Mr March

I agree with cyde01 adn Zinjack. At this point, there's no way to reinvent the wheel with regards to Valkyrie design. Virtually every conceivable way to transform a jet from fighter to Battroid has previously been explored by Kawamori. IMO, I think it's better for him to stick to the transformation methods that work (VF-1, VF-11, YF-19, YF-21) rather than the ones that don't (VF-4, VF-9, VF-17, et cetera). As others have mentioned, Kawamori has already borrowed from the most advanced fighter craft in the world. It's not so much the overall silhouette that is most important, it's the smaller details like engine nozzles, nose shape, wing shape/edges, fuselage design and other such elements that make one aircraft frame look more advanced than another. The majority of design elements from the real world aircraft have been utilized in the mechanical design for Macross Plus, especially the YF-21. Having exshausted all real world inspiration, the next step can only be refinement in design rather than innovation. As I see the state of Macross mechanical design, Kawamori has only two choices other than refinement: 1) Invent the next major advances in aerodynamic design himself (this is hardly something we can ask or expect of one man). or 2) Create faux-futuristic designs ala Macross II/Yukikaze and abandon all his engineering sensibility in favor of style (this is hardly something I would want to see in a Kawamori-designed Valkyrie). But really, this is all just fanboy gab about minutiae. I'm FAR more concerned with the story for this next Macross production. The story is something that has suffered in the last two major Macross productions and this is not a mistake I want to see repeated. The VF-25 is a great design in my eyes and it will have far more appeal to me as a Macross vehicle if the story in which it's used is better than Macross 7/Macross Zero. So far, everything looks great for Macross Frontier and none of the supposed warning signs that others see are bothering me. I'm cautiously hopeful

Sorry about that Aegis. If I knew kresphy's images weren't working for everyone I'd have posted the uploads I made for other message boards. Here's the pics on my webspace: Can you see these okay?

LOL Perhaps, but it should be spectacular regardless.

Awesome stuff! Thanks for sharing the link valk1j.

Yeah! Another fan A big "Master List" of all the mecha has been suggested and I think I'll likely implement that. We had a big discussion about the FAST Pack missile count when my website came out I think and it was very constructive. There are no official numbers for the missile count of which I'm aware and the cross-sectional line art is the only guide I've ever seen that comes close. Officially, the count could be as much as 40 micro-missiles or as few as 16 missiles. However, I strongly believe that the correct count is 24 missiles. Why? Allow me to explain my case. Aside from the cross-sectional line art, the only benchmark we can use is the events in the anime itself. We know that when Hikaru launched in the "Booby Duck" in Episode 24, he rescued Max and Misa by destroying 30 Reguld Battle Pods himself. If he fired every missile in the FAST Pack set (all 24 in the two HMMP-02 dorsal pods and 6 missiles in the two NP-AR-01 underarm pods) he'd have just enough to destroy every Reguld with a single all-out fusillade as was shown in the anime. I believe the numbers are very significant. Most of the time, specific unit counts are not given in SDF Macross battles. Numbers are usually only given when there is a reason (often to establish proportional size of the forces and give the audience a sense of scale). In Episode 24, they specifically state there are 60 Reguld Battle Pods, exactly half of which Max and his flight destroy on their own. Thus I believe this number was not arbitrary, but was chosen so that the audience would know exactly how many missiles were inside a fully armed VF-1S Super Valkyrie without having to be told through exposition (like a conversation) outside of the action. And more importantly, the cross-sectional diagram of the FAST Packs clearly suggests 24 micro-missiles which added to the six in the arm parts, agrees with the events of the anime perfectly. Of course, this is all just a lot of fact checking and educated guessing. It might be totally wrong But based on the best information available to ME, this makes the most sense

GGemini Nope, the VF-17D VF-X Ravens from the second VF-X video game has purple highlights. You haven't seen my website until now? Where ya been all year? We know for sure there will be different Valkyrie color schemes. Not only is that a staple of Macross, but the two pictures of the VF-25 so far show different color schemes. Love that VF-25 Hikaru scheme I'm not sure how the VF-25 will feature, but a main character valkyrie is a good guess. I can't imagine there will be a lot of Valkyries in this new Macross show. I really can't see the creators using a lot of Valkyries from earlier shows, like Macross 7 did with Macross Plus mecha. Given the long time period between the mid 2040's and the 2070's where MF is set (gotta love THAT acronym) I can't imagine will see that many old Valkyries. I suspect that since they have to build CG models for all the vehicles, they'd just design a new valkyrie rather than build a CG model for an old one.

