Graham

I'd definitely have no hesitation at recommending the 1/55 VF-1 Chunky Monkey or 1/65 VF-17D/S to an eight year old. Heck my son has had them since he was about 3.5 years old. The 1/65 VF-19Kai/S is also a possibility and while it is very tough, parts such as the head lasers can get lost. Another possibilty could be the Toynami 1/55 VF-1 MP series. Graham

I'd pass on the Metal Siren, personally, I think it's a hideous looking plane. I'd definitely buy multiples of the VF-2SS and VF-2JA. Graham

Possibly. Wait and see.

Thought it was good, but not great. Better than Termimator Salvation at any rate. Wouldn't go to see it a second time at the cinema or buy the DVD, but would go to see a sequel if they make one (which I'm sure they will).

Primarily addressed to David Hingtgen, but anybody else in the know feel free to answer. 1) For the F-15SE, has it been announced if it would be up-engined to allow super cruise? 2) Would the engines used in the F-22 even fit the F-15SE? 3) Has it been announced if the F-15SE would have 3D thrust vectoring? Graham

Not really, despite being a partsformer, the VF100s VF-25 (at least the unarmored ones) seems to share almost the exact same proportions as the DX. For the VF100s Armoured, I suspect the armor will be non-removeable, hence the better proportions. Mostly, I really like the matte paint job on the last set of pics of the VF100s Armored VF-25F. I hope they keep it, as IMO, it looks better than the glossy finish of the DX and the model kit. I've got so use to the DX and VF100s proportions that the model kit, even with Armor looks too skinny to me in Battroid. Graham

What, no toilets though? Guess you have to cross your legs and hold it, or perhaps you're supposed to pee in the 'well being pool'. Graham

Saw the preview for this when I watched Terminator Salvation. Based on the preveiew, there is no way I would ever pay to see this movie. I won't even pay to rent it. Heck, I wouldn't even download it! Just to go on record, I do like the anime movie (even though it was too damn short) and I thought the anime TV series was OK. Why won't I see the live-action movie? Well, because there's too much damn wirework. Every single damn scene in the preview seemed to show Saya doing that silly have run/half flying through the air wirewalk crap, which I absolutely cannot stand at all. Sorry, it's just been overused to death and looks bloody stupid IMO. Graham (not a fan of any movie that uses wirework)

Seeing it tonight with Black Aces and Valk009. Graham

I think, being a preproduction sample, the hinge on the chest flap is just floppy. IMO, I gotta say based on the most recent batch of photos, I think the VF100s Armored VF-25F has the best looking appearance compared with both the Armored DX and the unpainted Armored model kit. I really like the matte finish and proportions on the recent VF100s Armored pics. Graham

What the heck is 'Lucky Star'? Graham

Moving to the other anime forum. This is a Transformer, not a Valk. This threads connection to Macross is extremely tenuous. The toy is cool in it's own way and it's nice it can do a Gerwalk mode, but it ain't Macross. Graham

Damn, saw the topic title and got all excited cus' I thought it meant my favorite toy company was making an anime. Graham

Excellent work Sketchley. Greatly appreciated. Now if only they'd publish some thrust and weight figures for the VF-171. Graham

Just to nitpick, but the "GBP" designation, or more accurately the GBP-1S ground-combat protector weapon system designation was only used for the armor for the VF-1. For the VF-25, it's commonly referred to as the "Armored Pack" in the TV series, with the full designation being: APS-25A/MF25 Armored pack. Graham

There are only two Studio Nue Entertainment Bibles that I know of, personally own and have ever seen listed. I think if there were 15, somebody here would have heard of them or seen them before. I spent a lot of time in the 90s' tracking down as many Macross related books as I could find and only came across the 2 Nue EBs and 2 Macross EBs. In all the Entertainment Bible lists I saw printed in various old magazines, I never saw any mention of any other Nue EBs. Neither had the many anime bookstores I spoke to heard of any others. I'm calling Bravo Sierra! Gubaba, if you want, I'll see if I can dig up the name card and email address of the lady from Satelight that I met at the HK C3 convention recently. She spoke good English and was quite friendly, so maybe she would be willing to answer the Ohnogi question. Graham

That's what my wife says too, well the faking it part.

when is the armored Alto VF-25F supposed to be coming out, is it end of July?

Not me, I love pretty much every aspect of Macross, especially M7.

Just to expand on what others have mentioned. The only VF-25 model kits currently in production by Bandai are in 1/72 scale. So far the following kits have been released: - 1/72 VF-25F Alto. 1/72 VF-25S Ozma 1/72 VF-25G Michael. 1/72 RVF-25 Luca with 3 x Ghosts. 1/72 Super Pack Set. 1/72 VF-25F Alto with Super Packs. 1/72 VF-25S Ozma with Super Packs. The following additional 1/72 scale kits have been announced by Bandai, but not released yet: - 1/72 VF-25S Ozma with Armored Pack. 1/72 VF-25F Alto with Armoured Pack. 1/72 Q-Rea. 1/72 VF-27. Additionally, Bandai have recently announced a 1/48 scale VF-25F Alto, but as yet there is no word on the price, the release date, or even whether it will be transformable or not. Moving onto the toys. The Bandai 1/100 scale VF-25F Alto, VF-25S Ozma and VF-25G Michael released so far are parts-forming toys, not model kits. By parts-forming, I mean that some parts have to be removed and other parts attached to transform between modes. Quite a few parts actually. These are part of the Bandai VF100s line, which will eventually feature variable fighters from all the various Macross anime (that is if the line sells well enough to continue). Other confimed releases coming soon are the vF-25F Alto with Armoured Pack and VF-19Kai Fire Valkyrie. Bandai also makes a line of perfect transformation VF-25 toys in 1/60 scale. Released so far are the VF-25F Alto, VF-25S Ozma, VF-25G Michael with Super Packs & stand, RVF-25 Luca with Super Packs & stand. Super Packs and stands for Alto and Ozma have only been released as webshop exclusives so far. Coming releases include the VF-25S Ozma with Armoured Pack, standalone Armored Pack for Alto (webshop exclusive), a clear VF-25F Alto and webshop exclusive Ghost and Fold Booster sets. Graham

Not really, besides the tampo prointing rubbing off, which you are already aware of, it's a pretty sturdy toy. The only potential issue is that the battroid mode crotch lock seems to be looser on some toys than others and also does tend to loosen after several transformations, leading to self-unlocking in battroid mode, a problem exacerbated by the additional weight of the Super Packs. Graham

I doubt the armor will be removable at that scale, so hopefully, the part count should be not much more than a bare VF-25. Graham

Looks great IMO.

Thanks.

Yes please. Graham