Graham

I would think that Plus/7 era G-Suits are likely somewhat superior in performance to modern day G-suits, especially, the YF-21/VF-22 G-suit, which seems specific to the YF-21/VF-22. However, it's extremely doubtful IMO that they come close to the performance of Ex-Gear combined with ICS. Just my two cents. Graham

Agreed, the VF-25 may not be superior in every aspect to the VF-19 or VF-22, but it is likely superior in enough areas to make it overall a better VF than the older mecha. Graham

Heh, I was orginally going to mention the F-35 Joint Strife Fighter as one of the possible exceptions to the rule that newer is not always better, but decided against it. But, as David has opened that can of worms. Heh, I'll take a Typhoon/Raphael or Gripen against your F-35 in A2A anyday, or an A-10 for the CAS role rather than the F-35. Graham

With fighter jets it's usually the case that newer does in fact mean better, especially when there is a significant time gap between the new and the old. In the case of the YF-19 and YF-21, development began in 2034 and the first test flight for both took place in 2039. The VF-25 had it's first test flight in 2057, 18 years after the first flight of the YF-19 & YF-21. It's unlikely IMO that that a VF with the advantage of 18 years improvements in technology would actually be worse than the older VFs. Graham

Why even bother with developing new systems such as Ex-Gear and ISC if G-suits already exist that can handle extremely high G limits such as +60/-45 of the VF-22. It just doesn't make sense to me and as others have said doesn't seem consistant with in-universe technological development. I'm wondering if the stated maximam G limits are in fact more to do with the max speed at which a VF can safely transform without ripping itself apart? Graham

Heh, yeah, I still haven't completed the Ex mission of 'After, in the dark'. I'll try it with the YF-21 using PPB. Graham

No, no & NO! Graham

The price they listed of US$72 was not including shipping to me. So price would be US$72 + whatever the shipping is. I guess they don't know the weight yet, so don't want to quote for shipping yet. Graham

For monthly mags, I'm just sticking with Dengeki Hobby and Hobby Japan. Other mags I only buy if I hear they have a Macross article I'm interested in. I never keep my mags more than a month. I remove the Macross pages and store them all in a seperate ring file. Saves on storage space that way. I'm up to about 4 big ring binders full of Macross artices now. For specific Macross goods, I'm sticking with Chonicles for the meantime, although to be honest it hasn't been as good as I was expected, so I may or may not carry on to the end (still undecided). Frontier CDs and DVDs I have been and will continue to buy, same with Frontier books. For toys, I'm starting to cut back due to space and money restrictions. I may not get the Yamato 1/60 VF-1J, but will probably buy at least 1 of the upcoming 1/60 Frontier toys. Graham

FYI, here's what OverDrive quoted me for the Alto DX Super Parts set. Graham

Oh and I ordered two VF-25S kits and lucky I did, as my wife in a fit of tidying managed to lose half of the unfinished groin piece.......Grrrrrrr! Not sure whose to blame more, me for leaving the kit on the table, thinking it would be safe, or my wife for tidying where she's not supposed to. Anyway, I had to dip into my second kit to replace the lost parts. Not a happy camper. Graham

Just doing a quick build on the VF-25S. Not bothering to do much panel lining this time, just assemblely and sticker. Got the torso, nose and head done, just need to do the limbs and gun. With the release of the toys imminent, this will probably be the last of the model kits I buy. As I mentioned previously, the models were just a toy substitute for me until the toys are released. I have to say I have been extremely impressed with the kits though. Graham

Hopefully the VF-171, VF-171EX, VF-25S w/Armored Pack or VF-2SS w/SAP. Graham

Macross has already got to the stage where it's getting too expensive to keep on purchasing all the merchandise released. Having to start being selective now. Graham

Finally saw the movie on DVD with my son over the weekend. We both enjoyed it. Not too keen on the stylized chracter designs, but overall I thought it captured the spirit and feel of Star Wars far more than the 3 prequel movies. Looking forward to seeing the TV series when and if it's shown here in HK (if not, I'll just buy the DVD set when released). Hope for lots of episodes just featuring Clone Troopers. Graham

The sketch looks like a mid-to-late Kawamori design concept sketch, but from the style it's obviously far from his normal polished finished design drawaings. As well as being more chunky overall, the gunpod is very different and the S type head only has twin head lasers instead of quad. Graham

That drawing definitely looks like a mid-to-late (but not final) design stage Kawamori concept sketch. Graham

Just because the YF-19, VF-19, YF-21 & VF-22 are stressed for higher (30 + ) G force ratings than the VF-25, doesn't necessarily equate to them being more manueverable, or being able to pull tighter turns than the VF-25. The higher G rating is pretty meaningless anyway if the pilot is unable to withstand that amount of G force. If the Ex-Gear in conjunction with the ICS lets the VF-25 pilot withstand higher G forces, up to or near to the planes limit, then the advantage is definitely going to be with the VF-25. GrRaham

Those latest pics look great. Graham

Got my son a bunch clone trooper figures and the Republic Gunship for them for his Christmas present. I'm sure he's gonna love it. Wish it was still possible to find Clone Trooper pilot figures that don't cost an arm and a leg! Grahan

Just checked all the hobby shops in Wanchai and Causeway Bay during my lunch, but they don't have this issue yet, just the previous issue # 129. Graham

Thanks for the translations so far guys. I hope some kind soul can eventually translate all of both pages, as it seems like there is a lot of background info there. Graham

Here's the scan of the tech spec pages from the VF-25S model kit manuel. Hope someone can translate this, as it looks like it may possibly be the most complete source of info so far on the VF-25. I note the gunpod has a different designation if using MDE rounds, GU-17V (Vajra?) as opposed to GU-17A. Graham

I don't have the toy on preorder, as it should be easy enough to get here in HK. Still plan to buy 1 of each. For what we are getting, the price seams reasonable. Graham

Wondering how detailed they will be compared with brand Y's FAST Packs. Will they have removable covers, engine detail etc. My guess is no. Still as long as they look good and have the many white markings tampo printed on I will be happy. Graham