Graham

I gather that both the 1/60 and 1/48 Max DYRL VF-1A didn't sell too well, which is probably why Yamato is reluctant to make a DYRL VF-1S Max in either scale. I've always found this strange, as for years fans clamoured for a DYRL Max Valk and then when it's finally released, not many people buy them........oh well, go figure! I suppose it's still possible we might see a DYRL VF-1S Max in the future in either 1/60 or 1/48 as the only new expense for Yamato is in the box design. However, the market is pretty much flooded with 1/48s at the moment and 1/60s just doesn't sell now (you can hardly give them away). If we do ever see a VF-1S Max, it probably won't be for a year or two, when the market is not so saturated and demand is higher. As for a VF-1S Hikaru, I agree Yamato should have also released this in 1/60 scale. I suppose they may still release it especially as this year (2004) is the 20th anniversery of DYRL. However, since the 1/48 came out sales of the 1/60 have been dropping and there is little demand for recolored 1/60 toys. I have a feeling that the VF-1J with GBP armor may be the last 1/60 VF-1 toy we see for a long while. Graham

Just because Tatsunoko is working with Harmony Gold on a new Robotech cartoon, doesn't neccessarily mean that it will be aired in Japan as well as in America. Until I hear something different, my best guess is that Harmony Gold has simply commisioned (is paying) Tatsunoko to do the animation for the new show. I doubt the new Robotech cartoon would air in Japan. Graham

I tend to agree with MSW. the PC gaming industry does seem very stale at the moment, with very little in the way of originality. The industry seems only to be able to churn out endless and similar FPS, RPGs, RTS, and MMORPGs. Personally, I'm not interested in the above types games. Tried them and found them boring, which is why I stick exclusively with console games as thankfully there is still some originality and far more variety in console games. Plus I have no interest in spending money to update my PC every 6 months just so I can play the latest 'hit' game. Graham

Outstanding! Excellent job. One of the best (if not the best) 1/60 customs I've seen. Graham

Everyone has different tastes. IMO, there is no such thing as a generic 'must have' product that suits everybody Just buy whatever producs you like. Graham

Unfortunately, the chance of seeing any Macross II toys from Yamato is very small. Graham

Making a VF-4 is something I've been suggesting to Yamato for several years already While it's not on the 'to do' list yet, Yamato are aware that this is a fan favorite, so there is a fair posibility that we may eventually see a VF-4 in a year or two. All I will say is don't hold your breath waiting for it, but don't give up hope either Graham

Chances of 1/48 two seaters are very slim. Graham

During my last meeting with Yamato about 3 weeks ago I suggested that they should release a TV version VF-1S (black head arrows) w/ TV color FAST packs, TV hands and both Focker & Hikaru TV pilots as a set (sora like the VF-1J FP set). They said they would consider it for the future. However, as the market is flooded with 1/48s at the moment, if it does get released, it would be perhaps 1 year later. Graham

I saw these in person a couple of weeks ago and I think they look great. The light color of Max doesn't bother me at all. And nope, this is not the pics coming sometime between Jan 22-25. That is a completely different product. Graham

I've already got Matrix, Reloaded and Animatrix on DVD. Still considering whether or not to buy Revolutions when it is released. I don't think releasing the Matrix on me will make me love Transformers. Weird guy Graham

I'm at work now, so can't take any pics, but for those of you who are not familiar with these figures, you can see them on Bandai's site here. Also, the Q-Rau and Glaug are not in scale with the VF-1 battroid and Gerwalk figures. A couple of other points: - The Q-Rau has trouble standing by itself. It comes with a clear plastic support base that you attach to the heal of one foot to help the figure stand. I'm wondering if the molds for the battroid figures are starting to wear out, as the joints seem significantly looser on these Mission # 3 Battroid figures, compared with the Mission # 2 Battroids. Also, on these Mission # 3 Battroids, I'm having real problems getting the right shoulder to attach to the torso. It's a pesky ball and socket joint and the torso mounted ball, just doesn't want to stay on the shoulder socket. Don't expect too much from gashapon figures. Graham

The Bandai Macross HG Third Mission PVC Gashapon figures are now available in Hong Kong. I just bought the set of 8 figures from the Animate branch on Nelson Road for HK$128 (approx US$16.40). The set consists of the following figures: - Quadluun-Rau (TV version). Glaug. VF-1S Hikaru Strike Valk Battroid (DYRL). VF-1A HIkaru Super Valk Battroid (DYRL) VF-1S Focker Strike Valk Battroid (DYRL) VF-1A Max Super Valk battroid (DYRL). VF-1J Max Super Gerwalk (TV). VF-1J Millia Super Gerwalk (TV). The Battroid figures are basically identical in terms of design and articulation (about 16 points of articulation) to the 2nd Mission figures. The only differences of course are the addition of FAST packs and the different paint schems. The FAST packs are removeable. However, if you remove them it leaves several obvious holes showing in the legs and pegs showing on the battroid's arms. The Quadluun-Rau, which is the figure I was most looking forward to is disappointing. It is basically a big solid lump of PVC with almost no articulation. In fact only the arms rotate at the sholders, that's it as far as articulation is concerened. My recommendation, wait for the extremely well articulated and detailed Yamato Q-Rau. The Glaug is impressive (as were the mission 2 Regults). It features about 12 points of articulation and can adopt some neat poses. I think this is my favorite figure of this set. My only complaint is that the barrel of the top gun was slightly bent (Gashapon disease), but this is easily straightened be soaking it in boiling water for a while or heating it with a hair dryer. The two Gerwalk figures are not too bad. The FAST packs are also removable, but as with the Battroids leave several obvious holes and pegs showing if you do choose to remove them. The Gerwalks have about 8 points of articulation. Graham

