Graham

Yep, Bandai. The Mission 2 Regults and VF-1 Battroids were pretty cool and very well articulated for the size. I much prefer these over the K&M figures. Graham

The TV pilot on the Hikaru VF-1J is a really nice sculpt. The new DYRL pilot sculpt that comes with the Hikaru VF-1S is a huge improvement over the original. If Yamato wanted to release a TV version VF-1S, then they would have to change the color of the arrows on the head from yellow (DYRL) to black (TV). Also, release it with the TV pilot repainted in Focker colors and include a set of the non-articulated TV hands. Personally, I think Yamato should release an accessory set including both standing and seated TV & DYRL pilots (the new sculpts so we can replace our old first sculpt DYRL pilots), ground crew figures, a weapons cart for stacking missiles and/or gunpod and some non-articulated larger DYRL type hands. Graham

I always thought GBP = Grenade Box Protector. Graham

I don't know why people automatically assume that armored Valks are limited to space use only. There is no reason why they can't be used for ground based assault or defence missions. Of course, depending on the thrust to weight ratio of the Armored Valk, they may not be able to fly, but they can still walk or run and perhaps also do powered jumps. Graham

I love Dragonar. Classic 80's mecha anime. IMO, the animation, story, characters and Mecha are far superior to MSG, Z & ZZ. Graham

One thing to consider, when wondering what Yamato will release next is whether or not multiple version are possible. The design and tooling costs of a transforming toy are sky high and if only a single version can be released, Yamato would make a loss. It's not just about breaking even, any manufacturer has to make a profit and in the case of transforming VF toys this is only possible if a) the production run is very large (Yamato's are not), or b) if multiple repaints can be released, e.g. VF-1A/J/S Hikaru/Max/Focker etc. As much as I would like to see a VF-4 or VF-5000 toy, the chances are probably slim as the repaint/multiple version potential is far lower. Graham

IMO, I don't think Minmay is portrayed as a moron in Macross, a little immature maybe, but not stupid. Of course if we are talking RT, then that's another story altogether Personally, I would have chosen Minmay. Misa is not at all physically attractive in the TV series. Graham

There has been a lot of speculation as to what that is. However, I don't believe it is a gun. The official Japanese specs and the English translations on the Macross Compendium, list all of the YF-19's armament, but do not mention any torso mounted weapons. My own theory is that it is a sensor cluster. Graham

I can't see the pics either. And what does USV stand for? Graham

The game has been out for 3 weeks already! Some of the English language gaming sites have reviews. Do a google search, or look at the pinned thread at the top of this page. Graham

Guys, come on you've got to get into the spit of Macross! We shouldn't be making whooshing noises with our Valk toys. You should all know that the correct noise to make is "Kyun Kyun".....Duh! Graham

I'm wondering why the developers gave each Valk such a huge number of micro-missiles. Has anybody actually managed to run out of missiles in a stage? I think it would actually be impossible. Graham

Some of us have theorised that Bandai/Sega-AM2 will probably release a second PS2 Macross game in the near future, probably featuring the YF-19, YF-21, VF-0S and SV-51, that were pulled from the final version of the current Macross PS2 game. If a second Macross PS2 game is released, what improvements would you like to see? Here's my list: - Increase the size of the playing area, it's too small at the moment. While I've never played AM-2's Aero Dancing games, I have played all the Ace Combat games and they have huge playing areas, so technically there should be no problem to do this. Increase the size of the capital ships by two to three times. Add a 2 player split screen vs mode and co-op mode. Add a mission generator. Add a survival mode. More missions, at least 40 to 50 missions total. More unlockable VFs, not just repaints. More realistic weapon loads. Include the need to return to the mother ship or base to refuel (applicable to Space missions only) and rearm ala Macross VO). Add the ability to pilot Zentan/Meltran mecha. Add a speed gauge and a better altitude indicator. Graham

Said it before and I'll say it again. This game really needs a mission generator and a 2 player vs mode. Graham

I still think that apart from the one exception of that backpack connector (part # BP8), the 1/48 is overall a very sturdy toy. I do agree that # BP8 is a fatal flaw in the toy and as I've told Yamato many times, it does need to be strengthened. However, I think as long as you are careful when you handle the toy and don't put any undue stress on BP8, it should hold up fairly well. This means paying attention to the backpack at all times, using utmost care and being very gentle when transforming the backpack. Of course accidents do happen and toys get dropped. I've got nine 1/48 on display at the moment and all of them have been transformed numerous times. I usually take between 1 minute 30 seconds to 2 minutes per transformation and I have only ever broken one BP8 on my very first 1/48, because I wasn't sure what I was doing and pushed the backpack up too high several times, thus overstressing the part. Be carefull, don't use force and hopefully (touch wood, cross fingers) the BP8 should last. Graham

Well done that man! Graham

Arnie trivia quiz. When Schwarzenegger takes up office and the staff of the Governor's mansion ask him what he would like for breakfast, what do you think will be his reply? Hint, the answers in Commando. Graham

IS that a trick question? Because I thought it was suppose to be a 1/60? Whoops, no just a typo. It is 1/60. Graham

Okay, so here's a question. Once Yamato releases the 1/60 Q-Rau, then we will have an enemy mecha toy. So how many of you will then start holding mock battles? I probably will Graham

I liked the first few episodes of Evangelion only as it seemed like a great homage to the classic 'monster of the week' super robot animes of the 70's which I grew up with. However, IMO it rapidly went downhill as it devolved into psycho-babble territory. I also found Shinji increbily annoying as a character. As I get older, I find that I am less and less able to stomach anime that features neurotic, angst-ridden, whiny brats as the main character. Rei was cute though! I'm also not a fan of organic looking mecha, especially purple ones wearing lime-green spats on their shoes. Give me realistic looking military mecha any day, like VFs, ATs, TA's, Labors, Landmates etc. Graham

The fixed pose VF-1J w/GBP-1S, Tomahawk and VF-1S Battroid look nice, but beware the joints. My vol.1 VF-1J Hikaru had some very tight joints and the elbow, which is very fragile snapped after only 5 minutes. The transforming ones are okay in Fighter and Gerwalk mode, but are very badly propotioned in Battroid and have extremely limited articulation. I was very disappointed with vol. 1, except for the Regult. I doubt I will bother with vol.2. Graham

I prefer red for Hikaru's VF-1S. Graham

Discovered by accident last night, an easy way to get an 'S' grade on the Prometheous 'Pin Point Barrier' stage which ensures the Macross takes no damage. I forget what the mission number is (P04 or P05?), anyway, the one where you have to shoot down the missiles fired from the Zentradi ship at the SDF-1. Basically as soon as you get the mission update telling you to intercept the missiles, fly directly towards the Zentradi ship and land on it in Gerwalk mode. Then turn so that you are directly facing the SDF-1, but you are still standing on the back of the Zentradi ship. From this position, you can easily use your micro-missiles to shoot down all of the missiles without having to move around at all. Graham

Second from last choice. Although if I had some Battlepod toys, I'd probably write some Macross wargaming rules, paint my house in giant hexes and have a giant Macross wargame And who wants to be normal!? Pah......sheep following the herd, baa, baa! My whole life I have never subscribed to the theory that just because something is cool, popular or fashionable with the graet unwashed masses (peasants) that it automatically has to be good. Graham

Earth Trekker series?????? The reason I heard why there are few pictures, is because the Compendium is officially sanctioned by BW and thus Egan has to seek approval from BW to use images. And apparently it just takes too much time so he doesn't bother. Not sure if this is true or not, just something I heard once. Graham