Graham

I completely agree that the studios need to start making better films. I used to go to the cinema about twice a month, but I haven't been for 8 months now and have no intention of seeing a movie at the theatre until SW ep III comes out. I've just seen too much crap at the cinema to have much interest in wasting money there. These days any movie that looks remotely interesting, I'll wait and rent it and if I really like it, I'll buy the DVD. I've never downloaded a movie or TV series or music. I know how, but don't mind paying for the DVDs/CDs. The only things I have ever downloaded are the M0 fansubs purely because they had better translations than the HK boots, but even then I still bought the original Japanese R2 DVDs. Graham

Armored Troopers from VOTOMS. Tactical Armor from Gasaraki. Labors from Patlabor. Powered Suits from Starship Troopers OVA. MADOX-01 from Metal Skin Panic. Graham

Heh, first time I saw the pic of the uncolored version, I thought it was a resin kit, not a CG image. Graham

I'm not impressed by the G36 rifle I've handled. While reliability may be better than M16 type rifles in adverse conditions, the G36 has a horrible, horrible trigger IMO. Assault rifle manufacturers should all take a lesson from SIG, as the SIG-550 series of rifles have the sweetest non-custom trigger I have ever felt on a military rifle. The G36 I tried also had that horrible dual sight system (red dot sight ontop of a low magnification optical sight). the red dot sight was far too small and you had to break your cheek weld to sight through it, which I did not like. The version with the single optical sight seems better, but I haven't shot it, only handled it at SHOT show. I'm lucky enough in my previous job to have a chance to shoot most of the common 5.56mm and 7.62mm rifles and given my preference, I'll take a SIG-550 in 5.56mm any day of the week and an FN-FAL or HK G3 in 7.62mm over a G36. Graham

I can confirm that the 7.5 inch Launcher Strike toy has no weathering, is made of ABS and is held together with screws. It does not have removeable armor over an internal skeleton, so is not based on the MMM Strike sculpt. The GQ Impulse is about 18cm tall and yes they are awesome toys. I'm very happy with both my GQ Force & Sword Impulse toys. Highly recommended. Graham

Lots of unsold 7.5 inch plastic Launcher Strikes sitting on the toy shelves here in HK. Seems like they are not too popular here. Perhaps because they are the only figure in the line. From what I've seen, they seem like a decent toy, but I'm quite happy with my MMM Strike, so no plans to get the 7.5 inch version. The AE Strike has not been released here in HK. Graham

Just curious do the AE Strike and the 7.5 inch plastic Launcher Strike share the same basic figure or are they completely different sculpts? Graham

I've been planning to take a pic of my 1/65 Mac 7 toys since this thread started, but just haven't found the time. Gotta round up all my Mac 7 toys as some are at home, some at work, one is presently being customed (VF-17S Milia custom). Last time I counted, I think I had the following quantity: - VF-17D = 4 VF-17S = 4 VF-19S = 4 VF-19kai = 3 VF-17S reissue = 3 VF-19Kai reissue = 1 Graham

Looks like a disco ball between the grey robot and the red robot (sorry, never can remember their names). Yay, disco dancing Transformers. get down and boogey! Graham

Answer a) Beacuse otherwise he'd be naked. Answer b) Cus he feels cold? Graham

It's about time we got a decent X-Wing game for the PS2. Graham

Personally, I prefer deluxe over value versions as far as Variable Fighters go. I want my VFs to be detailed, look good, i.e. as accurate to the lineart as possible, have some gimmicks, be durable (most important), feature perfect (or near perfect) transformation and be made of good quality materials, i.e no gashapon-disease-prone PVC thank you very much! Only good quality ABS and some die-cast metal where necessary for strength. For non-transforming Destroids or non-transforming enemy mecha, lower price value versions are fine as long as they are durable, look decent and feature a reasonable level of articulation. I'd be quite happy with a line of 1/144 scale or 1/100 scale GFF style Destroids and enemy mecha in the ¥5,000 price range, rather than Yamato's over-priced (IMO) 1/60 Q-Rau and 1/60 Vaporware Monster. Size or scale is not that important to me these days. As long as the toy meets the criteria listed above, I'll happily accept it in whatever scale. I'm not hung up on having all my Macross mecha in the same scale anymore. Graham

I'm not a huge fan of Destroids. I think the only ones I really would like to buy are the Tomahawk and Cheyenne. Having seen and handled the prototype 1/60 Monster sculpt a couple of years ago (gosh has it been that long), I can confirm the thing is pretty damn huge. Got some sweet photos of it with a 1/60 Hikaru VF-1A Battroid standing with it as well. Hmm.....would Yamato go apeshit if I posted them? Anyway, if I had to chose between 1/60 or 1/48 scale for Destroids, I think I'd opt for 1/60 scale purely for reasons of space saving. Given free choice though, I'd probaby prefer 1/100 scale. They would still be a decent size and detailed enough. And being non-transformable would be durable enough at that size. Graham

If this game has Gamlin and the VF-17D/S, then I'm buying it. Graham

Mabye the Minerva was designed specifically to carry the ZAKUs and Savior and the Impluse was actually a late addition. So when it came time to add the Impulse, it was found that there wasn't any spare hanger space for it to be launched assembled? Nah, that justification sounds lame even by my standards . Graham

Loved Captain Scarlet as a kid back in the 70s. Definitely the darkests of all the Gerry Anderson shows. I've always found it strange that Gerry Anderson shows are so popular in the UK and Japan, but never really caught on in the US. Graham

There's still no reason why it shouldn't come pre-assembled in the hangar ready for launch. Yeah, I agree that it's pretty silly that it does not launch pre-assembled. It's even sillier IMO that the Core Splendor has to jetison it's missile pods each time as well. Graham

I think it's petty much for the same reason as the V-Guundam, that is so if a part is damaged in combat, a replacement can be sent out immediately to allow the Impulse to keep on fighting, rather than having to return to base for lengthy repairs. Graham

Haven't watched it. One of the guys I work with (who has a similar taste in movies to me) saw it over the CNY holiday and said it was crap and a waste of money. Graham

The HK film industry has been in decline for about a decade now. Fewer and fewer films being made every year. At least those films which do get made generally tend to be better quality. Graham

As far as we know, Phase Shift Armor only works against projectile weapons, and is inaffective against beam weapons. If this is true it would seem to have little relevance any more, given that all of the newer mass produced MS like the Zaku, Dagger-L, Windam & Murasame carry beam weapons as standard. Graham

Given that Lunamaria seems to have a crush on Athrun, I'd think it more likely that she will die saving Athrun, not Shin. Graham

Can you snap some pictures of Lunemaria's Zaku and the Guaiz-R? Will try to snap some pics in the next couple of days. Lunamaria's Zaku is a slightly lighter shade of red than it should be IMO, but still a nice figure. The skirt armor hasn't fallen off once yet, which is good as on my Blaze & Slash Zakus it occasionally comes off when you bend the legs. The Gunner pack is nice and attaches very securely. I'm not a fan of the Guaiz-R design in the anime, but the MSiA toy is very well engineered. I'm really in love with the Dagger-L, this is a really great toy. The flight pack is very cool and the articulation on the base figure is excellent, especially the ankles, as there is no bulky ankle armor to block the movement. Graham

Just picked up the 3 new Destiny MSiA, Lunamaria's Gunner Zaku Warrior, the Dagger-L and the Guiaz-R(sp?) All three are very nice figures. Graham

I'm surprised Agent One hasn't put himself forward to be the next James Bond But anyway, I still say British Singer Robbie Williams for Bond. Graham