F-ZeroOne

Never mind the glasses, wheres the red underwear version...?! (from, IIRC, "Hush Job"... )

Heres a link that will probably please a fair few people - some lovely "What Might Have Been" videos of the true ATF winner [1], the YF-23: http://www.patricksaviation.com/videos/tags/yf23 Thanks to the Key Publishing forums (http://forum.keypublishing.co.uk/forumdisplay.php?f=5) for the link. [1] In our hearts and minds, anyway.

I spent most of my childhood under the threat of nuclear extermination. Worrying that car exhausts could do the same thing, only slightly more slowly, came a bit later.

Actually, I recently finished watching the whole series. And I loved it to death. Granted, there are plot-holes even a six year old could see through, but some surprises too - people in the 70s were worried about environment and energy supplies. Jun is quite possibly the smartest person on the team after Doctor Nambu, which was quite something for a portrayal of a Japanese woman in those days. And building your latest amazing mechanical machine of death out of uranium and crashing it into a plutonium store is perhaps not the easiest path to World domination...

Going abck to armour rather than shields, a while back it was announced that military researchers in the UK (yay, us!) had developed a way of passing an electrical current through armour plate that could break up incoming shells before they could detonate. Other than that... er... Minovsky particles?

Bandai have recently bought out a Soul of Chogokin toy of Gunbuster, though unless they have an exclusive license that shouldn't stop anyone else having a go, as Studio-Halfeye bought out a transforming Gunbuster model just prior to that.

The new Patriots also come four to a launch canister (i.e. 16 missiles per launch trailer). Off the top of my head, they're much smaller in size, not quite as long range, and come in a number of versions, one of which is designed for intercepting ballistic missiles. It should be noted that the issue of Patriot kills is somewhat controversial. From one point of view, any Patriot that hits the target has pretty much achieved a kill. The trouble is, the missiles they were intercepting would break up and drop dangerous debris - including warheads - over the area they were defending.

As long as they keep Juns skirt the same length, I'm not complaining.

Akk, double post - mods, please delete one!

"Rincewind, the more experienced traveller, took nothing." The biggest problems you'll encounter with luggage in Japan are when in transit from place to place. Whilst the various transport services to and from the airports usually have fair-sized luggage spaces, you might want to note that some Japanese rail termini are huge and can be a struggle to get round with a large amount of luggage. Also, many local services have only limited space for luggage. The bullet trains do have overhead luggage racks, but bear in mind you have to lift your bags into them. In other words - pack light if possible. As far as trains go: if making longer distance journeys, its best to book seats if possible. Its been my experience most JR at larger stations will know enough English to let you get by. If you have a JR pass, reservations are free. On many local services, such as the Yamanote loop line, you should perhaps regard standing as the normal state of affairs and getting a seat as a bonus. In general, you're rarely likely to be on such a service for more than an hour at the very most. Do be aware that you may do a lot more walking than you might be used to. Up stairs, down stairs, along corridors, etc. A little planning can help. Moving between cities and got a load of anime goods to carry? Post it home before you move. Yes, it can be expensive, but it can be worth it. Many larger Japanese stations have left luggage offices where luggage can be stored for a small fee for a few hours. Consider buying certain items when you arrive, instead of bringing them with you. You are unlikely to be far from a supply of batteries in Tokyo, for example. You can buy extra bags, Akihabara has several shops where you can get hold-alls and cases that are likely to be suitable. Some smaller accomodation buildings can also be a struggle to get into with luggage - I've stayed at a ryokan in Tokyo that had a set of narrow steps leading up to the front door; tricky to get a large suitcase up. I've also stayed in a ryokan in Osaka that I swear had a internal stairway that was set at 90 degrees to the vertical. Oh, also check with your place of residence about check-in times. I once had to wait, rather jet-lagged, for four hours in Kyoto station, before I could check in. Luckily, the hotel did look after my bags for that time. However, if you're staying at a reasonably large hotel, the main problem will just be getting from the airport to the hotel, and for a one-off transit that shouldn't be overly bad. You might want to take note of how few large bags you tend to see Japanese carrying...

