Graham

I'm getting rid af all my 1/55s as they just look so dated next to the 1/48. However, I'm keeping my 1/60s, at least for the moment. As UN Spacy pointed out, the Q-Rau and Monster are coming out in 1/60 scale and it will be fun to pose them together with the 1/60 Valks. Also, the possibility exists that Yamato will make more enemy mecha and Destroids in 1/60 scale, although this is as yet unconfirmed. While we know that Yamato is going to release the 1/48 VF-1S Hikaru and 1/48 VF-1J Hikaru, we don't know what other VF-1 variants they will release in 1/48 scale. So it is by no means certain that they will release as many variants as they did with the 1/60 line. I imagine that a 1/48 Max & Millia VF-1J toys are a strong possibility, after all it makes good financial sense to maximise use of the existing 1/48 VF-1J tooling. However, there is so far no indication from Yamato that we will see other 1/48 variants such as the VF-1D or VT-1 & VE-1, so these may be strictly limited to 1/60 scale. Graham

Personally, I can't notice any drop in either quality or in materials used. If anything, the quality of the Yamato VE-1 and VT-1 is very high. Personally, I'm happy with this piece. So much so that I sold my Bandai 1/55 VE-1. The inabilty to remove the radar dish arm on the Yamato VE-1 does not both me at all, as this toy will be permanently displayed in fighter mode with the radar dish attached anyway. Just my 0.2 cents. Graham

Yes, the VE-1 is supposed to have hands. See the lineart on page # 44 of the Macross Design Works book. No, the VT-1 is not supposed to have arm FAST Packs. See page # 42 of the Macross Design Works book. Bandai got this wrong with the 1/55 Super Ostrich. Tamim, thanks for the reviews, guess that means I don't have to do any now....ah time to relax B) Graham

I've only been able to watch a couple of movies so far, I keep getting an error message saying 'server bandwidth exceeded' when I try to open them. But from what I've seen so far, consider me.............blown away! Graham

Although these days I'm not such a big fan of the 1/60 line, I gotta say these are really nice toys. Here's a couple of pics of mine: Graham

Went to Mong Kok yesterday evening to buy the FPs. Animate didn't have them yet, either that or they had sold out already So next stop was Kanto Hobby in Sino Centre. They were sellling them at the high price of HK$420 a set (US$53.85). I managed to bargin the guy down to HK$410 each (US$52.56). I know, not much of a discount, but better than nothing). I ended up buying 7 sets. Yep, I know I could have waited a few weeks for the price to drop, but I'm an impatient fellow and was worried about a repeat of the CM's figures fiasco with shops selling out really quickly and prices skyrocketing. Anyway, these are the toys I've being wanting and dreaming of since I first saw DYRL in 1986. They are absolutely beautiful. The design, quality and finishing is first rate. Yamato have just done a great job with the FPs, from the solid die-cast backpack connectors to the nice detailing on the inside of the FPs. These are absolutely beautiful. Oh, and they are heavy, very heavy About the only negative thing I have to say is that the RMS-1 missiles are a little loose on their pylons. Boy, with the VT-1 & VE-1 as well, it sure was an expensive weekend. Anyway, here's a few quick pics. Graham

This is the best (and cutest) Mylene cosplay I have seen. Graham

My wife doesn't mind me watching anime, but she's not really into it herself. The only anime she likes is Candy Candy from when she was a kid. She usually falls asleep when I watch any Macross Graham

Although that happened in the past with the original YF-21, it doesn't happen anymore for Yamato Macross stuff and hasn't for a long time, due to complaints from Japan. HK will get the FAST packs either on the same day as Japan or 1 day later. Graham

I've already suggested they reinforce this part months and months ago, in fact when the 1/48 VF-1A Hikaru came out. However, as so far there are only a handful of reported breakages, less than 10 that I know of out of tens of thousands of toys produced, Yamato doesn't really consider this a problem. Graham

According to Noda-ya web site the 1/48 FAST packs should be out in Japan on August 30. Graham

Getting mine today, will write review at the weekend. Actaully had samples at the beginning of the week, but sent them off to Shawn to display at MW CON 3, so I haven't had much time with ther toys myself. Graham

LOL That is really funny............ No actually, it is kind of sad, for me living in poor crowded HK Graham

No, beacuse my place is a typical tiny HK apartment and my one spare bedroom is full up of cartons of Macross toys, so even though it has a double bed you can't actually see the bed anymore because of all the boxes. Graham

Do you think we have any clergy who are also Macross fan-boys? Graham

are they very prone to breaking? Not really. I've never broken any of mine, but I think I've read of maybe 2(?) MW forum members who have broken theirs. The key words are really be gentle and don't use force. Graham

Although if you want to nitpick, the VF-11B (both original and FP) is not actually 1/72 scale. It was slightly resized up from 1/72 scale to make it more durable...Ha Ha Ha. Graham

Nice custom Sebastian. Somebody really should recast the Hasegawa pilot as it's too expensive to buy the Hasegawa Weapons Set just for two pilots, not to mention that the Weapons Set is getting difficult to find now. Graham

Here's what improvements I'd like to see on the 1/48: - 1) The DYRL pilot figure resculpted. 2) The backpack hinge (part # BP8) beefed-up. This can be done on the part of the hinge that is on the inner side of the back plate, so it would not change the appearance in fighter mode). 3) Sell each Valk with a set of swapable non-articulated hands ala the upcoming VF-1J Hikaru, in addition to the normal articulated hands. 4) Better, thinner stickers, with less border area. Maybe Yamato should hire Takatoys! 5) Change the material of the heatshield, so that the two side pins are not so fragile. 6) Yes, I agree with Tamim totally about the boxes. 7) Resculpt the VF-1S head to get rid of the vertcal seem down the centre of the face. Graham

Heh...Chungking Mansions....You will never find a more wretched hive of scum and villainy. I wasn't even going to mention that place. Still, some good Indian restaurants inside. I never go in there without my trusty Benchmade or Cold Steel or MOD tactical folder. It's not the safest of places. Watch your back and your wallet if you decide to stay there. Graham

Damn, saw the title and thought it was going to be an aviation anime Graham

What's the switch on the back of the Minmay doll for? Graham

The Doyusha VF-1J Hikaru was cancelled and never made it into production I agree, these are nice little toys if quite pricey. IMO, the best of the bunch is the YF-21. I'm still POed that I accidently dropped mine from a height of about 3 feet and it landed on it's plastic canopy, which shattered into about half a dozen small pieces. Have to get a replacement someday. I'm pretty sure that Doysha has no plans to continue with this line, as sales were somewhat lower than anticipated. Graham

No, the Low-Vis 1/48, which was painted by Mr. Naoki Kimura first appeared in the February 2003 issue of Hobby Japan magazine. Graham

The Metal Siren may have better combat performance in the anime, but IMO, it is an ugly, ugly Valk that looks like it's been cobbled together out of mis-matching parts. The VF-2SS Valkyrie II and VF-2JA Icarus on the other hand are just so beautiful and sleek looking. Graham