Cyclone Trooper

I think the ARMDs are permanently docked to the SDF-1. In the opening sequence of video game "The Super Dimension Fortress Macross: Do You Remember Love?" the SDF-1 can be seen folding out of South Ataria Island and has the ARMDs already attached.

HOLY CRAP! I've never seen that before! It was animation done specifically for the video game, but fills in gaps in DYRL like the destruction of the Prometheus. Then that settles it as far as I'm concerned whether the ARMDs were attached prior to launch or not...

It also sort of proves that DYRL isn't a "movie-within-a-TV-series" but just a bigger budget retelling of the TV series...

That was awesome!

Well, the main question wasn't whether the ARMDs were or weren't permanently docked or not. It was more a question of what role the "captains" and bridge crews of the ARMDs play in the command heirarchy. Do they actually hold the rank of Captain like Global or are they lower-ranking officers? Most of the answers thus far make sense in the respect that they are basically auxiliary bridges used for vessel-specific functions. Each ARMD bridge coordinates Valkyries launches/landings, squadron deployment, etc. while the SDF-1 bridge takes over once the Valkyries are deployed and their missions are underway.

DYRL really answered by own question (I think) in the "press conference" scene where Global explains how humans and Zentraedi are genetically similar, were both created by the Protoculture, etc. There are several other men sitting at the conference table with him with the same exact command uniforms that he is wearing. These men were perhaps the captains of their respective ARMDs. I could be completely off base with this assumption, but it works for me. For all I know, they may actually be Global's attaches, adjutants, or the UN Spacy's Joint Chiefs of Staff appointed to the SDF-1.

Going back to the permanent/not permanent argument, I think the DYRL versions of the ARMDs were definitely permanent. The one and only reason I have for that is the fact that ARMD-01 and ARMD-02 are mirror images of one another, thereby suggesting that they were specifically designed to be permanent components of the SDF-1. All other ARMDs follow a standard deckplan layout. Maybe there is a specific sub-class of ARMD that was designated to dock with larger vessels like SDF-1 or Megaroad while the others were designed for independent operation.

...why is the sky blue?

And honestly, if you want to look at this from a pure "anime" point of view...the SDF-1 needed SOMETHING to resemble arms when it transformed into a humanoid form...be it ARMD platforms or seagoing vessels never originally meant to be spaceworthy...

Agreed, EXO...but with our luck, the part that breaks will be...like most recent Yamato offerings...the shoulders!

On the other hand, Macross, like many sci-fi franchises, seems to have one officer serve both as admiral and captain of the flagship in fleet-based situations, so as to be less confusing to the audience.

...and ironically, confuses me more by simplifying things. The bridge of the SDF-1 itself is a six-story structure with at least 3 levels just at the viewport level. The "main bridge" is designed like a high-tech balcony where Global runs the whole thing. Directly beneath the main bridge is supposed to be Tactical Control, where all armament except the main cannon is handled. Then below that, are two outboard catwalk-like crew decks with larger versions of the Threat Board on the main bridge...and the lower holographic display between them. And if you listen carefully during the opening of DYRL, you can specifically hear in both Japanese (and English!!) various crew members barking orders, including someone telling an Elintseeker pilot, "don't send radar signals to the bridge!" So apparently the fortress itself has a flight coordination crew just like the ARMDs do.

Maybe its because I overanalyze things too much that I'm trying to make sense out of something that, at the end of the day, is just an anime...lol

But we're all assuming that the ARMDs are these solid hunks of ABS plastic. For all we know, they'll be made fairly light by being made with hollow cores. And the ARMD itself is little more than a thin rectangle on pontoons as its basic shape...so there's really not much mass to it at all.

Okay, now that the title has completely confused everyone and piqued your attention to actually read this thread, here's what I've been wondering...

The DYRL SDF-1, unlike the TV version, was designed right out of the gate to allow docking of smaller vessels...in this case, the ARMD platforms. Whether or not they were designed to easily detach from the fortress proper and redock or not is never really covered in any kind of detail. Now, assuming that the rebuilt SDF-1 was supposed to have two permanently-attached ARMDs, are the bridges of each of these "arms" always manned? And if so, why? Are the bridge crews of the ARMDs just there to coordinate Valkyrie launches and squadron deployment? Are there two other captains besides Global? I do apologize if this has been covered elsewhere years ago, but this is just something that's always bugged me. I never could wrap my mind around the "Voltron Syndrome" where there's a "pilot" (or in this case, a captain) in each limb of the "combined" mecha...so this question sort of falls into that same mindframe with me.

