Graham

The 2001 reissue is better IMO as the markings that were previously supplied as stickers on the 1995 original version are now painted on. On my original version which I purchased when it was first released in 1995, the stickers are starting to peel in places, especially the head stickers. And it's not called a VF-19C. It's officially called 'VF-19 Custom', although unofficially some people refer to it as VF-19 Kai. It's also commonly refered to as 'Fire Valkyrie'. Graham

I agree. No animated Spider-Man adaptation comes close to Bakshi's version. And let's not forget 'Rocket Robin Hood' either, another of my childood favs by Bakshi. Graham

Very well written reply Radd. I'm now on, I think my 5th or 6th complete viewing of Macross 7 from start to finish, since first watching the series back in 1994 and it is my opinion that if you can get over what are commonly perceived as the negative elements of the show, i.e. Basara, battroids with human faces controlled by guitar joysticks, the appearance of the Protodeviln, than Macross 7 can be enjoyed on so many different levels. I actually disagree with Radd about Macross 7 being light on mecha action and skimping on the war aspect of the story. I'm primarily into mecha and mecha action and I still find there's plenty of that in Macross 7 to satisfy me. I also think the war is present in the majority of the episodes. I tend to view the unfolding events in the story through the eyes of the UN Spacy characters like Gamlin, Max etc rather than Basara. I also dislike the character of Basara, although not as much as in the past. So when I'm watching the show, I always think of Gamlin and Mylene (my favorite characters) as being the main characters rather than Basara I gotta say I love Macross 7 and while I realise that it's not everybodies cup of tea, I personally think it has fantastic music, great mecha designs, an interesting story, some cool action scenes, strong, mostly likeable characters and adds a wealth of background information to the Macross universe. Graham

Love both, but prefer DYRL for it's superior visuals. Also I saw DYRL before I saw SDF TV. Graham

Damn, my pocket monster just woke up. Graham

Bah....everybody knows that Bakshi's best work was on the 70s Spiderman cartoon series But seriously, the only thing I ever really liked that Bakshi did was Wizards. Blew me away when I saw it at age 10, oh so many years ago. Graham

Err.....why does the A-10 have a blue tortoise sitting between it's engines? Graham

Any topic relating to Transformers belongs in the Other Anime section. Graham

I'd say that was true with today's technology and conventinal Jet engines vs conventional missiles. However in Macross, epecially the later more advanced 2040 era VFs, have such an insane thrust-to-weight ratio, acceleration and top speed that at least based on watching the anime it seems like VF propulsion has outstripped missile propulsion. We've seen time and again that as long as the VF pilot is aware of an incoming missile, he stands a good chance of outrunning it if he can crank up the speed (note, I'm only refering to the more modern VFs, not older types like the VF-1, & VF-0 series). Graham

I still doubt that the VF-17's shoulder launchers could hold so many missiles. After spending a lot of time studying the line-art as well as the Bandai 1/65 toy, Bandai 1/144 model and Wave 1/72 Battroid mode garage kit, I'm thinking that the maximum capacity in the shoulder launchers is probably 2 missiles each for two of the launchers and either 2 or 3 missiles for the other 2 launchers, meaning a total of between 8 to 10 missiles. Graham

I loved this song as a kid: Spiderman, Spiderman, Does whatever a spider can Spins a web, any size, Catches thieves just like flies Look Out! Here comes the Spiderman. Is he strong? Listen bud, He’s got radioactive blood. Can he swing from a thread Take a look overhead Hey, there There goes the Spiderman. In the chill of night At the scene of a crime Like a streak of light He arrives just in time. Spiderman, Spiderman Friendly neighborhood Spiderman Wealth and fame He’s ignored Action is his reward. To him, life is a great big bang up Whenever there’s a hang up You’ll find the Spider man. Graham

I also picked up the August issue of HJ yesterday and I gotta say there are two things that are bugging me about the F90. Firstly, the head sculpt just doesn't look right. I can't put my finger on it, but something looks off. Secondly, I suspect that at least some of the hardpoint covers may not actually be removable, which could mean that none of the add on weapons are planned. I gotta say that that's the nicest looking toy rendition of the F91 to date. Just a pity I'm not really a fan of the mecha. Graham

Sean Connery and giant flying heads, I'd completely forgotten that one. Graham

Err....in which parallel universe? Graham

Good list. My other favorite dystopian future movies from the 70s include: - Death Race 2000. Rollerball (the original, not the crap remake). Graham

