Graham

I sense something. A presence I've not felt since........... Graham

I just spoke with Neova and he was away on business. He just got back today, so he'll catch up on all his PMs and emails soon. Graham

Very interesting translation Nanashi. Thanks. So the big pods on the inner wing pylons are 'Intermediate Range Mobile Missile Pods'. I'd assumed that they were fuel tanks. Oh well, with the booster and all those extra missile pods, but no extra fuel tanks, the VF-0 SAC is going to be one short-ranged plane. Graham

Nanashi, now has translated the Japanese source material from the R2 DVD booklet, concerning the VF-0 with Ghost Booster. It mentions how the AI, avionics and reconnaissance equipment was removed from the Ghost Booster to reduce the weight when attached to the VF-0. However, it also mentions that the weight of the VF-0 with Ghoost Booster attached increased by 35%, while the available thrust only increased by 20%. And the VF-1 Super did not 'need' the FAST pack poosters to carry the rest of the FAST back. The boosters were to give it extra thrust in combat. Graham

I'm still considering whether or not to buy the uncut DotD remake DVD. I'm a huge fan of the original Romero Zombie trilogy and to be honest, I wasn't that impressed by the MTV style directing of the remake when I saw it at the cinema. Plus the running zombies did nothing for me. Give me slow shufflers any day . Still, I've heard that the uncut DVD version is better than the theatrical release, so I may break down and buy it to add to my collecion of Zombie flicks. Graham

Will try to get the custom toy page updated sometime around mid-November. Sorry, no time before then. Graham

Flying sub and aircraft carriers?! When does this happen, is there a picture. At one point in ep # 5, Anti-Grav generators are shown (similar to the ones in the SDF-1). I think these are in the Asuka, which could explain why and how it is flying. Presumably the Anti-UN submarine also has anti-grav generators as well? Not sure why the Aegis cruiser is also flying tho, perhaps it all is magic? Anyway, I agree that the begining is very rushed, but the dog fight scenes are excelent, although it is a shame that Roy or Shin are not the ones to kill DD and Nora. I liked how there was a practical use for the Destroid Monsters claws, after all the speculating on MW about why it had claws and how impractical they were. Graham

I didn't see it yet, although I'll probably rent it when it's released on DVD. Graham

Think I read on Cinescape that Nic Cage was in talks to play Skeletor!!!! Anyway, John Woo is a hack and hasn't made a good movie in over a decade IMO. Graham

Combattler V. Best looking combining robot, with the best attacks and best opening song. Graham

Well, Star Wars Battlefront is on my list of games to try before RT Invasion, but as I have so little time for console games (haven't played a game of any sort in 6 months....not kidding), it might be a while before I get around to giving Invasion a try. OT, but curse Battlefront for not having a 2-player split screen mode I don't think there is anyway to play it online here in HK. I was looking forward to having a friend come round to try it with me, but then I found out there is no 2-player mode . I wish game developers would realise that not everbody is into or has access to play online console games. Anyway, I'm old fashioned and still prefer playing when I have my friends in the same room with me together with plenty of beer and pizza. None of this anonymous online gaming for me thank you very much. So getting back on topic, how is the 2-player mode of RT Invasion? Graham

Is Shadowloo any relation to Egan Loo? Perhaps his alias? Graham

You should kitbash your dog's head onto the VF-0. That'll teach him not to destroy your stuff Graham

Heh, I bought mine for US$3 yesterday, boot of course not original as I have no intention of supporting HG Graham

Yep looks cool. Sell them on ebay for big bucks as a one-of-a-kind custom Graham

There's no such things as a 90's Bandai Strike Valk. I think you mean the 90's Bandai Super Valk Graham

I think so.. George got a huge amount of crap for these last 3, I think the fanboys ruined the experience for him. I do not think he will look back on this Star Wars prequel experience favorably. Lucas should let other people direct episodes VII, VIII & IX. An episode each by Ridley Scott, Peter Jackson & Steven Spielberg could be interesting. Just whatever happens, under no circumstances let Paul Anderson, John Woo, Uwe Boll or Ang Lee direct them. Graham

