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

Here's some clearer pics of the stand.

4th pic. Graham

3rd pic Graham

2nd pic. Graham

Heh.......my modem died, so I've been offline for the past three days. Anyway, thought I'd start a fresh topic to clarify some points about the Yamato 1/100 scale VF-0S, as the other topic is already 7 pages long and my post would probably just get lost. So, yes the pictures of the Yamato 1/100 VF-0S in the March issues of Dengeki Hobby and Hobby Japan magazine are what the previous countdown was about. Anyway, based on recent converstations with Yamato, here's what I'm allowed to tell you about this toy: - Yamato is aiming to make a toy which will retail at a low price point. While the exact price point has not been decided yet, it should be significantly cheaper than Yamato's other Macross toys. However, despite the lower cost, the toy should still be highly detailed and well articulated. The lower cost should please fans who like to buy multiples. The toy will be constructed mostly of hard PVC with some ABS parts. There will be no diecast parts. I've been assured by Yamato that even though a large part of the toy will be PVC, it will be higher quality than other PVC toys, like for example the Banpresto Valks or the Bandai Gundam MSiA figures. The toy does not feature perfect transformation. The toy comes with two different swapable noses, one for battroid mode and one for fighter mode. This allows the toy to have a nose which is in-proportion for both modes, i.e. a long nose for fighter mode, and a shorter nose for battroid mode. Obviously, the legs have to be removeable to swap between noses. Also, the battroid mode neck piece has to be removed for transformation to Fighter of Gerwalk. The landing gear is also removeable. In regards to size, I've been told that the battroid mode is nearly as tall as Yamato's VF-11B toy. I've seen battroid mode pictures of a more advanced prototype than shown in the hobby magazines and the toy is plenty detailed enough and well articulated. Graham

Euch!! Mylene Beat was absolute pants. You seriously enjoyed it more than Trash?? Well, fine, if that's your opinion, but in my view Beat actually was pure TRASH. Stupid story, crap art, and to top it all off, NONE OF IT MAKES ANY SENSE!! Funny how none of these earth-shattering events with the Evil Series creature and whatnot not only go totally unnoticed in D7 the anime, it just DOESN'T HAPPEN! So? So, there's a serious continuity mess-up, 'cos D7 and Beat CANNOT both be canon, even though they are supposed to be. I actually loved the art in Mylene Beat. I thought the Valks and spaceships where very nicely drawn, especially the VF-22. Mylene looked great as well. Plus there was lots of Mylene fan service sorry, I'm a sucker for anything Mylene. I agree that Beat screwed with continuity and didn't make much sense, but I still liked it much more than Trash. Trash should have featured a warning on the cover "warning - little to no Valkyries" , so I would have known not to waste money buying it. Even if Trash does eventually get an English language release, I doubt I'll bother buying it. Anyway, getting back on topic, I believe if well written and illustrated, a Macross manga could work. Of course, the music element would not be covered, but a good artist could handle mecha transformation sequences and mecha combat. Graham