Mog

I don't know. The only one that I THINK may be an exclusive is the Baroness in scuba-gear that's gonna be included in that three-pack (the one based on the MASS Device cartoons). Of course, I could be wrong. Shin, can you clear up the details for us?

Grand scheme of things, it's another proverbial feather in Toynami's crap-filled cap. Already cancelled my pre-order yesterday with BBTS. Nothing personal against them mind you. But it's just business. They offered a ridiculously good price; I placed a pre-order. They changed the price to something else; I went ahead and canceled it. Again, it's just business. Nothing more, nothing less. I'll probably still wind up getting the Beta (ASSUMING THE PRICE IS REASONABLE). But at this point, I'll probably go with one of the reliable dealers/sellers that posts here on our boards. Unless BBTS can offer the Beta at a significantly lower price than them, I'll just go with the dealers/sellers I've usually bought my Macross and Mospeada goodies from in the past.

Thanks for including the Alphas/Legiosses in the background. It helps to get a sense of the size of the MH versions.

As promised, here are some pics of the touch-ups I did: It's really hard to tell now, but I do prefer the slightly wider look of the comic-pack CG's mask. But the one thing that really sucks about the comic-pack CG is that the neck is craned/tilted forward too much. It gives ol' Fred that bored, slacker teenager look. Also, I got around to opening the Crimson Twins set, and I noticed one really cool thing I didn't see before: the packaging has that silver, mirror-like striping off to the sides.....just like the original, old-school packaging!! Lastly, I'm really digging this updated version of Snow Job; THIS is how you improve on the original, vintage version!!

@mechaninac, I'm guessing the Beta's gonna be released by Thanksgiving or Christmas time at the earliest. Toynami usually winds up being late on their release dates. In any case, I've gotten used to having this avatar for the past few years. So, having it for a few more months (or until 2009 ) won't be a big deal. (Plus, it'll be a bit of a trip for me, breaking out that kupo-spouting avvy once again.) Personally, I'm kinda curious about how the cockpit stows away in battroid mode. The pics we saw awhile back showed the cockpit just folding down (and showing) in battroid mode. But the pics we're seeing now show it completely hidden in battroid. But more important than that, I really, really, REALLY hope Toynami puts some ratchet joints on these puppies. A floppy shoulder or leg on the Beta would absolutely kill the look of the bomber mode.

In any case, that preorder price is still up. If they decide for whatever reason not to honor it, I'll just cancel and go with my usual, go-to dealers. Major props to Kyp for waking this Mog out of his slumber and telling me about this news. Yeah, I know far too well about Toynami's "well-earned" reputation. But I just can't pass on the Beta, especially at this particular price point.

Too lazy to look through the whole thread, but how about: VF-25 Chimera When I look at the 25, I see a lot of elements from the old birds: the variable geometry wings of the old VF-1; the shield from the VF-11's and 19's; the complex fuselage-folding of the SV-51; etc. Much like the mythological creature, the 25 seems to be a deadly combo of the signature elements of the different Macross fighters from the past. So, Chimera seems to be a pretty appropriate and fitting name. EDIT: Okay, finally read the whole thread. Saw that 1/1 LowViz Lurker already posted the idea. My bad.

Zzzzzzzzzzzz <snort>.......Someone wake me up when we get hands-on reviews of CM's combo. Or when Toynami finally starts setting up pre-orders for the Beta. ....Or when hell finally freezes over..........Whichever scenario happens first. In all seriousness, I do have my concerns and sharp criticisms of CM's combo (which I've voiced enough about in this thread). But I think I've also been fair to CM's, praising them for using ratchet joints and for posing their Legioss and Tread in ways that show off the "solid-ness" of their figures' shoulder joints and arms. I ain't knocking anyone for purchasing CM's combo. But the look and corresponding price-tag just don't do it for me personally.

^^Oh, I have some ideas and schemes brewing for those underbelly Fast Packs.......gaps be damned!!!