I know I could get them a bit cheaper on ebay, but the shipping costs to HK would be a real killer and would probably make the total cost higher than the price I've found. The ones I've found for US$219 are actually here in HK near my office, so there's no shipping costs, just go to the shop and pick them up And Guppy, who says my wife would ever know - "Those old things, I've had them in storage for 10 years, just decided to take them out and play with them after watching the Star Wars DVDs" . Just hope she doesn't read this thread . Graham

Quick question. I have a chance to buy the Code 3 Star Wars X-Wing and Millenium Falcon for US$219 each. I know this is a fairly good price, but it's still a lot to pay for a toy. Anyway, I just want to ask those MWers that own them are you satisfied with them? Any downside to these toys? Does the paint scratch easily? Are there any parts that are breakage prone? I'm not really a huge Star Wars fan, although those two ships are my childhood favorites, so it would be nice to own what seems to be the definitive collectible version. Graham

I thought it was pretty much common knowledge that the Ivanov SV-51 kits comes with decals for you to build it as the canon fodder version. In fact, it specifically mentions this on the box art. I don't see how this is Hasegawa being greedy? In fact it's the opposite. Graham

I'd buy two, but I'd rather they made a VT-1 instead. Graham

Oh dear.........that UCP pistol is chambered for H&K's pipsqueak 4.6x30mm round, i.e the same round used in their MP7 PDW. 4.6mm = 0.18" = Micro caliber mouse bullets . Actually, mice would probably laugh at it. While it may do reasonably well at punching through soft body armor, it isn't going to have much in the way of stopping power, unless you get a central nevous system hit. It's a good thing it comes with a 20 round mag, as you'll probably need the whole mag to put a determined opponent down. Seems very few military or law enforcement special units are adopting this round or FN's similar 5.7mm round. Gimme a quality pistol chambered for .45ACP or full power 10mm anyday of the week. Graham

Regarding the Original Trilogy DVD set, I guess we should all be grateful that GL didn't decide to remove James Earl Jones's Voice for Darth Vader and replace it with Hayden Christianson's voice Graham

We've had what is it, a nice 5 year run with lots of new Macross toys from Yamato, Bandai, Banpresto, CM's & K&M, but I have a feeling that we are in for a long dry spell for at least the next several years (or possibly longer). I think basically that the Macross bubble has burst and with Macross Zero drawing to a close this month and no new Macross anime or new Macross console game on the horizon, the toys are going to dry up soon. From all I've observed and from conversations with various people in and out of Japan it seems like Macross is basically dead or dying in Japan. While there is of course a significant fanbase outside of Japan, that really does not concern the Japanese manufacturers like Yamato while they are unable to officially market their products outside of Japan. It's obvious that Yamato's Macross product line is shrinking as they diversify into other anime properties. Most of the upcoming Macross products have been in development for 1-2 years already. I hope I'm wrong, but I've got a feeling that after the toys that have already been announced have been released, then that's it no more Macross toys. So basically, what have we got to look forward to: - 1/60 Max Q-Rau (a recolor of an existing product). 1/100 VB-6 (Yay, an all new toy!). 1/100 VF-0S (in development for nearly 2 years!). 1/100 VF-0A (a head swap and recolor). 1/48 GBP (as told by Yamato to Noel). 1/60 Monster (as told by Yamato to Noel - And in development for 2 years). Personally, I think that after 2 years in development and going nowhere the YF-19FP resculpt is as dead as a the proverbial Dodo and I'm betting that Yamato won't even attempt a design as difficult as the SV-51 toy. heck, I'm even begining to think that we wont see a 1/100 VF-0D and as for larger perfect versions of the Macross Zero toys forget it. Hopefully Kawamori and Big West will release a new Macross anime for the 25th aniversery in 2007 so we might see some new toys then, but that's still a few years away Graham

Damn, just received the following email from HLJ: - "Thank you for your order for a following item. Item: Mediax Macross Zero Mission Memories (MDX13584) Unfortunately, this particular product turned out to be a phantom. By that we mean that the manufacture announced it, but ended up never actually releasing it. As such, we wanted to let you know that we were dropping it from your outstanding orders with us. I'm sorry for the disappointing news". WTF!?????? Graham