Graham

It was inevitable really.

So is the Armored VF-11C in the game or not? Graham

I have to disagree, I think the model really captures the look of the lineart. Graham

The battroid mode lineart of the VF-25F with Tornado Pack really reminds me of a Gundam from SEED or SEED Destiny for some reason. Not sure I like it. Graham

The big one is definitely the 1/72 model kit. Although I'm sure a DX won't be far behind. And of course the small one is the 1/250 Fighter Collection. I guess it will be released with series 3? Graham

I don't think for MAF or MUF there's supposed to be a story per say. It's just a cool game where you can fly around in your favorite Valk in different eras blowing crap up. Don't over think it.....LOL! Graham

The 2010 Frontier calendar should be out already. Graham

I wonder if the new Tornado Pack for the VF-25 from the Frontier movie will be unlockable. I doubt it, but it would be very cool. Graham

A little birdy told me that the second book in this series, which is in development now will not be about the VF-1. Graham

Not sure why people are saying the ankles are fragile. Doesn't look to me like they would break easily, unless you deliberately tried to break them. Mind you, with the amount of toy breakages reported by our members, I tend to imagine you all as ham-fisted 300lb ogres anyway........LOL Anyway, back to the EX-Gear. It's a nice toy, but I won't buy anymore as I'm really only into VFs, not character figures. Graham

Good question. Don't know. I will ask. Graham

On the rare occasions I need to order a toy from Japan, I will stick with Overdrive. Found them to be fast, efficient and reliable with both pre and post sales communication and shipping. HLJ annoys the heck out of me as even if you chose a more expensive shipping option like EMS, they are ofter very slow to actually get the goods packed and posted. Several times I've wanted an item quickly, only to be caught out by the snail-like slowness of HLJ. Graham

Kresphy, Which magazine is that picture of the new VF-25 pack from? Graham

Just got an answer back from Yamato that these are a new production run, not old stock, so they will both come with the revised (no knurling) shoulder pin. Graham

I've now got SS rank on 8 of the Freeplay missions and A, B or Cs on the rest. Using Keith's tricks of having 3 Gigile's in Fz-109Fs as your wingmen, to freeze your opponent, so you can hammer them with gunpod or machine gun fire for insane combo bonuses really works well with the bigger enemies. Still having trouble getting an S rank against the smaller faster enemies on the Freeplay missions though. Will keep on trying Graham

VF-11D is a different head (and cockpit). Graham

Besides the hads, I'm thinking it may be necessary to remove the head fin in fighter mode and the peice on the back of the neck in fighter mode. If you look at the fighter and gerwalk mode poics of the test shot, the peice on the back of the neck looks completely different. As long as it locks together well and is not a froppy mess, I will be very happy. Graham

You mean Isamu is bayonetting baby dogs!? Someone call the SPCA!!!!! Graham

I gave up on these new Yamato stands. I far prefer the older Yamato 'Launch Arm' stands or Flexi-stands. These new stands might be great for smaller figures like the Macross GN-U, or Revoltechs, but IMO are absolutely not suitible for 1/60 VFs, even the smaller ones like the VF-1. The friction fit of the attachment piece to the support stand is just too loose, meaning the VFs constantly want to tilt to the side. With modification as in the post above and multiple stands attached together to create a more stable base, they may be better, but Yamato should not have released these in the first place with such a loose fit IMO. Graham

Me wants a VF-171, they could certainly milk a VF-171 mold more than they can the VF-27. VF-171, RVF-171, VF-171EX Alto, RVF-171EX Luca, VF-171EX Standard. Graham

Still haven't seen these here in Wanchai, but then again, I'm too lazy to get my ass over to Ins Point. My pick up 1 if I find them. Graham

Ever since I saw the first episode of Macross 7 way back in 1994, I've wanted a VF-11C toy. I just think it looks so beautiful especially in fighter mode. Graham

Unless Keith answers first, I'll run through that mission tonight and come back with some tips. I've got either S or SS on it. Graham

Ha, sounds awesome. Can't wait, but I will. Gotta get S or SS on all the MAF Freeplay missions first. It is my new challenge. Graham

Yamato's head office is and always has been in Japan. They have had a sub office in Hong Kong since the late 90s'. It's an open fact that I've had a long relationship with Yamato and am personal friends with several of the people from Yamato. It's also open knowledge that Macrossworld has accepted paid advertising from Yamato. Nio secrets there. I'm critical, only when I feel critiscim is due. When I have found a problem with a Yamato toy, I publicize it and do my best to try to get Yamato to resolve it. I think you'll find my reviews are quite unbiased and I report the good with the bad. But yes, I am a Macross fan and do generally love Yamato's Macross toys, so I may come over as sounding very enthusiatic in my reviews. If crap is crap, I will say so, case in point, their new display stand, which is really crap, at least for use with 1/60 scale. Repaints are both good and bad depending how you view them. Unfortunately, for a small company like Yamato, they are a financial necessity. With the high cost of design, development and tooling versus the small production runs that Yamato do, they are lucky if they break even on the first release of a new toy. They only way to amortize the development costs and actually make a profit is through releasing repaints. Without making a profit, Yamato would not be able to invest money in making new mecha. However, nobody is holding a gun to anybody’s head and forcing them to buy repaints. If you like a color scheme, then buy it. If not, then don’t. It’s as simple as that. The fact is many people actually like buying repaints of the secondary character’s mecha or cannon fodder mecha. Personally, I’m glad Yamato gives us the choice. I'm over the moon that after so many years, we are finally getting the Max & Millia VF-22S and VF-11C from Macross 7. Hopefully if these sell well, Yamato will release other Macoss 7 mecha. If I not mistaken, Yamato's QC has been excellent overall for recent releases, with most coments about the Destroid Defender, Destroid Tomahawk, VF-11B, YF-21, VF-22S Gamlin, VF-1D, VT-1, YF-19 Double Nuts, YF-19 Bird of Prey being very positive. I know some people had shoulder breakege with early 1/60 ver.2 VF-1, but all recent releases since they changed the shoulder pin seem to be fine. Lowering cost isn't going to happen unfortunately. These are niche products with a high development cost sold in small quantities to a limited fan base. If the rest of the world was open to Yamato, then maybe they would be able to sell more and could lower the cost slightly. As for customer service, again the licencing is the problem. However, this as been at least partially resolved by the help that OverDrive has provided. GBP armor is already coming for the 1/60 VF-1. It may be developed later for the VF-11 and VF-0. If sales of existing products ae good, new products will be developed. The Phalanx is still coming. Graham