Graham

Having terrible luck with my Macross Revoltechs. First my VF-1S Focker is missing the open left hand. Now my VF-1A Hikaru has a split/crack on the chestplate, just above the heatshield (I’ll post a pic later). Also, the red paint application on the top of the chest plate is fairly sloppy. Graham

Not sure why so many people are getting worked up over the electrical discharges during the VF-25’s transformation. As has been mentioned, these type of flashes were present IIRC in M7 for both the VF-19Kai and the VF-17D/S transformation, although to a lesser degree. Although, the main purpose is probably just to add a bit more visual appeal for the SEED/SEED Destiny generation. I’m sure Kawamori probably has a technical explanation for it. Same with the VF-25’s Swing-bars, what’s the fuss? These look pretty damn big and strong to me, especially compared to the ultra thin swing-bars shown during the VF-0S transformation. Designing a transforming toy of the VF-25 should be not too difficult according to my understanding of the transformation. Probably the most tricky area for a toy is going to be the shoulders, as these seem to use a VF-11 type transformation method. Graham

I'm very happy with my SPEC Dragonar-01, but yeah, generally, Bandai only puts their top designers and a big budget on Gundam, and their 'B' teams gets to handle everything else with a smaller budget, often resulting in sub-par products. Graham

It looks that way. From what I understand, as major sponsor of the TV series (i.e. financial backer), Bandai gets first dibs on the licence and then it becomes available to other interested parties after a couple of years. This could be good or bad. Traditionally, Bandai has no great love for Macross and has never put a great deal of effort into merchandising. Look for example at the lackluster job Bandai did for Macross 7 toys and models and the way they completely ignored Macross Plus. However, this is not 1994 and the toy industry has changed a great deal in the intervening 13 years, with the market for collectors grade toys really booming in recent years. Basically, I see this as either going two ways. One, Bandai will completely screw us and release minimal crappy merchandise. Or two, Bandai will do good and release multiple lines, such as HCM-Pro, SPEC, etc in multiple colors. Graham

I'm just wondering if that is two completely different types of FAST Packs/Armour being shown in these two pics. Graham

How do I take snapshots using VLC? I can't find any function on the menu bar. Graham

Thanks. Plays on my Nokia 6300 just fine. Graham

Lastly, color lineart scans from the M3 instruction manual, scanned at 600dpi, which is the highest resolution my antique PC/scanner can managed without melting down. Graham

While not the VF-5000B, here's some more scans of colored lineart for Mr March of the color schemes other VFs featured in the M3 game. Graham

Here's some more color schemes from the Dreamcast M3 game. More scans to follow tomorrow. Graham

The Macross Plus Game Edition colors (see attached pics) seem very close to the SHE scheme, with the exception of the shoulders. Graham

Heh, AFM was fun. Graham

Anbody know of a good free media player which will play .flv files and allow you to go through the video frame by frame. The free player I'm currently using called 'VLC Media Player' has no frame by frame function and a really slow pause function. When you hit pause, it takes 2-3 seconds beforethe video actually pauses. Completely useless for trying to capture images. Graham

Very nice. Graham

Just in case you haven't seen these yet from the Dreamcast M3 game: - http://www.macrossworld.com/macross/magazi...2162001m3_3.jpg http://www.macrossworld.com/macross/magazines/newm3page3.jpg http://www.macrossworld.com/macross/games/...ge11&12.jpg I'm sure I have some other good color Dreamcast M3 lineart not somewhere that is not on MW. Have to try to dig it up at the weekend. Graham

I beg to differ. While the VF-5000B wasn't in the mass-market version of the game, it was in the Japanese special edition version (AKA Tokyo Snack Version), which I'm lucky enough to own an original copy of. See: http://www.macrossworld.com/macross/news/_news_n034.htm Graham

AFAIK, I don't think there is a standard color, per se. I'd probably go with an overall greyish-white, with a cream nose cone, and blue stripes (or whatever color stripes are appropriate for the pilot). You can also check out these: - Model Graphix - scroll to September 1998 issue Hobby Japan - scroll to August 1998 issue. Dengeki Hobby - scroll to June 1999 issue (Max & Millia versions). Dengeki Hobby - scroll to October 1999 issue (2-tone grey splinter camo version). I definitely wouldn't use the Zolan-ish colors as standard for the 'B' model though. Graham

Also, as I mentioned previously, the same horned skull with dagger insignia is also on the top of the VF-25 No. SMS 001. Graham

Not really sure I buy the theory that VF development has slowed in the post Macross 7 era. We simple know too little at this point to be sure. Assuming that Macross F is set sometime between 2070 to 2075, that's only 25 to 30 years after the events of Macross 7. Potentially during this period, you could have the VF-23 & VF-24 as well as the confirmed VF-25 and VF-171. Who knows, perhaps other VB and VA have also been developed during this period, as well as other triple number designations for updates of older VFs, e.g. VF-19 becomes VF-191 and VF-22 becomes VF-221. Also, as somebody else mentioned earlier in this thread there may even be some new 4-digit Valks, such as a VF-6000 or VF-8000! That seems plenty of possibilities to fill a 25 to 30 year gap, especially considering the main UN VF seems to get replaced only roughly every 10 years. In 2045, the VF-19 and VF-22 were still not in widespread use yet. Heck if we go by the events in VF-X2, it seems they weren't really in widespread use even by 2050! Graham

While it's difficult to say with any great degree of certainty based just on the pics so far, but the VF-25 certianly looks long in fighter mode IMO. My gut feeling is that the VF-25 is a pretty big craft, probably similar in size to the YF-19 or VF-0. Graham

I seriously doubt we will see any Destroids in the new series. Despite the lower cost compared with VFs, the Destroid concept seems to have been pretty much a failure and scrapped sometime after Space War I. Destroids are just too lacking in both tactical and strategic mobility to be effective, especially against an enemy force armed with VFs, or comparable hi-manauever mecha such as the Q-Rau. The only Destroid we have seen in service after Space War I is the VB-6 Konig Monster and that is a variable type with the ability to fly by itself to and from the battlefield, which gives it a huge advanatge over the ealier Destroid Monster, which had extremely limited mobility. Graham

from what I understand, Kawamori is the designer of the VF-25 and I guess probably the VF-171 as well. The others mecha designers are handling everything else. Graham

Actually the VF-9 was a General Galaxy product (their first ever VF), while the VF-19 was from Shinsei Industries. Graham

Almost certainly NOT a trainer. All signs seem to indicate the VF-171 is the current main force Valk (AKA cannon Fodder), while the VF-25 is the new state of the art. Graham

VF-1A Hikaru is out early now here in Hong Kong. Will pick mine up tomorrow. Graham