcan type gun? From the animation and all previous lineart published, I'd always assumed it was a seven barrel 30mm, but there's a few members here who seem to think it's a beam gun. Graham

Preview of issue 24 of Chonicles now up on the official Frontier blog. Cover and fold out page will be Max & Millia VF-22........yay! Technology page will be FAST Packs........again yay! Hopefully, some new techy info will be published. Missile loadouts would be great, but given that the gunpod technology page in issue 22 had minimal-to-no stats, I'm not holding out too much hope. Also, one of those Zentradi giant space cucumber ships, whose name I can never be bothered to remember. (You can tell I'm more of a VF fan than a ship fan, can't ya?). Graham

I second (or is that third) Triple H for Thor. It's the only way the movie would work. Graham

About the only mecha line art you will find in the Movic books is the VF-25 cockipt and Klan with Super Packs strapped to her (if that counts as mecha lineart)? Chronicles is good, but for Frontier, it's still mostly the CG art, not actual lineart, although the last two issues has some new line art of the full Armoured VF-25S and some of the gunpods uused in Frontier (and other series as well). There's about 3-4 issues of Hobby Japan magazine that featured large black and white line art of the vF-25 Super Packs and various parts of the VF, such as the landing gear, wing root guns, shield, feet etc. It's not confirmed if this is by Kawamori, or is by Bandai's model department. Graham

As far as we know so far, that is correct. Graham

Hoping for regular VF-171, as I like the colors more, but would also buy EX version.

Hopefully, Bandai will announce some new DX toy products (VF-171 & VF-27?) At the Tokyo Toy Show in mid-July (Jul 16-19). Seems like Bandai's Macross Frontier focus & big news at the Shizuoka Hobby Show was mostly model kit related.

In DYRL terms, it's the equivalent of the VE-1 Elint Seeker. RVF stands for 'Recon Variable Fighter'.

The whole book is only lind art. Between 80 to 120 pages IIRC (will check later). Lots of character & location art and mecha art of VF-22, Graham's armor & Zolan patrol ship and maybe VF-5000.

LOL, that has to be the most butt ugly, sorry-assed excuse for a powered armour I've ever had the misfortune to lay eyes on. Agreed, would prefer the 80's anime OVA design. Also, I've been trying to persuade Yamato for years to make a toy of the powered suit from MADOX.....now that is a cool design.

Any info on: - a) caliber b) rate of fire c) magazine capacity d) whether the VF-17's gunpod in standard configuration is a slug thrower or beam weapon (I say slug thrower, IMO 7 barreled 30mm). Graham

Very nice. I actually like it with the yellow.

You are so mid-90s! Graham

Little disappointed that we've had no news so far from the Shizouka Hobby Show of a 1/60 DX VF-171 or VF-27. Lots of good news on the model kit front (see the model kit forums), but no new news from the toy side. Hopefully when the show opens to the public at the weekend, we'll get some pleasant surprises. Graham

There is no such thing as a Macross Frontier Queadluun-Rau! The mecha which appears in Macross Frontier is called the Queadluun-Rea. In theory, I see no reason why Bandai cannot release a 1/60 or 1/100 Q-Rea toy. Especially as the 1/72 Q-Rea model kit has just been announced at the Shikuoka Hobby Show 2009, for release in August. Graham