Picked up the Crimson Twins and the Fred & Scarface comic packs today. Found both of 'em at one of the most inconsistent Walmarts around my area (in terms of stocking/restocking toys). Also found the Ace/Wild Weasel pack there too, but the Ace had too much of a bug-eyed look to him. So far, the Targets in my area seem to be the best places to go to find the latest Joes. Found the regular CG, Rock N' Roll, and Snow Job at Targets this past week. (Still searching for Flash, Torpedo, and maybe, IG Destro.) RnR has the same arms as Duke/Flint, so expect to do some cuttings to make trigger fingers and to improve the elbow articulation. I also painted the regular CG's mask silver (instead of leaving the whole thing black). The mask still looks like a gorilla-face. But the silver seems to improve the mask's look a great deal. I definitely like the shape of the Fred/Comic Pack CG's mask a heckuva lot more. So, we'll see how it looks in silver (once I get around to painting it). As for Scarface, I think I'm gonna touch up his scars a bit to make them more red. It's kinda hard to see the facial scars on the figure, even if you're looking at it really, really close up. I'll post pics of the touch-ups tomorrow (or whenever I finally get to doing them all ).

Thanks for the pics and link!! A couple of those gaps between the FP's and the bird proper could bug me a bit. But I'm sure I'll eventually learn to live with them. Just tell me that those kite and YF-21 emblems by the cockpit are tampo-printed.

Alright eugi, don't get your Omega Pants all up in a knot now!

Honestly, I don't see what the big deal is. I don't see Yamato's marketing practices being any different from Hasbro's or any other toy companies. We've gotten CAD drawings, pics, and even a few minute details about the transformation and landing gear. Hell, for crying out loud, we even got a frakken COMMERCIAL this time around!!!!!!! Just be patient young padawans. Graham may not be able to leak any major info. and details right now. But I'm sure he'll provide us with a nice review and transformation video (please? ) sometime shortly after the official release date. If Yamato didn't give Graham a version to play and rough-house with a little earlier than the rest of us, can you imagine how much later after the release date we'd have to wait for a thorough review (with pics)? Besides, a bunch of us schmoes who preordered this bird should already know the risks inherent in preordering anything before any reviews come out. Them's just the breaks.

I'm still particular to the military dude chilling with the little girl in the sandbox, shown a few times during the SDF Macross TV series. One minute, you're just having a quiet, quaint, and peaceful moment. The next moment, you're getting nuked and charbroiled to bits. ------------------------------ Also, the Zent' dude who gets pulled out of his Regult and gets capped by Max in DYRL got an f'ed up deal too!

C'mon now. Let Graham have his little fun. He has to deal with all our b*tching, whining, and insane analysis on this board. ........Besides, I figure the more we pester him, the less time he'll have to prep a full-up review by the release date. Plus, we gotta give Graham time to give the YF-21 his own personal brand of rough handling and "lovin'." (How else are we gonna know if this bird can stand multiple transformations without getting floppy?)

Gorgeous work, Jung! I especially like the what you did with the repainted pilot. Very nice!!

Thanks, Shin!! Where'd the Beta's cockpit go?! Still like that underbelly shot, though. I know it's a bit sad, but I'm holding out hope that this bastard will finally get released.

^^Tell me about it! I still haven't seen last year's Wave 5 in my neck of the woods. Granted, I've just resumed the hunt in the past few weeks, but still!

^^No worries. Wasn't trying to start an argument or anything. (I just remember that it took me a butt-load of time to take those pics and draft up those posts.) In any case, take another swig of the Yoshinol for me. And if some brain cells die, screw 'em! If they can't stand up to a little bit o' alcohol and paint fumes, then they're obviously weak little brain cells that can't hold even one squat of memory. Besides, you're probably doing yourself a service by wiping out those weaker brain cells.

I'm pretty sure we had this argument/conversation about a year ago. Linky. If I remember correctly, the eventual consensus was that the pilot sizes were a little skewed/misproportioned but that the overall size of the planes themselves were pretty much in scale.

^^I think it's just an additional point of articulation that folks would like to have. Sure, the hood's in the way, but you wanna be able to have the battroid sorta looking at his target/prey. Plus, some up-and-down movement on the head would be nice too. P.S.--Will the original YF-21 thread now be placed in the Great Hall of Super Topics?

Considering his "Itano Circus" style of attacking, I've had Scott/Stig in this pose for years now.

No, an inaccurate and EXPENSIVE approximation of a Legioss that took a few too many liberties and should have been designed using CAD.

DAD?!!! Getting back on topic, to answer your question Uxi, I believe we're looking at an April 2008 release date.

Nah, I've never been a completist. Granted I've had issues with a few figures here and there, but Hasbro's definitely making it harder for me to pick and choose with their upcoming releases. Still haven't seen Wave 5 out in the wild though....