It's not only the YF-21/VF-22 that has wrist lasers (actually it has wrist & elbow lasers). Several other VFs also have inbuilt beam weaponry. Some that spring to mind are: - VF-17D/S - wrist/elbow and chest lasers. VF-4 - forearm lasers. Some variants of the VA-3 - palm lasers. YF-19/VF-19 - wing root lasers. And some VFs do have sensors on the back of the head. the VF-17 and YF-21 are two that spring to mind. 4 legged mecha would actually be quite practical (greater stability than 2 legs) for ground combat as shown by some of the mecha featured in the various Patlabor animes. Even Macross Zero features a 4 legged mecha in the land mode of the new amphibious Anti-UN mecha shown in episode # 3. Graham

Nope, I've always disliked Transformers, even as a kid. I tried watching a few episodes back in the 1980s, but found the robot designs, story and concept just too silly even then. I mean come on guys, how can you actually find the Transformers robot designs appealing? I just don't get it, never have, never will. Also, I've never owned a Transformers toy. I'm not really into toy cars and trucks. I'll admit the vehicle modes on some Transformers toys look reasonably okay, but the robot modes suck ass bigtime IMO. The sole exception being the Masterpeice Convoy (Optimus), which even I am willing to admit is a well engineered and designed toy. The most charitable thing I have to say about the Transformers cartoon is that the movie was nicely animated (I cheered when the good guy characters died). I love giant robot anime, but only with mecha as non-sentinent, piloted war machines in a military setting. Graham

Actually, the photo above makes the Forces of Valor Tornado look half decent. You really have to see the Tornado and F-14 in person to fully appreciate how awful they are. But I agree their Apache, Blackhawk and some of their tanks look pretty good. Graham

Yeah, these are sorta based on the old 1/100 toys but scaled up. Still smaller than the 1/55 though. I bought one early last year for HK$16 (US$2) and frankly it wasn't even worth that. The plastic was very brittle and the toy snapped in three places (hip bar, tail fin hinge and shoulder joint) after only two transformations. Graham

Nice, but why did you chop off the front of the gunpod? Graham

Well, I didn't measure the Millia figure last time I got to handle the Q-Rau toy. However, if we assume the Millia pilot figure is to scale, then according to the Macross compendium, the full size Meltran Millia is supposed to be 855cm (8.55m) tall, which means a 1/60 scale version should be 14.25cm tall. Graham

Nice Dual Strike pic, but what the heck is that really ugly blue robot standing next to the Dual Strike? Graham

Australia is dumping their F/A-18s in favor of Flankers? That's the first I've heard of that! IIRC, I thought Austalia was planning to go with the F-35 JSF (which is a big expensive mistake IMO), as that plane tries to be too many things at once and does nothing particularly well. Australia would be much better going with the Eurofighter Typhoon, which I consider to be superb multi-role plane (at least in it's Tranche 2 or full up Tranche 3 configuration). Graham

The Millia figure is anatomically correct Graham

My top 10 anime are: - #1 DYRL (of course). #2 Macross Plus. #3 Macross 7. #4 SDF Macross. #5 Macross Zero. #6 Bubble Gum Crisis (original). #7 Wicked City. #8 V Gundam. #9 08th MST. #10 Combattler V (My first introduction to anime back in 1976). There's lots more anime I like of course. Honorable mentions go to: The Guyver, Patlabor OVA/TV/Movies, GITS SAC, Jin-Roh, Akira, Nausica, Laputa, Legend of Galactic Heros, Mospeada, Orguss, Vampire Hunter D (new ver.), Memories. Ninja Scroll, Cowboy Bebop, CCA, 0080 War in the Pocket, Blue Gender, Escaflowne, Nadesco, RahXephon. Graham

The chance of seeing any Zentran/Meltran mecha in 1/48 scale is zero. Graham

Corgi don't make an F-14 in their 1/72 scale Aviation Archive series. IIRC, the only Jet fighters they make are the F-4 Phantom, the English Electric Lightning (one of my favorite planes), the Harrier, Tornado and the Bucaneer. All the aforementioned planes have been made in several different color schemes. Corgi also makes some great WWII 1/72 and 1/32 scale aircraft replicas. Graham