Graham

Another pic of the VF-22S with different lighting. Graham

Here's some photos of my Hasegawa Macross models. I paid to have these built, as I can't paint for toffee I asked for all of them to be built 'wheels up', as I think Valks look much better in flight. First up, Max's VF-22S from Macross 7. Graham

One wierd thing about the Full Armor RX-78 MSiA, is that the foot armor is not removeable, it's just molded onto the foot. All the other armor pieces can be removed, but not the foot armor. So if you do take off the armor, you end up with an RX-78 with big looking feet. Oh, and the new September issue of Dengeki Hobby magazine shows that Bandai are working on an all new sculpt of the GP-01 with a removeable core fighter. Graham

Try Mari's official site: www.marimusic.com Mari has quite a lot of English songs, but I still prefer her singing in Japanese. Graham

The mecha scenes in 3D VF-X looked pretty damn good as well and looked as if they were made by the same company and at the same time as the VF-X2 game intro movie. IIRC, I think there was some shared footage. Graham

Thankfully, HK is a very safe city and we have very few crimes involving firearms. There are probably only a couple of armed bank or jewellery store robberies a year here and a lot of the time the bad guys are carrying imitation (airsoft) firearms, not the real thing. It's not particulaly difficult or expensive for criminals to get fireams if they want them, as stolen PLA (Chinese Army) firearms can be smuggled across the border from mainland China pretty easily and bought cheaply. However, it's pretty rare for Triad gangs to use firearms here. Don't believe everything you see in HK movies Triads are businessmen, with their main businesses being pirating movies and software, prostitution and smuggling. Having mass shootouts in the streets is bad for business. However, back in the early 1990s, we did have quite a few big shootouts in the streets with ex-military criminal gangs using AK-47 rifles coming from mainland China to perform bank robberies in HK. Thankfully that doesn't happen these days. In HK you can walk pretty much anywhere you want at anytime of the day or night wihout fear. Although there have recently been quite a few cases of poor mainland immigrants robbing hikers in country parks. Of course we do have crime just like every other country, but according to the annual police report just released crime is down 7.5% from last year (read story here), except I think for the number of pickpocketing cases and rapes which are slightly higher. Graham

Yeah, somebody go bang on his cage with a big stick Graham

I'd hardly call M7 a failure. While it may not be a fan favorite of mecha fans like Macross Plus, it does have a large hardcore fan base. When Macross 7 first aired on TV in Japan (1994-95), merchandise sales, which are a good indicator of a shows popularity were pretty stong, expecially the CD sales, which were very high by all accounts. And compared with many non-Gundam mecha shows, there was also quite a large number of toys (12), plastic models (9) and many garage kits produced. While the number of toys and models can't compare to Gundam, it does compare very favorably to other contemporary mecha shows like Escaflowne, Nadesco & Gasaraki. Also, for a while both Mylene and Basara were ranked very highly in the Newtype magazine readers poll of favorite characters. I'd have to dig out my old issues, but IIRC, for a while the may have even held 1st place and were definitely in the top 3! Also, since Macross 7 finished it's run on TV, it has been released at least twice on LD incluing a boxed set and been released on official R2 DVD at least once as well. Unpopular shows don't get that many releases. Also, a show which is a 'failure' would be cancelled before running it's full term (cough, cough Gundam X), not to mention having an additional 3 episodes released as an OVA and a 4 part sequel (D7) released. No, I think it's safe to say that Macross 7 was not a failure! Graham

I haven't heard about 'things getting in the way'. The rumor I did hear was that the CG character designs, which IIRC were first shown in an issue of New Type magazine received a lot of negative comments and so the project was cancelled. Perhaps Egan Loo can clear up this matter for us. Personally, I liked what I saw of 3D VFX on the 20th Anniversery DVD and would have liked to see it completed. Graham

Unfortunately, the TV animation is not consistant in its depiction of the colors of Max & Milia's FAST packs and IIRC, the colors change a few times in the episodes where the FAST packs are shown. Yamato will have asked Big West what are the correct colors, so it can be understood that the Yamato colors are official. Graham

That diorama is from an old issue of Hobby Japan. I used to have that issue, but unfortunately, no longer keep it as due to space limitations I only save the Macross pages from my hobby magazines these days and junk the rest of the magazine. Graham

The shoulder weapon, actually predates the design of the Strike Valk cannon by 5 years. On the blister packing of the US version of the Kaiyodo Powered Suit action figure toy, the shoulder weapon is described thus: "Rail Gun Launcher discharges missiles using magnetism, and smashes enemy fortresses". Graham

I've had the anime on VCD for about 5 years, no English subs though I actually first watched it on rental LD about 12 years ago. The Powered Suit designs are gorgeous (of course as they are by Studio Nue) and the anime sticks fairly closely to the book. However, there are no Skinnies, Johnny is blond and the bugs are not really bugs, but wierd, energy spewing beings. Also, apart from a few training scenes there is not much combat, except for the last episode. It's worth watching just to see the action in the final episode though. Graham

