Graham

I'll second that. The earlier 'Shoji Kawamori Macross Design Works' book, published by Movic is a must have for Macross fans. Graham

Who cares about Mobile Suits. Variable Fighters are where it's at. I'd much rather see countries fighting each other with VF-0 & SV-51 Graham

The Stardust Memory black and white lineart occupies pages 116-119 and consists of the the finished design drawings of the GP-01, GP-01FB, GP-02, Core Fighters for the GP-01 & GP-01FB and the Albion spaceship. There is no color art and no early concept art. All of this art has appeared in various other Stardust Memory art books before. Graham

One negative point regarding the FAST Packs on the VF-1 and VF-11 is that they really limit the pilots rearward visibility. Graham

Well, if HG American Battlepods are anything like American cars in Hollywood movies, they probably explode into huge fireballs at the slightest bump. Graham

I like most VF's with and without FAST Packs, no real preference either way. The one exception would be that I'm not really keen on the Ghost Booster on a VF-0 though. I think the VF-0 looks much better without it. Graham

You're right, I'd forgotten about the VT-1 that get's stolen at the start of episode 1. Back on topic. Graham

Yes, the Zola Galactic Whale Patrol were using the VF-5000G (single seat) and VF-5000T-G (two seater), although they also have one new VF-19P, which Basara ends up borrowing. The Galactic Whale Poachers (the bad guys) where mainly using the VA-3C Custom, a version of the VA-3 modified for hunting Galactic Whales. Although they did have other types of VF as well. Notably, a VF-11 can be seen chasing Lisa (elder sister of Elma) when she escapes in the stolen VF-17D in episode # 3. A civilian version of the VT-1, called the VT-1C belonging to my namesake character 'Graham' and was borrowed by Basara in episode one and then them badly damaged (rendered unflyable) when Basara flew to close to the Galactic Whales. And yes, back on topic please. Graham

That picture is Tenjin's boxart for the upcoming Hasegawa 1/72 scale VF-0S/A battroid kit due for release later this month. I got the picture from the Hasegawa website. It's also been posted in the MW model forums. Unfortunately, that is the largest size I have been able to find so far. Back on topic to the book please. Graham

Wow, huge exit wound from the 55mm round! Graham

Whether a VF can continue in controlled flight in fighter mode in either atmosphere or space with the loss of one or both arms is going to vary greatly depending on individual VF design, whether one arm is lost or both and whether losing the arms contributes to the loss of either critical atmospheric contol surfaces or verniers for maneuvering in space. For the VF-1, VF-0, VF-11 and YF/VF-19, the arms are tucked out of the way between the legs in fighter mode and do not contribute at all to the ability to maneuver in atmosphere or space, so lossing one or both arms shouldn't affect things too greatly, assuming the VF can cope with any change to it's center of gravity. However, for VFs like the SV-51, VF-4, VF-5000, VF-17, YF-21 & VF-22, that feature vertical tail surfaces and/or verniers on the forearms or sholders, loss of an arm or arms could have a much more negative affect on flight. Although as mentioned above, we do know that the YF-21 and presumably the VF-22 as well, has the ability to eject damaged arms (and legs) and rely soley on it's thrust vectoring paddles. Graham

The Macross Compendium has the following to say about the VF-5000 Star Mirage: - "Shinnakasu Heavy Industry and Stonewell Bellcom began their joint project of a general-purpose lightweight air superiority fighter designed for comparatively low mass production cost and simple maintenance in 2011. The design was based on the VF-1 Valkyrie's design with research on Zentradi technology. When the aerospace development divisions of both companies merged to form Shinsei Industry in 2012, the VF-5000 became the new company's first development project and mass-produced fighter. The fighter was mainly designed as a general-purpose lightweight support and air superiority fighter, and its roles expanded to include aggressor and trainer assignments after mass production ended. First flight 2018. Mass production of VF-5000 started 2020. Assumed the United Nations Forces' main fighter designation from the VF-4 (due to its lower costs) beginning in the later half of the 2020s until the VF-11 Thunderbolt's introduction. Mass production ends in 2029". The VF-5000 Star Mirage appears in the following productions: - Macross M3 for Dreamcast (VF-5000). Takes place during the years 2013 to 2030. Macross VF-X2 Special Edition for Playstation (VF-5000B). Takes place during the year 2051. Macross Dynamite 7 OVA (VF-5000G and VF-5000T-G). Takes place during the year 2047. Graham

