Graham

I've noticed that the FIX Z-Plus toys have little pull out winglets (fins) located on the leading edge of the main wings. These are not on the MG model kits. I'll have to check the Sentinel book when I get home tonight to see if they are shown in the lineart or not.

Graham

Because, remember the 1/60 VF-1D, it has the "L" shaped grove on its forearm for the early version of the gunpod even if the collapsible version was already available during its release.

What are you talking about?

The 1/60 VF-1D had the small slot on it's arm for the collapsable gunpod, not the larger 'L' shape slot.

Graham

lol I just noticed that these are in Max and Millia colours. Any idea how big that thing is?

1/144 scale, same as all Gundam Fix Figuration (GFF) toys.

Graham

Hey Graham did you notice that the Hikaru S is wearing 001 on the nose area. I can't even see the seam on the head in the pic.

The Hikaru VF-1S is supposed to be numbered '001'.

Graham

Heh, can't remember if I got the title correct or not, but anyway the thread devoted exclusively to discussing Gundam Sentinel is back with a bang!

And we start off with pictures from the new October 2003 issue of Hobby Japan of the upcoming GFF Z-Plus toys due for release in September.

Note, on pic # 3, it clearly shows that the toys will come with the alternate groin pieces and back parts allowing the toy to be built as either an A1 or C1.

Graham

Just for my info, what improvements over the original 1A (beyond the head...) are included with this?

Well obviously there will be the improved nosecone and flaps, first introduced on the Max 1/48.

I'm sure we'll also see the improved 90 degree capable elbow joint, and redesigned easier opening front landing gear doors introduced on the Low-Vis as well.

I'm not sure what other improvements we will see, if any. I was hoping for painted panel lines and optional swapable hands, but it doesn't seem like we are getting those.

Graham

The 1/48 is much more stable than the 1/60, so I don't anticipate any problems.

Don't be so pessimistic....lighten up and think happy thoughts

Graham

Nah, IMO it looks more like an Armored Core (AC) mech, which considering that Kawamori designs all the mecha for AC is hardly suprising.

Graham

Guys, the new October 2003 issue of Dengeki Hobby magazine, just out today has some proper pics of the upcoming 1/48 VF-1S Hikaru, not just the photo-shopped pics we've seen so far.

And yes, the heatshield is red This may just basically be a Hikaru VF-1A with a head swap, but IMO, it's still one damn-fine looking Valk. I'm just a sucker for the Hikaru VF-1S.

Graham

Guys, the new October 2003 issue of Dengeki Hobby magazine, just out today has exclusive first look pictures of the new Destroid design from Macross Zero, that briefly appeared in ep# 2 and should make a bigger appearance in ep# 3.

Looks like those who theorised about the Destroid having hands on the elbows ala the VB-6 guessed correctly.

Graham

Name: Graham

Height: 5' 8".

Weight: 150lbs.

Age: 33, fast approaching 34....ugh!

Location: Hong Kong

Relationship status: married for nearly 6.5 years and been with the same woman for 13 years in total.

Favorite Food: Cheeseburgers.

If Abombz!! is really SOL, I have about 6months of my life I need to reconsider 

Vosotk 7

not even gonna ask...

If Abombz is really SOL, then who is Tess?

I've never managed to get this clear in my mind.

Hey, here's an idea, 3 names........perhaps it's a Macross style love triangle

Graham

Well, Newtype Asylum is still sorta around as Fantoysia

Graham

Hey, Graham, do you, like, get a discount, on yamato stuff? Or do they, like, give them to you? Or do you just pay full price and spend huge amounts of money on Yammies?

2 of my 1/48s were free pre-production review samples. The other 8 I bought myself.

Nope, no discount from Yamato. In fact Yamato won't even sell directly to me due to the HG/BW issue.

I buy all my Yamato toys here in Hong Kong, usually from either Kanto Hobby or Animate. What you have to remember is that prices here in HK are cheaper. For the 1/48 usually around US$90 each.

Graham

I'm going to buy 7 sets of FAST pack.

