Graham

Glad to see they kept the VF-1J in scale with the Fire Valk. That said, the VF-1J is gonna be a pretty small toy. And the VF-19 Hi-Metal rocks! Just wonder why they left of the head lasers and head fin in the photo. Graham

Saying something is 'discontinued', implies that it was in constant production. Macross and other niche toys usually do not sell enough that they are in constant production. Usually with Macross toys, the production run size is relatively small, say for example around 15,000 to 25,000pcs or sets (sometimes even as low as 5,000pcs), which only takes the factory a short time to produce (a few weeks). So technically, by the time the toys reach the retail store or eStore, the production has already stopped. Some people have this misconception, that the production line runs 24/7, all day every day, churning out a neverending stream of toys. This is not the case. If a first production run sells well and the manufacturer gets enough requests from their distributors and wholesalers, they may commission a second production run. It seems like possibly series 2 of the Macross Fighter Collection did not sell quite as well as series 1 and 3 as at least here in Hong Kong, I see more loose series 2 figures than series 1 or 3. Graham

How well do the missiles attach to the wings? Do they stay on securely, or fall off at the slightest touch? Can we have a photo in battroid standing next to the Hi-Metal VF-19? Graham

Still not getting excited about this at all. If we didn’t already have two excellent representations of the VF-1 from Yamato (1/48 & V2 1/60), maybe I could muster more enthusiasm. But as it is, there’s nothing I see here that makes we want to buy yet another VF-1 in yet another scale. On the other hand I can’t wait to buy the Hi-Metal VF-19S, as it’s one of my favorite VFs that has never had a decent toy made of it before (sorry, the old 1/65 doesn’t count as decent in my book). Hi-Metals of VFs that have never previously had a good toy representation, I will buy. Hi-Metals of VFs that already have excellent toy of them made, I will likely pass. I wonder how many people feel the same. Graham

Saw the A-Team movie with friends last night. Thoroughly enjoyed it. If you grew up in the 80s watching the A-Team TV series, you have to see this movie. The action and stunts are totally over the top and unrealistic, but hey, it’s the A-Team! Don’t expect high art, as long as you go in expecting a fun, action filled romp, that doesn’t take itself seriously, you will be in for a great time. Lots of great laugh out loud moments as well. There’s wonderful chemistry between the 4 leads and both Liam Neeson and Sharlto Copley are absolutely fantastic in their respective roles as Col. Hannibal Smith and Murdock. I didn’t think this would be a movie that girls would enjoy, but there were a couple of local Chinese OLs in the seats next to me that were laughing out loud at all the funny bits. Graham

Amazing site. The creator has done an excellent job. But definitely needs some VFs. Graham

Did we ever get the teal color VF-17D from Macross Dynamite 7? Graham

I would think that it does apply to the ankle vernier ring. It's mounted right on the engine, so it makes sense to use diverted engine exhaust. I would imagine on the various 19 varients, propellant is mostly used for the triple vernier cluster that is mounted aft of the canards/cockpit. Graham

Great job. I find the translation of page 43 very interesting: Confirms the space specialization of the E/F/S/P types and and also gives an explanation for the revised shape or the LERX, or "extension of the (wing) glove from the strake", as they call it. But following on from the information presented on page 43, the VF-19P should logically, have the most atmospheric maneuverability of all the VF-19 variants, given that it has canards, ventral fins, full size forward swept wings and the ankle thruster ring. Anyway, very interested whether the other pages (perhaps the block number section), will reveal how widespread the adoption of the VF-19F/S is in UN Spacy service, compared to the VF-19A. Graham

I used to play AC a heck of a lot on the PS1 back in the day, but for some reason I never got back into it when I bought my PS2. Nowadays, the only games I play are on the PSP (mostly MAF then MUF). Are there any good AC games for the PSP? And is there an English version? Graham

