Graham

Guys, The new July 2006 issue of Dengeki Hobby magazine and Hobby Japan magazine shows CAD lineart drawings of the upcoming Yamato 1/60 VF-0A head. From the information given, it looks like we can expect to see the VF-0A released in August. Not sure if the articles mention whether the toy will be the Cannon Fodder (brownish-grey) version or Shin's (blue & white) version, but I'm betting on the Cannon Fodder coming first. Enjoy. Click on pics to enlarge Graham

There's a great 3 page article on the Yamato Garland in the new July issue of Dengeki Hobby magazine. I'l get it scanned in tomorrow for you all to see. Graham

I've never really paid much attention to Toynami 1/55 FPs before. I didn't know that their leg FPs had removeable covers like the Yamato 1/48 FPs. So which came first, Toynami 1/55 FPs or Yamato 1/48FPs? Graham

Avoid the 1/60 GBP like the plague. IMO, it's the most disappointing addition to the 1/60 line that Yamato made. As others have mentioned, the front groin armor falls off if you even look at it wrong and the legs constantly fall off, as adding the armor means the hip joint pegs cannot fit deep enough to stay in. Plus the missiles are non-removeable, the sculpt is lacking detail, the proportions are a bit off and the Valk with armor has balance issues. If you want a good GBP, buy the excellent Yamato 1/48 version, or if you are a 1/55 fan track down the old Takatoku version on ebay, anything but the Yamato 1/60 version. As much as I love Yamato toys in general and am a big admirer of their efforts in bringing us a wide range of quality Macross toys, there are two products of theirs I cannot stand, the 1/60 GBP and the 1/72 YF-21FP. Graham

Not to burst your bubble, but this is only about the three hundred and fifty first time that somebody has posted a thread on these Lego valkyries. Graham

Actually, you have got the order wrong. The factory finishes the production run and then the toys are shipped out from the factory and from there make their way to the retail stores, usually through a chain of wholesalers and distributors to the retail stores where they are bought by you, the customer. So by the time the toy is 'released', it's technically already out of production, or at least that producton run is over. Yamato production runs are not that high quantity. Remember, these are high-end collectors grade figures, with a limited customer base, not cheap mass-market toys that you get with a Happy Meal that are produced in the millions. So basically, the toys are not kept in continuous production and as I mentioned above, by the time the toy hits the store shelves, the factory has already moved on and is producing something else. Whether Yamato reissues toys, i.e. asks the factory to create another production run, basically depends on whether the toy sold well and whether they get enough orders for a second production run. As to whether you should buy a 1/48 GBP or 1/60 VF-0S, that really depends on which one you like best. The GBP initially sold out very fast, but most shops (at least the ones where I live) do have stock again. The VF-0S sold out very quickly, but a second batch is supposed to be on the way next month. Graham

But playing as a Knight is a wussy way, I mean no downing damaged enemy that are bugging out and no blowing up all the yellow targets. Graham

Skull CG looks bad in those pics, very bad. Graham

Altitude effect on speed would be interesting, as would the effect of weapons load on speed and handling. Graham

The only real QC issue I had on the 3 Alphas I own was an extremley warped neck piece on the Shadow. Graham

A few things I'd like to see in the next Ace Combat game:- 1) More realistic speeds. In AC5, I had the A-10 up to 800kts (or whatever the unit of speed measurement is). Just a tad unrealistic me thinks. 2) For those real-world planes which use helmet mounted sights and can make off-boresight missile shots, I'd like to see this ability added. In game terms this could work by allowing you to lock on to an enemy plane that is anywhere on screen (rather than just in the HUD as at present) with your basic missiles, as long as it is in range. 3) Add a mission builder. I've been saying this for years. Having the ability to create your own missions, by choosing terrain, number and type of enemy, time limit etc would greatly increase the long-term playability of the game. 4) Slightly increase the range of weapons, especially the basic missiles and guns. They are too short ranged IMO. 5) Add the ability to create your own unique color scheme for your planes. 6) Most planes have a sufficient number of hardpoints that they should be able to carry 2 different types of special weapons. Although, the quantity of each should be less than if only 1 type of special weapon is carried. 7) I'd like to see planes with chaff, flares and perhaps towed decoys (for those real world planes that have them). Of course the number of these counter-measures should be finite. On the fence about having fuel. IIRC, didn't AC1 have fuel? Graham

