Vifam7

Presidential commission recommends killing the F-35B (plus other cuts in defense spending) http://www.dodbuzz.com/2010/11/10/prez-panel-wants-100b-dod-cut/

If you know more about the Morris Marina and Austin Princess than you do about the Ford Pinto and Chevrolet Vega, you are indeed British.

Because car culture and history in the U.S. is different from that in Britain. I'm sorry, but being American, sometimes I really don't connect with some of the British cars and topics they cover.

Personally, I think the question is whether the fans and History Channel are willing to give the show a chance to be successful. The first seasons of Top Gear UK was pretty crappy but over time, it developed and became a fantastic show. I'm hoping the US version becomes a hit. We need a show like this in the US. Even if it isn't as good as the British version, it'd still likely be better than most of the crap on TV these days.

Ram Air Turbine. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ram_air_turbine

The future of Bandai's GFF Metal Composite line is unknown. They get high marks but with the economy the way it is, Bandai may go all web exclusive for these high-priced toys. The recent O Gundam (both the normal color and low-viz gray) was web exclusive only . In all honesty, if you're going to collect Gundam, you gotta start building the kits.

Yes, the model kit. Given a bit of time and patience, you can build it. Since it's a Bandai kit, all you really need is a side cutter and a hobby knife. No glue or paint needed. The only caveat is that since it is a model kit, it's not really made for constant handling. But it does transform and does look good from every angle and in every mode.

Yet Bandai constantly releases new versions of the RX-78 Gundam, Zeta, Zaku etc. in toy/model kit form in multiple scales and formats. And how many different Mazinger, Getter Robo, and Evangelion toys have been made by a multitude of companies? I've lost count. Yet each time, it seems the dedicated fans lineup. I hate to think that the 1/60 Yamato series is the last and final say for Macross toys.

The Roy Fokker VF-1S is a regular release. The banner at Tamashii is a hint to the next release being a Tamashii shop exclusive. Most likely a DYRL VF-1A or VF-1S Hikaru.

Here's the Bloomberg report: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2010-11-01/pentagon-said-to-see-higher-f-35-costs-delays-up-to-three-years.html

I have the VF-1J GN-U figure. It's quite nice looking. The figure is a bit fiddly and feels rather loose (IMO) but I still like it. The biggest failure of the GN-U (IMHO) was not giving a fighter mode companion to the battroid figure. A fighter mode only GN-U with opening cockpits, landing gears, swiveling thrusters, swinging wings, moving flaps, ailerons,rudders, and no compromise to tranformability, would've kicked so much arse.

If you want to, you can also call up FedEX and find out the nearest FedEX sorting facility where your package is being handled. You can then go directly to the place and pick it up. Either tell FedEx to hold it at the facility or pick it up after the trucks have returned (after 6pm I think) All you need is the tracking number and your driver's license (or equivalentID). I do this on occaision when nobody is home.

Yup. In my case, I rarely play with my toys. In fact, I'd be perfectly happy with non-transforming fighter mode only which I can display only. But that's just me. As for the cost for the cost of building kits, IMO, it's not that much depending on what you deem is required to build a kit. In my case and at my skill level, some brushes, paint, glue, and sanding paper is pretty much it. Oh, plus patience and knowing/accepting your limits <- VERY IMPORTANT WHEN BUILDING KITS . Most of the equipment tends to last a while. One could potentially build 4 Hasegawa kits for the price of one 1/60 Yamato or DX Bandai. I'm not saying I won't buy any Yamato or Bandai completed toys. But if I'm not happy with the looks, QC, or anything else I deem as not worth the price charged, I'm going to check out the model kits.

This is why I've started to build Macross model kits instead buying certain high priced toys. At least with a model kit, the quality is dependent on my skills as a builder - which is way below average but at least I can only blame myself.

Ofcourse the idea of Yamato creating the VF-25 first would also mean they had the money to sponsor the Frontier series anime and thus have the merchandising rights first. And if that was the case, then it wouldn't be the Yamato as we know it and something closer to Bandai. In other words, for this scenario, it'd have to be an alternate universe where Yamato isn't Yamato.