Nope, they are supposed to be colored. Graham

Shall pass on this. Not into cutey comedy anime at all. Graham

While it's true I did coin the term 'Chunky Monkey' in reference to the 1/55, it was always meant with affection After all, I've owned 1/55 toys for 13 years now. I wouldn't keep them that long if I didn't like them. However, I still consider the 1/55 to have a very inaccurate sculpt compared to both the 1/60 and 1/48. Also the 1/55 is fairly limited in it's articulation and poseabilty, especially compared to the 1/48. However, despite these drawbacks I still consider the 1/55 a good toy, and for it's time (early 1980s') it was a great toy. IIRC I coined the term 'Chunky Monkey' when Yamato first released the 1/60 VF-1A Hikaru toy. Initially I was wowed by the more accurate-to-lineart sculpt of the 1/60 and it's wider range of poses. However, the various well documented problems with the 1/60, especially the loose hip joints and stability issues, as well as the coming of the far superior 1/48 have left me somewhat jaded as to the 1/60. If asked now as to which I'd buy if given the choice, a 1/55 or 1/60, I'd probably have to think very carefully before deciding. Of course, the 1/48 is king and rules all, so I don't need to think about buying anymore 1/55 or 1/60 Even though my 1/55 toys are all in storage now and no longer have a place in my display cabinet (apart from a single solitary DYRL VF-1A Hikaru reissue), they will always have a special place in my heart. In fact I'm saving the Bandai reissues for my son, for when he is old enough for his first Valks. Graham

Huh. Well, where does that rumour come from, then? The Macross Compendium has a list of animes on which kawamori has worked in various capacities. See it here. Dorvack is not mentioned, but then again the Compendium's list may not be complete. Graham

Too true. AFDS started off fun, but after a while the missions just got ridiculously frustrating. Not good for the old blood pressure, let me tell you Before I gave up playing I was getting to the stage where I was shouting and swearing at the game and throwing my PS2 controller on the floor in frustration. I sorta figured it was time to give up then move onto something else Graham

Kawamori did design a Transformer. It's called Jetfire. Ha dee ha ha That's not even funny. Even after all these years, I'm still pissed that our beloved 1/55 VF-1 was made into a Trannie. Is nothing sacred Graham

You could probably kill a boar with a sharpened stick but that doesn't make it a good idea. The 10mm sounds like the best idea yet. I shot clean through an old refrigerator with my S&W 1006 and when I opened the fridge there was an old enging block inside. .40S&W may also be something to consider. You have a 1006? Oh you lucky guy. I love the S&W large frame 5" 45/10mm autos (645, 745, 945, 4506, 1006). I've always wanted to try a 1006, but have never had the chance. My very first 45 pistol was the two-tone 745, totally reliable and great trigger and sights. I'm still pissed at S&W for dropping the 5" 4506 and 945 Graham

I'm not a big fan of the H&K MK23, IMO it's really just too big for what it is. I admit I've only fired a single magazine through one, but I found the grip too blocky and the gun was just too large and didn't point well at all for me. The beavertail is also too square (H&K should have rounded the corners) and it makes disengaging the safety a little uncomfortable, at least for me. The MK23 would really benefit from a size reduction. If you really must get an H&K 45 pistol, I'd go with the full size 45 USP. Very reliable, much less bulky and points better than the MK23 as well. I'd recomend the variant without the decock function though if you carry cocked n' locked as I've seen several shooters who do carry cocked n' locked sweep the safety down too far on a speed draw and go into decock, instead of fire. Result = gun don't go bang and you have to waste half a second to let the safety/decock lever go back to fire position and then fire from double action. Seen the same thing happen to shooters of the Taurus PT-92 series autos who carry cocked n' locked as well. Of course, I still recommend a G21. Points better than any H&K, less muzzle flip due to lower bore axis and with hi-cap mags you get one more round than the MK23/USP.45. Completely OT, but my R1 Sledge Hammer, season 1 DVD box set just arrived from Amazon.......Yee ha! Can't wait to get home and pop it in the DVD player "Trust me, I know what I'm doing". Graham

I'd actually like to see Kawamori design a Transformer. Bet you wouldn't have doors and all that other crap hanging off the bot mode then . Graham

I'll admit that the BT toys look good in vehicle mode, but I still think that the bot modes looks a mess. If I was ever going to buy a TF toy, the only one I'd ever consider buying would be the 20th Anniversary Optimus, as not only is it well articulated, but it actually looks accurate and good in both modes. It's actually the only TF toy that I've seen that I think does look good in both modes. Plus it has none of that ugly neon plastic weapons that so many TF toys have. Graham

I've seen this thing in person at the recent HK Toy Fare........Trust me you don't want pictures Actually, it's not too bad. Transformer fans will probably like it, as the design principal, quality etc seems similar, but it can't compare to a Macross Variable Fighter. Graham

I'd have to completely disagree with you that civilians owning a gun for home protection or defence is practically useless. However, proper training, the correct mindset, a lot of practice, not to mention a good dolop of common sense and a cool head is recommended as well. I'm a big supporter of civilian gun ownership, but I do feel that mandatory training is a must and should be fairly comprehensive, as I've seen too many examples of extremely unsafe gun handling from untrained or poorly trained people. There are several good shooting schools, especially within the US that can teach the skills necessary to be victorious should you be unlucky enough to become involved in an armed confrontation. Gunsite and Thunder Ranch are two that spring to mind. Also, some of the shooting sports such as IDPA and IPSC, which has it's roots in combat shooting (although is now a bit too gamey for my tastes) are very good training for teaching you to shoot fast and acurately at multiple targets and moving targets at different ranges, while moving, shooting from behind cover etc. I'd even go as far to say that the average IPCS/IDPA competetor is a far better shooter than most cops, for the simple reason that they are firearms enthusiast and practice a heck of a lot more, whereas most cops are not really gun people and view a gun as a tool only. The only time many cops practice is at the mandatory quarterly qualifications, whereas a lot of IDPA/IPSC shooters may shoot several hundred to several thousand rounds a week. Shooting is a perishable skill and without constant practice, which most law enforcement personal do not have enough of, skills decline. I'm only a fair to good shooter (been shooting IPSC for about 10 years on and off), but at a Glock Instructors course which we hosted back in year 2000 for the local Anti-Terrorist team, I was able to shoot as well as or better than most of them with a handgun. Of course, they were much better than me with their MP5s though . Graham