Hi Guys, yeah PM box still disabled. Lots of problems with my personal life at the moment and just don't feel like dealing with the 1/60 shoulders at the moment. Really sorry for those of you still waiting. It's just been one thing after another recently. Threw my back out last week and found out it's much worse than I expected. Old back injury from 15 years ago has gotten much worse. Not much soft disc left between 2 of my vertebrae and also have a bone spur growing on one of my vertebrae if it gets worse will need back sugery to remove. Ambulatory at the moment, but need to do a lot of strengthening exercises for my back to build up the strength of my back muscles. Quite depressed about this. especially as I may have to stop a lot of the hi-impact sports/exercises I like from now on. Anyway, sorry to derail this thread, but amazing SDF-1 custom and I have already emailed pics of both this custom and Kurt's custom SDF-1 to Yamato last week. No feedback from them yet though. They are in one of there quite, minimal contact phases at the moment. Graham

Very nice, but I couldn't help notice that the rivets on the feet are the same size as the shoulder missiles.....LOL! Graham

I so want the Experten VF-17D with Super Packs (see attached pic). Really hope one day we can get one from Yamato. Graham

And also the VF-22. YF-19 & YF-21 IIRC as well. Love the VF-3000 kit. Yes, it's not completely acurate to the line art, but still very nice. Graham

You do have to angle the legs down on the Yamato 1/60 YF-19 toy to fit the leg FAST packs (1 click down of the joint below the intake). Also, the side view lineart of the VF-19 w/FAST Packs on pages 84-85 of Master File, shows the legs angled down to fit the leg FAST packs. Yes, I know this is different from Kawamori's original lineart, but Kawamori's lineart featured a lot of anime magic to make transformation work. Graham

Found one box pic online at Yahoo Japan Auctions. Can somebody translate if it says "Mass Production type" (as I've been saying all along), or "Grace type", as many others have been saying? A big "Told You So" in advance, if it does say Mass Production Type Graham

Yeah, but the color difference is always more noticable in online photos and less so in person. Graham

Yes, but page 66 shows the position only in the most general sense. I'd love to see some close up lineart of the mounts, showing exactly what they look like and exactly where they attach, especially in relation to the Fold Booster. And of course to know whether they can be used in Battroid mode or have to be ejected to transform. There is a limited amout of real estate available in that particular area of the 19, especially when the Fold Booster is already attached. Also, page 67 clearly has a mistake when it lists the mount position of the VF-19F/S's NP-BAB-21 boosters at postion 6, when they should be at postions 8 & 5. Graham

Any box pics? Curious to see whether it says "Mass Production Type" like the model kit and 1/250 scale toy, or actually says "Grace type" or something like that. Anyway, it looks nice. I'm gussing the missing stickers may be for the tail numbers. Graham

Judging from the picture from operation "Phanton Sword" on page 97 of Master File (scan attached), the mounting pylon for the NP-BAP-15c Booster Unit is definitely angled and attaches to the back of the fighter, not the shoulders. I may try to jury-rig a mount out of stiff card and tape for the toy, just to see how it would look. I'm also curious to see, if the mount had a hinge on it, would there be enough clearance for the boosters to fold down on to the back in Batroid mode. Graham

Although looking again at the lineart in the Master File, the boosters should be mounted further forward than how I have them in my pics. Grahm

OK, in an effort to see how the NP-BAP-15c boosters shown in Master Files could attach to a VF-19A, I fitted the Super Packs from a Yamato 1/60 VF-11B (as they are close in design to the NP-BAP-15c), to a Yamato 1/60 YF-19 "Double Nuts". Attached are some pics of the YF-19 "Double Nuts" with Fold Booster, YF-19 FAST Packs, Reaction Missiles & Micro Missile pods from Bandai 1/60 VF-25 weapons set and Super Packs from a Yamato 1/60 VF-11B. The VF-11B Super packs are just balanced on top of the shoulders in the photos. If, as the book seems to show the NP-BAP-15c boosters attach to the back of the VF-19A, there isn't a lot of space for the mount, what with the Fold Booster pylons already there, but it probably would just be doable. Graham

Will pass on this. Never a fan of the original movie and not a Jackie Chan fan either. Graham

Really excellent work Jarrod. Graham

Wow, I see what you mean about the ceiling! Graham