Graham

hint..hint... B)

1...vf-1a

2...vf-1s

3...vf-1a max

4...low viz

5...vf-1j

6...vf-1s hikaru

7...???????????? CF maybe

No, no, no.......nothing like that, it's just that I have the following ten 1/48 VF-1 toys: -

1) VF-1A Hikaru displayed in Battroid mode.

2) VF-1A Hikaru displayed in Fighter mode.

3) VF-1A Hikaru displayed in Gerwalk mode.

4) VF-1A Hikaru kept in box.

5) VF-1A Max displayed in Battroid mode.

6) VF-1A Max kept in box.

7) VF-1S Focker displayed in Battroid mode.

VF-1S Focker kept in box.

9) VF-1A Low-Visibility displayed in Fighter mode.

10) VF-1A Low-Visibility kept in box.

I'm planning to distribute my 7 sets of FAST pack as follows: -

1) 1 set on VF-1A Hikaru Battroid.

2) 1 set on VF-1A Hikaru Fighter.

3) 1 set on VF-1A Max Batroid.

4) 1 set on VF-1S Focker battroid.

5) 1 set on my future purchase of the Hikaru VF-1S Battroid.

6) 1 set on my future purchase of the Hikaru VF-1S Fighter.

7) 1 set kept in box.

Graham

I gotta agree, the FIX FA-93 Nu Gundam looks way better than the MSiA.

I've never liked the FA-93 design much anyway. It's got all that extra armor, except over the area you really need to protect, the cockpit...stupid!

Graham

I would just be curious to some ideas on this. The way the legs of the VF 2SS transform according to Kawamori doesn't seem to translate well into stable toys or models.

Kawamori had nothing to do the design of the VF's in Macross II.

In fact Kawamori hates Macross II.

The mechancial designs in Macross II were handled by Kouichi Ohata (Mechanical Design Supervision) and Junichi Akutsu & Jun Okuda (Mechanical Design).

Graham

The *quality* of the Bandai 1/65 DX VF-17S & VF-17D toys is excellent, it's the design, or more correctly certain parts of the sculpt that is not so good.

While it looks great in battroid mode, in Fighter and Gerwalk modes it is far too chunky looking from most angles especially when viewed from the side, although it does look good in fighter mode when viewed from the top.

The toy is all plastic, no metal parts at all except for screws, but despite this it is increadibly durable. It's probably on of the most durable transforming Macross toys ever made.

The VF-17 toy actually features very good detailing for the most part, lots of panel lines. However, it does have a couple of issues: -

1) The landing gear is awful, far too simple.

2) The knees lack articulation to bend backwards, so you cannot make the toy kneel in Battroid mode, although if you are brave enogh you can modify the knees with some careful file work.

Graham

Nobody talks to me...............

(Cue violins)

Graham

Hey Graham is this in regards to how many Yamatos we own or have purchased?

I've bought more but traded them or sold them.

Hmm.......OK, let's make it how many you have bought.

Graham

1/72 = 17pcs.

1/60 = 15pcs.

1/48 = 10pcs.

Graham

Been meaning to do this for a while. I'm curious as to how many Yamato's everybody has. Can you please reply in the format below: -

1/72 = pcs.

1/60 = pcs.

1/48 = pcs.

Please, just post like above. No pics, no irrelevent text. I don't need to see breakdown by type, just by scale and I don't care how many you are going to buy in the future, I just want to know the quantity you have on hand now. Be warned I will delete any irrelevent or off-topic posts.

Graham

The 1/48 VF-1S Hikaru is defintely scheduled for an October release.

Graham

Is it going to be bundled with the Fast Packs as some sort Anniversary product (for DYRL's 20th)?

Nope, it will not come with the FPs.

So far there is no special DYRL anniversery product planned. Even BW apparently don't have anything special planned

Graham

As others have mentioned, the photo on HLJ and Noda-Ya web sites is just a photo-shopped VF-1S Focker, not the actual VF-1S Hikaru.

I have confirmed with Yamato that the VF-1S Hikaru will have a red heatshield.

Graham

Sorry, couldn't resist posting these pics again from the old forum.

Minmay and Mylene perform a duet!

And then later that night, Minmay gives a special *private* show for Hikaru's eyes only................

Graham