Graham

There was a scene in episode # 2 of the Macross Plus OVA, where both the YF-19 in fighter mode and YF-21 in fighter mode can be seen firing their twin forward firing beam guns (wing root guns in the case of the YF-19 and elbow guns in the case of the YF-21). And in Macross 7, there are many scenes where the VF-17D/S fighters and battroids fire their twin beam guns on the side of the cockpit/chest, although most of the time you have to be watching in slow motion to catch it. I think in the first Macross Frontier preview clip, the VF-171 can also be shown firing the cockpit guns. Graham

I would imagine they can. The probably can be partially raised/angled up to fire at targets that are behind and above the VF-25. The VF-25 also has forward firing lasers(?) in the wingroots/hips, which can be used to fire at targets in the forward hemisphere. Actually, watching the first video, I'm pretty sure that in the sceen where the white and purple VF-25 is in fighter mode, it can be seen firing the wing root guns. Graham

No, if you check a few pages pack for the New Type center spread pic, you can clearly see the headlasers are flush with the top surface. Aw, heck, I'll just post the pic again. Graham

Oh, it's definitely worth reading from about page 50 onwards, that's where all the new pics, videos and information on Macross F start appearing. You are missing out on a lot if you skip those pages. Graham

Just took my SV-51 Nora out of the box. Haven't transformed it yet, but I'm happy to report two things: - The Nora pilot is an all new sculpt, not just a repainted Ivanov. And yes for those that are wondering, she does have breasts! Yamato have improved the fit of the underwing weapons and the missiles and compsite micromissile pods/fuel tanks now attach rock solidly. Graham

We know, but at first glance, it sure looks like Flantier. Graham

Hey, if we take several flans and stack them on top of each other, do we get a Flan Tier? .............................sorry, couldn't resist. Graham

Heh, I know they are very stylised letters, but to me it looks like "Flantier"....... Graham

To be honest, I find them only a small step up in quality from the earlier gashapons by Bandai and Kaiyodo. Not really my thing at all. Give me variable VFs any day! Graham

So, did anybody see this? Any Macross F news? Graham

Now that the novelty has worn off, I'll probably sell mine, or just give them to the neighbours dog as chew toys. Really finding the Revoltech ball joints ugly and distracting, especially the neck and shoulder joints. Graham

What does "CM" stand for? Graham

I also think that Destroids, with the exception of the variable VB-6 have effectively been rendered obsolete sometime after Space War 1. The only times we see Destroids post-Space War 1 are when they are used as targets in the New Edwards test facility (Destroid Monster getting blown up by the YF-19 in Macross Plus) and as carnvial attractions in Macross 7. Also, in Macross 7, it's obvious that prior to becoming carnival attractions, some of the destroids were converted for construction use, as shown by IIRC drill arms on some of them. I tend to agree with Sketchley that the new option parts shown on the VF-25 are likely Super Parts (AKA FAST Packs) and not Full Armour. Or perhaps a hybrid FAST pack and light partial armor. Graham

Yep, it's out. My local toy shop called me this evening and asked me to come and pick it up. I'll get it tomorrow. Graham

I just had a thought. I'll probably be in the minority here, but I hope when the new series is released on disk that it is released on plain old DVD and not just BlueRay (or whatever the next gen disk format is). Or ideally released on DVD and BlueRay, which would be a win-win situaton for consumers. As much as I love Macross, I really don't want to fork over a whole load of cash to upgrade my TV and movie player yet, just so I can watch Macross F in BlueRay or HD or whatever. I'm still quite happy with DVD. Heck, there's no way my wife would ever approve the expenditure anyway unless my TV and DVD player were both to suffer sudden catastophic unreparable failure and a HD TV and next gen player suddenly dropped in cost to the cost of standard TVs and DVD players. Graham

eugimon Mig29/35!!!!!????? Sorry, I just don't see any resemblance with the VF-5000 at all. David Hingtgen IIRC, the first published lineart of the VF-5000 appeared in the TIAS Macross Plus OVA book in 1995. I'll have to check the pic when i get home, to see if Kawamori put a date on it as he sometimes does. Graham

I'm really hoping that we eventually get a 1/60 scale VF-25 and VF-171 from Yamato, as IMO they are the only company with the skill, experience and willingness to make stunningly beautiful and accurate Macross toys. Bandai have little experience with Valks and also in the past little desire to put the effort into making decent Macross toys or models. At worst from Bandai I think we will just see some sub-par model kits and low-grade toys. If we are lucky, maybe some HCM-Pros, but I doubt it. Anyway, toy situation aside, I'm increadibly excited about the new show and liking everything I've seen so far. Graham

LOL.....cruel, but so true. Graham

Yes, we saw the VF-17's landing gear on a few occasions and there is detailed lineart of it in several art books. I'll post a scan when I get home. Basically, it is located on the inner side of the lower legs. Graham

Landing gear!? We don' t need no stinkin' landing gear! Good point though. Graham

Actually, I'm really suprised that the Super Armor has been revealed so soon. Normally, we wouldn't get to see it until at least a third of the way through the show. I guess Big West really wants to build up the hype. I just hope they leave something to surprise us with. Graham

My guess is the bugs are somesort of bio-mechanical lifeform. Graham

It's static. It might be possible to prise it off and reverse it, but I'm not going to risk it. Not sure how strongly it's glued in. Graham

While we can't be certain, it does appear to be an updated version of the VF-17, with major changes to the nose and canopy and also the addition of wing-mounted ordnance. Graham

Yep, looks like you are right wolfx, they do look the same. Thanks for the new pics. That means we have confirmation that 3-mode transformation is possible with the new FPs. Graham