Mr March

I have the transformation line art for the VF-17 on my website: VF-17D Nightmare Transformation VF-17D Profile Hope that helps. *EDIT* Whoops, looks like shadow3393 beat me to it. It pays to read ahead

I'm really surprised no one mentioned Roli Dosel, Konda Bromco and Warera Nantes

I don't think placing a larger gun on the VF-171EX creates some issue of over-the-top firepower. It certainly wasn't blowing up carriers like the beam cannon on the VF-27. The EX cannon was simply a bigger gun, which is exactly the kind of weapon one makes when the enemy has stronger armored vehicles. The EX cannon didn't even seem all that impressive a gun; it actually seemed somewhat awkward to use and much slower firing than a gun pod. But that was likely the trade-off to make a heavy beam gun that could penetrate the powerful armor of the Vajra. Perhaps the EX cannon is an example why "large" beam guns in the Macross universe are not widely used, because they are heavy, slow firing and typically more firepower than is needed against most enemy vehicles.

Oh, well that's what I was referring to in my own post. We saw Grace communicating with the Macross Galaxy City/Island ship. It is indeed from episode #15. I remember the scene well because it's that shot of the Macross Galaxy that I used for the profile on the M3. http://www.new-un-spacy.com/macrossf/macro...ross-galaxy.jpg When you said the attack was a fake, I thought I missed some dialog or something. Anyway, minor misunderstanding. I agree with you; I got the impression the Macross Galaxy City/Island ship was still around and that whole "Vajra attack" was a fake.

Oh. When did we learn that fact? I must have missed it. But it sounds right, given the state of the Battle Galaxy.

Sulendil Ang "Moar?" LOL Well, let's see... 1. I can do more of these, but they are labor intensive. I'll do an SDF-1 Macross and YF-19, but I'm not sure the other craft/fighters really require an animated gif. The four animated gifs I did create were done to highlight details that aren't that obvious or understood properly (like the VF-1's vernier thrusters, the VF-4's missiles, the VF-17's many guns/thrusters/ports, the YF-21's micro-missile ports and rear guns). I agree the SDF-1 makes a good candidate given the bewildering array of turrets, but the ARMD is straight forward I think (two on the top, three on the bottom). In the case of the SV-51, there's the gun pod rack, two 12.7mm mini-guns and that's it. Not really much to do there. I'd need actual black and white line art to do the VF-25. 2. That was Kelsain who did that color coded transformation for the VF-25. It would probably be best to ask him to do more, but I could do a few. Doing these should be relatively simple and so it's more likely I'll have time to do them. 3. Totally dependent upon the Macross Chronicle for this stuff. They are the only source that's likely to print the artwork, since no one else has (except a plethora of Japanese magazines long since out of print). 4. The Macross Game & Advanced Valkyrie section is pretty much complete. Any more will have to come from the Macross Chronicle, since the line art for everything else is so rare. 5. I'm reaching a point where I'm almost completely happy with the coloring on the M3, so this isn't likely to change much. The VF-1 Valkyries were all greatly improved as was coloring for the SDF-1, YF-19 and VF-0 Reactive Armor, VF-11 Protect Armor and Queadluun-Rau (DYRL). The Megaroad, New Macross Class, Riviera and several Varauta ships were also revised. Unless I spot an error or just get in the mood to redo something, I think the coloring on the M3 is set. 6. Hmm, I suppose, but not sure it's all that necessary. The navigation bar is basically just to jump between the series sections and the Macropedia to assist in quick reference. The For Fans Only section is sort of separate and I'd like it to remain that way so as to maintain a clear distinction between the official and the fan made stuff. 7. Yes, this is a good idea. I'll place my guesstimate picture in that section and I'll get some more size comparison diagrams up. Talos and meninge had a good idea with the Valkyrie fighter mode size charts and I should probably get to work on one for my site. But I'm lacking side schematics for stuff like the VF-0, SV-51 and VF-19 Excalibur from the model kits (or fan made ones, wherever they came from). Naturally, I'd want high resolution everything. This is the M3 after all About your wet dreams, I can't help you out there. But I will promise to give you a good spanking should we ever meet

Uh, okay. *walks away facepalming* WHEE!!! The EX-Gear follows the pilots movements and a VF-25 control system can be slaved to it. Like you said, we saw that in both episode 7 when Alto took over Luca's RVF-25 and in episode 25 when Alto got remote controlled his VF-25F. That's been clear for a while. What I was talking about was when the pilot isn't wearing his EX-Gear inside the cockpit. In episode 25 Alto reaches out his arm and grabs the air inside his cockpit; outside, the VF-25F follows his movements and the right arm unit grabs the sniper gun pod thrown from Kuran's VF-25G. There had to be some way the Alto's VF-25F was monitoring Alto's movements and mimicked his motion to grab the sniper gun pod. I was thinking some kind of motion capture system. But that leads me into another thought; is the flight suit portion of the EX-Gear the part of the outfit that monitors the wearer's movements? If that was the case, then Alto grabbing the gun pod wasn't a motion capture system but just the EX-Gear flight suit monitoring his movements and responding accordingly.

