Graham

Back when I first saw A New Hope as a kid in 1977, I was blown away by the 'wow' factor and really loved the SW ship designs. But as I got older, I started to think more and more about how impractical they really are. The TIE fighter is probably the worst from a pilot's perspective. It has no side visibility, extremely limited top visibility, No rear visibility (or is there a tiny window at the back, I forget?). Even the forward visibilty is crap as it has that heavy canopy frame blocking a lot of the view. Yes, it looks cool, as you said 'visual appeal', but practical, no way jose! And don't get me started on the Millenium Falcon! A space freighter......yeah right! My office desk drawer has more cargo capacity than that ship. As for the canopies in Macross, I doubt they are made of regular glass or polycarbonate (or whatever fighter canopies are made of these days). They are probably some sort of OTM material as they seem very tough. IIRC when Guld caused Isamu's VF-11B to crash in Macross Plus, didn't it skid upside down for quite a while and the canopy still stayed intact? Graham

Back in the 1980's my most prized toy was also my Hikaru 1/72 VF-1S HCM. In the 1990s it was my Bandai 1/55 VF-1S Hikaru Strike Valk. Now it is the Yamato 1/48 VF-1S Hikaru with FAST packs. Graham

That fighter would have terrible downward visibility and also quite poor rear visibility. One of the reason I started going off Star Wars ship designs years ago is that I don't think their ships are particulaly well thought out or practical. IMO, they are designed for visual appeal only. Graham

Aieeee............................Gucci versions! I'll pass. I don't care how well enginered or articualted they are, I don't like Evas, and these days I only buy toys of mecha I actually like as opposed to in the past where I'd buy a toy just because it's a well crafted example of the toymakers art, whether I actually liked the mecha or not. Due to both financial and space constraints my days of buying any pretty toy that cought my eye are long gone and I'm putting myself on a diet of only Macross toys (with the Toynami MPC Alphas for dessert as well)! Graham

With a bit of luck, the wind in the right direction etc, etc the Q-Rau might just make it out from the factory for late January release. I'd say February is more likely though, but what do I know these days! And yes, that picture is of the Yamato DYRL Millia type Q-Rau, but it looks like just a painted resin sample, not an actual diecast and ABS test shot. AFAIK, it will come with a pilot figure. I've only seen pics of the pilot helmet sculpt so far, so I have no idea if the pilot figure is articulated or even if it's a full body figure or just the upper body. Graahm

I have two Japanese books for the very first Armored Core game for the original Playstation. Both books are published by Softbank Publishing. One book is a guide book, the other book is a design book with lots of kawamori lineart. AFAIK, both are long out of print. And sorry, no I'm not going to scan them. Too many pages, not enough time (better things to do with my time), too many backlogged projects for Macrossworld to do, etc, etc......... Graham

You do not need to and should not use force for any part of the 1/48 transformation. When swinging (I prefer the term pivoting) the arms from fighter to Gerwalk mode, there is a stop point halfway. You need to slightly pull the shoulder joint upwards, in order to be able to push them past the stop point. Graham

Agreed, you can learn most of the controls by playing through the in-game tutorial mode. Most us us here don't read Japanese, but we managed to muddle through. You can also try reading through this rather long 40 page thread, where we discussed the game in-depth. Somewhere in there, there may be some hints about the controls. If you are still stuck after playing the tutorial, I'm sure there are many members here, myself included, who will be happy to answer any specific questions you have. Good luck on getting all 20 'S' grades! Graham

A couple of months ago, Kotobukiya realeased a set of Armored Core trading figures for ¥500 each. Although small, these gashapon type figures were quite detailed. See here: Armored Core Trading Figs. Unfortunately, HLJ no longer has stock, although other stores may have. And as I'm sure you know, Kotobukiya used to make a series of Armored Core 'High End' Action figures, which were constructed of PVC & ABS and stood about 14cm high. However, these have been out of production for quite a while now. If you haven't seen these before, go to HLJ, do an advanced search for 'Armored Core' and you will see the whole Kotobukiya Armored Core line. Graham

