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Posts posted by Hiriyu
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I would think, the bigger the more pricy because more material is used and such.
What you guys are forgetting is that materials cost is close to nil in a product like this, particularly when made in China. What you are really paying for is all of the production work leading up to that pretty toy in your hands, and Yamato is not going to do it for free. I wouldn't either
. Basic capitalism at work folks.I don't buy into the argument that it should be cheaper because it's non-transforming. As I stated previously, Yamato needs to amortize their costs for this item through what will probably be a fairly small production run (we need to think in relative terms here), and still be able to see enough profit to make it worth their while. This is not an item that is going to sell in the hundreds of thousands or even tens of thousands of units like some other toys on the market. Therefore, they will be priced so as to partially guarantee at least a break-even point should sales be below expectation.
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Development time from a qualified sculptor costs a lot of money. Molds cost a HELL of a lot of money. Getting this monster from a sketch to manufacturing to retail and all the related costs involved therein cost a LOT of money.
While I agree the price seems a little high, you have to remember: This isn't a gundam. Quality of this caliber costs money, especially for what are essentially very limited runs and as was already pointed out, the Yen/Dollar rate sucks for us right now. Regardless of what us slobbering fools at MW seem to think, neither this q-rau nor any of the Macross toys are going to sell in the kinds of numbers that would allow them to sell this toy at a $60-$80 price mark. Macross is a niche market, and just like college textbooks cost a buttload more money to purchase because of the economies of scale, Macross toys cost more becuase they simply have to sell them for more to recoup their expenses. Or at least Macross toys of Yamato's quality do.
I for one am stoked about this one if only for the fact it isn't another VF-1. I'd love it to be cheaper just like everyone else, but at the same time, I don't think that the Yamato executives are laughing on their way to the bank with sacks of money.
You've got it nailed on the head. I make my living doing tool & die work (injection molds, vacuum forms, steam chests, presses, patterns, etc.) and I can verify that tooling costs for this baby are probably fairly high. Not to mention that they have tooling costs associated with the packaging as well.
Sure, Yamato's per-unit cost is probably around $20-25.00 including packaging (can't forget labor and transportation costs), but they need to amortize the cost of tooling/production through a [likely] small production run, and turn a profit in the end.
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I've also voted 'Others' because I tend to buy items from several categories: toys, videos, books, etc (in that order)...
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The 1/48 is the BEST valk toy on the market in terms of design and asthetics. I must admit, that at first I seriously doubted that it could be THAT much better than my 1/60's, but of course it is. I still don't, however, understand some people saying that the 1/48 has made them dislike the 1/60's. I do still like my 1/60's, I just admit that the 1/48 is better.
I think your post has almost pushed me over the edge. I've been dicing about whether or not I really need a 1/48 VF-1; after all, I've got a perfectly serviceable money pit already with my growing 1/60 collection.
I've been rationalizing that I've picked up 6 1/60s for the equivalant dollars of 2 1/48s, and I need another valk addiction like another couple of holes in my head
Maybe I'll just continue to pick up MIB 1/60s cheap from those disillusioned from them by the advent of the 1/48s?However, it's good (read: refreshing) to hear some praise for the 1/48 from someone unbiased enough to admit that they still like their 1/60s
Makes me want the 1/48 1-J pretty bad 
Or, maybe, I'll wait for a 1/48 CF type before I take the plunge... Decisions, decisions...
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I assume you're referring to the 1992 Banpresto arcade version? Not likely to be canon IMHO, as most [all] of the Banpresto games are just license-whoring (they also did various Gundam and Sailor-Moon games).
*Edit - Oops. I just realized you're probably NOT talking about the BP DYRL game. Nevermind

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Since my Hikaru 1J is in Battroid, I think I'll use him inside my CF that I have in Gerwalk right now. Thanks for the tip.
AFAIK, he won't fit without cutting down his legs a little. Again, anyone have leads on recast/extra TV pilots?
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Yup, done that. My 1/60 1-D pilots are currently manning a 1-S and a 1-A CF. The canopies seem to keep them in place very well, no rattling around. You are correct in that the later 'Super' model pilot figures will not fit without hobbling them a little.
Anyone have or know where some extra 2-seater pilots may be found?
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http://www.macrossworld.com/mwf/index.php?...=ST&f=26&t=4012
Probably not the sort of thing you want appearing here

