Mr March

I knew that one, but we were talking about mecha scale weaponry. So far, I'm not aware if any mecha sized unit in Macross that uses something like a coilgun or railgun.

Wow. Excellent quote. I stand corrected. The VF-0 does use conventional hull materials according to the literature. I wonder if this is the case for all the variable fighters or just the VF-0. Thanks Graham.

What...the...hell...

It's geek-out time!

That's a big leap IMO and not likely the case. We don't know what material is used in the VF-0, so I'd be hesitant to suppose it's something conventional and far different from the VF-1 just because the VF-0 is an earlier model. Aside from the aforementioned engines, everything we see in the anime suggests the VF-0 functions identically to a VF-1, max velocity differences aside. The official literature for the SWAG states that the energy converting technology is a part of future variable fighters, so the VF-0 is the rule and not the exception. Still, it's not a bad idea to speculate, but personally, I wouldn't go that far off the "knowns" if you follow my meaning. The SWAG is definitely not a force field as it is described in the Macross universe. It does not protect the armor itself prior to impact. Likely the energy used in strengthening SWAG armor has something to do with the molecular bonds of the material atoms, possibly even something as simple as amplifying the strength of chemical bonding. The closest thing in Macross to the traditional science fiction concept of a force field is definitely the Pin-Point Barrier/Full-Barrier systems, and even those appear to be more akin to energy absorbers. Naturally, I'd be loathe to equate anything in any franchise to Trek

Hehehe, do enjoy ladies and gents

I remember bringing up this point some years before Macross Zero was released. Up until that point, the only mention of the materials used in the valkyrie were terms like "space metal" for the hull and frame, or a mention in the film "Macross: Do You Remember Love?" stating that the hull of the Macross was made of something called "hypercarbon." The properties of these materials were unknown and obviously won't be expounded upon in any further detail any time soon. Nevertheless, it is clear that the intention behind these sci-fi sounding materials is to emphasize that yes, the OverTechnology of the Macross did result in a significant advance in materials science, such that it was possible to give enormous superior strutural strength to a light weight vehicle like a jet fighter and thus allow it to crash into the ground intact (VT-1 in DYRL) or smash through a bridge (Hikaru in DYRL?). As you've said, an ordinairy airframe would be ripped to shreds by those kinds of accidents. Valkyries can indeed cope with atmospheric re-entry unassisted. Hikaru's VF-1S re-enter's Earth's atmosphere in Episode 27 "Love Drifts Away". And as you mentioned, Isamu's YF-19 actually tumbles uncontrolled through re-entry in Macross Plus. However impressive these feats are, it's important to remember that high heat resistance does not necessarily equate to projectile resistance, though as a military craft we can assume the valkyries are designed so (and the anime's would support such a claim). Macross Zero finally gives at least some answer to the question of valkyrie armor (eugimon mentions this in his post). The variable fighters are equipped with what is called SWAG energy converting armor, which utilizies the incredible power generation abilities of the reaction engine and shunts the extra power into the hull of the craft, significantly increase resistance of the armor. How this is achieved is not explained (perhaps this is where some energy sensitive hull material comes into play, like the previously established "space metal" or "hypercarbon"). However, Roy Focker does mention that the SWAG converting armor makes the hull of the Valkyrie as tough as a tank. Going into weaponry, no matter how strong the armor on a vehicle, a weapon will always be invented to overcome it. For a 13 ton VF-1 Valkyrie to have armor as tough as a 60 ton tank is a miraculous acheivement thanks to OverTechnology. However, OverTechnology also allowed this same advanced materials science to be used for projectiles and OT introduced both practical particle and laser beam weapons. Needless to say this would have a significant effect on the penetrating power of a new generation of military weaponry. If they made a 55 mm shell out of some advanced "space metal" or "hypercarbon", it goes without saying that this kind of projectile would have greatly increased penetrating power. Also, the UN Spacy could have made significant advances in cannon muzzle velocity. Get an object going fast enough and you can make a penny go through a battleship. That's an extreme example, but ballistic velocities are a very significant factor. The only mention of muzzle velocity I've found in any of the Macross literature is a small mention in the profile for Mk X Defender destroid. The 78 mm guns on the Defender have a muzzle velocity of 3,300 meters per second. To give you a real world example for comparison, the U.S. M1A1 Abrams tank uses a 120 mm cannon with a muzzle velocity of 1,776 meters per second. So already we can see that a destroid's weapons are firing at over twice the velocity of arguably the best tank cannon in the world today. It's pretty safe to say that the 55 mm gunpod on the VF-1 probably has a much faster muzzle velocity compared to 55 mm cannons today. It's probably a safe bet to speculate that in Macross, the introduction of OverTechnology has made the size of the round used much less important than the material of the round and the muzzle velocity. Indeed, the VF-11 in Macross Plus uses a 30 mm gunpod, much smaller than the old VF-1 55 mm gun. This would indeed lean towards the theory that the UN Spacy can make more devastating weapons with ever more penetrating power using ever smaller rounds and suggests an eventual move into hyper ballistics like coilguns or railguns. In fact, given the impressive muzzle velocity of the Defender destroid, one could argue that the UN Spacy has already achieved mastery of hyper ballistics. Well, that was fun

Found this little jem that I missed during Christmas holidays. I figure we're all anime fans here and this board needs a good laugh http://www.somethingawful.com/index.php?a=4355 I think my personal favorite is either Vincent D'onofrio from Full Metal Jacket or Terry O'Quinn from Lost

Whoa, missed this the first read-through. That's terrible. The gunpod sound is one of the best sound effects of the show!