Ya know I still don't accept that the VF-11 has no capability to accept underwing hardpoints. Otherwise this would leave it armed only with it's 30mm gunpod and headlaser for atmospheric combat. That is unless the streamlined atmsopheric FAST Packs shown in Nightmarish invasion are fitted. And for space based combat, the standard VF-11B&C FAST Packs certainly look large enough to hold more micro-missiles than the VF-17's shoulder launchers. However, a theory I've developed during the last decade since first watching Plus and 7 is that by the 2040s' or possibly even earlier, the trend in combat is that missiles of all sorts seem to be far less effective and used less frequently than say during the Space War One era. In both Plus and 7 we see gunpods and beam weapons being used and scoring hits far more frequently than missiles. Some examples that spring to mind are: - The opening fight in Plus ep # 1. None of the VF-11Bs use missiles instead relying on gunpods and bayonet. And when Isamu is targeted by enemy missiles, he outruns them with comparitive ease. During Isamu and Guld's final combat, no hits are scored with missiles and the missiles fired at each other seem to be easily dodged or shot down. During the first time the Macross 7 fleet encounters the Varuta, the VF-11Cs choose to attack with gunpods only. This perhaps reflects a belief by pilots that missiles are not regarded as being very effective. In fact, it is not until at least episode # 5 or 6 IIRC, that we even see a VF-11C firing missiles. This decreased use of missiles is probably due in part to the increased thrust of VFs giving them a better ability to outrun missiles, improved effectiveness of defensive systems, such as PPBs, stronger armor, better anti-missile tracking, improved decoys etc. Graham

Gents, Scroll down to the VF-11 entry note: http://www.anime.net/macross/feedback/index.html I remember reading previously on the Compendium that the VF-11's leg weapon bays were not official, but I didn't recall any mention of the VF-17's leg weapons bays. Anyway, for those of you too lazy to read through the Macross Compendium, it has the following to say on the subject: - "Shoji Kawamori did make leg weapon bays part of the official specifications for the VF-11MAXL variant, as well as the General Galaxy VF-17 Nightmare and Shinsei Industry VF-19 Excalibur". Furthermore, the Armament section of the Compendium's VF-17 page includes the following statement: - "Internal standard equipment capable of being exchanged for other weapon packs" This seems to support my theory that the VF-17's leg-bays which were shown holding Reaction Weapons during Operation Stargazer, could instead be optionally fitted with other weapons such as extra micro-missiles, which would explain the greater than normal number of missiles being fired in 'The Galaxy Is Calling Me'. Graham

Ah, but assuming that the VF-17's leg weapons-bays are legit (Egan?), then it may be possible to replace the normal hinged opening type doors, with flush mounted micro-missile launchers, similar to how the doors on the leg-mounted weapon-bays of the VF-19Kai/F & S were replaced with twin flush-mounted micro-missile launchers on the legs of the VF-19P. Just fan speculation Graham

Kurt, I'll add this to the MW Custom Toy Gallery as soon as I have time. Sorry, the new baby is taking most of my free time at the moment. Fun critter tho Graham

I'm guessing that the above screen capture from 'The Galaxy is Calling Me' is simply an animation error as a VF-17 without FAST packs fitted should AFAIK only be able to fire 4 micro-missiles per salvo, not the 14 missiles at once shown in the picture. And the VF-17 shown in the above picture does not appear to have any FAST Packs fitted. Unless of course that is the leg weapon bays first shown being loaded with reaction weapons in episode # 43 are in fact canon and can possibly be loaded with different weapons pallets, i.e. reaction missiles or micro-missiles. Graham

I have one of each. I might end up selling the Valk + armor tho. Graham

Well, for removing paint from a Transformer I was going to suggest a liberal dousing in gasoline followed up by the application of a cigarette lighter, but I better not, otherwise I'll probably get flamed for being mean to transformers I also hear that a blow-torch works well Graham

They way I look at it is to consider the way the Ghost X-9 is shown to fight, which seems to be mostly ultra-high speed slashing attacks, i.e zoom in guns blazing and then zoom away just as fast and circle round for another attack. I would think with this sort of attack method, if the YF-19 or YF-21 were in Gerwalk or Battroid mode, they would only have a spit second (a few seconds maximum) to target the X-9 before it was out of effective weapons range. The YF-19 and YF-21 would certainly not be able to keep up with the X-9 if they were in Gerwalk or Battroid modes. Basically, the only way that they would be fast enough to get into and stay in effective weapons range would be in Fighter mode. Graham

Let's hope that both Egan Loo and Nanashi keep up the good work for many years to come. The worldwide Macross community would be so much poorer without them. Graham

Gotta disagree with you there. I think the fight choreography in Macross Zero is absolutely breathtaking, even better than in Macross Plus and truly shows how Valks would be used in combat. I'm loving Macross Zero, but also hope the last episode is extended to 45 - 60 minutes to tie up all the loose ends and hopefully show lots more mecha combat. Graham