Still have trouble understanding why people visit that website. What a hole. Though for once, the review isn't half bad and doesn't sound like someone from the 2nd grade.

Awww, that's a little disappointing. I was hoping they'd make the knife some variation of energy converting armor. Oh well, Pin-Point Barrier blade it is! It's VERY nice to have some confirmation in either case.

Nah, one of the great things about Macross is the dead guys stay dead, good and bad alike.

I think Mark was referring to most viewers, in which case he's probably right. As a film fan, I encounter this all the time. Most of the audience will go by what they see in an actual production rather than the official trivia published in books and interviews, regardless of accuracy. Or at the very least, audiences will go with what they "think" they have seen, especially in the absence of additional sources (which many will not seek out). Many of us here on Macross World, myself included, analyze Macross more in depth (possibly more than we should), but we are also not the majority of the audience. I think this is why examples such as Duke Togo's frustration with the SDF vs. Macross designations come up often and repeatedly. It's audience perception that is the rule more often than not, even at the expense of accuracy. I'm definitely not advocating a lack of accuracy (especially since I'm such a tech geek for Macross), but it is an unfortunate reality that most of us geeky fans have to endure the majority of audiences getting it wrong in some cases. We just have to lighten up *cues MisaForever's imminent entrance*

Da toga

Are we worried about salvage now? Call in Planetes! I think it's safe to say the Battle Galaxy is scrap. I don't think a debate on the kind of damage, size of the explosion, and number of debris chunks that floated out to determine the ship volume lost is going to solve anything. And btw, Spike is dead Going back to the Macross Galaxy, or the City/Island portion of it, they could be all dead, but that's not the impression I got. If the Battle Galaxy survived unharmed by the "Vajra attack" (and I use that term loosely), why would the City/Island portion of Macross Galaxy be gone? What's more, there were numberous Dulfim ships in the final battle at the end of Macross Forntier. Lastly, the Macross Galaxy was shown communicating with Grace later in the series. It seems to me that the majority of the Macross Galaxy fleet survived the Vajra assault. Which would then bring into question, what actually happened at the initial Vajra/Macross Galaxy battle? Since Grace's machinations were already in full swing prior to the beginning of the Macross Frontier series, it seems that the Vajra attack was orchestrated by Grace. Perhaps Grace used the Vajra to eliminate her enemies on Galaxy or perhaps she used the Vajra as an opportunity to seize the Macross Galaxy for her own nefarious purposes. Given Grace's abilities, it seems like the people of Macross Galaxy were likely under Grace's control the same way Brera Sterne was controlled. It was stated in the series that cybernetics had been embraced by the people of the Macross Galaxy fleet, so they would have been vulnerable to Grace's hacking. With Grace dead, the people of Macross Galaxy would have been free from her control. Maybe

They had to know the Chronicles would be a hit when they first conceived of publishing the series. Macross has been in need of a series like the Chronciles for years. I'm so glad we've finally got one.

Sulendil Ang Definitely too much to ask Yes, I can make an animated gif for that. I'll add the rail guns and anti-ship missile turrets too. So what is your wish list? I'm curious d3v Probably only the descriptions. Now that the series is over, I can make up a good written description for each. Can probably do the same for the Vajra as well. The pictures and statistics are likely to remain unchanged until the Macross Chronicle gets around to covering those particular vehicles. I'll add a screen capture or two, but that's about the best I can do for now.

Well, technically the cockpit controls topic has been discussed here many times. Most of us agree Valkyrie control is too complex to be handled the way it's shown in Macross, but we're supposed to suspend our disbelief. I just like trying to rationalize every part of the cockpit control I see to come up with theories that might reduce pilot work load and make controlling a Valkyrie more possible than not. We've had motion sensitive controls since Macross Plus and I myself have mentioned how such controls might have a greater role for complex maneuvers. But Macross Frontier episode 25 seems to be the first case in which the cockpit control includes some kind of explicit motion capture system. Artificial Intelligence could very well be a feature of Valkyrie control as well; again, in Macross Plus the YF-19 official statistics make mention of Super AI control avionics which likely reduces pilot workload or could even perform many automated features.

Let's keep in mind our chronology here. Motion capture is a theory I just came up with based on an event in Macross Frontier, not something that happened 25 years ago in SDF Macross. I don't recall Hikaru ever reaching his arm out into the air inside his cockpit to grab a gun pod that was thrown at his Valkyrie. Besides, if we're looking for a theory that covers everything in every Macross production, that isn't going to happen. Not even Kawamori and Co. can seem to manage continuity like that. My point is that the cockpit control is possibly a mix of throttle-stick and motion capture, not one replacing the other. I'm trying to explain how certain movements that would be beyond a throttle-and-stick control might work. Hikaru picking up Minmay, Alto grabbing Ranka and other sorts of maneuvers we NOT reflex actions and neither was Isamu vs. Guld in the gun pod wrestling match. Now, when Isamu initially flipped over his gun pod with a flick of his wrist and then caught it, that could have very well been a suitable maneuver for motion capture.