Also, it seems like the DYRL version of the ARMD has TWO bridges...what's that all about? It has the bridge tower on the upper hull...and another bridge-like structure with a wrap-around viewport at the bow of the ship. The old Macross II RPG books actually state that these are indeed dual bridges, but we all know how accurate Palladium RPG subject matter is pertaining to Macross... Can anyone shed the tiniest pinpoint of light on these burning questions for me? Or at very least lend their own opinions?

I'm so confuzzled!

Why 3 for second in command?

...and for that matter, why is the SDF-1's bridge designated Delta-1? Would the ARMD bridges be Delta-2 and Delta-3?

In the DYRL Gold Book, there's also a storyboard sketch that shows a Skull VF-1A with the designation of 017 with FP boosters above it on a hydraulic crane...but that scene ended up becoming the CF 1A being outfitted with Fast Packs just prior to the final battle. So I guess Skull-17 came THIIIIIIIIS close to being canon before ending up on the cutting room floor.

Titanium frame? A 2-foot ship that weighs 40 lbs? lol

If the WAVE SDF-1 is any indication of how the Yamato one will transform it probably won't have any auto transformation features. I only transformed my WAVE once, but I recall being a bit surprised that it wasn't as straight forward as I expected it to be.

I think light up features would be a nice touch. Ditto for a small city scene in the leg. I can see it now in my display area with the room lights dimmed and the SDF-1 light up in all its glory.

A few things come to mind. It would be cool to have the observation area in DYRL where Hikaru convinces Minmay to sing at the end. Where exactly was this area on the SDF-1? If they are to include tiny valks, why not have a couple in the launch arms ready to deploy as in the opening sequence. It would also be neat to have tiny armored panels that can cover over the large windows as it did when under attack? Maybe that's to tiny a feature to faithfully recreate, but it would be nice.

Light-up features can either elevate or kill something like this. The one big complaint I've always had with lights or LEDs in toys is the god-awful way these things illuminate the plastic around it from the inside-out...especially if the plastic tends to be extremely thin in some areas or is clear with a coat of paint applied over it. I mentioned the "Big Millenium Falcon" a few posts back. I own one of these monsters...and it illustrates what I'm talking about perfectly. In the cockpit, behind the 4 seats, there are two orange LEDS on each side of the back wall that are designed to give lighting inside the cockpit. In a dimly-lit room, these LEDs shine through the paint applied to the canopy, thereby giving it the strange illusion that the whole cockpit is glowing. Bad execution of a good idea, IMHO. I wouldn't want to see something like this happen with the legs of the SDF-1.

The 1/2000 Valks/Destroids can be seen in the pics of the prototype SDF-1, so there's actually visual confirmation that these little things may be included. But every single one of them appear to have a small round base, hence the "chess piece" appearance. Yamato still has 11 months or so to refine things on the SDF-1, and may decide to go with "baseless" figurines. As for the Launch Arm idea, that may be something they're kicking around. If you look at the proto-ARMDs, the launch bays appear to have deep recesses instead of shallow paneling with dark paint to give the illusion of deeper recesses (like the WAVE version has). A plug-in launch arm with a Valkyrie attached would be small, but not completely impossible to do.

For ages, I always thought that the famous "window scene" took place on one of the same giant viewports that we see at the beginning of the movie. But later on, I began taking note that this particular window is much smaller and actually stuck out from the hull like a bay window in a house. It has three sides and a glass (transparent aluminum or transparisteel or whatever they use in the Macross universe) top to it, while the giant viewports simply follow the shape of the hull. The smaller windows had clamshell-like armored doors that covered them. These windows are obviously somewhere on the legs, since Hikaru had to run through a completely deserted shopping district in Macross City to get to the one Minmay was at. But if they're considerably smaller than the bigger viewports, we may not see them on the finished product.

In Entertainment Bible #27, there is a section that shows all of the Destroids in full-color. The way they are presented there, the mono-eye of the Tomahawk is indeed red. This may be the reference material that the folks at Yamato used when designing the Destroids.

While auto transformation would be neat, you'd have to consider what it entails.

1. The possibility for even more things to go wrong with the toy, especially now with the internals.

2. Batteries. Oh God.

I thought about that, actually. It could be done with existing battery-free low-tech methods...such as the "soft opening" style mechanisms like the ones found in modern stereos that still feature cassette decks. Tension springs and gears instead of battery-powered. The aforementioned movie-style Transformers like Optimus Prime had a similar "self-transformation" gimmick that didn't require batteries...although the transformation DID trigger battery-powered lights and sounds once it was underway.

Is there a list of planned gimmicks for SDF?