Women are not built? Damn, what about the one I've been putting together in my basement during my spare time? Graham

You mean the 'Hybrid Sensors'. Graham Actually, those are forward-looking inferred (FLIR) cameras in the nosecone fairings (Fighter mode). The "composite sensor units" are on the arms above the manipulators in Battroid mode. WJ, as we both know, on the VF-1, the nose blisters contain FLIR sensors, but remember, the original poster 'Mr March', was referring to the YF-19. On the YF-19, the red color blisters on each side of the nose are definitely Hybrid Sensors. The Macross Compendium has the following to say about the YF-19: - AVIONICS: Super AI control avionics. HUD (projected onto canopy), side-stick controller, two rear (back) monitors, radar, wrap-around imaging monitor screens in all variable modes. Active stealth system. Head-turret-mounted sensor system. Two hybrid sensor units directly below and to the the fore of the canopy. Sensors embedded in conformal pads lining manipulator. Also refer to the following picture from TIAS Macross Plus Movie Edition (incorrectly spelt as 'Hiblid)'. Graham

I just deleted the post, I didn't ban the guy. If he tries that crap again, then I'll ban him. Graham

No, the sword can't go in the back. the toy comes with a seperate sword hilt that you plug into the back in robot mode. Graham

From what Toycom mentioned, the Japan and US versions ARE EXACTLY THE SAME. He even said it is likely from the same production run. Graham if you need one let me know. -K Kevin, thanks for the offer, but I've had a pre-production version for about 2 months already, so I don't need one The reason I asked about the English language instruction, is because I wrote them for Yamato and wanted to know whether they had used them or not. And yes before you all start complaining, I know the instructions aren't all that clear, but that's beacuse I basically had to follow the order of the photos which had already been taken by Japan. if it was up to me, I would have taken all new photos and also slightly changed the sequence for transforming. Graham

Again, nothing wrong with the topic , but it really has no relation to toys, so does not belong in the toys forum. Also, IIRC, didn't we have this exact same topic just a few weeks ago? Graham

I'm going to have to agree. While there's nothing wrong with the topic, it really does not belong in the toys section. That is unless wives are considered toys Graham

We had this exact same topic just a few weeks ago. See here. We really do not need a 'how old are you poll' every two weeks! Graham

reopened due to popular demand, but let's keep it on topic, i.e. about Mechamaniac's secret Elves. Graham

Married for nearly 7 years. Graham

Valkyrie Nut's sketch sorta reminds me of Tekkaman Blade. Graham

It's from a very old game for the original Playstation. IIRC, it was the first, or one of the first Gundam games for the Playstation. I think it came out sometime between 1995 to 1997. Terrible game IMO, with lousy controlls and poor gameplay, not to mention the stomach churning FMV with those terrible Gaijin 'D' grade actors Graham

I think Mechamaniac should leave some milk and cookies on his doorstep for the kind Elves. Graham

Which could be problematic if the person you decide to intimidate happens to have a concealed carry permit and on seeing your real looking airsoft gun pointing at him/her decides in fear for their life to shoot you with their very real gun, firing very real bullets, leaving you very really dead or crippled for life. Guns are not for playing around with folks. The only place you should ever point an airsoft gun at somebody is in a controlled wargaming environment, where everbody knows it is a game. As a civilian the absolute only time you should ever point a real gun at another human is if that person presents a clear and immediate threat to your life or the life of another person. Common sense people! Herein ends the firearms safety lecture. Graham

Hmmm....I don't know, between David Hingtgen and his Vaseline and Agent One with and his um......... door knob fetish, this is turning into a very strange thread. Graham

Orguss yes, but the name is not Mimsy. IIRC, I think her name is Memegene(sp?). Can't be bothered to search online for correct spelling. Graham