Graham

I fear they may be abandoning YF-19fp toys Don't worry. Graham

I hope there's some news like that to admit... OK, it's not dead. happy? Graham

I of course would also prefer a larger perfect transforming VF-0 toy. However, I'm still pretty excited about the smaller 1/100 version. Heck, when you only collect Macross toys, any new Macross toy is cause for excitment. And from what I've seen of the VF-0S so far, it's looking pretty sweet for the price. Graham

I had a thought the other day. What if the extra VFs (YF-19, YF-21, SV-51 & VF-0S) are actually still in the game and to unlock then it takes something that probably nobody has done yet, such as getting an 'S' grade in every mission using the VF-4 or using Hikaru or Roy's VF-1S. I mean most people quit playing once they unlock Max, Hikaru and Roy's VF-1S. I doubt anybody bothers to play through the game to get 'S' grades a second time. I'm probably dreaming. Graham

It has not been confirmed that a larger VF-0 is coming out. Graham

As I mentioned in another thread, from what I've been told it's just the nosecone that gets swapped and the battroid mode neck piece has to be removed for transformation from Battroid mode to Fighter or Gerwalk mode. The 1/100 version is plenty detailed based on the latest pics I've seen. Sure it's not covered in zillions of rivets like the Hasegawa kit, but the detail is still very good from what I've seen so far. I haven't handled the prototype toy yet, I've only seen pics, so I'm guessing here, but transformation should be pretty simple. Here's my guess as to how I think it goes, transforming from battroid to fighter mode: - 1) Detach battroid mode nose cone. 2) Detach head and neck peice. 2) Remove legs from battroid nosecone. 3) Unfold and connect chest and back plates together ala VF-1. 4) Attach gunpod to arm. 5) Fold arms together ala VF-1 6) Unfold tailfins & backpack ala VF-1. 7) Attach fighter nosecone. Attach legs. 9) Attach head to underside of fighter nosecone. Simple. Graham

Even on the 3D CG models it looks to me like there is still some anime magic going on, with the nosecone getting both shorter and thicker in battroid mode. Graham

Here's all the possible varients that we have seen so far in Macross Zero, that may or may not get made as toys: - Focker VF-0S. Shin VF-0D (Blue). Normal VF-0D (Grey). VF-0A Single Seat (Brown). VF-0A Two Seat (Brown). GBP-0 Reactive Armor. SV-51 Nora. SV-51 D.D. SV-51 Normal (Brown). OCTOS. Destroid Cheyenne (Gun Arms) Destroid Cheyenne (Missile Arms). Graham

I think comparing the Yamato VF-0S to the Hasegawa model kit is a little unfair, sorta an apple and oranges type of thing The Hasegawa is a highly detailed non-transforming model kit from a company known for it's aircraft kits, whereas the Yamato is supposed to be a lowish-priced fairly simple toy. As others have mentioned, the anology of comparing the 1/100 VF-0S to the MSiA or Gundam Fix line is quite accurate. Yamato have not claimed that the 1/100 is suposed to be the ultimate VF-0. All they are aiming to ceate is a cheapish, reasonably good looking toy. Also, the pictures in Dengeki are of an early sculpt only with minimal detail, although personally I think it looks plenty sleek enough and has excellent prortions. Bear in mind that the present sculpt has been refined considerably and has lots more detail added already. Graham

The leg FAST packs also contain micro-missile launchers as well as fuel. According to the Macross Compendium, the VF-0S's FAST packs each hold 24 micro-missiles. These can be seen firing in episode # 1. Each leg FAST packs has 3 exit ports for the micro-missiles, 2 ports to the front and one to the rear. Graham

Email won't work as I recently changed my email address as I was getting too much spam at the old address. I'm probably not going to put my new email address up on the site as if anybody here wants to contact me, they can do so by PM. Graham

Expect variants I'm looking forward to having a mixed squadron of VF-0S, VF-0A and VF-0D. Now, just gotta persuade Yamato to make a 1/100 scale Asuka II complete with Destroid Cheyennes Graham

The Compendium was last updated more than a month ago. Since then many of us have been eagerly awaiting Egan's next update. However, due to an extended illness, Egan has kept on pushing the date of the next update futher and futher back. Now he is not even updating the date for the next update anymore! His site still says next update on January 9th! Anyway, I hope he is feeling better. There was a fairly long thread on this subject previously, but without any firm information, we were unable to reach a consensus about what this next project may be. Some of us think (hope) it will be a new Macross TV series, while others think it may be a non-Macross related project, such as an Escaflowne sequel for example. Unfortunately, the wording on the Compendium is very ambiguous and doesn't make clear whether or not the next project is a Macross project. I'm guessing that perhaps Egan may have released news of this next project too soon and Big West may have put a gag on him Graham

Add some working S-Foils and THEN I'll be impressed! Graham

Heh, I've already done a review of the VF-11B FP several months ago and it's currently sitting on the MW server. Poor Shawn is too busy to upload it And yes, I will be writing a review of the 1/48 VF-1J Super shortly. Other reviews on my 'to do' list include: - 1/60 VT-1. 1/60 VE-1. 1/48 FAST Pack set. 1/48 VF-1S Hikaru I've also got the Q-Rau review about half written, just waiting to take pics. I'm also eventually planning to do a step-by-step 1/48 transformation guide similar to my one for the 1/60, as based on the number of "how do you transform the 1/48" questions I get, there are still some people who need it. Graham

I can think of a few things I'd like to do to Minmay on a table. Graham

Same here. My daughter was born Thursday. My Macross hobby funds will be low for a long time. Congratulations. Have you chosen a name yet? Millia, Minmay, Mylene, Ishtar, Myung, Sharon, Mao, Sara etc Graham

Thank you. The baby's due in early June. The VF-0S is scheduled for a May release, so guess I'll have a little bit of time to play with the toy before the baby comes Graham

Actually, they are not really that toy-friendly. If you look at the transformation sequence in episode # 1 of Macross Zero, those swing bars are really thin. If you made them that thin on a toy, then they would not be strong enough. Of course, you could make big thick chunkuy swing bars ala the 1/55, but that doesn't really look good. Graham

Actually, yes I do know. There are two main reasons. However, I can't say without getting permission first. I'll ask if it's ok to explain, but I doubt it. Graham

Yes the 1/100 version will have a clear canopy. I'm not sure, but as far as I know it will also have a pilot figure. I've been told it will also come with removeable missiles, leg FAST packs and gunpod. You have to consider that with publishing lead times, the pictures in this months Dengeki Hobby magazine are of a pretty old sculpt already. The present sculpt which I've seen a few days ago has much more detail. Months ago, when I first heard that Yamato would be making a small scale non-perfect transformation VF-0, I was initially pretty dissapointed, but now that I've atually seen it, I'm warming to the idea. The smaller size (actually, it's still pretty big) will help with my shelf space which is fast running out. The lower cost will make it easier to buy multiples (important for me as I have a kid on the way and so need to save money). And I'm actually coming to like the idea of removable/swapable nose parts as it will allow for a toy which is better in proportion in all modes. And yes, I know the answer to whether there will be a larger perfect transformation version later, but sorry I'm not allowed to say. Graham

Here's some pics of the CM's Macross figures set # 2 fully painted. Graham

4th pic. Graham

3rd pic. Graham

2nd pic. Graham