mechaninac

I'm sorry, but using VF numbering continuity as a reason for why Macross II does not fit into Macross canon is an irrelevant argument. It is perfectly logical for the Valkyrie II VF-2SS to be much more modern than the higher numbered VF-22, for example. Discrepancies in plane number designations are nothing new; the B-1 Lancer and B-2 Spirit bombers are much more advanced that the much older B-52 Stratofortress, also the F-22 Raptor is a new fighter, whereas the F-100 is a relic. There may be problems with Macross II, and you do a good job at pointing some of them out, but the human mecha are not one of them. IMO, aside from the Metal Siren, MII has some the coolest looking mechanical designs of any of the Macross series. As a sequel to DYRL? only , MII works, if you're able to disregard later series. I consider it more of a tangential story than an alternate universe, as if after FB 2012 there is a split...take door number one and you get MII, take door number two and you get the recognized canon. They are different, yet equally valid, depending on how you look at it.

Second week of August...Where the hell is my Alpha?!!

It's neither. That's a 1/48 tripple change IMAI Mars Base blue Legioss kit sporting a red Legioss's head. The large Gakken is 1/35 and the MPC is 1/55 in scale.

...12.6 inches long in shuttle mode . This thing is going to actually be a pretty big toy; add Yamato's customary box size overkill and shipping and the VB-6's price will fall somewhere between a 1/48 VF-1A,S,J and a VF-1J w/FP ...probably closer to the latter.

The text shows a measurement of 32 cm; is that the battroid height or the overall length in shuttle mode? As for the Lucite blocks...meh, I remember a similar concern with the 1/60 Q'Rau as the prototypes for that power suit were also supported by blocks in most/all pictures. The Koenig Monster does look pretty cool, however, and I'm seriously tempted to get it when it comes out. Now all we need is, at least, a tentative MSRP to give us an idea of how much of a dent this thing will cause in the bank account.

If they made a VF-1D I'd buy it. One of the sticking points of the VF-1D, VE-1, and VT-1 designs is that they are too unique; unlike the other VFs, there are no color variations to help amortize the cost of development and tooling. However, they could get around that somewhat by making not only a VF-1D, for example, in orange and sand like on the show, but also a special edition low vis version...I'd buy THAT in an instant.

Toynami sure runs an amateurish operation, don't they? Well, I guess another couple of weeks won't hurt, too much.

I've done this to my 1/48s also, its a quick mod that enhances the look of the valk's head considerably, akin to panel lining. Here's a quick how-to: 1. Use a No. 11 exacto blade to mark/start the drilling. Just eyeball the center of the cannon and work the blade like a drill. Make a hole big enough to firmly hold the drill for the next operation. The blade gives you much more control than a pin vise and drill. 2. Next comes the drilling. It's best to have three different sizes to work with, a small diameter drill, an intermediate sized drill, and your final barrel bore size. Drilling in three steps is 99.99% guaranteed to eliminate any chance of splitting the gun barrel of your precious 1/48. A quick way to achieve evenly deep holes is to put tape around the drill about 1/8" to 1/4" (your preference, but they should be the same for each drill) from the tip of each drill to act as a depth guide. Work the drills in slowly, giving 3 to 6 turns and backing out to clear the shavings and repeat until you reach your set depth; try to keep them going down concentric to the barrel to avoid punching through the side. 3. Add some flat black paint to the drilled holes and bingo, you're done.

I wouldn't fret over the green Alpha's head sculpt overmuch. The head on the super poseable looked dead-on, so there is no reason to believe that they'd make it inaccurate on a flagship item.

Anime: Haro (MSG & SEED) and Mint (Mospeada). American Cartoons: Orco (80's He-Man). Sci-Fi TV: Tweekie (Buck Rogers) Sci-Fi Movies: Jar-Jar Binks...undoubtedly the lamest, most annoying bag of puke ever to disgrace a screen.

The first is a tequila gunner, or some such, from Dougram; the second one is a drifand Dall form Orguss. Go HERE for a comprehensive list of Revell kits from the Robotech Defenders line. Serge

I second that notion. Anazasi or Takatoys stickers or decals would be THE thing to use; not only are they of superior quality, but you also get to keep the originals intact.

So what else is new?...If you remember, Star Wars Special edition had several questionable PC editing choices in it; the one that comes most glaringly to mind is the cantina scene where a nonchalant Han Solo shoots Greedo in the gut and leaves is replaced by a nonchalant Han Solo shooting Greedo in the gut AFTER Greedo misses a point blank range shot at Solo without him even trying to duck--and Greedo was supposed to be a bounty hunter...please. Lucas and Spielberg are the vanguard of this PC editing and re-release nonsense. For the perfect rebuttal of this nauseating trend see the South Park episode dedicated to skewering this trend...priceless!

Transfans??? Somehow that word just reads/sounds so wrong on so many levels...