Yamato has never had a history of loading its Macross toys with "gimmicks" per se. No spring-loaded shooting missiles or light-up features or electronic sounds that I'm aware of. Rather, Yamato has (for the most part) faithfully recreated exactly what has been seen in the anime that a particular mecha is from. Opening missile bays with removable missiles, high level of articulation (as much as a mecha design will allow, in any case), and with each passing year, more and more "perfect transformation." Now IF the price of the SDF-1 remains around the 50,000 yen/$500 price point or above, at least a handful of us are going to expect it to have extras that warrant the high price while others see this price as perfectly reasonable (note: check these people's meds! lol).

The open window bays on the legs have already given rise to a plethora of speculation that it may feature a Macross City that will be viewable through said windows. For $500+, I'd like to see some sort of "self-transformation" similar to the Leader-Class movie Transformers. This isn't too much of a stretch because the only real part of the SDF-1 that transforms is everything above the legs. Press down on the bridge and activate a fluid transformation where all parts of the ship convert all at once...from the main cannon booms to the shoulders to the ARMDs moving into place. Considering the transformation of the SDF-1 isn't exactly a lesson in origami, and the sheer size of the thing, it could be possible to do something like this. That said, I still think gimmicks like electronic sounds (Global yelling "Heshin!" followed by the main cannon firing) or a sound chip with Minmay singing Ai Oboete Imasu Ka would throw it into the realm of being cheesy. Stuff like that appeals to kids, but adult collectors...not so much.

The only confirmed "gimmick" the SDF-1 was shown to possibly come with are a dozen or so 1/2000 scale Valkyries and Destroids, which looked like they were little more than really tiny chess pieces.

Did Kawamori design the Daedalus II?

If so, it would makes sense since Kawamori was involved in the styling of the Albion in Gundam 0083.

Did he help design the Albion? Wow...ya learn something new everyday. If that's the case, then I stand corrected. The ARMD and Daedalus influenced the Albion, not the other way around...

True...either way you look at it, SOMEONE is being told to bend over and hold their ankles while their wallet's being emptied!

And to me, it looks VERY similar to the Albion from Gundam 0083...but without the outboard finnial/wing structures. Assuming that this design idea wasn't "Harmony Golded" from Gundam, it seems to be a fusion of the TV and DYRL ARMD designs with the "dual-bow" of the Daedalus on the front.

This is just my take on this...which may not mean jack to anyone else.

I think the reason why there's been so much misuse of the Macross/New Macross monikers is because so many terms in the various series seem to be interchangable. The captain of the Quarter even takes the time to elaborate on why the Quarter has "...been given the honor of being designated the name 'Macross,' even though she's only a 400m class." Apparently being called a "Macross" ship seems to denote that the vessel simply shares similar design elements with the SDF-1 such as the ability to transform into a humanoid Storm Attacker mode, has a main superdimensional energy cannon, and a pinpoint barrier system. To elaborate further, its the same as grouping the Mustang, Camero, and Charger all under the classification of "muscle car" even though they are all made by different automakers. I think its the same thing with "Macross" ships. The SDF-1, SDFN-04, Battle-7, Frontier, et al. are all considered "Macross" ships for the very reasons I just stated, even though their outward appearances vary somewhat from one another. But to say that they are specifically a Macross-Class ship would be a misnomer. Ships like the Megaroad Class would not be considered "Macross" ships since they are just large city ships similar in layout to Zentran ships.

So to paraphrase...

Macross ship = ability to transform and kick butt

All other ships = no ability to transform but can still kick butt

By the way, VFTF1...you've finally begun your 15 minutes of internet stardom...check out my sig! LMAO

Seriously though, I don't see why people are against the price of this. I would whole-heartedly say it is justifiable since this is about two feet tall. Plus the fact that it's the SDF-1.

'Nuff said.

Some of us are still in "sticker shock" over the price...that's all. For me, personally, its because I see other items around the same price range at work that are WAY bigger...a 24-volt battery-powered Fisher Price Power Wheels vehicle, for example. These things seat kids up to 7 years of age and have a top speed of 5 mph. The new Hasbro "Big Millenium Falcon" is 2 1/2 feet long, but is only in the $150 range. Of course, I realize that Fisher Price and Hasbro manufacture products in much larger volume than Yamato ever would...but still, its difficult to justify to your wife/girlfriend that you're throwing the equivalent of a mortgage payment and car payment put together at what amounts to nothing but an oversized "transformer".

Macross collecting: For Singles Only

...Haruhiko Mikimoto, the guy is a total genius!!

