Vifam7

If you're going to reference Ace Combat, then I think Japan wants their fighters to look more like this.

Very likely that the VF100s line is being replaced by the VF Hi-Metal line. Dunno what we'll be getting from this line in the future. We know that a VF-1 is in the works, but I wouldn't be surprised if Bandai has another Frontier Valkyrie in the works. By the way, when Bandai uses the term "Hi-Metal" or "Chogokin", it rarely means that we're getting a ton of metal parts. More often than not it means metal in the joints and a few other strategic locations for strength and balance. I wouldn't be surprised if this Hi-Metal Fire Valk was 75 to 85 percent plastic (ABS&POM). It'd still be a major improvement over the all plastic VF100s Messiah though.

I think using Future is more for those who have airbrushes. I've heard it can be brushed painted on, but I don't trust my brushing ability. Plus, Future is a gloss-like coat, so to make it a flat coat, you have to mix with some kind of clear flat solution.

I use Tamiya TS-80 Flat Clear as a final coat for all of my built up models. Testors Dullcote also works just fine. They not only protect the decals, they also give the model a nice "flat" color which makes it less toy-like.

All are built up 1/72 kits I assume. I'm amazed how quickly some of you guys get 'em done.

I just hope the Hi-Metal line doesn't die before this comes out.

Ngee Khiong reports that Bandai will soon be launching a new Gunpla line. My Japanese sites tell me it will come in July 2010. I wonder what this new line will have that the current HG, MG, and PG kits don't offer... Perhaps they will offer another scale size?

Can you post a scan of the section? I might be able to help out on writing up a summary.

I'm sure it would've been possible to upgrade the F-20 as needed if it had entered service. But the F-20 was never meant for front-line USAF or USN service anyways. It's sales targets were USAF/USN adversary squadrons and foreign air forces that wanted an upgrade/replacement for their F-5E Tigers.

80's style is out of fashion. Minmay is not young enough looking for today's otaku. That's because she's ugly.

I seem to recall that when the first VF-1 Revoltechs were revealed, some of the first complaints were that it wasn't perfect transformation. Well, those folks got their wish. I think it's important to keep in mind that this new full transformation VF-1 is NOT for those looking for Yamato-ness. This toy is obviously not for those looking for accuracy in the aesthetics department. I suspect there are folks out there who want something that is not hyper-expensive, accuracy is secondary, and want something solid like a revy to play and abuse.

Because Macross characters (at least until Frontier) weren't busty enough or loli enough.

Well, to quote Ramba Ral: "This is no Zaku, boy!" (ザクとは違うのだよザクとは!) But actually the model kit is pretty similar to the Zaku 2.0. The inner frame and joints are pretty much the same. The only thing I personally do not like is the given color. I don't like the turquoise-like light blue given. It's a kit I'd have to consider giving a paint job.

Best thing to use when you want a piece to stay on but you don't want it to be glued-in permanently -> Elmer's white glue or any other generic white glue commonly used by grade school kids. Comes off easy and doesn't hurt the plastic underneath.

Which kits have the new cartograph decals? The kit I'm building currently is a VF-1J Hikaru. mickyg, thank you for the link. I think I got some ideas after reading it.

Thanks to Frontier, I'm just happy that Macross is getting that marketing push that it hadn't been seen since the original series. Books, magazines, manga, toys, models, figures, gashapons, soundtracks, anime movie, etc etc. Despite a few questionable moves in the toys department, the overall feeling is positive. If the sales of Macross merchandise is successful, then the chances of more Macross in the near future is good. I'd like that. I'd also like to think that many of us had a part in supporting Frontier and made it a success.

Hey guys, I need some help in my current build of Hasegawa's VF-1. It's concerning the canopy. So, um, the kit comes with decals for the canopy framing. Should I use it or should I simply paint-in the canopy framing? Both ways eventually requires me to carefully mask the canopy around the frames for the clear coat stage. The problem is - it's so darn difficult to do it. Especially around that curved framing. How do you guys do the canopy frame? I would appreciate any advice.

Unfair fight. The YF-17 was never fitted with any kind of extensive combat avionics system. The Super Hornet has the AESA radar, JHMCS, AIM-9X capability, etc etc. If it was just comparison of airframe and engines, I dunno. Probably similar? Which means if pilot skills were equal, it'll be all up to luck.

Unlikely. It's already been mentioned in press releases that it would include diecast metal. We just don't know how much metal will be used. If it was just paint, they'd have left it in the VF100s line and specifically just mentioned the paint (using words like メタリック塗装 or メタリックコーティング - which they do in their gunplas).

There has never been an anime that has simply been "re-animated". Something is ALWAYS changed (plot, storyline, setting, character, etc). So instead of a "re-animation", it will always be a "remake".

I too agree with Jenius. And yet when Graham suggested the notion of Yamato releasing a series of 1/100 fighter mode only models as part of the GNU lineup, a vast majority of posters here slammed the idea. But I agree with you. That's what Bandai should've done IMPO. A series of fighter-mode only display models. Or considering their model kits expertise, take the old Imai "3-in-1" idea and release as easy to build HG kits. Or how about the idea of the line being a series of diecast fighter-mode only display models? I mean, if it's going to be a fighter-mode only display model, why not make it diecast. Bandai made the right decision in going for diecast use for the now Hi-Metal line but already there are some issues. The price is now even higher and for some idiotic reason they deleted the landing gears option. Will perfect transformation and diecast-use be enough to convince fans to buy the upcoming Fire Valk (a rather unpopular Valk too)?

I really need to get my arse in gear and finish my own v2.0 RX-78 kit. I'm always surprised at how turquoise-like the color of the blue body part becomes under flash.

IIRC the C-model was a proposed variant of the 14B with F101DFE engines (not F401). Many of the upgrades (much of it avionics related) for the proposed C-model was later incorporated in the A, A+/B, and D model Tomcats.

It's quintessentially Kawamori IMHO. We're talking about a mech designer who loves the idea of add-on armor, boosters, missiles, guns, and whatnot no matter how impractical or ridiculous it looks.

Looks like they improved the sculpt and length of the nose gear. I wonder if they did the same to the rear...