Ah, I didn't realise that. I thought he was the mecha designer for Escaflowne. Graham

Haven't heard anything. Anyway, I don't mind posting two reviews. Graham

Yes they do. I ordered mine from Amazon Japan and have also ordered many things from them before. You can't use your regular Amazon password/account with them though, you have to register seperately. Make sure you click on the blue "In English" button when browsing or ordering, makes ordering a lot simpler if like me you don't read Japanese. Graham

I've added a page on the new Shoji Kawamori Design Works book to the main site, complete with a mini-review and sample page scans. You can read it here. May added a few more page scans later if I have time. Graham

Do you guys like never bother to check the main site? There's a page on the Macross PS2 book by Soft Bank here. Graham

The only enemy mecha that Yamato has made so far is the 1/60 Q-Rau in both Max & Millia DYRL colors. Bandai, K&M and Tomy have all released small gashapon type enemy mecha figures in the last few years. These are actually not too bad if you can track them down. Both the Bandai and K&M Regults were very nice, although obviously way smaller than the Yamato toys. Graham

Got my copies yesterday. Will have pics and a mini-review up on the main site later today. Graham

I only have one 1/40 scale Drifand Orguss in fantastic condition that Blackaces help find for me a couple of years ago. Still in it's box, haven't had time to take it out and transfom it yet. May end up selling it on evilbay. Graham

I've watched and owned a lot of anime in the past 20 years, but Macross and all it's sequels (especially DYRL, Plus & 7) will always be the number one anime franchise for me. The story, mecha designs, fight scenes, characters, background music and songs all seem to gel together for me much better than in any other anime. I generally tend to watch mecha anime over other genres and prefer anime with a more serious tone to it. That's not to say I don't watch other types of anime, I do, but 'Real Robot' type mecha anime will always my favourite. Here's a list of my non-Macross personal all-time favorites: - Blue Gender, TV series. Bubble Gum Crisis OVA. Megazone 23 Part 1, Movie. Borgman, TV Sevies. AD Police, OVA. Beserk, TV series. Wicked City, Movie. Jin-Roh, Movie. Perfect Blue, Movie. Char's Counter Attack, Movie. 0080 War in the Pocket OVA. 08th MS Team, OVA. Laputa, Movie. Nausica, Movie. Guyver, OVA. Ledgend of the Galactic Heros, TV series. Akira, Movie. Combatter V, TV series (the only super robot anime I like). A few animes that nearly, but don't quite make my all-time favourites list include: - Orguss, TV Series. Mospeada, TV series. Gall Force (various OVAs). VOTOMS, TV series. While I've also enjoyed other more recent hit series such as GITS SAC 1 & 2 & Cowboy Bebop I wouldn't count them amongst my favorites. Certain fan-favourites that seem to be popular with the masses, such as Evangelion & Zeta Gundam, I think are way over-rated. Graham

Had to unlock this topic to reply. I'm not Chinese but my wife is, and she eats anything she wants for breakfast, but usually either toast, serial, fruit, or sometimes noodles. Or if we go out for breakfast, McDonalds or sometimes Dim Sum. Or as Arnold said in Commando "I eat Green Berets for Breakfast". Graham

Got an email notice from amazon.co.jp that my copy shipped by DHL on the weekend. Graham

I was watching an episode of CSI last night, where they found traces of semen on two door knobs. I guess A1 has gone to Hollywood then Graham

Mari Ijima chained up in my basement. Graham