Noyhauser

Three points. 1- This thread has taken a disturbing turn towards the two man luge. 2 - Eugimon, I think your disclaimer made your post even worse. 3 - nobody noticed or laughed at my highly appropriate, Zapp Brannigan quote... its quite depressing.

Max Jenius was the greatest of them all. I mean he WAS the best pilot, without a sliver of a doubt. Moreover, I think Zapp Branigan said it best:

I agree with everything my Canadian brother! Preach on!

Uhh, no. The Animego discs are discontinued, they are pretty easily found on sale. I paid full price for the 1st and 3rd box set... I wont say how bad it was. I then paid 18 dollars CND total for the set 2... search around and you could concievably find it all for under 60 dollars. Personally I have a deep aversion to dubs in any case, in any form.

How much money must be sucked out of me in order to be a Macross fan, dangit?! 380257[/snapback] Just search around for the Animego subs. You can probably find the whole set cheap, and they are probably the most faithful translations of the series to date. Also Robotech is a four letter word on this forum to many. Just a friendly hint.

Are those even functioning tail surfaces? It doesn't look like it to me.

Yes there would be, but in both cases the engine/leg assembly and the wings are completely separate, which would seem to indicate that it would have minimal effect on their operations. I suspect the VF-4 would be able to fly too and not too badly, since the arms sit in front of its shoulders. In essense it would be similar to its gerwalk mode. The legs only recess below the shoulder/arm assembly, but are actually connected to the body via the "thighs" which are actually a separate assembly to the shoulder/inner wing.

Well I don't know thats why I said that may be an option. I still think thats quite unlikely in any case. Thanks for stating the obvious. Down to typos are we now? I accidentally copied a typo when reading an International Institute of Strategic Studies Adelphi Paper, "Japan's Re-emergence as a Normal Military power" I was writing it as I was basically out of the door of my office (and even then I thought something was wrong, I've built a Type-90 as a model), but if the IISS makes one once in awhile, I think I'm excused for once. The figures I quoted are from Pg 52 a 1993 Rand Corporation Study: Of Toyotas and Tanks, where the figures were 2.2 Million for a M-1. These were some of the most reliable figures I had from a official comparative analysis, so I used them instead of utilizing rounded numbers as you did. The point was a comparative example showing that Japan has been willing to spend far more just to retain its defence industrial base, to the extent that even cheaper weapons systems could be purchased at far less cost. It did this quite well. Its relevant to show that if the Japanese considerations in mind that are fundamentally different from other states, which you didn't dispell at all. Good job on nitpicking about nothing. Worth 3.2 times the cost? Thats a very foolish statement to make. Most states would balk at such an inflation, even with a complete domestic offset and security concerns. Switzerland, a true "neutral state" purchases military equipment from its neighbours and other countries. India, a self professed non aligned state, spent an estimated 4 million a piece on an indigenous Tank, the Arjun. But, when production wasn't going as planned bought T-90s for an estimated 2.45 Million each. So even neutral states don't think its "well worth the cost."

Normally I'd agree but lately the US's policy on technology transfer seems to consist of two words F*ck and Off. Japan is a close ally yes but so is the UK and we're seeing how great a deal they're getting on tech transfer. With the Eurofighter consortium working to bend over backwards on tech transfer issues, and the US essentially flipping the bird at whoever wants to buy our newest planes I'd wager that the Typhoon has a much better chance than it normally would. I hope that institutional momentum and a Japanese willingness to spend money on the best of the best in fighter planes will drag the Raptor over the finish line, but the Typhoon looks like a better deal right now so I'm not willing to rule out the idea of seeing Eurofighters with rising suns on the wings. 379954[/snapback] As I noted, most of the main issues with technology transfers have been with Europe, or countries that have serious military exports (Israel). Its been highly politicized in nature, and thats' certainly been the main culprit in most of these cases. The problem with the UK's ITAR waiver was because BAE's collaboration with French companies, and its part ownership of EADS. In some way the UK got shafted because of France, rather than anything it did itself. Since the Japanese aircraft industry is mostly paired off with US Companies, that problem is allieviated, as is the fact that Japan's only and main security agreement is with the US. The Japanese have already made moves to purchase the plane, while nothing has been heard about the EF-2000. Examining the historic record Japanese procurement decisions... this would be the order of preference: F-22J F-3 (Partnership to build a indigenous fighter with the US) F-3 (Partnership to build a indigenous fighter with the EU) Eurofighter. The Eurofighter could move up a notch or two if it gave the JSDF the deal of the century, which its unlikely to do. This has nothing to do with the nature of which fighter is better, but more to do with the national security policy of Japan, which would prefer to be closely linked with the US or able to produce something indigenously. The M-90 tank costs Japan 7~9 million dollars a piece, instead of 2 million for a M-1... thats just because Japan wanted the ability to produce them itself.

VF-1 flies fine without arms, See Love drifts away VF-4 Probably could go to the elbow, any further would be a question mark. VF-11 Looks to be similar to the VF-1, so it should be fine. VF/A-14 similar to the VF-4... probably could. VF-17 they are recessed above the wing assembly, so it should be fine VF-19 - Similar to the VF-1, should be fine VF-21/22 - blow off limbs. VF-5000 - it might have problems, haven't seen it.

Hmm I guess it is streching it a bit... although there are similarities. The cutlass, despite its troubles was quite popular with pilots, and many of its nagging problems had been resolved by the time it was removed from service. Comparisons about its length of service are unhelpful. The cutlass was built during an era of massive technological change... by 1960 you had engines that could put out as much power as two of the J46 engines that serviced the Cutlass.

