Graham

Well, there was that issue of Character Model magazine (or was it Model Graphix?) about a year ago which first showed the blue and red Z-Plus Humming Birds. The English blurb on the box lists the Beam Smart Gun as being 'for S-Gundam use'. I'm wondering then does the Hummingbird only transport it for the S-Gundam? Anyway, looking at the toys through the box windows, I gotta say that the paint job looks pretty sloppy. While there are lots of great Tampo printed markings, the actual paint job features lots of paint bleeding, overspray and wonky lines that are supposed to be straight. I thought the paint job on the three S-Gundams (Refined, Deep Striker & Task Force Alpha) was generally excellent, but on the Z-Plus it is no way near as good. Mind you I noticed the paint job on the two GFF #0016a&b Crossbones Gundams (which I didn't buy) was also pretty bad. I'm still not sure waht is the purpose of the Hummingbird. I know we discussed this on the old forums, but I don't think we ever reached a consensus. As the photo in the Sentinel book shows it flying in the atmosphere, my bet is that it is supposed to be a high speed rapid response interceptor designed to rapidly intercept high altitude fast moving targets. Graham

The GFF #0017a&b Z-Plus A1/C1 [bst] blue and red were just released today in Hong Kong. During my lunch break just now I picked up two of each color. For those of you thinking of buying them, a warning. Apparently the quantity of the blue one shipped is quite small compared to the red version and at least here in HK the blue one is selling at a higher price. So if you want a blue one I would order it quickly. I won't be able to open and assembly them until after I get home tonight, eat dinner, spend some time with the wife etc. Plus as usual all the parts are held in place by about a million twist-ties, so it will be about 11pm tonight HK time (about 9 hours from now) before I can post some pics. Also, the new November 2003 issues of Hobby Japan and Dengeki Hobby magazine have some nice multi-page color photo spreads showing how to transform the Z-plus GFF toys. From the photos transformation looks very solid with lots of tabs to lock the toy together. Also, unlike the transforming ver.2 Zeta MSiA toy, the arms and head remain on the toy in Wave Rider mode. Graham

There's only two things that come from Texas boy! Graham

It would be really great if after flying several missions and graduating from rookie status, the game allows you to custom your own color scheme. I really don't want to be stuck in a purple VF-1 I'm hoping if the game engine is good and the game is popular then we might see other Macross games using the same engine, like Macross Zero or Macross Plus. Graham

Guys, I know very little, in fact next to nothing about the Yamato display arm. I've no idea about the material, strength etc. It's a project completely controlled by Yamato Japan and they have been keeping it very close to their chest, so my contacts at Yamato Hong Kong know nothing about it. Also, unfortunately my main contact at Yamato Japan is no longer directly involved in the day-to-day management of the Macross line, so my access to info is not as good as it used to be. I'm not that close to the guy now in charge of Macross product development Anyway, I'll probably buy one of these whenever they come out. If it turns out to be good then I may buy 3 to 4 more. However, at the moment I'm really satisfied with the acrylic rod display stands I bought from s i t h l o r d. Graham

Yeah, nearly but not quite as good as Yamato's YF-21 pilot Jost joking, of course! Graham

The topic subject is fine, but the location is not. IMO it is really pointless having this topic in the toys forum. It really should be in the Other Anime & Sci Fi forum. Goes off to talk with Roy. Graham

I have that one. It's good, nice picture and sound, but no extras or anything (not that I really care about extras on DVDs anyway). Graham

Yeah, I'm a bit worried about having to fly purple Valks as well. Let's hope that they are just a supporting squadron or one of a choice of squadron colors that you can choose. Graham

Not sure, but at only ¥285 or ¥300 a pop, I'm guessing gashapon. Graham

Maybe it can't fly and is forced to remain grounded during battles, when wearing the armor I'm guessing the Full Armoured VF-0S Battroid can't fly in atmosphere and is limited to walking, running or jet assisted jumping. I doubt a VF-1 fitted with GBP armor could fly in atmosphere either. Graham

It can be done if one wants to drill holes and run coper wire through the entire thing. Heh, heh, I'll let you drill holes through your FAST packs, I'm not going anywhere near any of my Yamatos with a drill. Graham

Anybody want to make a guess what the plane in the foreground is? I'm guessing a UAV. Looks to have forward swept wings and canards. The plane in the background is obviously a VF-0. This pic is from Macross Zero episode # 3 and was scanned from the November 2003 issue of Hobby Japan. Graham

And some close-up pics. Graham

Looks to have far fewer missiles than the GBP for VF-1. Basically only missiles in the shoulders and chest and perhaps some grenades(?) on the sides of the hips. Ilike how they have built the armor around the leg fins. Yes, I agree it does look like a cross between the GBP and FA VF-11. Graham

And now a close-up of the Longhorn(?) squadron colors for VF-1A, VF-1J and VF-1S. Graham

And now from the November Hobby Japan. Graham

Here's the pics from the new November 2003 issue of Dengeki Hobby. Graham

From the new November 2003 issue of Dengeki Hobby magazine, here's a pic of Yamato's upcoming display stand/crane arm. Guess this means that it is still going to go into production, although no release date or price is mentioned in the text. Also, I think this is the first time we have seen it holding a 1/48. All previous pics have only shown it with 1/72 and 1/60 toys. Graham

When I have time. I'm very busy at the moment, so I'm not sure how soon it will be. I also have the review of the 1/48 FAST packs still to write as well I did finish the review of the VF-11B FP about a month ago (told you I was behind), but Shawn has been too busy to post it yet. Graham

Those photos are of one of the fully painted early resin sculpts of the 1/48. It is not the bare ABS of the production toy, which is why it looks better. Yes, the photos where taken by a professional hired by Yamato and yes we were given permission to display them on Macrossworld. Graham

And here's the pics from the November issue of Hobby Japan. Graham

Guys, from the November 2003 issue of Dengeki Hobby Magazine, here's pics of the K&M Macross figures due for release in October. IMO the Regult looks great, as does the non-transforming VF-1J Hikaru Battroid, but I think the transformable (by parts swapping) VF-1 figures look really sucky in battroid mode, although alright in fighter and Gerwalk. Graham

And now, just the armored battroid pic a little larger Graham

And now from Hobby Japan. Same pic different article. Graham