mitch

There is a type of magnets called "rare earth magnets" that are really strong, they might do the trick. Of course, you would still need to figure out where on the "backpack" to insert a metal plate to anchor them, and possibly a couple of pins or pegs to stop the boosters from tilting once they are attached. Good luck with your project mate, Chunky Mafia represent! Woot!!

I ordered the Tornado Pack '25. I'm just expecting the same '25 figure but with movie color scheme (or a slight variation of it). Definitely not happy that I had to buy another '25 just to get the Tornado Pack, I had been hoping it would be another Tamashii job. More pain-in-the-ass hoops to jump through, but it would have been cheaper than buying the whole set-up. Oh well...

I'm down like a clown, charlie brown! Except for poker. I suck at it and I'm pretty broke, plus I can't bluff to save my life. But food and hanging out sounds awesome! Catch you chaps down there.

Damn, that Hikaru '1A looks like it lost a bar fight! I'm starting to think I may have to skip these and only potentially buy one to go on my desk if they come out with Strike/Super Packs. There's enough VF-1 figures out there so that ugly just don't cut it, especially with Bandai's new HI-METAL VF-1 on the horizon.

Definitely warming to the Tornado Pack. I like the Fighter and Gerwalk more than the Battroid at this point, but I'll have to wait and see how it looks in the movie. It'll never have the impact the VF-1 Strike had for me, but I've put my pre-order in. What REALLY pisses me off is that it looks like I've got to but ANOTHER '25. I had been hoping that it would be a Tamashii exclusive... wow, I can't believe I just said that ... so that I could just get the 'pack (I prefer the TV colors).

Just saw this. http://www.toplessrobot.com/2009/12/8_reas...han_macross.php I can't go into it too much right now. I'm too severely pissed off to comment more for obvious reasons.

WHAT?!?! I have to buy another '25 to get the tornado pack? B.S. Bandai. B.S.

Well, 'sophisticated' may have been the wrong word for the V.1, but no, I don't own one (I'm not a big fan of part-swapping, let alone one where you need a screwdriver from what I understand ). If the hi-metal VF-1 is a PT then I'm all over that! Although it seems like at times the VF-1 is trying to compete with Spider-Man and Batman for the highest number of figures for a single character, I feel this could have real potential (to clear out my bank account! Zing!). My only reservation would be the same as the new PT Revoltechs - I would like there to be missile and 'Pack accessories. Say what you will about Toynami, but at least they developed FAST and STRIKE Packs for their 1/100 line.

Wow, I think I might have pooped a little when I saw that new Pachinko footage! I'd also like to have that on DVD. Maybe when enough random footage like this and the ads for the Macross Fever adverts has accumulated I'd like to think there's a chance of doing another DVD like the 20th anniversary one put out a few years ago. Anyway, back on topic, I don't care how you term it, any kind of re-do of the original SDFM would be utterly pointless. The Macross the First manga solely exists for this purpose. It is a cost efficient way of re-imagining the original storyline and making it more contemporary (mobile phones no longer mean a telephone on wheels that follows you around!). I'm not sure people appreciate how much goes into an animated production, but at the very least it takes a LOT of cash. Like, an ass-load of money. Even retooling the animation alone would be only slightly cheaper than a regular production, and for it to look cutting edge like it deserves world bump the total up even more. And then you'd be left with stunning visuals with a soundtrack that sounds like it was made in the 80's, and Hikaru would be telling Misa to get back in the kitchen, kaifun would be throwing liquor bottles at his cousin (who he wants to marry), and Zentradis would be remarking on how the culture of a cigarette is delicious. Also, DYRL is the remake. It's a shining example of truly stunning animation that belies its age and puts many contemporary titles to shame. It does not get any better than that. Plus, Frontier is essentially an homage to the original series. So that's THREE versions of the same story (3.5 if you count Frontier). How many times do you want to see the same story over and over again? If the Macross franchise is to survive it cannot keep recycling it's origins into entropy. New Gundam titles come out all the time. We're lucky if we get a new series every 5 years. I don't know how to emphasize this enough. MACROSS MUST PROGRESS! Look at Star Wars. The "remastered" releases made the originals worse. There was a whole South Park episode that covered this topic! Any completed work of art, wether it means to or not, says something about the time it was created. Should we invade the Louvre and paint the Mona Lisa with designer clothes and an i-pod because she looks a little dated? No. The day we see SDFM reanimated and repackaged is the day Macross dies.