Agreed. After that level of absurdity, almost anything seems plausible by comparison. A Valkyrie cockpit wouldn't allow for G Gundam crazyness in any event; there's not enough room, even in Battroid configuration. But it could explain punches and kicks and especially much more complex moves, like block and parry. It would be especially useful to explain how Alto in his VF-25 and Brera in his VF-27 managed to dive toward each other in space and interlock the fingers of their mecha, engaging in a pushing match against each other. That kind of reflex fast, yet finely coordinated action would be a fine candidate for motion capture cockpit controls.

I wish he'd finish that model and do some wallpapers. It is by far the best re-imagining of the SDF-1 Macross I have ever seen. I love the smooth interpretation he did with this model. Besides, mac666er has done a traditional model of the SDF-1 Macross in all it's originally proportioned glory, so there definitely room for another interpretation like this one. Anyway, I hope he eventually works on it again. Simply first rate work of which many a professional would be jealous.

Wow, Frontier has done well on ANN. I check ANN all the time for information and I always look at the votes. Often those votes can be really harsh, but Frontier seems to have really won everyone over. Impressive.

I noticed that moment as well, DHX. Posted it on another board, but haven't mentioned it here. Alto's VF-25 Messiah grabbed the sniper gun pod that was thrown to him by Kuran. Inside the cockpit, Alto reached out with his arm and grabbed the air, yet the Valkyrie's arm and hand followed his motions and caught the sniper gun. I wonder, is this "motion capture" technology? Perhaps the cockpit computer is monitoring pilot movements and responds to them when quick and complex movements are required, movements that might otherwise be too complicated for throttle-and-stick control? It would explain quite a bit about the complex maneuvers that a valkyrie can perform.

Right Stuf International and purchases from various stores in Chinatown made up the majority of my pre-internet access to Japanese anime and merchandise. Expensive as all hell and not exactly convenient

Roy just agreed with me. I feel gruesomely violated yet at the same time I find myself enjoying it. This has been the most disturbing thing that has ever happened to me on Macross World.

I can't give you a pictoral highlight of the SDF-1 Macross right now because I'm at work, but I'll attempt to describe them for you. I should probably make a black and white comparison picture with red highlights, since I think this is a question many of us have asked. First off, I'm not certain if I'm right, but I beleive the 8 x OverTechnology guided converging beam cannons are all those turrets with the LONGER BARRELS. The shorter barrel turrets are other anti-ship turrets. So, looking at this picture... ...and going from front to rear (left to right)... - 1 x cannon peeking out from undeneath the center ventral section - 2 x cannons (one per side) mounted on the port and starboard side of the main guns (the bigger white turret, not the small blue one) - 2 x cannons (one per side) mounted on the port and starboard dorsal portion of the main guns (you should now be looking at the mid-point of the ship) - 1 x cannon mounted on the center dorsal hull, right in front of the bridge (remember, its the one with the long barrels, not short barrels) - 2 x cannons (one per engine) mounted on the dorsal rear engines (which become the back of the legs in Attack mode) So that gives us 8 turrets exactly. I believe the short barrel turrets equal 14 in total. EDIT Here's a highlight picture:

Sadly, my Macross universe was small before the internet. I did own a few things like magazines, a book or CD and some original Macross anime, but it was very hard to purchase new stuff. Or to be more accurate, it was difficult to know what was out there to be purchased. I fell out of Macross fandom for many years. I was introduced to Macross via Robotech but I never owned the series and when I went to watch Robotech for the first time as an adult, it had not aged well at all. The dub was awful and there was something seriously wrong with the editing. I didn't know why at the time, but it felt fractured and paceless. In the mid 90's Macross Plus rekindled my Macross fandom. From there, information about the real Macross started to trickle in and I began understanding what Robotech had done. With the internet came anime communities, eBay and online merchants, importing, Macross World, Macross Compendium, Animeigo and all the rest. I did frequent some RPG sites but I was eager to leave behind all Robotech terminology and trappings to embrace the real Macross. I had begun importing merchandise and grabbing art books from the franchise. By the time Animeigo's DVD set began build up and pre-order release came around, I was so thoroughly hooked it was probably a little embarrassing. Watching SDF Macross unedited for the first time was a revelation. It was still what it had always been (an anime made for a young audience), but instead of a diluted experience which spoke down it's audience like Robotech, the original Macross series was surprisingly mature and engaging. I found I could appreciate SDF Macross as an adult, which was all the more impressive. The drama in particular was amazing and best of all, watching the original began to put Macross Plus into perspective. When that happened, I adored Macross Plus all the more! DYRL came next, which was even more Macross goodness with some of the best animation Japan has ever produced. Flashback 2012 followed and was a great swan song (pun appreciated). Merchandise became more frequent and along with more books, soundtracks and DVDs came Yamato's line of transformable toys The rest is recent history which you all know; participation here on MW, the birth of the Macross Mecha Manual, Macross Frontier and that's it.