Graham

I brought up this question again a couple of weeks ago when Yamato's CEO visted HK and we met for lunch. I'd also realy love to have a VF-0D, as I think it has one of the most beautiful fighter modes in the Macross universe. Basically zero chance (pardon the pun). Yamato considers Macross Zero a dead property, that is not very popular with fans and thinks the cost of having to retool much of the toy to make the VF-0D to be prohibative. Basically, they feel the potential sales would not cover the cost of the retooling. I can't remember the exact percentage, but about 60% or more of the base VF-0 needs all new tooling to make a VF-0D: New Head. New Wings. New Nose/Cockpit section. New Back Pack. New Chest Piece. New Lower Legs (outer half). New Intakes. Graham

Glad to hear definite confirmation that the game uses a MUF type control scheme, which I think is great. I think I'll wait for the full game though. That will give me longer to persuade my wife that I need a PS3. I'm still hoping for a PSP sequel to MUF though. I have far more time to play handheld games while commuting than I do to play console games at home. Graham

Beautiful work. The VF-17D definitely has the meanest, toughest looking battroid of all. Graham

Great progress. Graham

Double Nuts is great. No problems and joints much tighter than the original YF-19. Graham

Hmm...........that's a tough one, there's so many great Macross toys to choose from. And how to define top 5? Top best looking toys? Top most played with toys? Or other criteria? Anyway, as with most people, my list is variable and ever-changing, so ask me next week or next month and it might be completely diferent. 1) 1/65 Scale Bandai DX VF-17D/S. They may not be the most accurate, beautiful or poseable toys, but they are super easy to transform, built like a tank -probably the most durable transforming VF toy ever made (I've never heard of one breaking). I've got about 10 of these which I've had since 1995 and they have been used and greatly abused and are still in fantastic shape. 2) 1/60 scale Yamato VF-11B/C. A near-perfect representation of the VF-11 in toy form. Durable, easy to transform and looks stunning. 3) 1/250 Scale Bandai Macross Fighter Collection - Affordable mini-Valks in so many flavours, that look great - you can't go wrong. 4) 1/60 scale Yamato VF-22S series - Max,Milia & Gamilin. Absolutely stunning toys, especially in fighter mode. 5) 1/60 scale Yamato VF-1 V2 series (I can't chose a favorite, they're all so good. Graham

Piss poor rear visibilty as per nearly all Star Wars designs. Graham

It was in the Macross model forum, so I moved it to the Anime of Science Fiction forum. Grahan

I have absolutely zero intention of watching a movie that is based on a 'no-story', button-mashing, fighting video game, which is itself a second, or third-rate Street Fighter knock-off.......Ha Ha! Graham

Season 3 ratings by my 6 year old son and I: Episode 1 = A little slow in places but otherwise solid = 7/10. Episode 2 = Coolest of the cool. Aqua Droids and ARC Troopers, even if they do get killed vey easily = 9/10. Episode 3 = The bits with the clones fighting the droids were good, but the talkie bits with Jar Jar and Jimmy Smits = big yawn!.....5/10. Graham I'm still hoping that season 5 of The Clone Wars, will completely rewrite Revenge of The Sith, so that we have a completely different ending to the saga. Graham

Heh, I like that the image they chose of the VF-1A, was of a Yamato 1/48 toy! Graham

Hmm........I wonder if we get stuff a bit earlier here, as the wave with Ki Adi Mundi and the Flame Thrower Trooper has been in shops herer for about 3 weeks already. Graham

Macross Toys I don't care for: The Toynami MPCs & Super-(un)Poseables. Macross Plus & Macross Revoltechs, with the exception of the Regult. Bandai Joke Machines - was never into cutesy SD stuff. Banpresto 1/100 VF-1 toys. Graham

Currently listening to German metal group Rammstein. Graham

A typo? Shouldn't that say 'bust feature', not 'best feature'.........LOL. Graham

I still haven't beaten Sulejmani on normal difficulty yet on phase 2 of mission 21A. Been using the Typhoon. I've tried dozens of times. I can take down the other 3 members of Varcolac squadron easily, within a couple of minutes, using QAAMs, but Sulejmani is a real bastard to kill. Graham

Rather than moaning that this is not a 1/72 scale non-transforming,fighter mode-only model, you guys should be thankful that we actually have a company like Experten making these cool transforming kits. And besides, there's already somebody else making mon-transforming fighter mode resin VF-171 and RVF-171 garage kits. Graham

Just picked up the new Clone Wars 'ARC Troopers' battle pack for my son yesterday. Surprised to see it out so soon. The pack contains the following 4 figures: Captain Rex with sniper rifle (heh, I think we now have about 4 Captain Rex figures). But at least this one has a tight helmet, that doesn't fall off easily, unlike the older Rex figures. ARC Trooper Commander (red trim, phase 1 helmet, no backpack). ARC Trooper with Phase 2 helmet, backpack and blue trim (similar to as seen in episode 2 of season 3). ARC Trooper with Phase 2 helmet, backpack and red trim (similar to as seen in episode 2 of season 3). Scans of battle cards and back of box attached (edit - larger scan of cards just attached) I'd like to make a request. When anybody buys a new figure(s) can they please scan and post the battle card(s). Graham

Wow, it looks amazing painted and decaled and with the weapons mounted on the wings. The nose and canopy look much better also now. I think having the canopy frame in black really helps. I want. Graham

As David H said, he was hired and paid to design the Gundam in 0083. Doesn't mean he loved Gundam. I'm paid to do my job, doesn't mean I love it either. Graham

I wish people wouldn't keep claiming this, when there is no evidence one way or another showing that when Macross Frontier was created, that Kawamori was still a Gundam fan. Yes, there is some evidence that Kawamori was a Gundam fan 28 years ago, when SDF Macross was created. I have no dispute with that. But I have yet to see any evidence (that I am aware of), to show that he is still a Gundam fan today (please feel free to correct me if I am wrong). So yes, he may or may not be a Gundam fan today, or he may absolutely detest Gundam now. Unless the man himself says so, people shouldn't keep claiming he IS a Gundam fan and that Gundam influenced the Frontier VF designs. At best we can say with any certainty Kawamori was a Gundam fan 3 decades ago! Graham

Outstanding. I love the VF-171 and I love Experten's kits. Just a pity they are produced in such small quantities and so hard to get hold of for most of us outside of Japan, unless you are willing to spend silly money bidding on Yahoo Japan auctions. I agree the canopy and the nose look a little off. And yes, the poll choices don't make much sense. Graham

I just unlocked a 6th paint scheme for my Typhoon. Graham

Excellent first two episodes. I especially liked the ARC Troopers episode. Some great action and dialog. My son really enjoyed watching them too. Can't wait for next week's episode. Graham

I doubt very much that Trial Frontier will be a PSP port. And no, the movie will not have English subs. Graham