Graham

I'm pretty sure that the 1/60 VF-0S finished product will have some minimal diecast parts where necessary for strength. Probably the same as the 1/48, i.e. landing gears and swing bar. It's still pretty early days yet and Yamato have only released a very limited amount of information on the product. At this early stage any specs released should not be taken as final as some things will no doubt change between now and next year. I'm also betting that the 1/60 VF-0 will have exactly the same type of single swing bar as the 1/48 VF-1. Even though the anime shows duel swing bars, if these were made accurate to the anime, they would likely be too thin and fragile even if made of metal. Even though they are not at this time shown on the specifications, I'm also willing to bet that the wing missiles and leg-mounted FAST packs will be included. Graham

Just did a google search on Haruki Yoshiyama and it looks like he's responsible for quite a bit of stuff, including the GFF Crossbones Gundam, GFF Wing Gundam and the 1/48 GBP Armor. Graham

Latest update on the Macross Compendium has the following to say about the new toy: - 1/60 VF-0S Pre-painted PVC & ABS action figure Fully-transformable without part-swapping Includes gunpod Length: 33 cm (Fighter mode) Macross Zero series Production, technical assistance: Flex Prototype production: Haruki Yoshiyama (solid) Yamato 2006 Spring (planned) Price not determined 33cm makes it even longer than the 1/48 VF-1 in fighter mode! Anybody ever heard of Haruki Yoshiyama before or know what other toys he's designed? Graham

The last Nic Cage movie I liked was The Rock and that as what, 9 years ago! Graham

I wanna know when the Murasame is gonna get some love either in toy or model form? I mean the only Murasames so far are cheap and nasty gashapons. A 1/100 kit or an MSIA toy would be nice. Graham

Those that chose either Minmay or Misa, I hope you had in mind the DYRL versions and not the TV series Anime Friend (Fiend) versions Graham

IIRC, the Hasegawa kit had a Rabbit's head with long floppy ears IIRC, not a skull logo. Graham

Eh, GF? Last we heard you were single. So what does she think of all the 1/48s? Graham

You're just saying that 'cause you're in it. Hands up, anyone who's seen Graham and Nick Cage in one place at the same time? 316133[/snapback] I resemble that remark. Graham

Looks good. On my 'to watch' list now. Graham

Well, despite the non-removable Dragoons, it's still a pretty good figure. No real flaws, no warping. Good articulation, joints nice and tight, holds weapons well, reasonable paint job (although I don't like the gold bits). Anyway, I'm looking forward to seeing Shinn in Destiny kick Kira's ass in Strike Freedom, cus we all know that after Impulse delivered the smackdown on Freedom, Kira is Shinn's bitch . Graham

Seen the cut version a few months back. Pretty good stuff. Would like to see the uncut version. Graham

I think I actually prefer the VF-0S to the VF-1S design now. And there certainly aint nothing boring about the VF-0D. One of the most beautiful looking fighters in all of Macross IMO. Graham

Hmm......just noticed on the Zinc Panic site that they listing the designer of the 1/60 VF-0S as FLEX, which should in theory mean Nishikawa-san (same as 1/48 VF-1). Hope this is correct. Graham

Out shopping last night with Blackaces and Valk009 and we came across the newly released transforming Bandai Nirvash toy. Blackaces picked up one. I was going to get one as well but it was the last piece in the shop and none of the dozen or so other shops we visted that night had any. We broke the toy out of it's window box over dinner to examine it. Lots of twist ties to remove to free him. Anway, the toy stands about 6-7" tall and is mostly ABS construction, with some small rubber and PVC parts. There are no die-cast metal parts at all. Paint job was ok. Arm joints were fairly tight, but the hip joints were quite lose. I decided to try transforming to vehicle mode. There are quite a few steps to the transformation, but the instruction sheet provided is well illustrated. However, transformation is still a bit of a pain as there are lots of small parts that have to be swapped out. Overall, it's not a bad toy. It seems quite posable & comes with several types of swapable hands, two surfboards (1 for the robot to stand on and one folding board to attach to the back of the car to form the spoiler) and two of the boomerang knife thingies. Graham

Guardian Of Unity Forerunner. 314907[/snapback] Gawd, and I bet you're not just making that up.... that is just sad. I wonder if Babi has an acronym too. 314922[/snapback] DOM = Dauntless Obliterator Magnificent Graham

Use the incinerator units Graham

We've discussed this many times. IMO the VF-0 is only inferior to the VF-1 in a few areas. Basically handling was more delicate due to the limitations of regular jet engines as opposed to the thermonuclear engines. Range was limited, again due to the engine's reliance on conventional fuel. If thermonuclear engines had been available this would be a different case. Also, the VF-0's skin was conventional material (titanium/carbon composite) as opposed to Overtechnology material like hyper-carbon. Remember, the VF-0 was an Overtechnology testbed for future variable fighters, so it did have some features that the VF-1 did not have such as an active stealth system. Graham

You are correct, the VF-0's hands do not retract into the forearms. Graham

That pic is from the new September issue of Dengeki Hobby magazine just released a few days ago. And yes, Hasegawa will be releasing the VF-0A with booster in September or October. This was announced a few months ago already. Graham

This could be the one toy that tempts me out of my semi-retirement to do a review. Graham

OK, I've emailed Yamato about the incorrect head lasers. Let's just wait and see if they respond. Graham

Too be honest, I was somewhat underwhelmed by this book. I thought the Kawamori design works was far superior. Graham

Just wondering should I try emailing my old contacts at Yamato about the incorrect head lasers? They haven't spoken to me in more than a year, but I guess it can't hurt. Graham

I voted for the grey VF-0D. That's how I have my Hasagawa VF-0D painted and it looks awesome. My second choice would be a Nora SV-51. I don't know why Nora's scheme doesn't get much love. I find it much more striking than Ivanov's, which IMO is too bland and boring. Graham