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Valkyrie Driver

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  1. Valkyrie Driver
    Something told me that would be the case, but that just seems like something that pilots wouldn't allow. I talked to my dad about it briefly and he came to the same conclusion I did. Now, the GAU-12/ and it's derivative, the GAU-22/A mounted on the F-35, are slightly different than the vulcan. From what I can tell the gun starts spinning before the first round gets fired, but we don't see what the gun is doing between the time the door opens and the time it fires. Still, if the door locks out the gun, that's bad, because if that door don't open, that gun don't fire, and you have 181 rounds of useless ordnance, and a boat anchor. There is likely going to be some kind of work around that will be built in to allow the gun to fire, some kind of explosive bolts built into the doors that the pilot can trigger if the doors fail (which will also mean indicators to indicate failure, which means you have to build in redundancy for those indicators, so that they are reliable, which basically means that the gun has multiplied the complexity of the whole system by a factor of at least 10, by my count, as there are now 10 things that must be in place to ensure reliable function of the gun, and that's not including the gun and firing systems). The more complex something is, the more likely things will go wrong with it. Trust me, I've seen it happen. I'm thinking the pod is a much better answer, because you can take the gun off, and completely disarm the aircraft to perform reconnaissance. Now I know that some folks here think that adding more human eyes is a bad thing and that technology solves all problems, but it doesn't. The more humans present the better your situational awareness, because a machine can only do what the operator tells it, and a camera doesn't show the whole picture. In reconnaissance there's a motto, "One pass, and haul ass". We don't put weapons on manned recon platforms because, you need to bring that info and hardware back to base. You can also completely disarm the plane and mount it up with electronic warfare gear. So it would go a long way towards making the aircraft truly multi-role, but it still suffers some significant problems, like the fact that it's heavy, and lacks the acceleration it really needs to go air to air. Now, I don't have the complete picture of how it happened but, according to this news report: The F-35 lost to an F-16 in a dogfight. That tells me the F-35 is lacking either acceleration, top speed, agility, or some combination of those three. Now, I don't know under what circumstances that test was done, or what variables were involved, so just factor that in. A couple of other things to note, that while yes, the F-35 can carry 2000 lbs more ordnance than the A-10, the F-35 cannot (at this time) match the variety of munitions the A-10 can carry, and the F-35 cannot carry the load that the A-10 can carry. This is a simple matter of the A-10 having more weapons stations than the F-35 (underwing; A-10's 11 versus the F-35's 6, if you count the bays the F-35 adds 2 more). Yes the F-35 can perform the close air support mission, however, The A-10 was built to survive the threats that will prevent the F-35 from accomplishing the mission. They can both be effective, however they will go about it differently, and it's a bad idea to only have one way of doing the mission. Just to show what I mean, using 10 of the A-10's hardpoints, you can put 3 Mk82's to a hardpoint, that's 30 bombs at 500lbs each. Total ordnance load, 15000lbs. Conversely, take the F-35's 6 hardpoints at 3 Mk82's each, and you have 18 bombs for a total of 9000 lbs. Add to that the A-10's ability to loiter for 10 minutes over the combat zone, it can make greater use of that payload than the F-35. The F-35 also cannot make use (at this time) of Hydra 70 or Zuni rockets. Which is likely due to it not being tested, but that eliminates the option for the F-35 to employ the Advance Precision Kill Weapons System (laser guided seeker for the Hydra 70 rockets, it's being considered for the Zuni as well). The A-10C, can carry all of those weapons, plus all of the weapons the F-35 can carry (save the radar guided air to air missiles). The A-10 still has the ordnance advantage over the F-35. I'm not saying it shouldn't be in the inventory, I'm saying we can't afford to put all our eggs in that one basket.
  2. Valkyrie Driver
    Fixed that for you. If it was not hard to miss, it would be easy to miss. Not trying to be a jerk, just trying to make sure people don't get confused. English is hard even for native speakers (spell check and dictionary.com are my best friends, and I can speak English pretty well). But yeah, I've had my VF-171 alto for over five months now, and I've transformed it probably a dozen times, swooshed it around, handled it, and no signs of cracking in the shoulder triangles, or broken knees, or anything really. Just that it's annoying to transform, and can be a bit of a bother to pose, and has some loose joint issues like the VF-25F Alto I have (I guess I really like Alto... no homo). Just be careful and take your time with the transformation, and you'll have few issues (just the floppy joints). Also, the Back panel clips into that neck guard piece at the top, which took me about 3 weeks to figure out. Just angle the tab into the neck panel and then rotate the back panel into place and you'll hear it snap in. You'll know what I'm talking about when you transform it the first time. Incidentally go to anymoon.com and Jenius has posted some really helpful transformation videos there in his toy reviews. Those really helped me out with transforming the toys the first time.
