Graham

Differences seem to be: - Completely new nose. Uses the canopy from a YF-19. No thrust vectoring padddles. New hardpoints under the wings. The YF-21/VF-22's 4 x dorsal micro-missile launchers have been deleted. Two additional tail surfaces (from an F/A-22?) added. Graham

Need to see a pic, but it sounds like it could be the legit one. IIRC, there were 3 colors released, black, red and tan, each with a slightly different picture. I have the black and tan ones. Graham

Seems to me that compared to the 1980s or 1990s there are fewer and fewer anime artbooks being published these days, unless your name is 'Gundam SEED', which has like 30 gazillion artbooks out already . The lesser known TV series or OVAs don't seem to be getting no artbook love anymore. Gone are the happy days of the TIAS books, B-Club Entertainment Bibles and 100% New Type Collections Graham

Just wondering is the Battlestar Galactica PS2 game worth buying? I've read a few reviews that say it's quite difficult and the frustration level is high. I saw it selling on amazon for around US$20, so I'm thinking of getting it, as I like flying games like the Ace Combat series and I like Galactica. However, I hate games with a high frustartioon factor as they raise my blood pressure, cause me to fly into a rage and hurl my gamepad at the wall . Comments/opinions please. Graham

Wow, definitely have to see if I can track that down that issue. Graham

Still not sure that I buy the theory that the Galactica is supposed to looked ribbed. The fact that there is hull plating at seeming random areas covering the ribs leads me to think that some of the plating has been removed for the decomissioning process. And if the ribs are supposed to absorb more damage, then surely having armor plating over the ribs would add even more protection. Graham

Wow, just saw the Summer 2004 Wonder Festival report on the Japanese IT Media site and it looks like there are going to be some Battlestar Galactica original series trading figures made. See: - Viper Cylon Raider Battlestar Basestar Cylon Not sure whose making these, I would guess either Konami or Takara? No idea of price or release date either. Graham

Oh wow you guys are correct, it does look like Chirico has man-boobs. Hey Chirico, better lay off those estrogen injections! As for the Scopedog it looks great, but I think I'm going to hold off on the basic ATM-09 model and wait for the inevitable Red Shoulder Custom wth all the extra weapons, or perhaps if we are really lucky Yamato will release a Scope Dog Turbo Custom! Picture from the Japanese hobby mags show that this toy will have removeable armor panels on the legs, arms and body to show the detail underneath, just like Bandai PG models. For those of you complaining about lack of articulation, well given the limitations of Okawara's basic design, there is only so much articulation that you can add anyway. Graham

Yeah, we've already got a Destiny thread running here, so let's keep all Destiny related stuff to one thread please. Graham

Both the VF-0 and SV-51 have active (not passive) stealth capabilities. Graham

No news yet of any art book. Hopefully one will be announced after episode # 5 has been released. Graham

I heard it was 10 Graham

Gobots were a competing toy line and I think a short-lived cartoon also. The toys were basically similar to Transformers but with even less articulation. Graham

So when's the red one supposed to be released then? It'll be interesting to see if they make any improvements and also if any toy stores are still willing to carry it. Graham

Yeah, I remember the noise the Vipers made launching was very loud and really impressed me when I saw the theatrical release of the first Battlestar Galactica movie back in UK in 1978. Graham

If all you are used to is the 1/55 and 1/48 and you are a 1/60 virgin, then yes her legs will seem floppy at first . Graham

And as somebody else mentioned, I would imagine this contest is only open to residents of Japan. I would guess you would have to be a resident anyway to get one of those Macross credit cards? Graham

There were drums? Have to watch (and listen) again! Graham

No, I think he is talking about Godzilla's signature. Graham

Please tell me that is a joke. Graahm (Damn it, got me so upset I can't even spell my name right)!

I ordered it from amazon.co.uk. Where possible, I always order from them as the shipping to Hong Kong is usually cheaper and faster than ordering from the US parent company amazon.com. Graham

Nope, that's not it. That's a YF-19 or VF-19A with what looks like a Sound Booster unit. Graham

See page 124 of Macross Design Works book. Or see it on MAHQ. You can see the VF-19S/F with FAST Packs in action during episodes # 44, 48 & maybe 49 of Macross 7 IIRC. Graham

OK, so I know I'm extremely late to the ball game , but I finally got around to seeing the Battlestar Galactica remake yesterday. I had to order the DVD from amazon as it never aired on the craptastic Hong Kong TV channels. I have to say I really enjoyed the remake. The was some stuff I liked and some stuff I didn't, but overall it impressed more than any other US sci-fi tv series or mini-series made in the last decade and left me looking forward to seeing more. Although I liked the original Battlestar Galactica, I'm not a hard-core fan, so was able to approach the remake without any expectations or other mental baggage. Here's a few comments on the remake: - I thought the use of vernier jets for maneuvering in space was great and loved the dogfights. Couldn't believe that James Edward Olmos looked so old. I'll always remember him best as the extremely cool Lt. Castillo from Miami Vice, so it was a bit of a shock seeing how badly he'd aged. Liked the look of the Viper MK.II, but not so much the MK.VII, glad they all got wasted. Liked the new Cylon fighters, but agree that they did look a bit too much like the Droid fighters from Phantom Menace. Wasn't bothered by the change in Starbuck's sex as many were and thought the actress they chose was quite good for the part, but she still needs to grow into the role a bit more to be convincing as a cigar smoking, loud mouth, ace pilot. Wasn't too keen on the actor they chose for Apollo. No real charisma and wooden acting. And don't the producers know that male sci-fi fighter pilots are supposed to have mullets? That's like an unwritten rule of hollywood sci-fi shows . With all those ribs showing, the Galactica looked like it had been stripped of most of it's hull plating. Was that intentional (part of the decomissioning?) or was it supposed to look like that normally? The theme music from the original series was far better. To this day I love the music from the original show, but the remake had no memorable music. At least a day after watching it I don't remember any of the music. Was there any music? Liked that the Viper pilots actually wore spacesuits when flying, but didn't like their normal unisex spandex gym type clothes. Uniforms on original Galactica were far cooler. Don't the producers know that fighter pilots should have cool flight jackets Graham

Thanks for posting the pic EXO. Wow, that does look like it's just a small trading figure with nearly no articulation. I wonder if the name 'Collect 500' implies that these are going to cost ¥500 each. Graham