Weird. I was under the impression the white striped version was the default color scheme and the blue striped variants were diamond force nightmares. That's what I used for the VF-17D Nightmare profile on my website.

Actually, every Macross sequel since the original SDFM/DYRL show has had more than one Valkyrie design. I suppose it's possible the VF-25 is the only Valkyrie in the show, but I really doubt it.

Disliked mecha, hmmm. Well, when it comes to Macross Mecha I dislike the most, I'd say: Fieos Valkyrie - Kawamori was slicing up beets and thought it would make a good Valkyrie. Um, no. Fz-109A Elgerzorene - Say no to cone head mecha. VF-11MAXL Custom - It's female, its pretty and it's pink. Sounds great, until you realize you can't have a one night stand with it. VF-9 Cutlass - A mediocre fighter mode, an ugly GERWALK mode and an awful Battroid mode that just had to have a cone head as icing on the cake. As for other mecha, I like a lot of the Gundam designs, the Evangelions, the Patlabors. Not much to hate there, but some really irk me: The Ball - Come on. The 2001 influence isn't even showing. G Gundam - Almost everything here is awful. Most baroque mecha don't sit well with me unless the setting really works for it (exceptions are the stylish mecha in The Five Star Stories or The Vision of Escaflowne). Mecha with excessive fins/wings/spires/protrusions and other such nonsense don't look all that great to me and mega-guns generally turn me off (think VF-2SS from Macross II or FAZZ from Gundam ZZ).

I could take her I was just joking about her age, I don't think Max and Milia have grand children...yet

Thank you for saying so, kensei To be fair, the MAHQ has a huge mandate. The website covers a lot of mecha from numerous shows like Macross, Patlabor, and many more. Plus, their main love is Gundam, as you say. So they have much more work to do and can't put the same level of detail into just Macross, or even their flagship mecha section for Gundam. ChrisG can only do so much, just like me. Nonetheless, I think the Macross Mecha Manual and MAHQ both serve good functions. The MAHQ serves as an all-encompasing visual encyclopedia that has an entry for almost everything. The M3 is an expanded fansite that embellishes upon the basic framework of the old Mecha Domain in great detail and the best quality art possible. I think of both as complementary. Even if some duplication does occur, the spread of Macross mecha information is the primary concern. Like I always say, we need more Macross websites, not less. The limitation to quality line art will be the big stumbling block for Macross Frontier and the new mecha like the VF-25, just as it is for the Macross Zero section. However, I'm not going to miss the boat on this one. I'm going to obtain the new japanese magazines and do my own scans to include Macross Frontier vehicles on the M3. At least, as much as they publish. I will have to rely upon Egan for translations. I've looked at the paragraph you posted and noticed the little character error. Not sure what that is, but I'll have to fix it. Thanks for letting me know. Actually, it may be appropriate the update the introduction. The original 6 month mandate of the M3 has long since been acheived and the website has continued beyond my original plans. I should reflect that in the written introduction.

Oh yeah Zenjoy, I llike that little subtle reference to the Macross 25th Anniversary. I adore the design and those classic Hikaru colors are so sick! Loving it! I'm wondering, what are those small little protrusions on the front wing roots? Reverse vernier thrusters? Gun ports? Navigation lights? It's difficult to tell from the blurry pictures, but do the wings fold on the back? I'm not sure they do. In fact, I think rather than parallel, the wings might mount perpendicular on the back? Maybe? It's so cool to see all the different influences from Kawamori's other designs. I love how he continually refines design elements he likes and then adds new design elements from real world fighters. The nose of the VF-25 looks similar to the SV-51. The forward fuselage of the VF-25 appears similar to the YF-19/VF-19, as you said. The battroid upper torso is reminicent of the VF-5000. So many questions! I feel so excited about this new show, but I gotta be cautious and skeptical

The new Valkyrie! VF-25! SV-51, VF-5000 and YF-19 all rolled into one I like it! WOW! Thank you kresphy!

