Graham

I seriously doubt that this is a human size powered suit. My bet is also on a battroid training simulator, or a new method of controlling the arms in battroid and Gerwalk modes. Graham

Just wondering what the yellow and black markings are that appear on the VF-25's nose and left wing (see attached pics). This is the first time we have seen these type of markings on a VF. My theory is it may denote some type of new system. Graham

I'm a huge fan of the VF-17 (as most of you know) and I'm obviously happy to see a variant back in the new series. Although I am as surprised as anyone about it. I just hope they don't end up as so much cannon fodder with the hero VF-25 coming along to save the day! I would have also thought that a variant of the VF-19 or VF-22 would have been more likely. Although perhaps as has been suggested, the VF-19 and VF-22 did prove too costly and complicated in the end and an advanced VF-17 was simply a cheaper option for mass production, espcially for a colony fighter that will spend 99% of the time in space based missions protecting the fleet. The extra wing mounted ordnance shown on the VF-17 doesn't surprise me as the original VF-17D/S was very light on missiles, but heavily armed with guns. Anyway, can't wait to see some line art on the new VF-17. Graham

I'm pretty certain the VF-25 has two hip-mounted guns, almost identical to the SV-51. Graham

So far we have three different color schemes of VF-25 shown:- No. 001, Grey with yellow & black trim from New Type Magazine, December 2007 issue, page 61. No. 007, white with red and black trim (Hikaru colors) from New Type magazine, December 2007 issue, pages 126-127. White with purple trim from the preview movie. This is the only one that could possibly have a normal UN Spacy kite logo on the wing. Graham

Negative, the logo on Ozma's helmet and the top of the grey VF-25 No. 001 (horned skull with dagger) is very different form the school badge on Alto's shirt. See the school badge scan below. Graham

Thanks Luke. That's confirmation then that the sorta-VF-17 has a different canopy, more widely spaced head lasers, longer nose and different wings (probably other changes as well, but I need to study the pics more). I'm stoked about the giant bugs. I love the concept of giant bugs as enemies. I'm a huge fan of Heinlein's Starship troopers novel and the Blue Gender TV series. I also thought the giant bugs shown in the Dreamcast Macross M3 opening movie should have been developed more. Graham

While it's difficult to be 100% sure, it looks like the VF-17 canopy might have been changed to more of a conventional bubble canopy to improve visibility. Also, the top lasers look too far apart to be the standard VF-17 head lasers, unless that is an animation error. Graham

Personally, I'm hoping the mysterious organic looking enemy are not related to the AFOS/Protodeviln/Protoculture etc. Conventional Valks just cannot fight such enemies on equal terms, making the fights too one sided, unless reaction weapons are involved and even then the chance of winning is minimal. I'm hoping that the enemy is a new race which is about equal in capability to the VF-25. Fights will be more interesting that way. Graham

Those are definitely not standard VF-17D or VF-17S. Whatever it is, it is obviously based on the VF-17 though, but with modifications to the cockpit and nose at least. Graham

The emblem which appears on both the older pilot's helmet and on the dorsal surface of the grey VF-25 appears to be a horned skull with a dagger stuck in the top. Graham

Larger scan of the Hikaru color VF-25 number 'SMS 007'. Note the head lasers lying flat and pointing rearward on the top of the fuselage behind the cockpit. Also the VF-25 appears to have hip/wing-root guns similar to the SV-51 (refer to the grey VF-25 pics I posted earlier). Note what appear to be small windows on the nose ahead of the cockpit. I'm wondering if this elongated nose houses an internal fold booster? On the video, I saw missiles pods on the wings of the VF-25. Graham

Nothing wrong with them. This is the OVA cannon fodder scheme, or what Kawamori and Tenjin say Yamato should do for the CF scheme. Graham

Got the December issue of New Type. Here's a larger and clearer scan of the grey VF-25. Note it is number '001'. Markings on the wings and legs say 'SMS 001'. No UN Spacy emblem visible on this one or the Hikaru color version. I'm really growing to like the design. Graham

No, the Dobber is not confirmed, but it is a strong possibility. Graham

I think that the New Type article may possibly refer to the VF-25 as "new", in that it is a new for fans to see, but not necessarily new in the Macross timeline. Who knows, by 2070 the VF-25 may actually be a fairly old VF in service for several years already. Another point is that we do not know how long the colony fleet has been in space. I get the impression that for colony fleets, especially those that have been in space for a long time and not encountered any threat, upgrading to the next main variable fighter is usually a very low priority (finite resources and all that). Another thing to consider is that with advances in technology and VF capability, UN Spacy may have dropped the requirement for having both a main VF and a Special Forces VF and standardized on only one type, which would cut down on the number of new models. Even if we don't see any additional new VFs in the new TV series, I'm fairly confident we will at least see FAST Packs and hopefully full armor. Also, having fewer new fighters is something that is paralleled in the real world. As capability increases and technology improves, cost increases dramatically. Just look at how few new designs we have today, compared with say the 1940s', 1950s' & 1960s'. Assuming the VF-19 didn't enter widespread service as the main variable fighter until the 2050s' together with the VF-22 as Special Operations fighter, that has them in service for less than 20 years, which is a reasonable lifespan. Graham

Looks great IMO. I"m buying 2. Large pics going up on main site soon. Dobber scheme is still a possibility for later. Yamato have to release the OVA versions first. Graham

I think having only three new VFs (VF-23, VF-24 & VF-25) between 2045 (M7) and 2070 (MF) is about right. If we look at the in-service dates of the main variable fighters (not counting attack craft, special forces fighters, light fighters etc), they are: - VF-1: 2009 to 2020 = 11 years. VF-4: 2020 to 2030 = 10 years. VF-11: 2030 to ???? VF-19: Decision made to adopt VF-19 as main Variable fighter in 2041, but by 2045 or even 2050 (VF-X2), it appears the VF-19 was still not in widespread use. Graham

Yes, there was a fair amount of atmospheric flying in M7. Graham

Damn, just checked the hobby shops near my work, but they don't have the December New Type yet. The VF-25 is a definite mish-mash of the SV-51, YF-19 and VF-1 IMO. Graham

26 from what I understand. Graham

The powerful enemy will be Nekki Basara back from his travels with the galactic whales...! And who's betting the older brother/experienced pilot/Roy Focker type dude buys it half way through the series. Graham

Gamlin kicked ass in a VF-11C in episode # 7 to be exact. Don't blame the mecha, blame the generally crap pilots in the M7 fleet. I'd take a VF-11 into combat over a VF-1 any day. Graham

Which is as it should be....Mwa Ha Ha Ha. As much as I like the Ace Combat series, I've got no plans to buy a 360 just for this game. Still happy with my PS2. Graham

Toynami's "odd way" of mounting the gunpod under the wing of the MPC is actually correct according to the official Studio Artmic lineart. Anyway, looks like Aoshima good royally screwed by Toynami. Graham