It's not just the Hi-Metal Macross line that seems to be in trouble. I've read that the whole "completed toys" segment is in decline. Even Gundam. The future of GFFMC, GFFN, and SHCM lines are seen as troubled.

And that's the problem I think. When western fans watch Macross, it's often AFTER having seen Robotech. Unfortunately the Robotech Minmay leaves such an impression that I think it becomes hard to separate the 2 characters. Had one seen Macross first and Robotech afterwards (or never at all), I think the image of Minmay in the west would be a bit different. As for Macross 7, even in Japan, there are those who like the series and those who hate the series. In my experience, the divide in general seems to fall between the generations. The 80's generation kids don't like it but the 90's generation kids love it. This is just from my viewpoint though and not necessarily true for all cases.

Purely aesthetics. Just a choice of whether you like smooth clean wings or missiles attached.

What's the chance of them getting the "OK" from Congress? And why do they need so much military hardware?

No problems at all with the wings on the Hi-Metal when transforming. Since it's not needed to swap the wings to transform, i don't know how loose it gets if one does constantly swap the wings. The Revoltechs were horrible. Everybody had issues with those wings falling off.

I don't know about that. Personally I think the number one criteria for being a Macross fan is being a fan of the number one selling point for every Macross series - the Valkyries.

As written by David above, you need to spray on primer paint. Tamiya's spraycan light gray primer should do. After that, you can spray or brush on the white paint. Nevertheless, with white, you'll likely have to paint several layers. For me, it's usually 3 or 4 layers.

Clear coating is highly recommended if you're going to cover broad areas with paint. Here's some things to know when clear coating. 1. Know what kind of paint you want to use to color your model. There are 3 main types of paint. Acrylic, Enamel, and Lacquer. 2. Know what kind of clear coat you want. Do you want a flat finish, semi-gloss finish, or glossy finish. For painting newbies, I recommend using a flat clear coat. 3. There are generally 2 types of clear coat paint. Acrylic paint clear coat and lacquer paint clear coat. Acrylic clear coat is pretty much safe on any paint. Do not use lacquer clear coat like Tamiya's TS-80 or Testor's Dullcote on models painted with acrylic paint. Most of the Gundam markers are acrylic paint. Note: When panel-lining I recommend using gray on light colored parts and black on dark colored parts.

I have it on DVD. Japanese Region 2 DVD ofcourse. I've never seen a fan subtitled version out there. But, it isn't really too hard to follow the story. Very Top Gun-like. Egoistical hotshot maverick pilot? check Maverick pilot had a father in the service? check Father-like commander? check Commander once flew with Maverick's father? check Maverick needs to come to terms with his father's history? check Rival pilot in the squadron? check During movie Maverick suffers confidence issue? check Love interest? check (except this time the girl is rock music video producer who's on base to film fighter jets) A tangle with MiGs? check (though no shooting of missiles or guns) Lots of real life F-15 video. But not as well filmed as Top Gun. Lots of fast blurs and grainy shots probably due to filming at long range or not having specialized equipment. Some of it is probably file footage stuff too. Still, at least it's real life video and not CG crap. The dogfight choreography isn't as good as Top Gun so it's quite difficult to follow who's doing what. Especially since a lot of the footage is F-15s practicing against F-15s. Ofcourse, like Top Gun, there are some model work and special effects going on. The sound effects is very nicely done though. Combined with the footage, it gives a very nice feel of speed and flight - which what I like most about the movie. It just looks and sounds utterly cool. To be honest that's what I mainly want and look for in a jet fighter movie. Real life fighter jets turning, burning, and looking cool.

Like this? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XMgr6awbwEE&feature=related http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JQF7VFkaS2E&feature=related http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D9fmTBoYmIw&feature=related http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X8QEV8do83E&feature=related http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NhcTjwvOqEU&feature=related Personally I think this was one of the finest series that aired on the channel.