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twich

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    Super Macross Mecha Fun Time Discussion Thread!

    in Movies and TV Series

    Posted

    14 hours ago, Seto Kaiba said:

    The development history of the Sv-303 Vivasvat given in Variable Fighter Master File: VF-31AX Kairos Plus - which to date remains the only source to talk about the fighters in the second Macross Delta movie at any reasonable length - describes the Sv-303 as an offshoot/rethink of a series of manned fighter developments that Windermere IV's Chancellor Brehm commissioned from the Epsilon Foundation.

    According to Master File, the original request (with the working designation Sv-300) was for a new manned fighter to supplement or replace the Sv-262 with better performance than the New UN Forces new VF-31.  Both the overtuned FF-2999/FC2 Stage IIG engine and the Twin Quartz Drive system used in the Sv-303 were originally developed for use in the Sv-300.  Changing priorities on the customer's (Windermere IV's) side led to the program being abruptly cancelled shortly before Sv-300 prototype No.1 was scheduled to be delivered for testing.  Two other related manned fighter programs, Sv-301 and Sv-302, were also cancelled at the same time.

    Exactly what drove Windermere IV's government to change its mind and cancel the development of manned Valkyries in favor of a next-generation unmanned fighter controlled using newly-developed biological fold wave communications technology is left unstated.

      Hide contents

    IMO, it seems likely that the change in focus was a reaction to events of the Macross Delta TV series or first movie like Prince Heinz's deteriorating health as a result of using his runes to boost his fold song to weaponize Var syndrome, New UN Forces countermeasures to Var syndrome, and simply realizing how outnumbered and outclassed they were fighting the New UN Forces on a level footing.

     

    Well, the overtuned FF-2999/FC2 engines and Twin Quartz Drive were originally intended for use in a twin-engine VF with performance rivaling or exceeding the VF-31, so that's a big part of it.  They reused the existing modified engine design for the unmanned fighter.  The rest of it is on the addition of the sub-engines.  Windermere IV must have asked for Dian Cecht to design the most balls-to-the-wall bonkers thing they could make if cost wasn't an overriding concern and they had no shortage of high quality fold quartz.  For their part, Dian Cecht seems to have used as many high-spec off-the-shelf parts as possible to get the job done quickly.

    Of course, the substantial weight reduction caused by abolishing the cockpit block and all of its attendant support systems and the de facto replacement of other equipment like radars, radios, energy conversion armor, active stealth system, etc. with the Mirage Package no doubt helped them push that envelope as far as they could.

    I am curious to see if we will see a continuation of the SV-300 through SV-303 research for the next enemy(bad guy) variable fighter and go a whole new way for the next hero valkyrie design.  I wished that Bandai had made a toy of the SV-303 instead of the SV-262 color change for Con Vaart in red.  I love the design of the SV-262Hs/Ba, but the transformation in toy form causes me anxiety.  I hope that we get some news/teasers/something this year.

    Twich

    Super Macross Mecha Fun Time Discussion Thread!

    in Movies and TV Series

    Posted

    6 hours ago, Seto Kaiba said:

    In a bid to rescue what remains of my fragile sanity after a day of bureaucratic tedium, I took a whack at the section of Variable Fighter Master File: VF-0 Phoenix given over to talking about the VF-3000.

    Much of what it has to say is the same as what's said in Variable Fighter Master File: VF-1 Valkyrie, such as that the VF-3000 program got its start as an offshoot/continuation of VF-1 program at Stonewell Bellcom before the merger with Shinnakasu Heavy Industry and Shinsei Manufacturing that formed the modern Shinsei Industry in 2012. 

    Unlike the section in the VF-1 Master File, the VF-0 Master File actually discusses the VF-3000's design too.

    As Master File has it, development of the VF-3000 was a bit of a speedrun on Stonewell Bellcom's part after the First Space War.  Stonewell Bellcom's design team deliberately kept its design as conventional as possible, to minimize the number of risks taken during development and to facilitate the reuse of development and test data from the VF-0 and VF-1 in the simulation and practical test phases.  Keeping the same basic structure, albeit with a size closer to that of the VF-0, facilitated the inclusion of all kinds of quality-of-life improvements like additional propellant tanks in the legs for space use, expanded life support equipment for space use, larger energy capacitors for the laser weapons, and room for future upgrade hardware of all kinds.

