Vifam7

Both the F-14B and F-14D had the GE F110 engines. There was no F-14C.

Yup, it's the SDF-1 bridge (DYRL version) ... um yeah why the DYRL bridge for the TV Max?

I did not know that there was such a thing as adult Hot Wheels collectors...

The name of the fanzine (aka. doujinshi) was called "Gunsight". This fanzine later became a Gundam mook called "Gundam Century". It was one of the first books to explain and discuss the science and 'setup' of the Gundam universe. Shoji Kawamori, Kenichi Matsuzaki, Haruhiko Mikimoto, and Kazutaka Miyatake (as well as a bunch of other Nue people) were all involved.

Here's where it becomes a little tricky. While I always take my Valk toys out of the packaging, I don't always transform them. Sure I'll put them on display and swoosh it around the room. But transforming them is something of a case-by-case thing. I'll play with and transform my Takatoku/Bandai 1/55s but not my Yamatos. The cost of the Yamato toy, the complexity of the transformation, and the QC issues just doesn't work with me as a "playable toy". A fine display piece though. I suppose it's the reasons why I don't have that many Yammies. So yes, I'm one of those who treat a Yamato more as a static one-mode pre-built model kit. However, I suspect I'll treat my DX VF-25s more like my 1/55s when I get them. Yes, I would buy a fighter-mode only model (just to note, my other passion is diecast fighter models). But I am not one of those guys who keeps their toys or models MISB as some kind of investment. Toy or display model, they should always be taken out of the box (IMO).

That's what I thought too. Or rather an IRST system (which is similar to FLIR but with a search & track function) much like what the F-14 Tomcat had on it's nose.

Just to note - some model kits these days are starting to blur the lines between model kits and toys. These days, kits made by Bandai, Kotobukiya, and few other makers come pre-colored and snap-fit. They're relatively easy to build and playable if you wish to do so. Bandai's Gunpla and current VF-25 models can either be nice display pieces or playable action figures depending on how the builder wishes to complete it. And on the opposite end, some toys are nothing more than pre-built pre-painted model kits. Just as fragile too.

It's pretty much that way in the lineart. Just angle the tailfin a little less

I was thinking more of Russia than China. No matter how advanced UAVs get tomorrow, I think you're still going to need just as many pilots in airplanes as today.

I think the Metal Composite and Kado Senshi toys of the RX-78-2 already fulfills the gokin area.

Agreed. You just never know what might happen in the future. A change in regime or a bad incident or two can quickly spiral into animosity. No matter how good or important the relationship today, tomorrow it could be a different story. And once a side believes it can win a "quick victory" because the opposition is seen to be weak, use of military force becomes likely. That said, the cancellation of the F-22 does make sense in the current realm of fiscal matters. What's troubling to me is that the future of the US airforces are now all in the basket of the F-35 - an aircraft whose capabilities are increasingly becoming suspect. If the F-35 is as advertised, then everything is fine. But if the F-35 turns out to be a turkey, it could mean bad things.

Pros for the 1/144 Chara-Works - 1. bigger than 1/200 scale 2. very nice Hasegawa-like sculpt 3. comes with landing gears option 4. in scale with a wide range of RL aircraft kits, mecha kits, accessories, etc. Cons for 1/144 Chara-Works - 1. QC not so good. Lots of seamline gaps 2. you have to apply the water slide decals 3. only VF-1s in this line so far 4. only fighter mode Pros for 1/200 Yamato VFC - 1. very nice sculpt with nice details already pad printed 2. wide range of Valk models 3. all 3 modes (fighter, gerwalk, battroid) available for all 4. goes nicely in-scale with HCMPro Gundams Cons for 1/200 Yamato VFC - 1. Extremely small 2. No landing gears option for fighter mode 3. overdone wash (YMMV) Both the Chara-Works and Yamato VFCs can be purchased by the box. 1 box will generally give you the complete set.

I don't know anything about knock-off PG kits but the general rule of thumb with knock-off kits is: buyer beware. You just know the quality isn't going to be there. Why risk your money.

I built the v2.0 MG MS-06J 'ground-type' Zaku. It's the first MG kit I built! I was surprised at how relatively easy it came together. Parts fit precisely together, no seamlines to remove, everything pre-colored... really just a joy to build and the end result is fabulous. There's even some heft to the finished model.

Although I prefer the matte look, I've read elsewhere that matte plastic or paint tends to capture dirt/grime from your fingers more readily.

I have to say, the Ver1.0 still looks quite good. In some ways better than the Ver2.0...

Best anime ever? Macross: Do You Remember Love. This movie was perfection in every way (IMO). There are other anime titles that also rank up there. Certainly Gunbuster and the Gundam Movies Trilogy. As well as many of the Studio Ghibli films (Porco Rosso perhaps being my favorite).

Personally I don't buy that argument of the VF-1 being an "economized" version of the VF-0. Because in real life, production aircraft almost always end up having more goodies and being more expensive (plus becoming heavier and bigger) than the testbeds and prototypes suggested. I think the idea of the prototype being more advanced than the production version comes from Gundam. Which is totally wrong IMO. ^^;

I think I can understand your position regarding the VF-0 to VF-1 comparison. Personally I didn't like the retcon myself. However, I'm not sure if l agree with you on the argument that the recent VF-25/27 Valks are looking more like insects. Mainly because the VF-1 has long been described by Japanese fans as a "praying mantis"-like robot. The VF-1's antennae on the head, the arms, the thinning down from chest to crotch, and the way the legs are attached to the body has been argued that it looks somewhat like a praying mantis.

Is it me or does MacrossJunkie's Luca VF-25 have legs that stick up a bit more in fighter mode? Maybe its just the camera angle? I don't know it looks a little better than photos I've seen of Alto or Ozma DXs.

Hopefully Bandai is listening to the feedback on these toys. It's probably too late for improvements on the VF-25s, but there's hope for the upcoming Fire Valkyrie. Good review BTW.

PVC plastic. Has always been a problem on Gundam MSiAs and GFFs. Thankfully it's a problem that's easily fixable. Just put it under hot water (not boiling water) for a couple of seconds, bend it into correct form, and quickly dunk it in cold water. I thought so too. I guess they did it to completely avoid breakage. [shrug]

Perhaps India might buy the Rafale? Provided they get that carrier finished by the Russians... I would guess sales of Rafale was hurt by having 2 competing delta canard fighters and the availability of cheap F-16s.

Not my pic. From the left, pilot figures from - PG Strike Gundam, PG Skygrasper, PG RX-78 Gundam, PG Wing Zero Custom, PG Zaku Now granted, when it comes to make-believe mecha it's sometimes difficult to fit an in-scale figure for various reasons. As all toy makers do not scale from the pilot figure out. They always scale the mecha to the official dimensions and usually just fudge the cockpit and pilot figure size. I don't really mind it with Gundams since their cockpits are hidden from view. But with aircraft such as the Skygrasper or Valkyries, where you clearly the see the cockpit and crew, it's a bit annoying.

I understand that correct scaling should be measured by the comparison of the toy/model to the specs setup by mecha designer. But, when the pilot figure sizes vary from model to model, it to me ruins the image of scale. And sometimes, scaling to the official dimensions results in a difference in size between what I see in the anime versus the toy/model. (aka. "It didn't look that small in the anime"). I know this is sometimes unavoidable when it comes to scaling make-believe mecha with make-believe dimensions. But it's something I tend to be picky about. In the case of the Skygrasper, I'm likely to put it next to a 1/72 scale Valk than Yamato's 1/60 scale Valk. ^^;