Graham

Toynami 1/55 (MPC): 1pc (it was a gift, I didn't buy it) Bandai 1/55: 11pcs. Bandai 1/65: 15pcs. Bandai 1/72 (HCM): 3pcs. Bandai 1/100: 1pc. Takatoku 1/55: 1pc. Yamato 1/60: 20pcs. Yamato 1/48: 17pcs. Yamato 1/72: 18pcs. Joons 1/55: 1pc. Doyusha: 7pcs. Used to have more Takatokus and Bandais but sold them on ebay to raise money. Sorta regreting it now Graham

I've bought and sold loads of Valks since Yamato first started making them 4 years ago, so it's difficult keeping track of what I've owned. Anyway, I think my present total for my personal collection is: - 1/48 = 17pcs 1/60 = 20pcs. 1/72 = 18pcs. Graham

I'd like an Alpha if somebody can pick me up one. Graham

I agree, that looks like the finished product. It's definitely plastic, not resin. Those stickers don't look too bad IMO. Graham

That ScotlandonSunday article is really annoying. Same old BS from reporters who have no idea what they are talking about. The Eurofighter was not designed just to fight Cold War Scenarios. It's a true multi-role aircraft and will handle very nicely any conflict, land sea or air, that you throw it into thank you very much. And it is most definitely not obselete. The only plane that has an edge on it is the F/A-22. Idiots. Graham

If it is old stock from the 80s, then the seller is pretty dumb to be selling them for only $50 Graham

I dunno, I was just discussing this with Neova and I don't think this can be old stock from the 80s, it looks too new, unless it was hermetically sealed and locked in an airtight vault for the last 20 years Graham

A long time ago (maybe a year ago, I forget) it was mentioned to me that it was extemely unlikely that we would see a 2 seater 1/48 VF-1. However, that was then, this is now and plans do change, so who knows. Graham

Looks good, I'll add this to the MW custom gallery. Graham

I was under the impression that the CFTs on the F-15 actually contributed very little to drag. Graham

No idea about what the next 1/48 VF-1 variant is. It seems like Yamato don't want to talk to me any more . Anyway personally, I think it's probably a good idea if they give the 1/48 VF-1 line a rest and don't release any more variants for a while. Most people are starting to get burnt out on the VF-1 and I think at least a six month to one year break until the next 1/48 VF-1 release would give time for people's interest to build up again. For the moment, I'd rather see Yamato working on a larger perfect variable VF-0 A/B/D/S, VF-0 Reactive Armor, SV-51 Nora/D.D./Cannon Fodder version, Destroid Cheyenne and Octos and a resculpt YF-19FP. Just forget the crappy 1/100 scale parts-swapping VF-0S. I would eventually like to see Yamato release a 1/48 VF-1A Cannon Fodder, a DYRL VF-1A Kakizaki and two seater VT-1, VE-1 and VF-1D. However, we all know that the 2-seaters are a very slim possibility. Of course I hope they are working on a 1/48 GBP armor set as well. And then of course there's my wish list of stuff that probably won't get made: - Perfect variable VF-17D/S with FPs, in Diamond Force & Miria colors. Perfect variable YF-21 complete new resculpt. Perfect variable VF-22S in Max, Miria & Gamlin colors. Perfect variable VF-5000B. Perfect Variable 1/48 Stampeed Valkyrie. Graham

Solid looks better IMO. I sold all my clear hair set 1 and didn't even bother buying the clear hair set 2. Graham

Me wants. I wonder if these become widely available, will it hurt the sales of the Toynami MPC Alpha? Perhaps it would make Toynami rethink their ridiculous retail price? Graham

Damn, I'd buy a large Gakken Legioss for US$50 even if it is a bootleg. Did they have the greenies or only blue ones? Graham

I've done a lot of reading on the Eurofighter, it's one of my favorite modern military aircraft. On paper it looks amazing, especially in it's full-up Tranche 3 configuration with all the bells and whistles fitted. IMO it's the best multi-role fighter in the world, except for the F/A-22, well on paper anyway. It's certainly capable of running rings around older jets like the F-15 and has indeed done so in training exercises by all accounts. However, like most modern planes it is a very complicated peice of machinery and software and due to a certain lack of both political and financial report at home, it's never really had the full support it deserves. It would be a real shame for it to be scrapped as once the bugs are worked out it would be an immensly capable aircraft. Graham

