sketchley

This talk of guitar control sticks got me thinking - is it really Basara who is flying? What got me thinking is remembering the scene inside of City 7 (after it was kidnapped by the Varuta) when Miria in her VF-1 and Basara in his VF-19 Kai are persuing a Varuta VF - Miria chastises Basara for his piss-poor flying abilities in a city. Why would this guy have piss-poor flying skills, when he is uber god at dodging? Because he isn't really flying the VF-19 Kai! He's merely inputing directions (go here, turn left there, etc.), and the VF-19 Kai's AI pilot does the actual flying. We know the Ghost X-9 project was successful (many of them were seen in VF-X2,) and that it's AI chip is especially good at being defensive. Why couldn't they have stuck the AI chip into Basara's VF-19 Kai? His poor city flying can be explained away by him getting in the way of the AI's flying - he, being human, overreacted, and made countless course corrections; the AI being set up to respond to pilot directions above all else... plus strip the AI from all connections from weapons (they can only be fired by human action,) and reduce the manueverability of the VF-19 Kai to a level that won't turn it's pilot into paste along the sides of the cockpit, and you've got one powerful uber-dodging, yet easy to fly VF, that any joe-rockstar can operate.

Chisels? Laser rifles? The Zentraedi use their barehands! Karate chop!

I think he already answered the question on afterburners - it's an all or nothing affair. I can't give any numbers on the second question, but given that jet engines suck in many, many litres of air per second, water consumption is fast. I don't have any figures, but what comes to mind is that the Harrier, with whatever engine it has, and whatever water load it carries, can only use water for anywhere between 1.5 and 5 minutes - basically used for take-off and landing only only. In a way it's like the Concord, using afterburners to get to cruising speed, or something like that (late, tired, no idea if this is coming across clearly.)

I was under the impression that the VF-14 only came into existance with Macross M3, and that the two Varuta VFs were based off of the VA-14 (funny how the VA-14 is NOT in any of Kawamori's design works books...) - the VA-14 having appeared in Macross 7 helps. Anyhow, agreed that the Az-130 is more advanced than the Fz-109, and the point can be debated.

Could be. But as the Protoculture are masters of bioengineering (at least from a human perspective,) and the Varuta, beyond mind control (which appears to be a power of the Protodevlin, and not a technology) don't exhibit any type of bioengineering, it is logical to state, as I did, that the Varuta fleet is limited by the manufacturing capabilities of the human fleet(s) that they captured. 3-Star Factory ships are quite powerful, but not quite as powerful as the replicator of Star Trek. My logic is based on the Varuta 1st gen* and 2nd gen* VFs - there is a noticeable difference in technology, and I believe that boils down to 1st gen relying on human made manufacturing ships, and 2nd gen being Varuta made manufacturing facilities. Of course, continuing this logic, I feel that if the Varuta war had continued, then we would have seen more of the advanced (meaning beyond human abilities) Protoculture technologies appearing - as in more Protodevlin, or worse, their offspring! I think it's dangerous to continue this line of thought... *1st gen being the Fz-109, 2nd gen being the Az-130 and FBz-99.

It is true that the people who make RPG stats do 'make stuff up,' but sometimes there are reasons for the inclusion. Sometimes they are very good (as in, other ships of a similar classification have them, it's a logical extension that these Macross ships should have them too (since cannon states nothing.)) Now, I'm not saying that you should trust Macross RPG stats entirely. What I am suggesting is that once trustyworthy things like the compendium, lineart, and Macross books are exhausted, look to RPG stats that have a bibliography. Those ones tend to have more thought put into them, and more care to make them as complete in the Macross universe as possibile. Just keep in mind that RPG stats are generally (or should be) created to fulfill the game and story needs of whatever system that they have been created for, and the needs, and possibly agenda of the particular game or person who created them. Be careful when referencing them, as even the best created RPG stats sometimes have glaring omitions (internally carried weapons pallets on Macross 7 and beyond VFs are noticeably absent, or misdescribed. So too are rear firing missile launchers on one of the later incarnations of the engine nacelle FAST packs for the VF-11, and don't get me started on the hip grenades for the armoured VFs...) The other suggestion is to add a disclaimer (when you make the final presentation) that though these ships that you've created are based on Macross fact, parts of them are non-cannon, and should be taken as non-cannon.

