Zinjo

Projectile weaponry vs directed energy weapons has been debated already, and we'll agree to disagree on that point. Thus far it is unclear whether destroids were completely phased out since somewhere in the Frontier Manga (I believe) the Colonial President would not authorize the deployment of destroids to deal with the Varja bug threat on the Islands and left that to the SMS to deal with. Although I agree that cost would be a major factor with respect to the gunpods, not to mention mankind's confidence in reliability of known mechanical weaponry over somewhat new directed energy weaponry.

The point is that in the 37 years from the VF-1 until VF-22 Spacy developed and deployed approximately 10+ fighters and in only 14 years we might see only 3 new models, with the 25 being the most advanced. The comparative change in new development activity is what the comment is referring to. Since if the pace were still the same Spacy would have at least 5 to 6 new fighters on deck for deployment. It is entirely possible as March damn you march! has suggested, that the a change in policy has lead to a new direction of maximizing the effectiveness of existing designs as opposed to developing new ones. Such a policy shift would allow NUNS to get out more colony fleets in a shorter time with less cost in resources.

I like the following suggestions: - Loki ( ) - Griffon - Scorpion - Firehawk - Banshee - Wolverine - Panther - Viper - Cobra - Mustang II - Thunderbolt (like the symetry too, but unfortunately it was used on the VF-11 already) - Phantom seams better suited to the VF-171, as it has a kinship with the VF-17 Nightmare - Valkyrie II is far too obvious and probably won't get much traction with the Japanese fans, who tend to gravitate to the new. As for stealing from HG, if you look at the new REF insignia on the uniforms of the characters it bears a striking shape resemblance to the SMS insignia. Coincidence? Maybe not!

Well from a practical point of view would it not make a lot of sense to gain the performance of the VF-19 & 22 with the ability to augment weapons kits like the VF-1 and VF-11? It would also explain why the VF-25 is such a low number, if the earlier series' of VF's are generally still in use (to what capacity we dont' yet know) elsewhere. Possibly in strictly military applications as opposed to emigration fleet escort duty.

Somehow I remember that there is an option for the player to switch sides and one story tree has them attacking the Spacy HQ aka the SDF-1 and another has them defending it. But it's been a while since I've read the synopsis.

The transformation sequence, eventhough it "seems" a bit awkward to old school fans, is in keeping with SK's revisionist ideas about variable fighter transformations that we first saw in Zero. At no point does any part of the VF-0 or the SV-51 ever detach from any part of the aircraft like the VF-1 did. If he was given a chance to re-design the VF-1, I suspect the transformation sequence would look much more like the Zero with swing bars carrying the engines down to the nose. The fact that the VF-25's transformation sequence also solves the problem of transformation with augmentation packs still attached is also another benefit.

It possibly may not be there, if after Mac 7 series and before Frontier Spacy was reformed. The game's story may well have some relevance to the new series... VF-X2 takes place in 2050, between Mac 7 and Frontier...

VF-25 Fuzzy Bunny Slippers

- Mustang II - Tomcat II - Spitfire II - Draken II (though I'd reserve that one for a Zentreadi fighter personally) - Corsair II - Voodoo II - Loki - Thunderbolt II - Arrow II - Mirage II A few that came to mind...

Well since only members who live in Japan or have access to a Japanese cellphone will be able to make suggestions on the naming of the new VF-25 according to Azrael's post. I think we should toss out our own picks for the name, here.

Yay, I subscribed to NewType Japan just in time! My first issue is the April one!! Anyone know where I can get a Japanese cellphone?

The Metal Siren was Fugly... The 25 is purty...

Yeah, rivet holes are so unrealistic on aircraft, not like the magical assembly of Gundams... As for the Mac 7 kits, the VF-17 is only one Bandai truly dropped the ball on.

As a franchise, I'd start with an adaptation of Zero followed by 2-3 films about Space War 1 then possibly stories about the many colonial conflicts between SDFM and Plus, even including various genres within the universe... The universe is so vast, there are tons of room for fresh new stories...

Custom battroids have always been more expensive, the Minmay Guard was not cheap either... Still isn't, if you can find it!

If they want to compete with Hasegawa and see the same long term sales, they'll have to produce a kit of the same quality. Having exclusive rights to a design only sells so many kits. They discovered that with their poor Mac 7 kits. You still see a 10:1 ratio of Hasegawa kits over the Mac 7 Bandai kits. If they resculpted the Mac 7 line in 1/72 with similar quality as Hasegawa, then they'd be real competition for the "old man" of Macross kits... Particularly because a lot of fans would love quality 1/72 scale kits of many of the Mac 7 fighters, particularly the VF-17... A kit like that alone would generate many residual sales, since there are so many customs that can be created from it.

Yeah, Vifam7 I'd say you have nailed it. Most of the OVA kits of the day, with the exception of Mac Plus, were resin or poly garage kits.

well that might explain the VF-14 "ish" variable fighter model we saw in the 25th Anniversary special. The VF-14 was predominately used by Zentreadi fleets. Who knows maybe we'll see an actual VF-14 or VF-141?

That coloring could be based on the B-Club cover of the VF-2SS which was essentially a low viz color scheme. However the B-Club picture didn't sport any color, other than the blue grey and light grey for the striping and insignia. Considering both the VF-1 and VF-4 were both white it is reasonable to conclude the VF-2SS would also be white.

If that is the actual size of the gunpod, it makes me wonder if they haven't brought the old 55mm gunpod back....

I always thought it was the "Fairy Squadron"? Now I'll have to check again.

They show the Zentreadi sized portapottie?

OK, I am not getting the reference...

Where can one find these Freespace mods? They look sweet!

I'll send the one I clipped from the HD video file of Ep1. I'll see what other logos I have on my HDD from various sources, including the membership here...