  3. Valkyrie Driver
    Subjectively the Arcadia is the best Macross Plus YF-19 toy, because it's better than the two previous Yamato Attempts. Also the VF-19Adv isn't a YF-19 toy, it looks like one, the colors are similar, the shape is similar, but it wasn't marketed as a YF-19 so it can't really be compared to one. The Bandai was based off a CGI model, which is going to make it look different, as the computer won't fudge proportions to make it look cool. We're fortunate that Macross Plus didn't do as much of that proportion shifting on the YF-19 as Macross 7 did on the VF-19. I think the VF-19Adv is a better toy, for a number of reasons: -Very few cut outs to accommodate the transformation -Inclusion of more articulation -tons of diecast parts, and where they really count -High quality engineering -High attention to detail (seriously it has detail in places that few will really notice) -Included stand (as awful as it is, it's still a stand, and still included) -Better accessories (I'll take fixed pose hands, and super parts over a boatload of weapons we never see it carry) -Greater Availability -Lower price point -High quality (not that the arcadia isn't, just compared to some of the issues I've had with previous Macross Toys) Yes, the transformation is more complicated than the Arcadia, but comparing to other bandai DX toys, it's a very solid and simple design, compared to the overengineered nightmare that the VF-171 (I still like it, but it's got serious annoyances and scary joints) and was, and the floppy shoulders of the VF-25 renewal (the only issue I have with that toy), or the total cluster frakk that the V1 VF-25's were (mine went back in it's box when I got my renewal). I say that if you're a fan of the design of the YF-19, but aren't hung up on the lack of proper markings, and don't mind a few cosmetic differences, the Bandai is the way to go. As I have scratched the Macross Plus itch with the original Yamato 1/60 (by all rights a fantastic attempt for the time, and a great display piece) I vote the Bandai, because it plays better than my Yammie. I'd have been much happier with it if it had been done in VF-19A colors, with all the proper markings, but, beggars can't be choosers. Like I said, if you're hung up on Plus, get the arcadia, but if you're like me, and just want a great YF-19 style toy the Bandai beats it hands down.
  4. Valkyrie Driver
    I have to say the VF-4 is a favorite, following my beloved VF-19.
  5. Valkyrie Driver
    Wait, I thought the internal guns on the valks were just high powered laser or particle accelerator type weapons...
  6. Valkyrie Driver
    Mylene's car was pretty cool though, it must be a japanese make because it looks cool like a ferrari but doesn't burst into flame like one...
  7. Valkyrie Driver
    It's good that you can admit to sublimating your desires for a more fulfilling film experience, for some eye candy. Almost the exact opposite of my experience with Pacific Rim. While not a fantastically deep and moving film, I went to see it for some stunning visual and sound effects, and to see giant robots fight giant monsters. I expected a big, dumb, Michael Bay transformers, styled movie with lots of Mecha porn. By did I get more than I asked for, I was pleasantly surprised by it. Unlike this video of Jupiter Ascending,
  8. Valkyrie Driver
    I don't like that at all. That flap seems like a huge failure point to me. If it jams closed you shoot through it. But the internal gun on the A model is carrying 180 rounds of 25mm, where as the B and C models are carrying 220 rounds in their external pod. Everything I can find doesn't show the pod interfering with the internal bays at all, and it appears that the gun pod has some optics built in to it might contain it's own gunsight, which makes it far more useful than the SUU-16 that the USAF used on the F-4C/D in Vietnam. Also the pod has stealth features built in, and doesn't have a dinky door (from what I can see) to get in the way. This leads me to this question, why even bother with the A model, the Gun pod was purpose built to function as an integral part of the aircraft, which means that you could build multiple pods, with different gun systems, so you could have a 4 barrel 30mm cannon based of the GAU-8, to supplement the A-10, or use the 25mm cannon pod for a potential air to air configuration. In addition, you could remove the gun entirely to save weight and carry more bombs and missiles (something I would never really recommend, because I'd never want to fly without a gun and a couple AAM's to protect me). I see a lot of potential in the F-35's design, as far as mission planning goes, but the execution is leaving much to be desired.
  9. Valkyrie Driver
    Interesting to see zentradi mechs on here. Those things are creepy, I hope that never becomes a thing.
  10. Valkyrie Driver
    Everyone loves the VF-1, I love the VF-1. In fact, I love it so much I have 4 different toys of it, granted 1 is broken and 2 are toynami crap, but still. I plan on adding a couple more to my collection. I'm still saying the VF-19 is my favorite (the Y/VF-19A to be specific). But I love all of the Mecha in macross. I do want to see more VF19 love in upcoming series.
  11. Valkyrie Driver
    With the recent closing of the delta thread to comments and with no place to discuss what valkyries or destroids we'd like to see in, delta, I'm dragging this thread back out.
  12. Valkyrie Driver
    We try. As for mechs in delta, I'm personally hoping for some VF-25 Cannon fodder and VF-19 hero mechs, as well as some classic destroid love. But if we want to hash out what mecha we want to see in delta and why, this would be the tread to do it in. You're probably right, though there'd likely still be a T&E period, that's just procedure.
  13. Valkyrie Driver
    I think Bandai figured out that compared to the Yamato toys, their early attempts were clumsy and hateful, and not at all what the market wanted. Instead of simply keeping up with crap toys, they responded to the markets demands for better, and delivered. So you don't think that the Bandai VF-19 is a pleasure to handle and transform? I disagree, but that's based on my only other YF-19 (ish) toy, the Yamato 1/60, which literally falls apart with handling. The upper torso is not secure, and the legs come off at the hips. The arms are floppy and terrible, and it's a nightmare to pose, but it looks good ones you get it to pose. I'll take the bandai over that or my VF-171 any day.
  14. Valkyrie Driver
    Well, yeah. Isamu is the "hero" of the story, while Gavil is a villainous asshat... because he's not the hero. Do you even story bro? (I'm joking, and being an ass for comedic affect, do not construe this as an attempt at a valid argument, please). But if I'm not mistaken the difference is that Isamu was aiming at the guy behind his wingman, and was trying to hit his target, where as Gavil was just firing indiscriminately and didn't care if he hit his wingman (but didn't hit his wingman). Due to aforementioned villainous asshatery. I could be completely off the mark though.
  15. Valkyrie Driver
    I knew that the whole spine section of the Arcadia is diecast, as it is on the Yamato VF-19 M7 series (which the Arcadia draws upon heavily). I was just pointing out how the bandai improved over the original Yamato 1/60 YF-19 attempt specifically.
  16. Valkyrie Driver
    I will admit the bandai has a pretty involved transformation, but it seems less stressful (lower fear of breakages).
  17. Valkyrie Driver
    I was referring to the mechanism the Yamato VF-19/Arcadia YF-19 uses to bring the spine and upper torso up and over the cockpit block. The Bandai uses a similar extending mechanism to the Yamato YF-19, only better engineered and die-cast.
  18. Valkyrie Driver
    Who cares that they don't have proper legs yet. It's only a matter of time. The American bot, looks like something out of BattleTech, while the Japanese bot, looks like something out of Ghost in the Shell. I don't care who wins the challenge, because we all win. We're on the way to seeing giant mechs in our lives. For the record, I think the Japanese Mech will win, because it's had more development time.
  19. Valkyrie Driver
    So basically wet and wetter. Where, if you don't mind me asking? It seems that the CF valks had some shoddy QC going on. Apparently the shoulder triangles were an issue with the alto release as well, but I've had no issues.
  20. Valkyrie Driver
    Spontaneously exploding valks...
  21. Valkyrie Driver
    Or maybe he's just that good? I know that US special operations forces train in such close quarters that they are shooting over each other's shoulders, and they trust each other to be that good. Still, it's unnerving, and the pilot Isamu was saving sounded like he needed a change of shorts...
  22. Valkyrie Driver
    I think it's probably supposed to be the way you describe it, unless there is a great deal of force feedback that they're trying to overcome. I don't believe the animators were familiar enough with the modern sidestick controls to animate them properly, seeing as that sort of information is usually carefully guarded.
  23. Valkyrie Driver

    I want my Master file book too arrive. It's been almost 3 weeks.

  24. Valkyrie Driver
    I think the aloof an humorless bits are also true about Basara. Yes, Dyson was arrogant, flippant, and abrasive but he wasn't ignorant. Dyson was cocky, but he had skill to back up his bravado. He was a dick, but he was also capable of being charming and charismatic. But look, can we move past this, I've said it a bunch of times already, I'm rewatching Macross 7, so let me get a bit more than 10 episodes in before you start singling me out again, please.
  25. Valkyrie Driver
    Go figure...
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