Basically yes. No, if it's only the Varuta. The Varuta are basically a human fleet that has been reprocessed by the Protodevlin. I suspect that the Protodevlin know of higher levels of technology, but they were primarily limited by the manufacturing ships in the human fleet they captured.

I haven't seen the show, and have no access to it.

The pictures that I have seen (some available as links off of the link I provided above) do not have coral on them, and are of the base rocks.

Ah, thanks. I think I understand it. Though there is one question I have: I have heard that the Harrier (Pegasis) engine uses water only while hovering. Did I hear that wrong, or is it related to the 'adding more into the engine to get more thrust out of it'?

Agreed that it may be reaching to conclude that they are structures akin to Egyptian pyramids. However, there are a lot of features in the ruins that hint at manmade origins - what I have heard on the subject is that the structures are not found in nature. An allegory could be made to the Greek ruins that, due to time and the movements of the Earth's crust, have sunk underwater. Though, as the structures have most definitely been reshaped by earthquakes - possibly having been partially or completely formed by them, it's hard to determine exactly what they are without further study. The fact that they are underwater further complicates things...

You cannot discuss Kawamori without understanding his cultural background. Ergo: walk a mile in his shoes. I agree that he isn't a stubborn old man who insists on reusing his old designs, but that makes sense, because it keeps him employed. Yes, perhaps my posts above were too simplistic, or perhaps they were subtly complex, being misunderstood. So, I'll simplify them here: a) mostly refering to live action dramas b) Japanese like new things. New stories = good. c) if old characters from old stories can have more of their story be told = good. d) there are exceptions to every rule* Now, if you still believe there are mistakes in this assertation, as I am in no way claiming it to be fact, but only a lowly gross generalization, I encourage you to study Japanese culture, history, and language at a major in university, and to come and live in Japan for the past 3 1/2 + years, like I have. I by no way claim that I am an authority on these matters, but am merely stating my opinion and personal perception of them. The main fact that I am asserting, however, is that Japan does not equal the country/state/culture/ethnic group of where you are from, if it is not Japan, and to assume that Japan is equal to your country/state/culture/ethnic group contributes drastically to misunderstandings, such as 'why is Macross 7 popular, when people in my country/state/culture/ethnic group generally opinionate that it isn't.' I hope this is a rhetorical question, as to answer the question honestly would start a cultural/ethnic flame war. * statement was implied, not directly stated. "Moderation in all things, including the act of moderation."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yonaguni Follow the links at the bottom of the page for pictures and/or if you have doubts about the content in wikipedia pages. It is fascinating stuff. And the person being interviewed is quite correct - the Polynesian world-creation myth/story is very, very similar to the Shinto world-creation myth/story. Though interestingly, the Japanese language has some linguistic similarities to Altaic languages*, though other scholars claim it is a language onto itself**. (Though, my experience with Japanese, is that it is similar to English - in that it is a mix of languages from different groups, with it's own dialect mixed in as well.) * http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Altaic_languages ** http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japonic_languages

As I said: Just to clarify: are you saying that Gundam is episodic (as in, each episode is self contained, and has no bearing on preceeding or following episodes)?

But they do: http://www.skyperfectv.co.jp/en/ And that's just one provider. That's a Japanese concept, not limited to Kawamori. Japan is the most high-tech country for a reason. No. In general, Japanese want to see stories. If the story is completed, and there is nothing more to tell, and continuing the story means recycling old plot points, then people will become disinterested very fast. I've seen a drama series being as short as three episodes, and on the flip side, I've seen dramas that continue for a long, long time - simply because it takes that long to tell the story. Please keep in mind that I am refering mostly to live action dramas (the Japanese definition of drama too,) as live action shows are invariably much more popular than animated shows. It should also be noted that sitcoms do not exist in Japan. It is very, very rare to see episodic shows in general, and most are like "24" - in that each episode is a chapter of a larger ) story. The inclusion of Fokker, Jenius, and Miria has a lot more to do with more of their story being able to be told, than including them for their brand-name recognition.

