Graham

I poo on PVC. Graham

Hee, just got mine. Graham

Just to make it 100% clear, in none of the three modes (Fighter, Battroid or GERWALK) is the flap at the bottom of the backpack supposed to fold up.. This is where the VF-0 design differs from the VF-1. Illustration 4 on page 6, shows that you are supposed to fold the whole backpack up and over into the GERWALK mode position, NOT fold the flap.. DON'T TOUCH THAT FLAP!!!! Of course if you try to fold something which is not supposed to fold, it will break. This is more a case of not understanding the instuctions, rather than any defect with the toy. Graham

The VF-0S's GPU-9 35mm gun pod is supposed to be bigger than the VF-1's GU-11 55mm gunpod. While the GPU-9 is a smaller caliber, 35mm as opposed to the VF-1's 55mm gunpod, it holds much more ammunition. The VF-0S's 35mm GPU-9 gunpod holds 550 rounds, while the VF-1's GU-11 55mm gunpod only holds 200 rounds. Graham

Wow, the more I see of this, the more I like it. Definitely prefer it to the Stealth. Graham

Another minor issue with my super stealth is that while the AMM-1 missiles fit nice and securely on the wings, the UUM-7 micro-missile pods are quite loose on two of the wing attachment points. So loose that the slightest touch will cause them to fall off. This is the first time I've had this problem on any of my 1/48s. Usually, the UUM-7s are nice and tight. Haven't tested the fit of the RMS-1 reaction missiles yet. Graham

Up to mission 8 now, the one with the big laser that zaps you from the sky. Definitely enjoying AC0 more than AC5. Thought mission 7 was fantastic fun. While IMO the missions in 0 are a bit harder overall than the missions in 5, I find them harder in a challenging (and enjoyable way), rather than just being annoying and poorly thought out, as several of the missions in 5 were. I actually prefer that there is less story between missions in 0 compared with 5. Graham

Played through the first 3 missions of AC0 last night. Defineitly like it more than AC5 so far. One thing I've noticed is shooting down bombers seems a bit easier and more realistic in AC0 compared to 5. In 5, you have to hit them with at least half a dozen missiles, in 0, one or two hits and they are down. Also, like that you can buy different special weapons for each plane. I'm Mercenary all the way baby! If it runs it's meat! Graham

Picked up a Super Stealth yesterday. I threw away the box before I even got it home, just so they wife couldn't complain about large and expensive toys! Gotta say I have a few minor issues with mine so far: - 1) Both flaps come off very easily. I haven't had a 1/48 VF1 where the flaps can get knocked off this easily since the gen 1 Hikaru VF-1A. 2) The hole in the gunpod handle is very tight, making it even more difficult to attach in fighter mode than the VF-0S's gunpod. 3) When in the open position, the airbrake alls falls off very easily. 4) The nosecone is a very tight fit. In fact, I can't get it to sit all the way back, so there is a noticible gap between the nosecone and the forward fuselage. Haven't checked the FAST Packs yet. Graham

I've found that while the hole in the gunpod grip is on the tight side, it will still fit, with a little bit of force, at least on my 2. I haven't bothered to do any filing. Graham

Goldern Arms, Could you post a pic of the hinge you mention, as I'm really not sure what part you are talking about. I took a look at the VF-0S backpack last night to figure it out, but could only find one hinge which looks pretty big and solid and not fragile looking at all. Not doubting your word, I'm just honestly not sure what part you mean. Graham

If you can do it blinfolded, using only one hand in under a minute, while suspended upsidedown in a tank of water, then you know you are a master. Graham

So you tried to fold a part that isn't supposed to fold then Graham

So I guess Boba's been hitting the gym then! Somebody should tell him it's no use, muscles are no defence against a blind man with a stick. Graham

I have tried and tried, as have others but to no avail. As well as Tenjin, other artists I've suggested to them for Macross toy box art are Yoshiyuki Takani and Yuji Kaida. Anybody who doesn't know who these two fine artist are and their previous contribution to Macross box art, shame on you for calling yourself a Macross fan. Graham

AFAIK, the 2006 Shizuoka Hobby Shows runs from May 18th to May 21st. Any of our Japan-based members planning to go? If yes, please take a camera and get as many pics as possible of any Macross goodies on display. Graham

That's the best and most accurate description I've read so far regarding the VF-0S's swivel joints. The way some of the people here have described the toy, you'd think it was a big floppy mess, that can't stand by itself or hold any sort of pose, which is simply not correct. Graham

The superior proportions of the VF-0S Battroid are actually starting to make me go off the 1/48 VF-1 a little. The 1/48 VF-1's overly long nosecone and biceps in battroid mode seem even more noticable now. Graham.

BTW, the Garland's box art is by Tenjin. Graham

Here's a few quick pics that I took this morning of my second VF-0S, while getting ready to go to work. It has nice tight joints and no trouble holding whatever pose I put it into. Clicky to enlarge. I love this toy. Graham

Just finished AC5 last night (a little disappointing IMO). Will be starting AC Zero over the weekend. How many missions do I have to fly before I get the Typhoon? Graham

I absolutely love the look of the Fighter mode, not so keen on how it looks in Battroid though. And 'ya would think by now that Yamato would know how to do a better GERWALK pose for their publicity photos. And somebody really needs to make up some 1/48 scale MK82 bombs to hang on the wings of this. Oh & I love the green gunpod, although I notice whoever posed the toy for the pics forgot to open the stock in battroid mode! Graham

I find the front landing gear on the VF-0S is much easier to get out compared to the 1/48 VF-1. On the VF-0S, you can pull on the plastic tow-bar to get the front landing gear out and not have to worry about it coming off like you do on the 1/48's tow-bar. I admit that the VF-0S's rear landing gear is a little difficult to get out, but I can manage it without tools, as long as my fingernails are not trimmed all the way down. I do have fairly slim fingers though. Graham

I'd say transform them as much and as often as you like. There is nothing to fear. Graham

It's incorrect to say that Britain keeps getting different Tranches. So far only the Tranche 1 aircraft are in production and service with UK and the other partner nation countries. Tranche 1 planes are primarily configured for the A2A role and cleared for use with existing conventional weapons such as AMRAAM and Sidewinder. Production of Tranche 2 aircraft hasn't started yet. Heck, IIRC they keep changing their minds about what upgrades are going to go into the Tranche 2 planes. Plus, it's highly dependant on funding. From what I remember Tranche 2 planes are supposed to get full A2G capability (the Eurofighter once fully developed will be an extremely capable multi-role plane), intergration with a greater range of advanced A2A & A2G weapons coming soon, such as the Meteor BVR missiles, which should kick AMRAAMs ass, and possibly an AESA radar as well. Tranche 3 funding and development is up in the air right now, but is supposed to cover advanced upgrades such as thrust vectoring (doesn't really need it IMO). Tranche is the French word for 'Slice' and simply referes in this case to the three planned development stages of the Typhoon. As to why development of the Eurofighters capabilities doesn't happen faster, it all comes down to politics and funding. Graham