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That and are both pretty silly. It sounds like they're just writing up any old thing that pops into their heads. (No offense to PC; I assume the source is HG.)

Yes, but it only counts as a "lifeform" if it's this guy:

I'm sure that macronizing won't let you do those things. It doesn't create new matter or even transmute elements. It takes DNA-based lifeforms (possibly only humanoids), builds a bigger/smaller version out of materials provided to the chamber (most of which are readily available in the environment), and somehow transfers the consciousness from the original to the new version. (Maybe the core of the brain itself is transferred in toto instead of just being copied. This would avoid some squeamishness over whether the original "dies" during macro/micronization.) I imagine the construction of the new body is probably done "naturally"--i.e., it's more or less like cloning. If you're concerned about the "square cube law" and the ability of Zentradi to stand up under their weight, we could also imagine that macronization includes constructing a superstrong alloy skeleton within the organic body.

Hah! Shades of Col. Rosenberger from Squad Leader.

Sorry to hear about that. Yes, the Digi-Q tanks sound pretty nice. There's an extensive review of them here. By comparison with the RS tank, they're more expensive, and they can't turn their turrets by remote control. But the laser tag feature sounds like a lot of fun. Also the Digi-Q tanks are smaller and have a sort of "cutified" sculpt--these could be advantages or disadvantages depending on taste. The desktop rover also has laser tag but it doesn't even remotely resemble an actual military tank. On the other hand, the internet control and video features are very cool. Maybe I could use it to keep tabs on my pets while I'm at work. A cheaper laser tag option would be these wheeled "tanks" (more like armored cars) as seen here and here. According to the ads, they can even turn their turrets by remote. I haven't seen any reviews, though. Edit: Here's a review. I don't like that they can only be hit from the front. Edit: These guys seem pretty cool for "laser tag" duelling. I haven't found a US source. The site sells them in double packs or individually; I've also seen them at a few other UK sites. Edit: Aha! The Radio Shack Tiger is the same as the Ripmax Tiger sold in the UK. Only Ripmax offers it in both winter camo and green camo. The site confirms that the scale is 1:54. Obviously there are a bunch of factories in China turning these things out, with various importers picking the best of them and repackaging them in the West.

Maybe you guys should try emptying your browser cache and/or restarting your browser/computer. BTW, who was that psycho? He looked like Gov. Arnold to me.

Update to this thread. Finally found an excellent R/C tank for my needs--and it's at Radio Shack! You can see pictures of it toward the bottom of the page here. RS has it on sale for $35 last I checked. What I like about it: Turret rotates by remote control At least three speeds in both forward and reverse Pretty accurate Tiger I sculpt Machine gun and main gun fire independently via remote (machine gun makes a sound; main gun makes sound, entire tank recoils slightly, and a red LED lights up at the tip of the barrel) Working road wheels Scale is that magical Macross-friendly 1:55, or very close (the link above says 1:48, but my measurements say otherwise) Some things that could be improved: Red LED for main gun firing is a bit cheesy. Customizers might want to remove it. On the other hand, it's nice to have some sort of "muzzle flash" effect even if it isn't wholly realistic. Tank always recoils backwards, which looks funny when firing main gun to side/rear Some of the surface details on mine could be better--like bent handles on shovels and axes. Can probably be fixed if desired. Although the road wheels turn, there's no real suspension Turret only turns about 120 degrees in each direction Main gun elevates/depresses but not by remote control While the tank is available in two frequencies, and you can select three channels for each frequency, there's no provision for "laser tag" duelling. So if you have several tanks, all you can do is race them--which can still probably be fun if you set up an obstacle course. I'm being pretty picky in the above list. Overall, I'm very happy with this toy. The only thing I really don't like is that the Tiger I is the only tank Radio Shack currently sells, and even if they make a different model next year, what's the likelihood it will be to the same scale? About the road wheels and suspension. On a real tank, the tread is turned by a drive sprocket at the back; the wheels on the bottom are unpowered and roll over the tread as it is "laid down". Cheap toy tanks often don't have turning road wheels; the track just slides over them. So the turning road wheels are a nice touch and probably improve the mobility of the tank. But for real accuracy and maximum mobility, the road wheels should actually have independent suspensions. If the tank had these, it could clear obstacles more gracefully. I suppose a master customizer could add this feature, but it would be tricky. Still, all in all, I think it's a great toy for the (sale) price. Edit: In addition to a minor correction above, I thought of a couple other things worth mentioning. First, the controller uses buttons for left/right turns instead of a steering wheel or independent track control. The tank will pivot in place if you use the turn buttons alone; if you hold a turn button while moving, the tank will go in a very tight circle. To achieve gentler turns, you have to tap the turn button while moving. Second, it would be nice if the charger base could be hooked up to an A/C adapter instead of using batteries. I guess a customizer with a little knowledge of electronics address could fix this.

Mainly, since this thing is part of Robotech and not Macross, you should consider posting your link to the pinned MPC thread in the Other Anime and Science Fiction forum. Some people are pretty touchy about Robotech, Harmony Gold, and the MPC's due to the legal tactics used by HG in an effort to keep Yamato's Valkyries out of the US. (For which, see here but think twice before posting unless you've read the whole thread.)