No, it doesn't.

Yay, Saturday morning cartoons. I love how the bad guy gets all afraid and runs away when the 'hero'? gets his macho pose going. Yeah... brings back memories to the days before globalization, and protected markets. Ah... now those were the days! When you could buy something in another country, and be able to play it/watch it/use it in your own. Stupid globablization and greedy media companies... I curse thee, DVD region codes!

Agreed that most people that I have met, and continue to meet here in Japan simply don't know, or never have heard of Macross. Disagreed that the few that do know, or have heard of Macross remember, or even know about Macross Plus. Most of the very few who do know of Macross either distantly, and vaguely remember the original TV series only. Of those, about half (or more) usually ask something about Lynn Minmei, or her voice actress, Mari Ijima. Therefore roughly 1 in 100 people that you meet here in Japan will think Macross = the original TV series. And roughly a half (or more!) will think Macross = Minmeni = Mari Ijima. Followed (usually) by a question related to you (still) liking her songs, or not. So yeah, worry; not that more 7 or II will be produced, but that no more Macross will be produced period.

I got mine (Shouji Kawamori Macross Design Works) via mail order here in Japan - the book is long out of print. You need to speak Japanese and be able to send money via a postal savings account. Not sure if this service is available in North Cyprus. I picked up the other two books in a bookstore.

Fast movers makes sense - as fast moving small objects generally means missiles, which are a lot more harmful then an enemy jet (which may or may not have even been detected due to their active stealth.) It also appears that the SV-51's, without anti-ship missiles, don't appear to have any other means of sinking a ship within the small window of time between getting close enough to do the damage, before the Cheyeene's intercept.

Thanks David, I look forward to your input on cooling effects and reasons. As for why the VF-1 cannot hover in place for very long - I believe the answer has to do with cooling of the engines. It's best to keep in mind that VFs (aside from the VF-0, and SV-51) have thermonuclear engines. The only real further explanation that I have come across is in the compendium's write-ups for the YF-19, VF-19, YF-21, and VF-22: http://macross.anime.net//mecha/united_nat...yf19/index.html The implication being that an AVF could hover longer in an atmosphere, with potentially greater loadouts, than in places without an atmosphere. As there is little to no further information on the VF-1, my suspicions rest on the engines having a lower thrust output, and lacking the ability to suck in more atmosphere - thus forcing them to rely more on reactant to keep the engines going, thus causing them to overheat. Though the lack of mention in the write-ups for the AVFs doesn't mean that they could have a similar limitation (relying on reactant as not enough atmosphere can be sucked into an unmoving engine.)

The antenna was just modified, as the Pheyos comes with one already. The missile pods are a bit redundant, as the Pheyos already has a comparible payload to the VF-22, and they ruin the aerodynamics of the VF. Perhaps it's a space only variant?

Thank you, but could you please explain how adding water to fire (engine exhaust) makes for more thrust. Logic has me thinking that the fire (thrust) would be reduced, as water generally puts out fire (stressing generally, because there are some elements that react more when water is added.) To help you: what I have seen is that the water is used in cooling the engine, and the parts of the vehicle that redirect thrust downward. I also know that the Harrier sometimes sucks hot exhaust into the engine, causing a backfire, of sorts.

http://macross.anime.net//mecha/united_nat.../vf1/index.html It has nothing to do with weight, but everything to do with cooling (in regards to the Harrier.) In fact, the Harrier carries water to cool it's S/VTOL systems, and it is when that water runs out that the jet can't use the S/VTOL system without risk of series damage.

I sympathize with you ChrisG. My experience with the internet crowd is that they are all talk (usually negative complaints,) and little constructive action. A couple of years back I was involved with a site doing Macross RPG stat creation. When it came to getting anything done, 0.1% of the respondees would actually do something. The rest just added their opinions (usually negative) and suggestions (stuff usually not thought out, as it unbalanced things) that were little more than 'this should be added' and not 'here's some details that I created to be added.' Positive comments were nonexistant. Where is this project now? Dead in the water, and at everyones loss. So yeah, I sympathize.