Mog

I SO agree with this suggestion! Heck, >EXO<'s already done most of the write-up in his first post. If we were ever looking for a reason to get the Customs section back up and running again, it's definitely for this puppy and all the incredible work that went into it.

I coulda swore I read something on rebelscum that they cancelled the Obi evolutions set (Ep. I, II, and IV versions) but will be releasing each figure individually as an "anchor figure" for some upcoming waves this year.

Thanks for the links to the pics. I'll give the guy credit: he definitely knows how to pose out both the Legioss and Tread. The poses are quite dynamic and impressive. With that said, the compromises/flaws are still pretty apparent on both of the birds. I'll just mention the ones that haven't been pointed out recently: * The Legioss head can't be moved to look left or right. * The Legioss legs/feet have to be splayed out for the fighter combo mode. * The overhead missile rack on the Tread doesn't go down completely in bomber mode. Thanks to all you folks who are buying these and giving us your reviews here. I may not like the combo at the price they're selling it for, but I still appreciate the feedback and info.

Thanks for the awesome post!! I totally agree 1984 is one of the best modern pieces of literature. But I was pretty unimpressed with the one film version I saw. Still quoting "Do it to Julia!!!!!" instead of "He loved Big Brother." Massive kudos to you, sir!

I know Devin closed up shop awhile back now, but I just finally finished up my last bird with his stickers. Someone once said, "A picture is worth a thousand words." Well Devin, here's a thousand "Thank you's": I don't think my custom Stealth or my M&M's would have looked as cool without your stickers. And the custom leg art for the GBP is a personal little favorite of mine; it's an awesome, almost hidden detail that gives my GBP a little extra style and "oomph." With your free time becoming shorter and the printing suppliers becoming more scarce, I can understand why you stepped away from this business. But thanks again for making these stickers and decals available to us Macross fanatics for all these years!!

<GASP!!!!> As much as I whole-heartedly agree about Bastila, I am shocked, yes shocked, that you didn't mention HK-47! Everyone's favorite protocol-assassin droid is a definite must for me......meatbag!! And of course for the compulsive troop builders in all of us, a few Sith Troopers wouldn't be too shabby either. In any case, my two customized KOTOR fig's need more of their buddies made :

I don't know. The only one that I THINK may be an exclusive is the Baroness in scuba-gear that's gonna be included in that three-pack (the one based on the MASS Device cartoons). Of course, I could be wrong. Shin, can you clear up the details for us?

Grand scheme of things, it's another proverbial feather in Toynami's crap-filled cap. Already cancelled my pre-order yesterday with BBTS. Nothing personal against them mind you. But it's just business. They offered a ridiculously good price; I placed a pre-order. They changed the price to something else; I went ahead and canceled it. Again, it's just business. Nothing more, nothing less. I'll probably still wind up getting the Beta (ASSUMING THE PRICE IS REASONABLE). But at this point, I'll probably go with one of the reliable dealers/sellers that posts here on our boards. Unless BBTS can offer the Beta at a significantly lower price than them, I'll just go with the dealers/sellers I've usually bought my Macross and Mospeada goodies from in the past.

Thanks for including the Alphas/Legiosses in the background. It helps to get a sense of the size of the MH versions.

As promised, here are some pics of the touch-ups I did: It's really hard to tell now, but I do prefer the slightly wider look of the comic-pack CG's mask. But the one thing that really sucks about the comic-pack CG is that the neck is craned/tilted forward too much. It gives ol' Fred that bored, slacker teenager look. Also, I got around to opening the Crimson Twins set, and I noticed one really cool thing I didn't see before: the packaging has that silver, mirror-like striping off to the sides.....just like the original, old-school packaging!! Lastly, I'm really digging this updated version of Snow Job; THIS is how you improve on the original, vintage version!!

@mechaninac, I'm guessing the Beta's gonna be released by Thanksgiving or Christmas time at the earliest. Toynami usually winds up being late on their release dates. In any case, I've gotten used to having this avatar for the past few years. So, having it for a few more months (or until 2009 ) won't be a big deal. (Plus, it'll be a bit of a trip for me, breaking out that kupo-spouting avvy once again.) Personally, I'm kinda curious about how the cockpit stows away in battroid mode. The pics we saw awhile back showed the cockpit just folding down (and showing) in battroid mode. But the pics we're seeing now show it completely hidden in battroid. But more important than that, I really, really, REALLY hope Toynami puts some ratchet joints on these puppies. A floppy shoulder or leg on the Beta would absolutely kill the look of the bomber mode.

In any case, that preorder price is still up. If they decide for whatever reason not to honor it, I'll just cancel and go with my usual, go-to dealers. Major props to Kyp for waking this Mog out of his slumber and telling me about this news. Yeah, I know far too well about Toynami's "well-earned" reputation. But I just can't pass on the Beta, especially at this particular price point.