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I just bought an original copy on Ebay for $18.00, but don't have it in my hands yet. Should make a nice reference piece.
I got burned by a seller ('Finalanime') on Ebay for a reprint version, fyi. Buyer Beware Yadda Yadda.
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*Updated*
1/60 = 13
(1A - 1x TRU, 2x CF, 1x Hikaru, 1x Max)
(1D - 1x)
(1J - 1x Hikaru, 1x Max, 1x Millia)
(1S - 2x Roy)
(VT-1 - 1x)
(VE-1 - 1x)
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I'd like to report another stellar transaction, this time with Godzilla of MacrossWorld. My VF-1S was just as described and was shipped very, very quickly.
Also, props again to Chowser & VF1-2NV =)
Thanks fellas!
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Now, would we include full size Zentradi among the ground force, and Regult battle pods? It worked for the Zentradi for how long, so why not use some, especially with the onhand numbers of pods left over after the war. Would full size Zentradi not be practical mixing in with regular terran forces, or would the Regult idea be cannon fodderish? I know the vast majority of Zentradi were miclonized based on everything we've seen.
Depending on your timeline, most likely not. According to the Compendium:
[2030] November
Armed revolt by the giant Zentradi living on Earth. The Second Defensive Battle of Macross City. Hereafter, giant Zentradi are prohibited from living on Earth.
...And I agree with Radd:
I've argued this many times in the past, and I'll argue it again Just because we don't see something in the animation, doesn't mean it isn't there. How do we know there are no new destroids? There is absolutely nothing that tells us there isn't, we just don't see them.Something like Schrodinger's Cat, eh?

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I like Druna Skass' original historical idea, but ewilen's right, they'd likely pull a "George" on the whole thing... Too bad, it could have some pretty cool potential.
Or, they could just do a prequel, where all the mecha inexplicably seems more advanced than in the original's... Hmmm...

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Chalk up another for 1 VF-1 2NV. The 1D's been received and is perfect. Thanks!

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Just wondering, are those helmets Snell rated? I'd like to go racing with one

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It's not really sci-fi, but I always find the "Magic Internet Computer System" pitifully annoying. You know, the one where the "1337 Computer HaXor" mashes a couple of buttons and a front page headline from the fricken' Clampett County Picayune comes up immediately, as if he's using a microfische reader; or a bunch of colorful lines and skulls converge onscreen and he shouts 'We're IN!!!', usually while haxoring the login for the DOJ or DOD's uber-super-computer?
One more, while beloved, is the famous "He's Dead Jim". Who the hell DIDN'T die on that show?
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Very cool

OT - Your desktop looks very similar to mine, but I've got a HotRod perched on my desk. How do you like the X-Arcade?
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Realistically, probably never.
In the same vein though, anyone know where can I buy a 1/48 Hoary Froating Head unit?

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Another V-Tail plane with no elevators is the old Beech Bonanza. It also doesn't have any form of thrust vectoring, as it's a single front engine prop-driven plane. In my ignorance, I'd always assumed that the VF-1 used a similar control scheme... Thanks David & Ewilen for the info!
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I've only done vacuum forms using acetate plastics, but the process for styrene is basically the same. You'll first need to make a male tool of the part you want. Take into account the thickness or guage of your material or your part will be too big. Your tool should be filled in solid on the backside (rice makes a great filler when mixed with epoxy).
Mahogany and 2-part epoxy will work fine for your tool if you're only pulling a couple samples. If you're going into larger production, you'll want to make an aluminum tool, as the heat involved will kill off your mahogany/epoxy tool quickly. Make sure that your tool doesn't have too much back draft on it for the type of material you're going to run (don't want to crack or damage your finished part while trying to remove it from the tool)!
Now you want to take your finished tool, and drill many tiny (say .025") holes in it for the vacuum path. The very slight traces from your vacuum holes, if any, will only show on the backside of your finished part. If you have a vacuform machine, set it on the platten, block off the additional vacuum channels, turn on the heating element and go.
I'm assuming you don't have a vacuform machine, so I'd suggest getting out the yellow pages and look under plastics. Find someone who has the right equipment and let them pull the parts for you. It can be done pretty cheap as long as you do all the tool work yourself. Pattern and tool work is pretty pricey if you have to farm it out.
Hope this helps!
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Also, it coulda always been vertically aligned rather than horizontally aligned (in space, there is no "up" or "down," remember?
)Yep, but then again that doesn't explain the same circumstance when the SDF-1 is in 'cruiser' shape while earthbound (and both configurations, with the city onboard, are shown in the SDF series <_< ). Unless, the city is on swivel plates as you mention - just seems to be the long way around...
Any other ideas? (Mods, sorry if this is too far off the Q&A charter of this thread)
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Ok, here's a question I haven't seen addressed anywhere...
My understanding is that the civilian populace (Macross City) on board the SDF-1 was located in the aft portions of the ship, forward of the main drives, and somewhere in the upper region of deck structure. One would assume that the plan of the 'city' would be in a longitudinal postion relative to the ship. All is well and good.
However, when the Macross makes its return to earth, in transformed [or strike] shape, wouldn't the city be literally and figuratively 'turned on its ear' by the Macross' return to Earth-normal gravity? Is this compensated by the ships' grav generators, or inertial fields, or what? Or is it just another case of anime-magic?
Or am I completely mistaken about the whole thing, and a retard for reading waay too much into this?

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What exactly is Overtechnology? What does it do? Did it get dubbed as 'Robotechnology' in the translation to Robotech?
More or less, yes. Read up on some of the links provided earlier in this thread for more specifics as to the differences between the two series, and some of the specifics in Macross.
Whats your favorite dirty pleasure Scifi flick?
in Anime or Science Fiction
Posted
*Groan*
*Booo........*
I'd have to throw in 'The Last Starfighter', corny as all get out but great cg effects for the era. 'Tron' also comes to mind...