A matter of taste; if you don't like it, it could be mystery meat on a stick, or maybe a whole cow's leg. (Might have to squint to believe it.) There's no such thing as -40 kelvin. 0 Kelvin is as cold as anything gets. The cold and vacuum of space could both be tolerated if exposure is brief. So sez NASA. I don't recall how long Hikaru is out there; his flight suit would help somewhat, and the scarf might provide some heat insulation even if its effectiveness in sealing the helmet/suit against the vaccuum is questionable. May look a little silly but shouldn't be a problem in zero-G, as long as the "arms" don't move too fast. On Earth and Mars, it depends on the strength of the keels and the docking points. The runway/catapult space launches are questionable, but the catapult is arguably a good way to get a Valk moving toward its objective without wasting its onboard reaction mass. In fact, now that I think about it, some form of catapult probably makes more sense than just dropping the Valk a la DYRL.

What's wrong with it? It's perfect!

Hm. We're getting off-topic...but anyway, not sure about food, but we do know that the Zentradi had beer (or maybe booze?) even before they came into contact with humans. There's mention of this in the first Kamujin episode. IIRC, somebody in his fleet wins an extra booze ration by correctly guessing how many collisions will occur when they fold in next to Britai's ships.

A few more color schemes that appear in the show but aren't available in "off the shelf" Yamato Valks: Virgin Road VF-1D (basically a VF-1D in Max's 1J color scheme, from the episode "Virgin Road") Angel Birds VF-1A (exhibition team from the first episode; it's reasonable to assume there was also an Angel Birds VF-1D as discussed recently) All three of these schemes (VR 1D; AB 1A; AB 1D) are available as Hasegawa models/decals There's also a dark blue Valk in one episode--look in this thread. That's all I can think of without going into esoterica like the Orguss Valk and the VEFR "Funny Chinese". Both appear in the TV show, but the Orguss Valk is a joke (not seriously meant to be part of the Macross universe). Oh, there's also a VF-1A with three head lasers somewhere, but that's an animation mistake. (It's not the same as the Robotech VF-1R, in spite of the superficial similarity.) All of these would require more than just color modifications.

BSU, that sounds like a good theory. It does sound like much of the mythological stuff from the island is dimly remembered references to concrete phenomena. But can you refresh my memory as to the exact context(s) in which Sara refers to the Song? Or approximate time(s) in which episode(s)?

In DYRL, we're really not told if Hikaru's VF-1A survives the crash after he saves Minmay. I'd guess it's at least mostly salvageable. But he may well have been assigned a new one after they were rescued. And he was still flying a VF-1A after he and Misa were rescued. This could well be (yet another) new plane since he was MIA and probably presumed dead for quite a while. I doubt his plane was kept in storage for him. JMBNaples please note: the VF-1D from the first couple episodes is not a trainer. Look here. I started a thread a while back in which we tried to list all the aircraft each major character flew in the series, including replacements for wrecked planes. Here it is. Also, welcome to Macross World!

Isn't that the very same episode that gave us the *ahem* VF-1R and the cigarette-lighting GU-11? Anime Friend, you suck. I don't know about the VF-1R but I like the giant turkey legs no matter how improbable. And the cigarette-lighting GU-11 is cool, as is the friendly Zentradi who gets his cig lit that way. (I just wouldn't want to be downwind of him while he's lighting up.)

I don't know why people keep mentioning the detachable legs on the 1/60 when the guy said it's going to be a display piece after its first transformation. Besides, the detachable legs are no more inaccurate relative to the "official real-world" leg transformation than the 1/48's internal swing bar. That said, given the parameters, I'd go for the 1/48 for all the reasons stated above and with the caveat about the seam line. The 1/48's posability makes the toy capable of very lifelike action poses. I'd add (in case no one else has) that I prefer the knees and leg swivel on the 1/48 to the 1/60.

http://www.macrossworld.com/macross/toys/_.../_toys_menu.htm is a good place to start. Lebhead also has a summary of the options which he's posted here and at http://protoculture.lebhead.com You might also visit http://www.valkyrieexchange.com Also, some useful reviews can be found at masterforce.org and toyboxdx.com Pics of just about all the options are at the Valkyrie Factory (google it). Oh, yeah, you can also read some reviews in Gunsight. It's a PDF newsletter that's available at a few sites, probably including this one. I think there are only two issues.

I think by "tri-thruster", Capt. Kraimer means "Gnerl". Yes, I'd like one of those, in 1/60 please.

Rented the first DVD of the TV series (eps. 1-5) last night. Both my wife and I enjoyed it. Now I see that contrary to expectations, the 7-part OAV seems to have preceded the series in production. Plus there are some movies. So can anyone clarify the order in which the various parts were produced and their relationship to each other? Is the series a retelling of the OAV story, or a sequel/prequel or what? And what is the recommended viewing order? What are the best web sites for info on Patlabor? The ones I turned up on Google weren't very complete.

Just click here. I also loved her in Savior of the Soul.

A couple thoughts. First, I think of "reaction warheads" as advanced thermonuclear devices, which may not even require a fission reaction to initiate the fusion reaction. I'd expect the yield to be based primarily on operational need, as opposed to technological/physical size limitations. (Basically, what David said.) Second, maybe the weight of the RMS-1 missiles is because they carry more propellant. More propellant provides greater maneuverability for homing on targets and dodging countermeasures, as well as greater/longer acceleration so that the missile gets to its target faster.

You may be thinking of Drunken Master II, where she played Jackie Chan's stepmother.

That's good to hear, but Keith seemed didn't seem to get the joke... http://www.macrossworld.com/mwf/index.php?...t=0entry76160

In addtion to the points raised above, from watching the M+ movie, I get the impression that ultimately Guld was only able to catch the Ghost by accelerating at so many G's that it cost him his vision (and, in the end, his eyes). But since the sensors of the YF-21 were plugged directly into his nervous system, he was still able "see" and steer the plane. That wouldn't have been possible with the YF-19.

Another thing about the head lasers--their barrels appear to be rifled for some reason.