Too lazy to look through the whole thread, but how about: VF-25 Chimera When I look at the 25, I see a lot of elements from the old birds: the variable geometry wings of the old VF-1; the shield from the VF-11's and 19's; the complex fuselage-folding of the SV-51; etc. Much like the mythological creature, the 25 seems to be a deadly combo of the signature elements of the different Macross fighters from the past. So, Chimera seems to be a pretty appropriate and fitting name. EDIT: Okay, finally read the whole thread. Saw that 1/1 LowViz Lurker already posted the idea. My bad.

Zzzzzzzzzzzz <snort>.......Someone wake me up when we get hands-on reviews of CM's combo. Or when Toynami finally starts setting up pre-orders for the Beta. ....Or when hell finally freezes over..........Whichever scenario happens first. In all seriousness, I do have my concerns and sharp criticisms of CM's combo (which I've voiced enough about in this thread). But I think I've also been fair to CM's, praising them for using ratchet joints and for posing their Legioss and Tread in ways that show off the "solid-ness" of their figures' shoulder joints and arms. I ain't knocking anyone for purchasing CM's combo. But the look and corresponding price-tag just don't do it for me personally.

^^Oh, I have some ideas and schemes brewing for those underbelly Fast Packs.......gaps be damned!!!

Picked up the Crimson Twins and the Fred & Scarface comic packs today. Found both of 'em at one of the most inconsistent Walmarts around my area (in terms of stocking/restocking toys). Also found the Ace/Wild Weasel pack there too, but the Ace had too much of a bug-eyed look to him. So far, the Targets in my area seem to be the best places to go to find the latest Joes. Found the regular CG, Rock N' Roll, and Snow Job at Targets this past week. (Still searching for Flash, Torpedo, and maybe, IG Destro.) RnR has the same arms as Duke/Flint, so expect to do some cuttings to make trigger fingers and to improve the elbow articulation. I also painted the regular CG's mask silver (instead of leaving the whole thing black). The mask still looks like a gorilla-face. But the silver seems to improve the mask's look a great deal. I definitely like the shape of the Fred/Comic Pack CG's mask a heckuva lot more. So, we'll see how it looks in silver (once I get around to painting it). As for Scarface, I think I'm gonna touch up his scars a bit to make them more red. It's kinda hard to see the facial scars on the figure, even if you're looking at it really, really close up. I'll post pics of the touch-ups tomorrow (or whenever I finally get to doing them all ).

Thanks for the pics and link!! A couple of those gaps between the FP's and the bird proper could bug me a bit. But I'm sure I'll eventually learn to live with them. Just tell me that those kite and YF-21 emblems by the cockpit are tampo-printed.

Alright eugi, don't get your Omega Pants all up in a knot now!

Honestly, I don't see what the big deal is. I don't see Yamato's marketing practices being any different from Hasbro's or any other toy companies. We've gotten CAD drawings, pics, and even a few minute details about the transformation and landing gear. Hell, for crying out loud, we even got a frakken COMMERCIAL this time around!!!!!!! Just be patient young padawans. Graham may not be able to leak any major info. and details right now. But I'm sure he'll provide us with a nice review and transformation video (please? ) sometime shortly after the official release date. If Yamato didn't give Graham a version to play and rough-house with a little earlier than the rest of us, can you imagine how much later after the release date we'd have to wait for a thorough review (with pics)? Besides, a bunch of us schmoes who preordered this bird should already know the risks inherent in preordering anything before any reviews come out. Them's just the breaks.

I'm still particular to the military dude chilling with the little girl in the sandbox, shown a few times during the SDF Macross TV series. One minute, you're just having a quiet, quaint, and peaceful moment. The next moment, you're getting nuked and charbroiled to bits. ------------------------------ Also, the Zent' dude who gets pulled out of his Regult and gets capped by Max in DYRL got an f'ed up deal too!

C'mon now. Let Graham have his little fun. He has to deal with all our b*tching, whining, and insane analysis on this board. ........Besides, I figure the more we pester him, the less time he'll have to prep a full-up review by the release date. Plus, we gotta give Graham time to give the YF-21 his own personal brand of rough handling and "lovin'." (How else are we gonna know if this bird can stand multiple transformations without getting floppy?)

Gorgeous work, Jung! I especially like the what you did with the repainted pilot. Very nice!!

Thanks, Shin!! Where'd the Beta's cockpit go?! Still like that underbelly shot, though. I know it's a bit sad, but I'm holding out hope that this bastard will finally get released.

^^Tell me about it! I still haven't seen last year's Wave 5 in my neck of the woods. Granted, I've just resumed the hunt in the past few weeks, but still!

^^No worries. Wasn't trying to start an argument or anything. (I just remember that it took me a butt-load of time to take those pics and draft up those posts.) In any case, take another swig of the Yoshinol for me. And if some brain cells die, screw 'em! If they can't stand up to a little bit o' alcohol and paint fumes, then they're obviously weak little brain cells that can't hold even one squat of memory. Besides, you're probably doing yourself a service by wiping out those weaker brain cells.