Agreed. For those who credit Shoji Kawamori with being the One-True-God-of-Macross...not so fast. Mikimoto is the one responsible for most, if not all of the character designs for both the TV series, DYRL and Flashback 2012. He refined many of his main characters for DYRL (compare the two Minmays and you'll definitely see a maturing of artistic style) and further tweaked them for Flashback. Flashback Hikaru looks like a completely different character altogether and a thirtysomething Minmay remembering her "heyday" as a galactic pop princess gives her an edge she never had before. But that whole scene was surreal anyway. There was "older" Minmay leaving aboard the Megaroad...while "younger" Minmay was watching the ship leave orbit with the crowds of people. And to thoroughly confuse the viewer...older Minmay waves goodbye to young Minmay. Years later I understood that it was supposed to be a metaphor for Minmay saying goodbye to her young immature self and accepting her role as "savior of humanity," but at the time, it was just strange to watch.

But I digress...

I see a copy of the Macross Gold on e-Bay every once in a while. What's inside? I'd love to see a couple of shots if you can?

Its basically everything you need to know about DYRL...and then about 300 things you never really thought to ask. Everything from mechanical designs showcasing how the Valkyries, SDF-1, Zentraedi, Meltrandi, etc. were "updated" into their motion picture versions...to very nice character redesigns that are subtle, but actually make you take notice (Misa's hairstyle is completely different in DYRL than in SDFM, for example)...and some redesigns that smack you in the face like an angry pimp (Britai and Exedol, for example). As I have mentioned in the "1/2000 DYRL Macross" thread, the pre-crash Meltran Destroyer that eventually becomes the DYRL version of the SDF-1 is showcased, but was never actually shown in the movie. Max is shown in his "macronized" state (40-odd feet tall) wearing what appears to be a Meltran dress uniform and cloak instead of the Q-Rau flightsuit...er, no pun intended with the "dress" comment there. Squadrons stationed aboard the Macross are covered in the text, and its interesting that besides Skull, there was Angel, Apollo and Diamond (perhaps where Diamond Squadron came from in M7?). Oddly, there seems to be no mention of Vermillion in the DYRL book. I mean its just got line art out the wazoo! Its chock-full of stuff like that...completely useless information that, at the same time, plugs in answers where there were none from just watching the movie itself. lol

Oh...and the first entire third of the book is nearly a cel-by-cel full-color print of the movie itself...I kid you not.

Over the years, I've had Japanese friends teach me what they could here and there to read SOME Japanese, but let's face it...I'm not exactly the Rosetta Stone when it comes to translating the Gold Book. So as a result, I continue to learn new stuff about DYRL from this book, and I've had the damned thing since 1988! But that's one of the things that keeps the book fresh for me IMHO. If you're thinking of snagging a Gold Book, be warned that the average price for one in decent condition can cost anywhere from $200 to $500, depending on how scrupulous or greedy the seller is. But is is worth it? You betcha! The book hasn't been in print in nearly 2 decades, and will probably never see a reprinting...so its actually a little piece of Macross history in that respect.

Yamato wait at least at the end of this year, where hopefully the economy goes up along with mine.

Don't worry. Yamato isn't planning to drop this monster (not to be confused with the Monster Mk II) until around this time next year. So clear your schedule and bank account for Q1 of 2010. There hasn't been any new information pertaining to the MSRP---last rumor was 50,000 Yen. The good news is that, as of 3:30pm EST today (March 11, 2009), the currency exhange between the US Dollar and the Japanese Yen is 1 USD = 97.3826 JPY. This has lowered the price to $513.44...down from $535 the week Yamato announced the SDF-1's release. The bad news is that its STILL over $500! lol

Quick Question: What's the absolute lowest price for a WAVE SDF-1? I want one, but I need to know how much money I should save.

It depends which WAVE SDF-1 you're shopping around for. If you've done your research, then you already know that there are two versions of it. The "original" sports a slightly metallic paint scheme with a gunmetal blue color on the main body, main cannon booms, ARMDs, shoulders and the front and back of the legs; and everything else molded in dark gray. These tend to be slightly cheaper at around $90 to $120, depending on the seller. This is the version that I own, and honestly, I don't mind the color scheme.

Back last Fall, WAVE rereleased the SDF-1 in a more "movie-accurate" paint scheme. This version features a truer light gray/dark gray color scheme that is done in a matte finish and also has more details such as tampo-stamped "hull panels" scattered across the hull. This particular version tends to be the more expensive one, with a price range of $150 to $300, depending on the seller. Aside from the new paint scheme, there are no new improvements made over the original. Its nothing more than a repaint.

Honestly, if you're willing to shell out $300+ for an SDF-1, hold out for Yamato's 2-foot-long DYRL SDF-1. Right now, its suggested MRP is around $535, but if the world economy continues to improve---at least the Dollar/Yen conversion---then it may actually end up being cheaper.