I assume that this will be a partial part-swapping figure? I really like die-cast components and it looks cool, but if I wanted a sophisticated valk that couldn't perfect transform I'd get a V.1 1/60 Yammie.

Yup, what Sketchley said. Although I like to refer to Minmei's pet as a Marmet. No reason other than the Big Lebowski cracks me up...

I'll double check when I get home tonight, as I haven't had the chance to read it thoroughly yet, but I believe the only color pages are the 'Flashback' section at the beginning of chapter 1. It doesn't have the pin-up from Vol.2 of Macross Ace, but I think it may have some extra gubbins at the back.

Happy to inform that the collected volume of M1st has the first few pages reprinted in color! Yay, decent production value!

Seconded. While I'm happy that they have addressed the hip armors pop issues, I'm disappointed to be in the position of having to chose between secure accessories and cool looking accessories (seriously, its like they should have packaged the original releases as having "exploding battle damage feature"). I am glad that people who weren't able to get the '25F with Super Pack can now find it, but those of us who went to the trouble and expense of finding the original releases can sit back and say "Meh, I'm not too sure about the blue. I prefer the Grey". The Tornado/Typhoon pack is definitely growing on me, can't wait to see it in action in the film. I have to say though, I'm expecting it to be another Tamashii exclusive when it gets released next year. Past practice indicates as much. As for a V.2 '25, I'd be extremely surprised if Bandai revisited it at any point soon with major changes like sculpt and articulation points. Maybe as an anniversary thing down the road, but no time soon. I would much rather they concentrated on doing the '171 now that they have the '27 in production, especially since the '27 seems like it has had a bit more time and care spent on its design (lets hope that carries through to production). If Yamato were to take a stab at it and incorporated metal parts for key stress and joint areas i'd be all over it, but I think we all know how likely that is.

I'm kinda hoping/expecting Alto to graduate to a 25S (love that red & black color scheme), but something totally new would be shweet.

Actually, I found that after Sheryl starts to accept her illness and her fate she starts to write songs that have a lot more soul to them, while Christina Aguillera is still just a vapid talentless whore who merely looks diseased. Also, there is a difference between high-priced-bondage-prostitutes and a scaggy bint. So I'm told...

Until the economy gets back on it's feet I wouldn't even bother thinking about it. Even when people DO have some disposable income for larger scale purchases like a 1:48 the market is pretty saturated with VF-1's, and even if they pulled something as random as a VF-5000 or VF-4 out of their @$$es I imagine that a lot of people would be wanting it in 1:60 to match a majority of other valks in their collection. The 1:48's are amazing pieces of design and engineering and will usually dominate any display they are incorporated into, but 1:60 is where the cool kids hang out these days.

It kinda depends on what you're using the paint for. Very thin paint would be good for washes, but for laying down colors thin paint can be a hassle. Tamiyas definitely need the thinner for best results (about a 6:4 ratio of Tamiya to thinner seems to work for me), and it you're mixing custom colors make sure to not introduce other types of acrylic paint or anything as this will lead to complications. Other types of paints you may need a thin meshed strainer to get any lumps out before you run it through the airbrush ( older paint can get kinda clumpy). I was confused when I was first told 'milky' consistency is best, but it is generally true. Thin and runny, but with enough opaqueness to make sure it covers evenly. Kinda hard to explain, but that's the rule I generally follow. Also, try not to get impatient when painting. Misting on 5 thin coats and waiting will give you much better results than trying to get it in 2 thick coats and rushing it. As for ratios of dilution for other paints, it varies depending on the consistency of the pigment.

I've got 5 DX's and they really aren't that bad. The paint will come off, but you could hit them with some sealant if it bothers you that much. The mk.2 '25's are much better than the first issues, but it all comes down to what you want out of a figure. They definitely aren't perfect, the kits seem to have a better range of poseability and line accuracy, but I don't see any threads here designated solely to shoulder or hip breakages that seem to follow a lot of Yamato's releases. Yamato do some beautiful work, but personally I value die-cast components in key stress areas and durability when I pay that much for a figure.