    The cockpit block was set up as a two-seater by default, at the request of the UN Forces.  It was designed to be operated by a single pilot, but it seems the UN Forces considered the VF-3000 a possible candidate for use in interstellar research fleets due to its excess of internal space.  The second seat was theoretically earmarked for use by research personnel who would operate any optional research equipment installed on the aircraft.  It was also tentatively considered a potential fighter-bomber, with the rear set able to be fitted out with the necessary controls for a RIO.  

    It's said that the first prototype - internally codenamed MD-3000-01 - rolled off the line at L5 in September 2011.  MD-3000-02 followed it off the line shortly thereafter, with Unit 01 being used for atmospheric testing and Unit 02 for space testing.  Initial evaluations were satisfactory, with its longer operating time/range in space being particularly praised.  What the UN Forces weren't entirely pleased with was the longer time required to change modes... being 30% longer than those of the VF-1 Valkyrie.  This was considered to be a bit of a deal breaker by the UN Forces, who asked that this be improved if possible and contracted with Stonewell Bellcom for nine prototype aircraft tentatively dubbed VF-3000 Crusader according to Stonewell Bellcom's internal codename for the program.  Stonewell Bellcom didn't consider that point to be critical, since the problem was mainly due to the movement needed to store the tail, and ultimately opted not to change the design.

    The initial type that borrowed part of the VF-1 production line was considered to be VF-3000A.  A later refined version that eliminated the problems of the early model with a refined tail, main wing, and auxiliary propulsion system design was designated VF-3000B.  The parts are, however, said to be interchangeable and it is possible to mix-and-match.

    The asymmetrical armament on the monitor turret is described as an attempt to provide a balance of long and short-ranged firepower.  The single large-bore pulse laser cannon is meant for long range engagements and the twin laser machineguns are meant for short-range ones.  The apparent justification for this is that research fleets were expected to find unknown potential threats and would need every edge.  

    There is also mention of a VF-3000C type, which has symmetrical weapon mounts on the monitor turret, though apparently with the ability to pick either twin pulse lasers or quad laser machineguns rather than having a set configuration.

    The VF-3000's gunpod is also described as an enlarged version of the GU-11 with greater ammunition capacity.  It's noted to have three hardpoints per wing, and to be compatible with all VF-1-era armaments.  Hardpoints were also added to the center fuselage to facilitate use as a fighter bomber.  There was also apparently a proposal for a delta wing variant, which MD-3000-01 was modified to test in 2013.  

    In terms of service history, Master File asserts that about 40 total VF-3000s were delivered to the UN Forces by the end of 2013, though their deployment destinations and actual numbers are indicated to still be classified.  (Presumably this is a reference to their use by Special Forces units like the Dancing Skulls.)  It's noted that some remained in our solar system as aggressor training aircraft for escort fleets until 2032.  There is mention that some emigrant fleets toyed with the idea of adopting the VF-3000 and conducted tests of their own, though none seem to have adopted it in any numbers.  

    One particularly interesting note is that the VF-3000 is said to have been purchased by some of the early private military companies formed in the wake of the First Space War, as government restrictions prevented them from acquiring the military's latest models (the VF-5000 at the time).  It's said that they were produced in small numbers in the 2010s, and that the total number produced is believed to be less than 100.

     

    There is also an interesting point all the way back at the beginning of the piece, which talks about how the VF-3000 was for a time a popular choice of stand-in for the VF-0 when war movies were being filmed.  Its similarity in size and design apparently made it ideal for the purpose, and on one notable occasion it also doubled for the SV-51 with a simple coat of black paint.  It's said that movies that did this have become invaluable historical documents... not for their artistic merit (or lack thereof) but because they contain some of the only footage of this rare aircraft in operation.

     

    One squadron operating the VF-3000 is mentioned several times in marginal notes.  The SVF-115 Armors transitioned from the VF-1 to VF-3000 in early 2014, and were changed to being a special mission squadron at the same time.  They were deployed to a planetary reconnaissance fleet for two years starting in 2015.  The Armors are said to have appeared in publicity magazines and regular carrier squadron, and that their status as a special forces unit directly under the New UN Forces Command was not made public until 2038, 10 years after the unit was disbanded.

    Very Cool bit of lore, thank you for translating this.  Now, I know that you looked at the VF-31AX book and gave some stats for the SV-303.  Does it give a specific reason as to why this was a drone and not a manned fighter?  Also, does it give any reason as to why this particular Variable Drone has engine power equal or greater than the YF-29 Durandal?