While this Alex Ross guy is obviously a talented artist, when I see that golden age picture, only one thing springs immediately to mind. Let's all sing along now guys............... We're men... we're men in tights We roam around the forest looking for fights. We're men... we're men in tights. We rob from the rich and give to the poor, that's right. We may look like sissys, but watch what you say or else we'll put out your lights. (bang) We're men... we're men in tights always on guard defending the peoples rights. (Can can music) la la la la la la la la la, la la la la la la la la la... lalalalalalala (repeat). We're men..manly men We're men in tights, yes (with lisp) We roam around the forest looking for fights. We're men, we're men in tights We rob from the rich and give to the poor that's right. We may look like pansies, but don't get us wrong or else we'll put out your lights. (bang) We're men... we're men in tights (tight tights) Always on guard defending the peoples rights When your in a fix just call for the men in tights. We're butch. Graham

I guess if you know you are facing an enemy that can remotely hack into your aircraft's systems, all you have to do is shut down your external datalink. This means you wont be able to share data with other aircraft and assests, but at least you won't be hacked. Graham

Looks like the US Navy is heading that way already. Graham

The Macross Compendium mentions the 2 seater VF-0A, but has no mention of the VF-0B. However, the VF-0 page on the Compendium hasn't been updated for ages, so I'm guessing that the information may be slightly out of date and what was originally called a '2-seater VF-0A' has now been renamed VF-0B. Graham

So far, the VF-0B has not be shown in Macross Zero. Actually, that's not entirely true, what may be a tan color VF-0B may have been visable for a few seconds on the flight deck or hanger in episode # 1. I'll have to re-watch that episode again. Graham

See this thread for a custom conversion. Graham

Pretty damn rare Graham

Ahem.....MW main page, links section has a link to the IHP page. Or just go here. And yes, I'd love to see Yamato make a VF-17 as long as it was 1/48 scale and perfect variable. None of this 1/100 scale PVC parts swapping nonsense (VF-0S cough, cough) thank you very much. Heck, I'm still waiting for my Bandai DX 1/65 scale Milia type VF-17S toy that was shown in the August 1995 issue of B-Club magazine. Graham

The main differences between the DYRL FAST Packs and the TV FAST Packs are that the TV arm FAST Packs are slightly shorter and have a slanted front section and the TV packs are a slightly diferent color. Also, the TV FAST Packs do not come with the DYRL Double Strike Cannon. Graham

Call me silly, but I quite like vs debates as long as they stay civil. Anyway, I'm not that familiar with the Mave as I've only seen the first two episodes of Yukikaze. I've been trying to search online for some specifications on weapons loadout, engine thrust, weight etc, so we can make a more meaningful comparison, but so far I have not been able to find any technical information online on the aircraft of Yukikaze. Regarding the original Super Sylph Yukikaze, which I'm slightly more familiar with, it would seem that as far as weapons load, the VF-0 would have the edge. I've definitely seen written somewhere that the Super Sylph is fitted with a 20mm M61A1 Vulcan cannon, whereas the VF-0 has the far more powerful GPU-9 35mm gunpod as well as either 1 head laser (VF-0A/B/D) or two head lasers (VF-0S). Also, IIRC, the Super Sylph and AFAIK the Mave are only shown carrying a total of 4 missiles, although they do look like they would be fairly powerful and long range due to their large size. However, the VF-0 series carries as standard 12 medium range missiles on the wings as well as 48 short range micro-missiles in the leg-mounted FAST packs. Regarding defensive systems, I've honestly no idea about the capabilities of the aircraft of Yukizaze. However, the VF-0 series has an impressive defensive suite including the AN/ALE 55 flare and chaff dispenser system. The AN/ALQ 220A IDECM. ASS/PS 110 active stealth system. AWAG/RA 105 SW-AG energy converting armor system (info courtesy of Macross Compendium). Without any specs for the Mave or Super Slylph, it's difficult to compare speed and acceleration. Regarding agility, the Super Sylph is a huge aircraft, so I find it difficult to believe it would be as agile as the smaller VF-0, even though both aircraft have thrust vectoring. I would think that the three mode transformation ability of the VF-0 would give it an edge though. Perhaps David could comment? Graham