There is one exception, the Type 90 Tank which have been co-developed by Krauss-Maffei (Leo II tank.) 379436[/snapback] Oh I'm sure there are quite a few... but its comparatively little compared to the cooperation that exists between the US, especially in the Aerospace industry.

Which is why the VF-5000 became the Mainstay of UN Spacy after 2020. The VF-4 reminds me of the Vought Cutlass, advanced for its time but too much trouble in its aerodynamics and maintence for its worth. (still one of my favorite fighters though)

sigh, I guess I've got to say it again, because Jelenien and Morpheus aren't going to. Legend of the Galactic Heroes aka Helgensagen Von Kosmenief, is actually one series that outshines Macross on most of these categories. Its a massive sci-fi Epic that spans 110 episodes, thousands of characters, and absolutely fantastic battles. They are more realistic than Macross (millions die as do important characters in battles). Finally while the series does not use pop music, it does use classical music, which fits in better than any pop music ever could.The only thing that it lacks is a true love story, but you won't notice it. LOGH is likely my favorite anime series... and I've watched quite a bit in my day. 379662[/snapback] I've always wanted to watch LoGH but never got around to it. Is there a US domestic release of it? 379664[/snapback] No, there never has been, although Central anime (who did the M7 fansubs) have been working on a new complete series. The only option is Bittorrent.

sigh, I guess I've got to say it again, because Jelenien and Morpheus aren't going to. Legend of the Galactic Heroes aka Helgensagen Von Kosmenief, is actually one series that outshines Macross on most of these categories. Its a massive sci-fi Epic that spans 110 episodes, thousands of characters, and absolutely fantastic battles. They are more realistic than Macross (millions die as do important characters in battles). Finally while the series does not use pop music, it does use classical music, which fits in better than any pop music ever could.The only thing that it lacks is a true love story, but you won't notice it. LOGH is likely my favorite anime series... and I've watched quite a bit in my day.

I don't think the Eurofighter has a chance. There is no appreciable domestic offests for going with the Europeans. There is little industry co-operation between Japan and Europe, in comparison to the massive relationship between Japan and the US. Also the nature of Japanese security policy and its thinkers almost assures that it will buy an American built machine rather than a European one. Its just another way Japanese policy makers try to align with the US. My guess is that the Japanese won't have to worry about an ITAR waiver as the Brits had to for a F-35. Much of the British problems with the F-35 isn't really their fault, its politically motivated and related to France and the War in Iraq. Japan's cooperation in Iraq, its long history between Boeing and Japanese companies, will count for something in the end. And in any event would take a severely downgraded F-22 and upgrade it to their standards.

Trust me, I really didn't have a clue how I wanted to paint it. I looked around for a little while for paint schemes, found that one. Mine doesn't look half as good as yours, the black stripe with the 001 is a nice touch, one I may try to replicate.

Damn Chaz, thats pretty similar to the scheme I'm using, except your fast packs are light and mine uses Sea Blue. This is the scheme I'm going for... http://www.jpsmodell.de/dc/draw/f16a_egypt1_3.jpg

Since its open game on funny vids, I'd better post it before the season closes Here's one I dug up a couple of days ago (sorry JB0, you'll have to watch it twice) http://www.jengajam.com/r/Simmons-Whosline

Apologies if this has been posted before, but a friend sent me this link that has commercials of western stars in Japanese adverts.... enjoy. http://www.japander.com/japander/index.htm and because I know everbody in MW will immediately go to this star's notorious commercials here's the link: http://www.japander.com/japander/schwarz.htm

Just LOOK at the VF-0 some time. The designs are so close it's impossible to NOT notice that it's a re-envisioning of the VF-1. Here, I'll save you the trouble... See? The VF-0 is an anorexic VF-1! In continuity, it was designed so close to the VF-1 that they would've HAD to make extensive use of the VF-1 design, given that it was humanity's first variable fighter and the VF-0 was manufactured before the VF-1 entered mass-production. 375999[/snapback] Also remember this: the VF-0 is essentially a fighter that can temporarily transform into a battroid. The VF-1 is a fighter that can remain in battroid forever, its a true all environs fighter. I look at the VF-0 being overly aerodynamic because it needs to care about drag. The VF-1 were freed from these constraints, asdesigners had a new revolutionary engine which could give it far more thrust than anything in service on a limitless basis. They didn't have to worry about having a less than perfect aerodynamic design because they had waay more thrust than they had ever before. Their main concern was building a massed produced solid Varible fighter. The VF-0 is still constrained by traditional fighter limitations, and therefore looks more like a fighter.

Anime magic strikes again!

and they are only for airbrushing? No love for the paint brush people?

Fighter, separate (interior detail too), Battroid, I'm 95% sure it is too.

First off please stop referring yourself as a "die hard fighter fan." There are plenty of people here who are just as interested, definately more knowledgeable than you. I don't think it "needs" to be a sleek fighter either. The VF-1 is completely different from modern fighters. In its timeline its the first Thermonuclear powered fighter ever developed, and its a massive thrust increase from previous engine. Its engine can put out 50,000 lbs thrust, which is major increase than what we can put out today (35,000 for the F-22's F119-PW-100). Moreover it doesn't have to worry about fuel economy, something the VF-0 does. Drag doesn't matter for the VF-1. The other need for sleekness is for stealth. However the VF-1 has an active stealth system, probably one that defeated most modern day detection systems. Therefore sleekness for stealth wasn't really needed either. Finally, its the first attempt to build a transformable craft. Given this is a new technology, its not a bad start, especially when you consider how small it is. They certainly crammed alot in there, compared to the VF-0 which is quite large in comparison. Finally I think the fighter looks fairly sleek, and to me, is a realistic start to the Variable fighter series.