    Thanks!

    Twich

    Bandai HG 1/100 VF-31 Valkyries

    in Model kits

    Posted · Edited by twich
    added stuff

    so I'll go out on a limb here and guess that the deluxe release of the VF-31J will have special waterslide decals and a Freya stand up display thing?

     

    So, on a side note, I have the YF-19 and YF-29 Full Set releases so far.  How is the build quality of the VF-31?  I love the design of the valkyrie so much and wonder how it translates to the High Grade?  Thanks!

    Twich

    Whats next for Arcadia?

    in Toys

    Posted

    1 hour ago, M'Kyuun said:

    I hope whatever the roadblocks they're facing, Arcadia is able to pull through and achieve stability. I really want that VF-5000, even if I have to settle for the anime colors (teal, white, and yellow) which I'm not crazy about, but I love the design itself. Moreover, it's a valk that, to my knowledge, has never received a toy, so I want to support it and future releases of n'er before released valks.

    I totally agree with you....The Yamato/Arcadia lines for the VF-1 are so iconic and sound that I cant wait to see how they do with this VF-5000.

    Twich

    Hi-Metal R Fire Bomber (VF-19 Fire Valkyrie, VF-11 MAXL, VF-17T)

    in Toys

    Posted

    10 hours ago, rsvictor1976 said:

    I got my Sound Booster from Nin-Nin just now. Looks pretty good but I wish they added more color to the base. It came with the brown Tamashii Nations shipper box and the new clam-shell plastic lid is interesting.

     

    IMG_1570.JPEG

    IMG_1569.JPEG

    Is the new stand all that and a bag of chips?  Or is it a beat a horse into submission hunk of plastic?  Looks like Mickey Mouse with a guitar stuck through his nose and sticking up like a horn off his forehead.....or maybe I am just seeing things....don't read into that...

    I do not know how I honestly feel about the sound booster.  I think that it is essential for a Arcadia 1/60 VF-19 Kai Fire Valkyrie to have, but do not know if it is necessary for my Hi-Metal R VF-19 Kai Fire Valk. (I do not have the Arcadia 1/60, I am waiting to see if there is a DX Chogokin VF-19 Kai Fire Valk made)

    Twich

    Macross streaming on Disney+ (under the "Star" label; Star/Hulu of D+)

    in Movies and TV Series

    Posted

    1 hour ago, Big s said:

    The plus movie was on Hulu on day one of streaming. It was one of my first tests the second day for the subtitles, but I had added it to my list the very first day.

    The Macross 2 movie wasn’t on there though. Although I don’t remember if anything was different between the Macross 2 movie and Ova series.

    That is funny, I specifically searched for Macross Plus movie edition the first time I checked Disney plus and the OVA was the o lot thing to show up, then a few days ago, the movie edition popped up for me. Must be something screwy with the app.

    Twich

    Macross Shooting Insight for Switch, PS4 and Steam

    in Games

    Posted

    So, I pre ordered this and just started playing it. I have to say, it is pretty amazing having a Macross game with English text so I can tell what the heck to do. So far, so good. I hope this paves the way for more Macross games to be released outside Japan with appropriate language text localization!  I’m excited to play more!

    Twich

    DX YF-29 Durandal (Maximillian Jenius Unit) WWM Release

    in Toys

    Posted

    3 hours ago, jetcollector said:

    Finally saw the movie this is from. Grabbed one from Amazon a while back for what I thought was a good deal. Under $200. 
     

    have we heard ANYTHING about a possible chogokin DX SV-303? Those AI “bad guy” valks are really incredible looking, especially the two different fighter modes. 
     

    I can’t be the only one out there that would love to see one of these in toy form! Sure it may be a tough one to pull off perfectly but everyone thought the VF-4 Lighting was not doable and now we have like four versions. 

    IMG_1046.png

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    I agree that this would be an awesome edition to the DX line

    Twich

    HMR VF-2SS + SAP Silvie Gena reissue

    in Toys

    Posted

    2 hours ago, Graham said:

    Love the new box art.

    Hopefully Bandai use a better yellowing-resistant plastic for this re-release, as 3 of my original HMR VF-2SS have suffered some mild yellowing.

    I have not had the yellowing issue with my NEXX release of the Hi-Metal R.  Here is hoping that Bandai is reissuing this to pave the way for a DX toy.

    Twich

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