Graham

Oh, we'll definitely get a VF-17D and VF-17S Millia and FAST Packs for the VF-17 and of of course a VF-19F and VF-19P. And somewhere in the release schedule there will be the very exciting next VF announcement. Graham

Not a production sample, as no tampo printing. Lilkely, correct colour test shot. Note that test shots go through several generations in the process of getting the bugs worked out, gaps minimized, joints tightened up, parts fitting improved etc. Even after molds are cut, they will be modified several times in order to get everything just right. Even with CAD/CAM, the first generation test shots, will be loose, gappy etc., so the engineers need to figure out how to modify the molds, then a second generation test shot is made, gaps, tightness fitting is again checked, if futher changes to the molds are required, this is done again a third gen test shot made and checked, until everybody is happy and then it goes into production. Graham

I love it when people get all panicky, pre-release about resin prototypes or ABS-test shots, which are often loose and have gaps, before final modification of the tooling. Graham Just want to point out, the coloured shoulder stripes are also visible on the fighter mode underside of the Bandai 1/65 DX VF-17S/D toys. Graham

Ho Ho Ho! I've just heard that Santa may be leaving a nice 'stealthy' present under my tree in time for Christmas. Oh, what a nightmare........heh, heh. Graham

Yes, but on the original resin prototype, the yellow stripes on the shoulders were too low down. After this was pointed out to them, the stripes were moved higher up to the more correct poosition. Graham

No, wouldn't buy. Not interested. Prefer Yamato make a 1/3000 Battle 7. Graham

But the gunpod is supposed to be long. Make it to short wouldn't look right. It's all about anime accurate appearance, not feelings IMO. Graham

Interesting, so the gunpod halves can't fit fully ino each leg. Still ok with that, as the are completely concealed in fighter mode. Graham

Looks like a repaint of the Docker sculpt from the VF-19S. My one complaint about that figure, is the helmet faceplate is too flat, it should be more of a convex curve. Graham

Yes, the VF-17 does, both to the rear, to give the pilot better rearward visability and also down by his feet. Graham

Yes they do. The 'This is Animation Material, Macross 7' book clearly shows that both the VF-19Kai and VF-19S have the through the floor monitors. Graham

I hope for some black panel lining on the intakes on the final version though, like on the VF-19S and Kai. Graham

Yes, it's probably the most durable Macross toy ever made. I have about a dozen that have been seriously used and abused over the past 16 years and never had a single breakage. They are the Tonka toys of VF toys. Graham

Sometimes don't understand you guys. Before you all want a toy that can do dynamic gerwalk A-stance and now we have a toy that can do it, you wanna go back to stiff, legs in parallel gerwalk poses???? Graham Because it's the 'pilot boarding/alighting' position for gerwalk mode. Graham

Because it's the 'pilot boarding/alighting' position for gerwalk mode. Graham

Actually, I on purpose posed them with the nose pointing down, just to show how stable they are in that position. Horizontal gerwalk is of course possible and even easier. Graham

For those 2(?) Of you having problems with Gerwalk mode, this may seem like a silly question, but are you sure you are actually transforming it right? The ankles on my 2 x VF-19Kai, are fairly loose, but I have no problem getting the toy to hold a stable pose in Gerwalk mode, even though the Kai does have the older looser painted ankles. With the VF-19S, with the improved tighter plated ankles, posing should be a piece of cake. Graham

I still have that card somewhere. Used to carry it in my wallet, heh heh. If I can find it, I'll do a scan. Graham

CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF VF-0A I have a first issue VF-0A Cannon Fodder that has been on display in my display cabinet in Gerwalk mode since it was first released. It's probably only been transformed 2-3 times before it went on permanent display and has not been touched in several years. The other day, I noticed that it was no longer standing properly and the nose was touching the shelf of the cabinet. I picked up the toy, to attempt to get it standing properly and the left leg suddenly sheared off at the knee joint. Upon closer examination, I noticed the right knee joint was also cracked almost all the way through. I also found that both the plastic "U" clips that hold the metal hip bar had also sheared off while just standing on display in Gerwalk mode. Anyway, see attached pics. Graham

Today's photos are brought to you by the letter "G". "G" for Graham and "G" for Gerwalk. Graham

I don't know why some people think the VF-17D has white stripes. It does not. It has blue stripes. The only time I have ever seen white stripes on the VF-17D was on the cover art of an old 1995 issue of B-Club magazine. Graham

Err.......this part of the forums is for discussion of Macross games. Graham

I on purpose posed mine on a marble countertop, the slickest surface I could find in my appartment and no problems at all with maintaining the pose. Err..........okaaaaay then, so it's not a true Gerwalk unless the sides of the feet are parallel with the side of the leg.....err.........right Mwhahahhah.........really? I mean really?????? Personally, I'm fine with either ball joints or ratchet joints on the ankles. I need to test the rest of My VF-19 toys to see if the ankles are fine in Gerwalk mode, but on the 2 I've tested so far no problems. Graham

I certainly hope so!IIRC, the plan was to release it by 25th Dec, but that info is very old and I don't know it it has changed or not. Graham

Err...........so just what exactly is supposed to be wrong with the GERWALK mode?????? Seems perfectly fine to me! I had no problem getting and holding the stances in the attached photos. Mine has nice tight ankles that hold poses fine (and this is my store bought one, not my Yamato sample). (Please excuse the late night, poor quality pics taken in the bathroom at nearly 1.30am after a heavy work-related drinking session.....hic!) Graham