Warning, if this thread degenerates into discussing whether Routh or Reeves has the bigger bulge, then it's definitely getting locked. Graham

Even though I love the Ace Combat games, I usually only play through them once and then perhaps repeat a few specific missions that I enjoyed. I have little interest in unlocking every plane, especially the fictional ones. As long as I get the Typhoon, Tornado, A-10 and Gripen I'm happy! Neither do I have any interest in winning every medal or getting an S grade on every mission. I'm just not that hard core a player I guess Still, I'm enjoying AC0 so much, I may just play through it twice. Graham

Yeah, I have AC5 saved on the same memory stick. Typhoon should realistically be more capable than the F-16C and 99% of other real planes as well, with the exception of the F-22. Looking forward to getting to fly the Gripen in AC0 as well as I liked it in AC5. I generally prefer to play Euro planes rather than US (or Russian) planes, with the exception of the A-10 or occasionally the F-22. Graham

Yep, Hikaru VF-1S has to have FAST Packs. Graham

Although I'm playing the Japanese version, I've been using this FAQ, which is based on the US version as differences are usually minimal between US and Japanese versions, but it seems like some (but not all) planes are unlocked differently. The FAQ above mentions that you get the F-16C after completing mission 4. Well, I'm on mission 13 and still don't have the F-16C available to buy. Not that I care, as I use the Typhoon pretty much exclusively. Another difference is that the FAQ mentions that you have to complete the campagn twice to unlock the X-02 Wyvern. In the Japanese version, it unlocked on mission 2 IIRC, although of course after only two mission there was no way I could afford to buy it. Graham

No it's not out yet. And yes the official release date is still 5/30. Graham

This question is supposed to be a joke, right? Graham

Moved. No Trannies in the Macross toy forum please. Graham

Here's a more detailed breakdown of my 1/48 collection: - 1/48 VF-1A Hikaru = 4pcs. 1/48 VF-1A Max = 2pcs. 1/48 VF-1A Kakizaki DYRL Custom = 1pc. 1/48 VF-1A Cannon Fodder = 2pcs. 1/48 VF-1A Low Vis = 2pcs. 1/48 VF-1A Low Vis 2 = 1pc. 1/48 VF-1J Super Hikaru = 1pc. 1/48 VF-1J Hikaru = 1pc. 1/48 VF-1J Super Max = 1pc. 1/48 VF-1J Super Milia = 1pc. 1/48 VF-1J Super Stealth = 2pcs. 1/48 VF-1S Focker = 2pcs. 1/48 VF-1S Hikaru = 3pcs. 1/48 GBP Armor = 2pcs. 1/48 FAST Pack Set = 9pcs. And the other stuff: - 1/60 Millia Q-Rau = 2pcs. 1/60 Max Q-Rau = 1pcs. 1/60 VF-0S = 3pcs. 1/100 Konig Monster = 2pcs. Still have to do an accurate check on the exact number of 1/72 Macross Plus and 1/60 VF-1 toys. Graham

Does the US version of the game have English subtitles or not? Reason I'm asking is that I have the Japanese version. While the audio on the Japanese version is all in English, the subtitles are in Japanese. My problem is that I can only play at night after my son goes to sleep and I have to keep the volume down low so as not to wake him, which means I don't get to hear what's being said. If the US version has English subs, I might bite the bullet and order it. Graham

It was released here in Hong Kong at the end of last week. Graham

Good question. I'll compare them when I get home and let you know. Graham

Nope, sorry the antenna is white. Graham

The middle shot with the sky background is great. Now if only the stand could be edited out. Graham