Graham

how about stealth losing it's usefullness due to advancements in radar and tracking systems Yup, that's another good reason I didn't think of. Graham

Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't the Nightmare purely passive stealth? Releasing it without stealth would've meant creating a whole new plane. Not likely, if something as early as the VF-0/SV-51 has active stealth-lost technology or not it would have been regained by the time the VF-17 was engineered. The VF-17 probably would have both passive stealth structure and an active stealth system. I've also been pondering why the SV-51 and VF-0 have active stealth technology and later VFs like the VF-4, VF-5000, VF-11, VF-17 etc do not. Here's a list of possible reasons that I've come up with: - The technology was lost during the bombardment of Earth during Space War One. Early Active Stealth technology was deemed too expensive to add to mass-produced fighters. Early active stealth technology was not that stable and did not mature until the 2040s. Personally, I tend to discount the technology being lost. No real reason, just a gut feeling Graham

Please do not use Macross VF-X2's game-specific armor strength ratings as Macross technical specifications without corroboration. As with other games, Shoji Kawamori has specifically stated that the game-specific capabilities of Macross VF-X2 are not intended to always reflect the "reality" of Macross. http://www.macrossworld.com/mwf/index.php?...ndpost&p=163482 If we discount the game stats and instead focus on the Macross 7 anime, the VF-17 does appear to be far more heavily armored than the main VF in service at the time, the VF-11C. One episode that springs immediately to mind is episode # 6, 'First Contact', where Gamlin's VF-17D takes multiple missile hits yet suffers only relatively minor damage while protecting the escape pods. When first watching this episode back in 1994, I'd assumed the VF-17 was fitted with a Pin Point Barrier system, although my later research finds no mention of this. However, since Macross Zero, my current assumption is rather that the VF-17 just has particulaly tough armor and a very efficient SW-AG energy converting armor system. Graham

The VF-17 is not that suited to the atmospheric role due to it's minimal atmospheric control surfaces. With it's large number of verniers (more than any other VF I think) it is far more suited to and is primarily designed towards operations in space. Also, although the VF-17 packs an impressive amount of beam weapons (head, forearms (wrists & elbows), & chest) as well as a gunpod and gunpod beam adaptor, it is very light on missile armament, unless the optional FAST Packs are fitted. Although no official figures have been given, I would guess that the 4 x shoulder-mounted micro-missile launchers probably only have enough internal space to hold no more than 2 to 3 micro missiles each. Graham

This was already discussed in the model forum a month ago when the magazine first came on May 23rd I posted pics in this topic. Graham

Even though I've got the R2 original, I thought I'd pick up a copy of the HK boot as well. The thing that made me laugh the most is that in the begining, when Nora is kicking Shin, Sara calls out Shin's name and the subtitles translate it as "New" 'Shin' being Japanese for 'new'. Idiots. Graham

As for the perceived lack of panel lines, I think that some of them are perhaps not showing up well in the photos due to the lighting and the color of the plastic, but they are there. And remember, Yamato should only put whatever panel lines are on Kawamori's lineart. I personally don't agree with adding additional non-canon panel lines just for the sake of having more detail, as Hasegawa are prone to do with their Macross model kits. Regarding the length of the 4 top cannon, well this is limited by necessity. The cannon have to be able to fit inside in shuttle modeso can only be as long as the internal bay in shuttle mode. And I'm hoping the small 30mm chest gun will be on the final version. Judging from the photos, I suspect this is still not quite the final version. Graham

I've got 10 FP sets altogether, although only 6 of them are on the toys at the moment. Never had a problem with them. Graham

Thanks for all the kind words guys. So to answer some of the questions that have been asked..... The baby and mother should be home from the hospital on Monday. No, we haven't chosen a Chinese name yet. My wife's parents are trying to come up with a Chinese name for him. All my Bandai 1/55 reissues are back in their boxes and will be given to my son as his first Valk toys when he is old enough, say 5 years old. Although I'll probably remove the landing gear springs so he doesn't hurt his fingers. My Yamato collection is safe in a glass display cabinet, which will soon be getting a lock . I originally wanted to name him Roy, but my wife didn't approve the name. I would also have liked Gamlin as a middle name, but again I was overruled And no, I haven't tried to transform him yet Here's a photo of me with Jeffrey on day 2 (Saturday June 12th). Graham

Looks like Yamato forgot the 30mm cannon, mounted just under the chest block. See pic below. Graham

Nope, That's the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in the Jordan district of Kowloon, Hong Kong Graham

And one more photo. Graham

Our baby boy, 'Jeffrey John Parkes' was born at Queen Elizabeth Hospital on Friday 11th June at 5.51pm (HK time). He weighs 3.46kg (7.62lbs) and is very cute, well I think so Here's a photo taken a few minutes after birth. Graham

There will not be any 1/48 Macross Plus toys ever. They would be too big and too expensive. There may be new 1/72 scale or perhaps 1/60 scale versions released sometime in the future.....or not. With no news for such a long time, perhaps Yamato has given up on Macross Plus toys. Graham

Got it on the 4th try. Initially I was thinking I wouldn't be able to solve it, as I'm crap at maths, but that don't matter none anyway Graham

Xmods?...........The MW moderators are mutant super heroes? So which is the one with the retractable claws then ? Graham

I generally prefer the OVA as the movie cuts Isamu's battle with the powered suits from episode # 1 and also the fight in the training city from episode # 2. However, the movie has a slightly better death scene for Guld. The best thing would be for somebody to edit an ultimate version of the movie which included the deleted fight scenes from the OVA. As a mecha action junky, I also have to say that episode # 3 of the OVA is a real snooze-fest due to it's lack of any mecha action. Graham