I do believe those are Toynami's plans; after all the Alpha variations are released the next MPC subjects should be the cyclones/ride-armors, and if past practice is any indication, the first 3 should be Scott, Rand, and Lancer, as those already exist in kit form, and I'd bet that they will be around 1/12 scale.

Actually, a live action Transformers movie is what happens when you lift up the barrel to look under it...

Those are mostly, if not all, still boxed, aren't they? You have a point there, though. Practical considerations rarely have any impact on one's purchasing decisions when it comes to model kits, toys, or any collectible. However, size was a factor in my decision not to buy Polar Light's 1/72 C-57D kit. But, although I like Forbidden Planet as a movie, that space cruiser doesn't have the same attraction (its just a fling saucer, after all) as the Constitution refit does. I guess I will end up buying it and then find room for it.

If this is true, and I have no reason to doubt Toynami on this since there is a significant pent up demand for this new MPC, let it be a warning to all procrastinators: if you want a new transformable Alpha toy, Scot's/Stick's at any rate, you had better think hard about weather or not to bite the bullet and order it now...it looks like this thing will sell out, fast. This is not intended to push anyone into spending money they may not have, or peddling a product that may or may not live up to expectations, but one should keep Yamato's Low Vis in mind; many have waited too long and now find themselves scrambling to find this coveted item and paying outrageous prices for it.

That looks impressive. My only problem with this monster is that its biggest selling point (it's size) will also be its biggest drawback. Where do you store/display such a behemoth once completed? One of the myriad details that make me seriously consider buying this goliath of a kit is that it will include a host of auxiliary craft...cool.

Like Graham I've never been a fan of Transformers...tried watching it a few times, in all of its incarnations, over the years from the time I was a kid and was never able to get into any of it; the concept of the show just never appealed to me. Having said that, I think that a live action version would be, by far, the worst interpretation of a much loved--by many--franchise. There are two movies that came to mind immediately as soon as I read this thread: The odiously silly Power Rangers movie of a few years back (at least that was live action to begin with...very bad live action), and the upcoming Thunderbirds movie...talk about raping a childhood memory, those previews on TV look so incredibly bad that they make me cringe every time they're shown. Some things are just better left alone.

Thanks for the pictures. Although they look like prototypes (solid blue canopies) this is the first time I've seen the Red Alpha MPC in fighter mode, and the first time ever for the Green version in any mode. Damn, they do look nice, don't they? My only nitpick other than the clown feet is the sensor pod just looks "off".

If HG and Toynami wanted to they could always create an extra Alpha variant and say its Jonathan Worf's plane. Just like Sue Graham, we only see him in a green type cyclone armor-bike; but just like Sue, it's understood that he came to Earth in an Alpha fighter. Thus, just like there are two Alphas form Mars Base, they could create an extra Jupiter Base craft with original color scheme to maximize the use of their moulds. Since Wolf is an established New Generation character, anything they make tied to his name would be semi-canon at the very least. I'm also sure that people would buy it the same way many of us purchased Yamato's 1/48 Low Vis...non-canon, but very cool.

Consider yourself shot...

I hope the following doesn't violate any rules of decorum or anything, if it does, mods please delete, but I thought that it is significant enough to CP here. The following was lifted directly from the RT.com forums, posted by Rocco_77: Subject: Ok guys, I've got the reply from Toynami... Posted On: July 12, 2004 - 11:32:13 AM Dear Rocco Txxxxx, Rumors are just rumors! We are producing the Scott Alpha Veritech in two waves, 7500 units will ship in the first wave and the balance will come 45 days later. All 15000 units will be physically identical, so rest assure that their is no need to wait and buy your Alpha later. The first 3000 will have a slight repackaging of the Alpha in the blister tray, but really not significant to wait for your edition. Early numbers are usually more desirable so we personally recommend you getting any edition you can. The first wave is already all pre-sold and sales are getting more aggressive on the second wave, so you should not wait. In regards to the Beta....? If sales are justified with all four editions of the Alpha, which they are so far, we will heavily consider the Beta. Some mock ups have already been started and this monster is quite big. If the Beta is to come out and this is "IF", do not expect it for at least another 2 years. They will of course connect to all of the Alpha's. We appreciate your support and hope you enjoy the Alpha MPC when it comes out. Regards, Toynami, Inc. I would also appear that our hopes for a Beta are not in vain! I realize that in the reply they say, "at least another 2 years," which kinda sucks, but hey... if it really happens, then it will be worth the wait I think.... They've already done MOCK-UPS! SWEET!! It still doesn't guarantee anything, but it is most definitely a great start... Thanks to EVERYONE here that continues to support this thread, and the desire for a linkable BETA MPC... GO TEAM!!! It appears that the variation will be packaging related and that a Beta may indeed be in the very early stages of development...sweet.