Graham

The YF-19's and YF-21's FAST packs are definitely useful for the greater number of missles they allow the AVFs to carry. The YF-19 especially has a pretty limited missile load with just it's internal bays. The extra fuel in the shoulder packs will give longer range/persistence for space operations. Also, don't forget these were only prototype FAST Packs and perhaps not representative of the final production versions. It's interesting to note that in the opening movie for the Playstation game Macross Digital Mission VF-X, the VF-19A is shown launching with traditional style back mounted booster type FAST packs. And of course the VF-19F/S in Macross 7 also use space/atmosperic capable back mounted booster type FAST packs. Graham

This sort of thing really pisses me off you know. All you guys have seen is one low-res, low-detail CAD picture for a single day and already you are making polls about whether or not you will buy it based on bad QC. Friggin unbelievable!!!! For fu#@s sake, how can you make a decision based on the extremely limited information you have so far? Graham

Still waiting for the OK to publish what I've written. Graham

You are all assuming that Yamato will get the toy licence for M25. As far as I know, it's still not been decided or announced yet. From what I understand, the major sponsor has first rights of refusal. We could well end up with a situation where Bandai get the licence and then sit on it and do nothing, just to stop Yamato making money. Worst case scenario, but it could happen, given that Bandai has never really cared about or put much effort into Macross merchandising. Graham

I'll definitely do a review and the release date should now hopefully be mid-August. Graham

Not allowed to say anything, but I don't think I'll get in trouble if I say it's sleek and the landing gear works real well. Graham

No and no. Graham

Sorry guys, that list is definitely false. Lots of stuff coming that isn't even on that list and some stuff on that list that is definitely not coming. Graham

Stand by for the true skinny on the replacement parts. Graham

Need to see it first, especially the head sculpt. As we all know the VF-1S headsculpt is pretty difficult to do right and most manufacturers fail abysmally. Yamato 1/48 being the best so far IMO, with Yamato 1/60 and Toynami Super (un)Poseable being the worst. Still from the photos so far, I'm not terribly impressed by the VF-1J Revoltech. I know a lot of you seem to think that Revoltechs are the bees knees, but so far it looks only slightly better than a rubbery gashapon in the pics. But non-transforming battroid toys or model kits have never really floated my boat anyway. Graham

The cat is out of the bag (finally). The first CAD lineart scans of the upcoming Yamato 1/60 scale YF-21 are being shown in the new September issues of both Hobby Japan and Dengeki Hobby magazine. The same fighter mode plan view is shown in both magazines. Attached is a scan of the Hobby Japan article. Release is due for first quarter 2008. The CAD art actually tells very little. Trust me on this when I say it looks great. Graham

Pics from the new issue of Hobby Japan magazine. Graham

Still not sold on these, even with the latest color pics. But then again I'm not sold on Revoltechs in general. Graham

Err......I'm not the most knowledgable person about the Marvel universe, but isn't Nick Fury supposed to be white? Graham

So does this show have good mecha action/dogfights or not? Graham

Extra weapons. Both of the YF-19's leg FAST packs carry additional twin micro missile lanchers. The YF-21's belly FAST packs also both have an extra twin micro-missile launcher. Graham

The new hobby magazines should be out by next Monday, so hopefully they will feature some new pics. Graham

The Brutishdog has already been announced as the next release in the Bandai 1/20 Votoms plamodel line. I'm sure Bandai will milk the molds for all they're worth and we'll see many Scopedog variants. Graham

But the rear landing gear is not even supposed to go in the belly flaps, it's supposed to go in the wing roots. Now is probably a good time for the oft repeated Blade Runner quote. Graham

It has been for the past 7 years. Graham

I don't hate the VF-1, far from it. It's one of my all time favorite mecha designs and my Yamato 1/48 Hikaru VF-1S Strike Valk remains my all time favorite toy. It's just the market has been over-saturated with VF-1 toys in the past 5 years. I'd far rather see other VFs get the toy treatment. As for the RX-78, that's just fugly. Graham

Many products including a lot of toys do not include batteries. It's pretty common. Graham

The display stand, 2 x overwing boosters, 4 x micro missile pods and 2 x R-33D Amos missiles are all included, as I've mentioned quite a few times before. Graham

The release date is supposed to be 25th July, but this might get pushed back slightly. I'll have more firm news on Friday 20th as I have a meeting with Yamato then. Graham

Got 2 Fold Booster sets and 2 two YF-19 w/Fold Boster bundles so far and really happy with them all. Love the LEDs on the Fold Booster. Graham