I'll probably get a '1S to check it out and see what it's like. I generally like the revoltech series so far, so it'll be interesting to see how they cope with the transformation. I got suckered with one of those Banpresto POS valks so I'd be surprised if they are as lame as that, but you never know. They get a chance. If revoltech does some of the more obscure add-ons (armored packs, strike packs, Ostrich, Elint, etc) that would be good, and the prospect of transformation in their mecha line has tantalizing possibilities for other robots.

I'm reserving full judgment on the Tornado pack until I've seen it in action in all 3 modes. The beam cannons look a little... I don't want to say 'girlie' per se, but at least fragile. I assume that is because a beam/particle/laser/gun would have very low recoil so that it needs less reinforcement, and the whole pack is designed to allow for atmospheric use. If it looks daft in Gerwalk and Battroid I'll probably give it a miss, but on the single published image, 10 frames of animation from the trailer and a few photographs of a kit (which I assume is still in development), I won't write it off just yet. Plus, I'm not sure it qualifies as lamest Super/Strike Pack add-on in Macross just yet. I always thought the 'Packs for the VF-19 looked a bit silly with the huge boosters attached to their shoulders, and that is nothing compared to some of the super-robot-esque gadgets Sound force was given to play with IMHO.

I'm very saddened to hear this news. DYRL is such a masterpiece of animation and one of my favorite films, and the music, and especially Kazuhiko Katoh's composition, is an integral part to it. Although I have to admit that I'm unfamiliar with his other works, 'Ai, Oboeteimasu ka?' has left a deep impression on me and my deepest sympathies go out to his family and friends.

Totally agree! Just got a little carried away. But one of the reasons I want to expand my digital sculpture skills is precisely for this reason. I've noticed with many of my valk figures that there is so often just little elements that were overlooked in the development process that would make the figure drastically improved. Things like thigh swivels, hip pivots and re-sculpted heads would be much easier to develop and produce making them more clean, uniform and versatile. Especially if its for small components or accessories the implications are awesome! with a combination of mechanical chain bases from Kotobukiya and a 3D sculpture program you can make a 'Macross Factory' set-up for 1:60 or even 1:48 valks, or make MDE bombs that attach to a DX armored VF-25... Sorry, need to go sit down for a little while again

Hey tundrayeti, glad to have you on board! If you do invest in a 3D printer you can have a LOT of fun with it. How many threads have been put up about MW members making CG mecha? ? TONNES, that's how many! Potentially that is all raw 3D data just waiting to be printed out. The implications are truly mind boggling! However, in my experience it is not as simple as just hitting print and 2 hours later you have a transformable VF-4. The results from different generations of printers vary, but If you've read Hobby Japan recently and seen a prototype for Gundam Unicorn or whatever, you may see something like this... Kinda rough with lots of 'build lines' visible. These will have to be addressed. Aside from potential legal issues about intellectual properties and such (although if it's just for your own personal enjoyment I think you'd be okay), 3D print-outs need to be refined and cleaned up, molded, casted, painted, movable parts need to be tested for fitting, etc etc (let alone taking into consider the strength of the materials needed for different functions, 4th dimensional planning, maintenance and materials for the printer...), but as a design engineer I'm sure you appreciate that. But let's be clear, there is a LOT of things you could do with this technology. Think of the coolest toy/accessory you always wanted and was never made. This is now within your grasp! Custom pilots for your valks? Check. 1/55 VF-1D head in the style of Macross First? Easy. 1/60 Ghost X-9? Piece of piss! 1-foot tall transformable Battle Frontier? That would be a hell of a project... but it can be done! Please keep us posted if you do decide to go ahead with this. Seriously, I know for a fact that there are people here who can help out if you should wish to proceed. Think on..!

Cool custom ruskiiVFaussie! Has there still been no word of an Ozma EX-Gear? The Alto looks great, but I'm waiting to see which other pilots (if any) get made.