"Rincewind, the more experienced traveller, took nothing." The biggest problems you'll encounter with luggage in Japan are when in transit from place to place. Whilst the various transport services to and from the airports usually have fair-szied luggage spaces, you might want to note that some Japanese rail termini are huge and can be a struggle to get round with a large amount of luggage. Also, many local services have only limited space for luggage. The bullet trains do have overhead luggage racks, but bear in mind you have to lift your bags into them. In other words - pack light if possible. A little planning can help. Moving between cities and got a load of anime goods to carry? Post it home before you move. Yes, it can be expensive, but it can be worth it. Many larger Japanese stations have left luggage offices where luggage can be stored for a small fee for a few hours. Consider buying certain items when you arrive, instead of bringing them with you. You are unlikely to be far from a supply of batteries in Tokyo, for example. You can buy extra bags, Akihabara has several shops where you can get hold-alls and cases that are likely to be suitable. Some smaller accomodation buildings can also be a struggle to get into with luggage - I've stayed at a ryokan in Tokyo that had a set of narrow steps leading up to the front door; tricky to get a large suitcase up. I've also stayed in a ryokan in Osaka that I swear had a internal stairway that was set at 90 degrees to the vertical. Oh, also check with your place of residence about check-in times. I once had to wait, rather jet-lagged, for four hours in Kyoto station, before I could check in. Luckily, the hotel did look after my bags for t hat time. However, if you're staying at a reasonably large hotel, the main problem will just be getting from teh airport to the hotel, and for a one-off transit that shouldn't be overly bad. You might want to take note of how few large bags you tend to see Japanese carrying...

Couple of "kinda-obvious-things-to-do-in-Tokyo-but-you-sort-of-forget-when-you're-there" suggestions if you somehow find yourself with a bit of time to spare. Go to a movie. Yes, they can be expensive, and yes, you can forget about subtitles. But Studio Ghibli film programmes make great presents and where else can you see Zeta Gundam: the movie on a proper big screen? Of course, finding something you want to see is partly a matter of timing and luck; the English language newspaper Japan Times has cinema listings in it I think on Fridays. Go to a football match - if you regularly wear Manchester United red or Chelsea blue - or a baseball game, if you regularly wear Yankees or Red Sox shirts. Although "big-team" games can be difficult to get tickets for, lesser teams or games in the middle of the season you should be able to get tickets for at the gate. There are various J-sport websites that can give you an idea of schedules and how to find the stadiums.

Theres a post office in Kanda, near Akihabara - you should be able to find it on any good Tokyo atlas - just in case you get carried away with the life-size Chii statues and the like. Theres also one down the side of the "OIOI" (Marui) department store in Ueno, and many, many others scattered around. I'm not sure how many do international shipping but I've been in some pretty small ones that do. Finding boxes can be a pain; Japanese post offices can sell them to you and a convienence store can do scissors and tape, or try one of the "hundred yen" or "three coin" discount shops. Communicating what you want can be a problem but its been my experience the words "SAL" and "EMS" are generally understood (its really code for "your wallet is about to weep...!" ) One thing to be aware of is that everything you buy in Japan is packaged to death. Its not just the boxes, its the bags and tape they seal them up in. This can cause a small mountain of packaging in a very short time...!

And just dump those orphans into the shark tank, will you, Smithers - ah, oh, hello. Sorry, caught me while I was a bit distracted. No, we're not evil at all, old chap.

Wonderful. Now the Japanese think we're evil as well as Hollywood.

Basically, anywhere close to the Yamanote loop line is good - you can get to most major transport hubs such as Tokyo station, Ueno, Ikebukuro etc on that line. I've stayed in Ueno most of the times I've been in Japan - several times in a ryokan (guesthouse) and one time in a budget hotel that was a short walk across from Ueno station. The ryokan was a bit of a walk from the station, but one soon gets used to the route. It was also a shorter distance away from a subway station (note that the Japanese subway network - marked with the "metro" name last time I was there - is not the same system as the above ground railway network; this can cause confusion in examples like Akihabara, where there is a Yamanote line station and a subway station there with the same names). You will get good directions and helpful pictures to your hotel! It is the law in Tokyo!

Also another late Gunbuster arrival here - and I nominate the Gunbusters transforming feet for Toy of the Year. I have absolutely no idea how they made those fold up like they did! Makes MP Starscream look like a Go-Bot...

No. No, they're not.

The Germans also did an asymmetrical design during World War II. Apparently it flew quite well, and was intended as an Army co-operation aircraft, but lost out to the Focke-Wulf "Uhu".

IIRC, these are aimed at small-scale robotics research for universities and the like.

Wow. You liked V-Gundam, Graham?! I just saw it recently, and although I wouldn't say its a bad show, it was a bit of a stuggle. My overall impression was that everyone involved, from Tomino on down, just didn't have their heart in it. Mind you, I think the Turn-A Gundam is one of the best Gundam designs of all time, so what do I know?

Japanese police officers wear white gloves. Perhaps thats the reason? The price is high, but these things are meant to be mostly metal.

We could always dust off the float-plane Mk. IX Spitfire again...

Right, thats it. You were warned. Lets have all the jet engines back now. Yes, you heard me. All of them. You can use rubber bands from now on like everyone else.

Not a film, but I would love a Rapid Offensive Unit (specifically, the Killing Time) from Iain M. Banks "Culture" novels. Unfortunately, as far as I know, no-ones ever really attempted to depict one and the books mainly describe them in the abstract as a collection of modular habitation, weapons, and propulsion modules. But boy, they'd eat Star Destroyers. For snacks.