Your post is baiting and nothing more. It doesn't help your case.

Well there you go Lonely; that made the decision easy Thanks the white drew carey.

Electro shocks...hmmm, very tempting Well there was Milia The President on Episode 44. "And check out this body!" Hottest granny in the galaxy

I've got a MG Gundam Alex and did the comparison too. The VF-1 is close for that scale, but just a bit too small. The top of the VF-1 head should almost reach the waist. I made up a quick little size chart which is fairly accurate if you can excuse the skewed perspectives:

Go slow and be cautious with your purchases. I'd say just get one for now. It's paid off for me. I wanted an Ingram Unit 1 so bad, but went with the Unit 2 for the shotgun accessory. Now a new Unit 1 is coming out and I'll just buy that one now. Worked out brilliantly. Though I have to wonder, is there anything more they could do with the Helldiver? Doesn't this upcoming release already have all the features, including the opening leg slats? What more features could they add to the Helldiver?

LOL You big meanie!

nightmareB4macross 1. I never noticed this one. You're refering to the red triangles on the shoulders, yes? I'll make a note and get it changed. That's an easy fix 2. There may be, but I likely won't include it at this point. I prefer the focus of the site remain on the colored line art. 3. There is a piece of line art in the VF-1A "Super" Valkyrie entry showing the launch arm. Here's a direct link: VA-1A Super Valkyrie upon launch arm Make sure to keep visiting!

Fair enough. Sadly, there is no discussion going on about the actual opinion stated, so there's nothing to talk about.

Your reply following my criticism was all personal attack against credibility and hasn't stopped since. You've been given every opportunity to get on point and actually discuss the opinion, but failed every time. As I've stated, variation on a theme and no consideration was given to the opinion itself. You've already admitted ignoring eveything I say means nothing to you, so live by your own creed and stop replying like it does before you get caught in another lie... Too late

You know full well the statment about "logic" was referring specifically to YOUR arguement, NOT opinion of Macross 7. You stated Macross 7 is like every other show, only to contradict yourself in your very next post. Don't blame the Macross 7 critics for your own faulty arguements. But by all means, keep trying to confuse the issue and we might not notice you're currently caught in your own contradictions. It's also a blatant lie that you don't want to "get into this with me", since it was MY criticism of Macross 7 on page 18 that has apparently prompted your latest round of personal attacks at Macross 7 critics and their credibility. And it doesn't look like you're going to stop or show the least bit of courtesy to anyone for posting an opinion different than yours. But again, keep treating everyone here like AgentOne and we might not notice the grudge you still carry from years of bitter flame wars with him. You don't want to carry on a proper discussion about the criticims of Macross 7 because you're not "winning" the "contest." So you're going to get mad and hope the moderators step in to quell this heated debate. You've done this before whenever one of your faulty arguements has been countered and you're doing it again because it's the only way you choose to deal with criticism. Make a scene, leave the moderators no choice but to enforce an end to the arguement and what was once a calm, rational discussion about Macross 7 is ruined for everyone involved. Good job, Keith.

promethuem5 No problem. I hope it helps add to your enjoyment of this awesome toy! sqidd Now that's about as badass as it gets

I'll help you. I'll post some more detailed pictures. These pictures show the left-right articulation of the neck joint: For me, the best way to get to know the Revoltech has been to experiment. Just do a lot of crazy stuff, even if it doesn't look all that great. Experimenting tells me know what the figure can or can't do, but it also gives me ideas that perhaps lead to something better. Here's a few pictures that show the head in different uses: