Valkyrie Driver

Aaah, haaa, tragic... It made me laugh, ahhh, free time...

Macross Plus was the First one I actually saw. I got curious, after having been enamored with Battletech as a kid, and learning that many of my favorite mechs, The Stinger and Warhammer, were taken from robotech, I dug deeper. I Found out about Macross, and it kinda sat for a bit. I got hooked after robotech battlecry came out for ps2, and that's when I saw M+. I have to Say Macross plus was my favorite, with the awesome battles. SDF Macross is my next pick because it started it all (Alas I only have the ADV Dub DVDs). All the other series are kinda on the same level for me. Macross Plus was the reason I got my VF-11C, cuz I couldn't get an 11 bravo. Also GIANT MECH BAYONET!!!

If I'm not mistaken, the VF-11C's gunpod is reloadable in the field, 2 mag behind the shield. (Macross Mecha Manual)

The VF-0 has the advantage of variable geometry wings, which gives it the ability to alter it's handling characteristics somewhat. At slower speeds with the wings extended, you could achieve higher wing loading, and pile on the g's, that and as mentioned by eugimon the VF-0 has more aggressive thrust vectoring, which also means capability for super-maneuverability. Come to think of it I never saw cobra turn or kulbit (tight diameter loop) or any other super maneuverability Air Combat measures. I still say the VF-0 has the win on this hypothetical competition.

Very insightful, thanks. I never would have made a connection to the German medal, also, after I'd posted that particular question, I thought I might get a response like "how high is up?" I appreciate your time.

I think we left out asynchronous vectoring, Using the F-22 as a real world example, each eyelid(the tailpipe thingy) can move independently of the other, allowing for pitch and roll control, the F-22 also has yaw control but it does it differently than the VF-22/27 and SV-51. Those VF's use eyelids like on the X-31 test aircraft. The VF-17 only has yaw control for the thrust vectoring, unless I've completely missed something, the only drawback to my choice of the VF-17.

According to Macross Mecha Manual it's only .1 meter longer and wingspan about 3m more than the VF-11C. True on the compactness of the VF-1. Compared to the gen 4+ VFs, the VF-1 Just lacked so much lifting surface, it makes me sad. Still the VF-11 is around the same size as the VF-1, and so is the VF-17. (Kinda like the F-16 and F/A-18 are kinda the same size, key words kinda...) Comparing the

I've been hard into Macross for about 2 years now (I really got into it after I played Robotech Battlecry on the PS2, and wanted a transforming valk) still I've got a few noob questions: The zentradi were always supposed to have pointy ears right? they didn't in SDF:M if memory serves. Can the head lasers on any VF point to the forward arc? Why is Max's hair blue, and long? (The UN Spacy is a military right? I'm current military and I have to wear a high and tight, I don't see that changing, EVER!)

I didn't think it was terrible, and I actually prefer to have the option of watching in English. I actually prefer dubs because the subbing can be as bad as some dubs in translation. As my only intro to SDF Macross, I have nothing else to compare it to. Ok it wasn't great, but still, It's all I have.

I had to say the VF-17. I love the VF-11 to death, but the VF-17 was just sweet. It has enough weapons to make me happy (I grew up on MechWarrior), and it just looks BA. Maneuverable, fast, heavily armed, and tough. Also the VF-17 did a lot less blowing up in M7 than the VF-11 (Sorry Thud). I love my Thud, but it had drawbacks. Lack of internal missile launchers, which seemed to be integrated on every VF since the VF-5000. The Lack of Available Missile armaments on the fighter itself (not the super packs) is disturbing, especially given their prevalence in air combat both in the real world and in Macross. Internal leg bays which are shown in M7, but never intended by Kawamori-san (Macross Mecha Manual, VF-11C Super Thunderbolt entry). The VF-11 is typical of VF designs up to that point. Just as the F-117 Nighthawk was a departure from the traditional aircraft with it's stealth designed airframe, so is the VF-17. It integrates similar stealth characteristics, albeit with a sleek F-22/35 style to it. The Compact nature of the fighter also draws me to it, I don't like big fighters, so I guess I'm a bit prejudiced against the Y/VF-19/21/22. Still the VF-17 has the gunpod, and the beam cannon adapter. It has heavy firepower, and internal missile launchers in the shoulders. It also maintained a clean battroid mode like thoke that came before.

As I am a gun nut, I loved the rifle look on the 19's gun pod. I was torn in this decision, the VF-11C had a slimmed down and sleeker gunpod, the VF-11B had a friggin bayonet, and the 19 had a rifle. If only there was a way to combine them into one weapon, slim and simple, rifle with a bayonet. OOh, I think I found a project. gotta say that what's in the pod has a lot to do with a favorite tho. I just wish kawamori-san had made the gun from the VF-11C a seven barrel, then I could imagine it being a GAU8A avenger... drools....

Thanks for pointing that out, I've only got the anime to work from and the wingspan seemed larger in relation to the fuselage, and I don't have an SV-51 toy to compare to the VF-0. Looking at the silhouette you provided, it actually seems like the dimensions on the VF-0 are more square than the SV-51. I also just took a look at the SV-51 toy online, the wing area is atrocious, no wonder the VF-0 had better efficiency, the wing area on the VF-0 is at least twice that of the SV-51. That would provide better maneuverability on the VF-0's airframe. I'd say the victor would be the VF-0 based on design.

Unfortunately, I agree with the assertion that the SV-51 is a combat machine at the outset of the show. So if we took it back to its prototype, and then compared it to the VF-0, it's not so much apples and oranges. The VF-0 has the advantage of being a clean battroid, No kibble hanging off and what not. (The SV-51 is still cleaner looking than the VF-25.) We should look at design characteristics. The VF-0 is a swing-wing ship, versatile, but complicated. The SV-51 has a wide wingspan, similar to the A-10 and F/A-18. This would give it the benefit of outstanding turning ability at slow speed. In the end an extra hinge is better than swing wings, it's less complicated, though it introduces a second stress point on the wing. As the internal systems are not mentioned in great detail, I can only assume a double redundancy for both aircraft, on the systems, such as hydraulics, and flight controls. I would assume that negative stability would be present on both aircraft as well, considering that is the trend with modern fighters. So, the SV-51 would be able to out turn the VF-0 regardless. Point for the SV-51. VF-0 is more versatile, we all agree on that, point VF-0. Defensive capabilities, point VF-0. The SV-51 seems less complicated, and russian built so it's rugged too, that's 2 for the SV-51. The VF-0 is lighter, and smaller (by 4 meters approx. according to Macross Mecha Manual)so there's a point. I'd say as best I can that the two ships are evenly matched. The VF-0 is definitely what we would consider a more conventional VF, but conventional doesn't mean better. I'd say that the two excel in different arenas of air combat. The VF-0 would be a mighty interceptor, while the SV-51 would make a good attacker. The VF-0 had a decided advantage in staying power though, so it seems the VF-0 was more efficient. That's my take on it.

granted not flamboyant, and maybe I over used the phrase, but still I found it irritating that SMS was portrayed as the only ones who could save the day. also, I guess the other thing I disliked about frontier, was the space bugs, I think I forgot to mention that.

Unlike MITHRIL, the SMS just had an air about it, that bugged me. MITHRIL was a bit too fantastic and functioned, as it seemed to me, more like a military organization, than SMS did. The "Super Sentai Syndrome" I refer to is based on how the "elite" SMS had to run out and save the day, while the regular troopers languished in incompetency. MITHRIL, was better equipped in FMP! but overall was as well trained as any professional military. SMS seemed to be somehow on that standard, while the regulars were shown as two cuts below the norm. The whole show seemed over exaggerated to me, and it was over the top to my taste, that's all I was trying to say, other than the PMC comment, But we can talk about that some other time.

I dunno, I have to fiddle with it some, but not much, certainly not as much as my ver2 vf1s (battroid to fighter, swing bar catch thingy), or the heat shield on the vf11c, but I pretty much broke the code on that, so those ain't bad anymore. Still I just find the execution to be lacking. The way the toy ends up looking bothers me, the thrusting hips, and MTI stance just bother me. Makes me want to put a campaign hat on it and throwing the knife hand... gives me nightmares...

That has to be my biggest area of praise, I haven't had any issues with degraded markings. Maybe I haven't had it long enough, or something. My valk is almost as pristine as the day it came out of the box. Save for the dust.

I can do better than that... . now where did I put my injection molding machine...

I agree, I've not had any durability issues with my yammies either, my vf0a took a tumble from about 4 ft, and landed on the bad shoulder. No damage, leg popped off, but that was easily remedied by popping it back on the nub. My concerns with the vf-25 were quite expertly stated by ff95gj.

In the next few months I plan on sitting down with pencil and paper and trying to sketch up some designs for protect armor. Any input on custom making the stuff would be appreciated. Also, I need Ideas on how to make hardpoints for under the wings, because that seems like an oversight to me. send me a message or something if you wanna give input.

The VF19 Hi-Metal was intriguing, but it had some irreconcilable issues for me. If they would correct those I'd get one, but, I already have Four VF1's don't want/need any more. Besides, I told my friend that if I buy another toy in the next 8 months, he can whoop my arse. So I must hold off for the sake of my bones...

I do think it's cool, I'm just hesitant to do it. I think I'll try doing the custom trial stuff with my ver1 vf1a

I'm still relatively new to collecting macross toys so, bear with me. I am partial to yamato, because they make the valks I like. I've had reasonably good luck with them, save for the weak right shoulder on my vf0a. Yamato is my measuring stick. That said, I still like my vf-25f, if I didn't I'd have sold it. All I was trying to say is, that of all my valks, it has the most complexity, and the transformation seemed cumbersome, as I had only dealt with the vf0 and vf1. It is still more complex than the vf11, that said, it is still the most solid toy in my collection. The up side is it feels substantial, and I'm not worried about breakage. Pose-ability is about average for most of my collection, the most pose able toy I have is the vf11. If I had fast packs the toy might be higher on my list of favorites, as that would offset the wing kibble. Or if Kawamori-san had gone along the lines of the vf-19 for the wings, I don't know it might have felt cooler. Still I'm pleased with it, at least the gunpod stays straight, right?

Damn, all of these look so cool, unfortunately I am loathe to take paints to my valks just yet, as my oldest one has been in my collection for 2 years. Thankfully I got all of mine New In Box. Still, I'd hate to splotch paint on them and leave them looking worse, my hands aren't as steady as they once were.

That makes me sad, but, it means I get to try and do custom stuff, good way to kill some cold winter days. I was already planning to try detachable under-wing hard-points, because the lack of them seems like an oversight...