Actually, holographic Heads Up Displays (HUDs) have existed in VFs since the Block 6 cockpit design of the VF-1 shown in DYRL, where targeting and other data is holographically projected inside and all around the canopy. Only the VF-0 and the block 5 (TV type) VF-1 use a conventional glass HUD. Another example of the holographic HUD is clearly seen in the VF-11B's cockpit in the opening fight of episode # 1 of Macross Plus, when the position of the missiles fired by the renegade Powered suit is shown projected inside Isamu's canopy. Assuming Sharon Apple could at least partially hack into the YF-19's systems, it would probably be simple for her to take control of the YF-19's holographic HUD projector and project her image inside the YF-19's cockpit. Graham

Most later gunpoads can be reloaded by spare magazines carried on the Valk. Examples are: - VF-11- 2 spare magazines carried under the shield. VF-17 - Can carry 1 spare magazine in the left leg, although normally a beam-gun adaptor is carried instead. YF-19 & VF-19 - 1 or 2 spare magazines (I forget which) stored under the shield. The YF-21 & VF-22 carries two gunpods rather than carrying any spare magazines. As for why the VF-0's gunpod can be reloaded in the field and the VF-1's gunpod can't is probably beacuse the VF-0 is an advanced testbed design with a lot of features that the VF-1 series does not have. Graham

Actually, according to the Macross Compendium, the VF-0's GPU-9 35mm gunpod can be reloaded in the field as unlike the VF-1's GU-11 gunpod, spare magazines can be carried in the VF-0's leg-mounted FAST Packs. The Compendium has the following to say about the VF-0's armament: - "ARMAMENT: One (VF-OA/D) or two (VF-0S) fixed Mauler laser cannons. One standard Howard GPU-9 35 mm gatling gun pod with 550 rounds (AHEAD rounds available). Maximum of twelve standard Raytheon Bifors AIM-200A AMRAAM 2 I/ALH-guided medium-range air-to-air missiles mounted on four hard points, each with a three-missile rack. Option of reactive armor parts or two atmospheric combat super parts (micro-missile launcher/conformal tanks with twenty-four Raytheon Erlikon GH-30B I/IR-guided micro-missiles each) mounted on leg/engine pods. The super part is also capable of storing spare magazine for the gun pod. Maximum payload of the VF-0D variant is 20% greater than the VF-0A/S variants. Capable of mounting most former United States/NATO standard aviation weaponry". However, in episode # 3 of Macross Zero, when Roy has the Reactive Armor shot off by Ivanov, we can see that his VF-0S does not have the leg FAST Packs fitted, unlike in episode # 1 & 2. So yes, I agree that Roy's gunpod was probably empty by the end of his battle with Ivanov in episode # 3 and he had no spare ammo remaining and needed to obtain either a fresh gunpod or spare ammo. Graham

I left it out on purpose, as I think it's a really boring color scheme I did forget the following though: - SDF-1 DYRL Type SDF-1 TV Type VF-5000B FP VA-3M VF-4 SW-XA1 (Don't like the SW-XAII tho) And still waiting for the kid. He's being lazy and doesn't want to come out yet . If he hasn't been born by Saturday June 12, the hospital will induce labor. Graham

There are several levels of pricing mark-up from the time a toy ships from the manufacturer's warehouse, travels to the distributor then perhaps to a wholesaler then reaches a retail store. Just because a 1/48 retails for ¥14,800 does not mean that Yamato makes ¥14,800 on each toy. From what I understand in the Japanese toy business, most manufacturers only get something like 25% of the retail price. Graham

Wow, that's some impressive work. Graham

As you said, switching the heads is just a case of removing one screw at the base of the neck. However, fitting the FAST Packs to the Hikaru VF-1A body will not be easy, as the first generation 1/60 VF-1A Hikaru body does not have the necessary holes on the legs, backback and arms for attaching the FAST packs. So lots of careful drilling and filing will be required. In the end, it would probably just be easier to repaint a 1/60 Focker VF-1S. Graham

Here's my revised wish list: - Macross Zero Perfect Variable 1/60 VF-0S Focker Type. Perfect Variable 1/60 VF-0D Shin Type. Perfect Variable 1/60 VF-0D Normal Type. Perfect Variable 1/60 VF-0B. Perfect Variable 1/60 VF-0A Cannon Fodder. Perfect Variable 1/60 SV-51 Nora Type. Perfect Variable 1/60 SV-51 D.D. Ivanov Type. Perfect Variable 1/60 SV-51 Cannon Fodder. Perfect variable 1/60 Octos. 1/60 Destroid Cheyenne Gun Arm Type. 1/60 Destroid Cheyenne Missile Arm Type. Macross DYRL 1/48 VE-1. 1/48 VT-1. 1/48 VF-1A Kakizake. SDF Macross TV 1/48 GBP Armor. 1/48 VF-1A Cannon Fodder. Macross Plus 1/60 YF-19 FP resculpt. 1/60 YF-121 FP resculpt. 1/60 VF-11B FP resculpt. Macross 7 (Hey I can dream can't I?) 1/60 VF-17D FP. 1/60 VF-17S FP. 1/60 VF-17S Milia type. 1/60 VF-11C FP. 1/60 VF-11D FP. 1/60 Full Armored VF-11C. 1/60 VF-19S Blazer FP. 1/60 VF-19F Blazer FP. 1/60 VF-19Kai w/Sound Booster. 1/60 VF-22S Max Type. 1/60 VF-22S Milia Type. 1/60 FZ-109A 1/60 FZ-109F Graham