Graham

Hmm........interesting, that's the first reference I've seen to the F-35B (STOVL ver) having an optional external gun. Previously, I'd read that it could be fitted with an optional gunpack in the internal weapons bay, which replaced one of the two bombs. In order to ba able to fire this gun pack, I'd presumed the bay doors would have to open and the gunpack extend out to be able to fire. Looks like I was wrong about this. Anyway, I just found this very interesting page about the F-35 Weapons Capacity. Didn't know it would have a 25mm gun like the Harrier rather than the 20mm standard on most US fighters.....interesting. Graham

A door knob! Better don't tell Agent One.....the results would not be pleasant. Graham

1/60 would be nice and would be about the same size as the 1/48 VF-1. Graham

Hope you can find the pics, I'd love to see that! Graham

Just wondering has anybody ever attempted to custom a Bandai 1/65 VF-17S Stealth Valkyrie in Millia color? Graham

I thought Christian Bale was also excellent in Equillibrium. Graham

Yep, definitely interested in seeing custom Mac 7 toys (have to add a 1/65 category tho) and custom Yammie VF-11 toys as well. Graham

Good idea and I'll have a think about it, but it would be several hours of extra work and I ain't getting paid for this ya know Graham

Actually, I'm a bit worried about Egan. It has been longer than normal since his last update. He was supoposed to have an update in December, but then delayed it several times due to a lengthy illness. At least back in early January, he was still updating the date for the next update, but even that has stopped. I hope he is just busy with work or something and not still sick. Graham

I just checked out Animate and a few other toy shops during my lunch break and I could not see the Q-Rau yet. Also, those ebay auctions are all using the stock publicity pics, so it's doubtful the sellers actually have them on hand yet. Thus, I'm not putting up my review until I see some definitive proof that the toy is actually out, otherwise I'll get in trouble with Yamato. Graham

Some great links there, thanks. I'll get them all uploaded to the MW Custom Toy Gallery this coming Saturday. Graham

Ah, if it's released today, I can get my review up then. Graham

Wow.....fantastic work so far. I definitely want pics of the finished custom for the MW custom toy gallery. Graham

Guys, I need some more submissions for the custom toy gallery. I'm sure I've seen a few VF-1A DYRL Kakizaki 1/60, 1/55 and 1/48 customs in the past, so where are they? Also, Sebastian, didn't you do a low-viz 1/60 once? Also any 1/72 Yamato Macross Plus customs? Jaw Jaw, I will get your 1/55 pics uploaded soon, probably at the weekend. Graham

Guppy & I found the Bandai VF-1A Cannon Fodder reissue for only HK$150 (less than US$20)! Five years ago, who would have thought you would be able to buy a brand new 1/55 for so little. Graham

The missile pods on the back do open and close. It's only the hip pods where you have to pop off the closed covers and replace them with the open covers. Graham

I think the IRST on the F14D is a fairly old look down system. AFAIK, on the Eurofighter the IRST image can be displayed on the HUD, so the pilot doesn't need to go heads down. And combined with the helmet mounted sight, off-boresight targeting, low radar cross section, direct voice input, excellent defensive systems, super cruise and low radar cross section makes the Eurofighter an excellent dual role (air and ground) machine (well, at least it will be in it's full-up Tranch 2 or Tranch 3 configuration). I'll have to check all my literature on the Eurofighter, but I think all versions, both single and dual seat retain the cannon. However, I know that some versions of the French Rafale have deleted it. I think the 2-seat M (marine) version doesn't have it), but I need to check. The VF-0 also has other advantages over the VF-1, such as an active stealth system and the leg mounted atmospheric FAST packs with micro-missile launchers, meaning in an atmosphere the VF-0 carries more missiles than the VF-1. Graham

Yup, I've also been saying this in several other threads as well. The F-35 has crap rear visibilty. Having good rear visibility is another lesson that aircraft designers seem to forget between wars. Graham

Yes, chances are that 99% of the time a pilot will not need his cannon in air-to-air combat. However, it's nice to have it for that 1% of the time when it is needed. And let's face it, crap happens! And a cannon is useful for the CAS role. After other munitions have been expended, a cannon can still be used to strafe ground targets. Graham

Phoenix? Wrong thread? nope , he´s right. The VF-0 is called VF-0 Phoenix , it was named that way since M0 was first announced. Actually, I'm not sure the name Phoenix is official. Yes, it was mentioned very early on, on the Compendium IIRC. However, the name has not been published anywhere else since AFAIK, and even the Compendium no longer uses the name Phoenix. Graham

There will always be dogfighting. People having been saying for decades that air to air combat will all be at beyond visual range (BVR) with missiles. Sorry, it usually doesn't happen that way. Most often rules of engagement are so strict that positive ID at visual range has to be made first before firing. A gun will always be needed for both air-to-air and and CAS type missions. Those who don't learn from history are doomed to repeat it. The thing is that if the F-35 has an internal gunpod, then it's missile or bomb payload gets cut in half (AFAIK). It's going to be a crap poor CAS plane if all it has is only one bomb to drop when the ground pounders call for help. And of course if the F-35 adds external pylons to carry more weapons, then stealth goes out of the window. I've said it before and I'll say it again. The US is placing too much emphasis on radar defeating stealth. There are big improvements being made with other sensors, especially completely passive (non-detectable) sensors such as Infra Red Search & Track (IRST). We are going to be at a stage soon (if we are not already), where a fighter with a state of the art IRST system, i.e. Eurofighter will be able to find, track, lock on to and fire missiles at another fighter at long range even from head on and even if the other fighter is not using afterburner. Thus the benefits of the F-35s or F-22s radar defeating stealth will be largely negated. Graham

Battroid. Graham

Slightly bigger scan. Graham

Sebastian, I have mentioned before that the toys will feature some ABS, they are not all PVC. Also, Yamato told me that the leg connnectors are being made smaller (they know they look ugly). Also, the shoulder armor will be elongated as at the moment it is too short. Remember this is not the final sculpt. BTW, I've just updated the magazine section with scans of the new Hobby Japan (6 pages) and the Dengeki Hobby (4 pages). I've also updated the custom gallery section. Check out the update section. Graham

And here's a page from the new April Hobby Japan, with a first look at the Hasegawa SV-51. Graham