I'd definitely encourage you to use the UN Spacy symbol as a tatoo, if you must have a tatoo at all (something I don't care for). It's extremely unlikely that the kite will ever gain rampant popularity or become cliche like soooo many other tatoos. Nothing says 1995 quite like a barbwire tatoo around your arm or ankle. It's almost certain that your kite tatoo will be forever unique (at least, here in North America). Last thing this world needs to see is more chinese/japanese characters which the owner hasn't a clue how to read, more skulls/crosses/roses/biker bs, or another damn barbwire or butterfly on the small of some dumb chick's back. And please, whatever you choose for a tatoo, don't get something with those awful sickly greens/faded reds. They look like bruises. I dated a girl with this big assed coiled snake tatooed on her upper thigh; it looked like she had a massive charley horse that never healed

I'm really shocked. Even now. I don't understand why the ADV release wouldn't use really good quality audio. Just seems like such a waste. But it's good to know this and have it confirmed by several reputable members.

Nope, it's from MPM, see above.

That is official line art. It is taken from the old 1983 book Macross Perfect Memory and is drawn by Kawamori himself.

No problem chrono. Your work is coming along nicely.

That is one hell of a flash page. Very nice!

I'm a huge fan of the Silver Surfer and enjoyed the way in which both he and his powers were displayed in this trailer. It's so tragic that he has to be part of a Fantastic Four movie, especially given how terrible the first film was. But I suppose the Surfer's status as a minor hero means that us fans can never hope to see a decent film about him on his own, so I'll no doubt want to see this next FF film just to see NR in action. Hopefully I'll avoid the film in theatres and manage to somehow see it for free on DVD. I will say this however, I found the physical animation for the Surfer quite poor. Everything else from the skin to his powers were well done, but the way he moved leaves a lot to be desired.

Absolutely. I purchased two Macross DVD cases from him and was one of the first to buy when the project was completed. I've also purchased several movie cases for both myself and as gifts for friends. Paul is incredibly fast, friendly and priced fairly.

I remember finding Macross World during a search for Macross on an older search engine, perhaps Yahoo. I also found Macross Mecha Designs, the old RPG site this way. RT.com actually didn't come a long until much later if I remember correctly.

emajnthis is correct (and my thanks to him). Based on the information that was revealed through discussion, it's now clear that the Animeigo set is still the definitive release. I had yet to see the ADV set and based upon just initial reviews I read upon release, I had assumed that the video and sound were top notch. Since learning otherwise, the Animeigo set is obviously superior. and at such a low cost, it's impossible to go wrong. Just for the record, I am one of the MacrossWorld members who purchased the original one-box Animeigo DVD set for the whopping $250. I've also never had a problem with these "cracked discs" and other assorted QC problems that others have posted over the years. The set is as perfect as the day I purchased it.

I'm currently working on a fan website with another member and even I'm worried about skirting too far beyond the range of the fair usage laws. Especially with Macross, which has been such a hotly disputed property for years. I think as long as some fan creation is going into the project and you're not in effect bootlegging actual products, you're okay. But out-and-out reproduction of a product is bad news. While some fans may indeed play it fast and loose with whatever Macorss merchandise they want to obtain, I'd recommend against this "scan the book and sell" sort of endeavour. If you want to give back to the community, work on a fan website or do some badly needed translation on some of these books, or maybe just provide single page scans to people that ask for it. And DON'T ask to be compensated for labor/time/expense.

Damn, I'd forgotten about the old forums being posted online! I just checked the my account... *jaw drops* My sign up date is June 11, 2001! I had 1,980 posts on the old board and was member 525. Five and a half years...I had no idea I've been here that long. That's...scary! Where'd the time go? It's so bizarre thinking about it now. The forums were barely six months old when I joined up. I really don't recall the website being that new at all. For some reason, I remember the community feeling large and well established when I joined. Then again, my recollection seems to be a little hazy, I can't even remember that I've been here almost 6 years

HAHAHAHAHAHA! THat's fantastic. That blue bong is hilarious!

Impressive. Six years of nothing but bliss! Well, not exactly, but it's been plenty of fun to be sure. And, a lot of well spent fundage I'm sure I wasn't here quite as long ago as six years ago. I couldn't have signed up at launch. There was already a board community in swing with many members when I first arrived. I didn't lurk all that long if I remember correctly. I know it's a couple years, but I can't remember how many. Maybe two, perhaps three at most? Too bad the forums got rebooted

It's nice to hear something is in the works. Now that semi-confirmation of a release has been cryptically supplied, onwards with the months of endless speculation!

Which is the best book for lineart on Gundam 0080?