Graham

Yeah, there's some weathering but not much. Graham

Thought the USMC Harrier had it? Graham

Here’s my list of possible technological advancements for a 2070s era Valk in Macross Frontier: - Internal multi-use fold booster. Although, I imagine that a recharge period (a few minutes to a few hours depending on fold distance) would be necessary between folds. Being able to do multiple short-range folds one after the other without any waiting period would confer a huge advantage in combat, but I doubt that capacitor technology is good enough by 2070 for that. Improved pin-point barrier system and/or omni-directional barrier system. Improved active stealth. Perhaps visual stealth, but I doubt it. Not because of a lack in technology, but I think most people watching the anime are not going to be happy if you can’t actually see the Valks most of the time. Inertial damper system for the cockpit, so that the pilot can sustain ultra-high G maneuvers. Miniaturized anti-gravity technology to provide improved maneuverability, lift and better sustained flight capability in an atmosphere, especially in Battroid and Gerwalk modes. Incorporation of a Varuta-derived Spiritia draining beam as a standard armament as this is a good close range less-than-lethal weapon when you want to disable an adversary rather than killing them. Good for law enforcement applications. Improved rapid fire beam or energy weapons. Some type of close combat weapon offering an improvement over pin-point barrier punch. While missiles with inbuilt barrier systems, active stealth and fold capability offer some intriguing possibilities in combat, they would probably be prohibitively expensive for air-to-air combat and the technology may not be able to be miniaturized that small yet. Anyway, I predict that missile and micro-missiles will be used even less by 2070. Already in Macross Plus and Macross 7, we can see that Valk performance has far outstripped missiles and in Mac Plus and Mac 7, Valks can usually shoot down, outrun or outmaneuver missiles, with most kills in M+ and M7 being by guns. Graham

I agree that Swoosh is very brave transforming the SV-51 without looking at the manual. I was certainly not that brave! As I had a lot of other stuff to do last night, I only had time to transform the SV-51 to Gerwalk mode once and then back to fighter mode. I haven’t attempted to transform it to Battroid mode yet. The transformation to Gerwalk is not that difficult. The only part that took me a while to figure out was getting the shoulder hinges in the correct position in Gerwalk mode. The photos in the manual are a bit confusing on this point, although I’m sure it’s perfectly clear if you can read the Japanese instructions! My comments and observations so far: - Tampo printing on both wings, both tails, both sides of the nose (below cockpit), on head, instrument panel and on the heatshield. Fantastic attention to detail in the cockpit. Overhead ejection handle included as well as the det-cord on the canopy, which looks great. Magnets used to keep folding nose in place in fighter mode (magnet is strong enough). Also magnets are used in addition to some pegs to help the arms attach to the legs in fighter mode. The toy seems to lock together very solidly in fighter mode. The gunpod and/or the spare magazine can be attached to the lower leg in Battroid mode. Both gunpod magazines have pegs which fold out from the side for attaching to the legs. The hand can grip the gunpod handle very firmly. The hole in the handle actually matches up to the peg on the palm correctly and is quite snug. Definitely the most complex Macross toy Yamato have attempted so far. Need to spend more time with the toy tonight and attempt Battroid mode. Graham

Lots of Tampo printing. Tails, both wings, heatshield, head. Only a few quick fighter mode pics for now as my lighting here is terrible. Swoosh's pics are far better than mine. Haven't transformed it yet. This is the first Yamato Valk in ages that I don't know how to transform before the release date. Need to actually study the manual. Box is reasonable size for what you get. Two trays, one with SV and weapons, other with display stand. SV is a work of art. No idea about durability yet tho. Graham

Here's a few quick pics I just took of my DMZ #01 fitted with the Red Shoulder Custom weapons set. Photos are taken at night, so I apologise for the crappy lighting. I forgot to put Vanilla in the photo. Graham

My present sig has no clue.

Getting mine in Wanchai at 6pm (HK time) see my PM for further details. Graham

I thought Gunbuster was just OK, but not the great classic that many people make it out to be. Let me put it this way, I only own a very old VHS copy of Gunbuster and if something happened to the tape, I wouldn't feel a burning desire to replace it with a DVD. For 80s' anime I'd much rather watch what I consider to be classics such as BGC, Gal Force, Votoms, AD Police, Patlabor, MegaZone 23, Guyver, Wicked City. I dunno why, but apart from the Daicon shorts and Otako No Video, I've never really been impressed by or liked anything that Gainax has done. Graham

Yep, full review and video is planned. Graham

Best case scenario, I'll be getting mine in about 4 hours from now. Worst case scenario, I'll be getting it 24 hours from now. If I get it today, I'll try and post some pics tonight. Graham

I haven't watched this yet, not even a single episode. What's so good about it? Too be honest, the mecha designs really put me off. Not trying to be a troll, but they really look like something from a kiddies comedy anime. Given that I generally only watch 'real robot' type war anime (Macross, Votoms, Blue Gender etc) and generally stay away from comedy anime, is it worth me trying this? Graham

Really not a big fan of the Takara 1/18 articulated fingers. The hard ABS fingers have a nasty tendency to fall out of the softer ABS palm (main hand part). I've lost two fingers already. Takara should really have made the palm of ABS as well. I'm sticking with the fixed pose hands thank you very much. Graham

I'll tell you no one guessed right so far! Graham

I'll try to take some tonight. The 1/18 RSC set looks really cool fitted on DMZ #01, even better than the magazine pics. The only difficulty I had was getting the backpack locked in place..........it's a super tight fit. I had to push so hard, I thought I was going to break off the attachment hooks on the back of the Scopedog! Now I'm scared to try to remove it. Graham

Here's a scan from the new October issue of Dengeki Hobby magazine of the upcoming DMZ # 05, 1/18 scale OVA Scopedog Turbo Custom with new Chirico figure. Not sure when the exact release date is now, as Dengeki Hobby say December, but Hobby Japan magazines says November!? Graham

Here's the scan of my 25th Anniversery logo concert sticker. Graham

Just picked up the Takara 1/18 Vanilla + RSC Parts set during my lunch break, for HK$299 (US$38.34) from the Animate Branch in Sugar Street, Causeway Bay. Won't have time to open the box until I get home at about 11pm tonight though. Graham

According to the new Hobby mags, the Takara DMZ #05 Scopedog Turbo Custom has been delayed until December. New photos in the mags show it will come will an all new Chirico figure wearing the OVA green military uniform and beret. Will get the pics scanned tomorrow. Hoping to pick up my Vanilla + RSC parts set today. Graham

No, it doesn't. This new YF-21 is definitely high speed, low drag and far more anime accurate than the old 1/72. Graham

Eh? The 1/60 YF-19 was specifically designed so the codpiece would not block line of sight of the gunpod in fighter mode, unlike the older 1/72 version. Are you remembering to fold the backpack thruster up and out of the way inside the backpack, so that the codpice can sit as high up as possible? Graham

I'll do a scan of my 25th Anniverery sticker, but it will have to be when I'm back in the office on Monday, as my home scanner has decided to die on me. Graham

I think you mean 'Yang', not Yuan. Graham

I did try with a second Isamu in the back seat and while I could sorta get him squashed in, the rear canopy would not close completely. Graham

Yep, it would be great to see Gamlin back. He's probably my all time favorite male Macross character. Heh, wonder if he would be married to Mylene. Graham