Graham

That is an animation error. It is only yellow in one short scene. Graham

I just added scans from Spring 2004 issue of Character Model Magazine, includes pics of the Hasegawa VF-0S & SV-51 in non-canon colors and line-art of the VF-0S with drones attached. See: here (bottom of the page). Graham

Guys, the new Spring 2004 issue of Character Model magazine features some black and white line-art pictures (see below) of the VF-0S with two drones attached on pylons mounted to the back-plate (in place of the normal dorsal-mounted fuel tanks). To me, it looks like the drones are armed with micro-missile launchers, located towards the front of the drone near the drone's canards. Also shown for the first time are what appear to be wing-mounted drop tanks as well as some new type of wing-mounted missile (high manauever missile?) on tripple-ejector-racks on the wings. I guess we'll be seeing this appear in episode # 4 of Macross Zero? Enjoy the pics. Graham

Yeah, that's a 1.5. Bad paint chipping on the lower leg though. Graham

I've always felt that the Ghost X-9 and it's production version the Ghost AIF-9B were somewhat overated. They seem suitable as interceptors, but not much else. Frankly speaking, they lack the versatility to handle all the various types of missions that VFs are tasked with. IMO, the UN Spacy was incredibly short-sighted for thinking that they could replace manned VFs, VAs and VBs with a non-transforming drone for all mission applications. Basically, the X-9 has only it's high speed going for it and the only thing it is really good at is high speed slashing attacks (which is shown in Macross Plus). Even though the lack of a human pilot would allow the X-9 to pull more Gs than a manned VF, at the sort of speeds the Ghost flys, it's still going to have a huge turn radius. Plus as we all know, the prototype Ghost X-9 proved glaringly vulnerable to hacking. And yes, I'm sure Max would have quite handily defeated the X-9 or an AIF-9B without dying. In fact, I suspect Isamu could have as well. I've long thought that Isamu had far more real combat experience and was a better combat pilot than Guld. From what I understand, Guld was not actually a military pilot, only a civilian test pilot for General Galaxy, with probably little or no actual real combat experience (probably only simulated combat experience). Isamu on the other hand was already a highly experienced and talented combat pilot by 2040AD. Graham

As it hasn't come out by now, I think it's a safe bet that it has been cancelled. Graham

Considering there is no line art of the SV-51's landing gear yet and I don't think it has ever been shown in the anime either, I strongly suspect that it is Hasegawa's guess. Graham

Nice and it comes with full weapons and drop tanks. I am so getting that and having somebody build it for me. Graham

If you don't like it after 4 eps then you probably wont like the rest of the series as it's pretty much more of the same. Personally, I love the Orguss TV series, Classic 80s mecha anime with great chara and mecha designs. One of my favorite 80s shows. Graham

Not just the head and canopy are different on the VF-22, the panels that cover the legs in fighter mode are also different as well. And yes, Hasegawa have released both Macross Plus YF-21 and Macross 7 VF-22 models. Hasegawa VF-22S Hasegawa YF-21 Graham

I haven't heard anything, but it's possible. I'll try to find out. Anyway, I could do with more time to save some money. Graham

Nope, Bandai have never made a VF-22 toy in any color. There are however pics of a prototype Bandai 1/65 scale VF-17S toy in Milia colors as well as a VF-19F toy that never made it into production. These prototypes were displayed at a Japanese toy show back in 1995. You can find these pics in the August 1995 issue of B-Club magazine. Graham

I can't speak for Japan, but the VF-11B FP is still very easy to find here in Hong Kong. In fact during the recent MW HK Shopathon Kanto Hobby had them on sale and Guppy bought one for about HK$200 (£15) IIRC. Graham

You are only just realising NOW that Hollywood has run out of ideas? Graham

Looks like they may finally be getting a release after a very troubled development period. But heck, I'm getting a little tired of SDF Macross figures. I'd love to see a set like this, but for Macross Zero VFs and Destroids. Graham

Never seen a close up pic of the gun door, but no it is not destroyed when the gun is fired. It's a hydraulic cover that swings open when the pilot pulls the trigger and closes automatically after firing. Read this and this. Graham

Does the Innocence book feature any new Mikimoto Macross character art or is it just reprint's of his older work that is already available in other books? Graham

If Toynami do release DYRL MPCs, I wonder whether they would take the time and expense to resculpt the arm FAST packs or not? At the moment, the DYRL Super Poseables have TV type arm FAST packs, which is incorrect. Graham

The 11 is a VF-11D 'Jamming Birds' varient from Macross 7. Graham

I have the original of Macross Since 1983. It's a fun game, but a little repetative. I've tried burning a copy, but the copy I made never worked. Never could figure out what I was doing wrong. I also have a bootleg of Another Story, but could never get it to run on my PC. The best I got was being able to view the intro movie, which was pretty cool. I also have the original of the special edition of VF-X2. Although I can copy PS games, I absolutely refuse to make copies of this, so don't even ask me. Graham

I wonder if it's still in RT or was cut? Graham

Although I'm not really up on vintage 1/55 prices anymore, that price sounds acceptable for a mint GBP armor. Graham

Wow, you watched the entire Macross 7 TV series in one weekend? That is hardcore! Anyway, in Macross 7, Max and Miria fly the VF-22S (the production version of the YF-21). And yes, I agree it would make a cool toy. Graham

Don't forget Yamato has many other product lines, not only Macross. Even if they did stop producing Macross toys, I don't think they would go out of business. Anyway, I'm sure we will continue to see Macross products from Yamato, although even I don't really have a clear idea of what's in the pipeline apart from lots of Macross Zero stuff. As for the 1/48 VF-1 toys, well at the moment most asian retailers still have a fair amount of stock, so it's pointless putting the older 1/48 toys back into production at this time if no stores are going to buy them. It doesn't make good financial sense for Yamato to fill their warehouse full of 1/48s when there are no customers. I'm sure once the stock starts to thin-out Yamato will start getting requests from their distributors for more 1/48 toys and once they recieve enough orders they will pump out another production run. Anyway, it's not like 1/48 toys are especially difficult to find right now (except for the Low-Vis). I mean it's only a few months ago that the VF-1S Hikaru and VF-1J Hikaru came out, plus we had the reissues of the VF-1A Hikaru and VF-1S Focker quite recently as well. Not to mention the VF-1J Super Max is coming at the end of this month and the VF-1J Super Miria in April. It's not a good idea for Yamato to over-saturate the market with 1/48 VF-1 toys. Frankly speaking after the Max and Miria come out, it would probably be a good idea for them to wait at least 1 or 2 years before producing anymore 1/48 VF-1 toys in order to increase the scarcity of the toys and give sufficient time for demand to build. Graham

I'm moving this to the model kit forum. Graham