D_Unit

Thanks. Yes, with Joomla the free CMS software. There are many free templates for Joomla. I picked on with the right backend, edited the hell out of the graphics and the PHP code, and the site is born. What the real challenge in make this kind of website I found was that; it's not about how great a website looks but the quality of content inside it. I'm trying to make more time in my busy schedule to spend adding good insightful content for it (it's the darn music mixes that take a really long time, but it's also a hobby that I love doing).

I've just received mine yesterday and I spend a few hours playing with it. I love the sturdiness, the bright colors, the gallor of gimmicks, and the quality of the materials used as well as the new design improvements. It was pretty hard prying out all the parts at first (I almost torn the nail off of one of my fingers doing so), but after I got the just of transforming it, it was smooth sailing transforming the figure back and forth. For me, the YF-21 is by far one of the best (if not the best) Macross products made by Yamato. I've also made a detailed review with photos on my newly made fan site below: Direct link to my 1/60 YF-21 Review. I posted information about my website on the Homepages - Show off your Macross Homepage section of these forums if anyone's interested at having a look at my site.

My fan site: Hi guys/gals; I made a site dedicated to my interests, and Macross/Robotech is one of them. Below is the direct link to the Macross category of my site: Macross Section of my Website And here’s the direct link to my Macross collection gallery: My Macross collection gallery page To see all my other stuff, just go to the main page: http://www.loopydetails.com/ I hope to improve in my article writing as well as picture taking skills as I continue working on content for my site.

Glorious!!!

Well done... to all. It's been very comforting to me to see such views. It is not for me to say that any are well or not well informed, but that everyone spoke from not their "behinds" but from quite honest perspectives. The words "surprising", "amazing" and the like are used much too often these days but I'm glad they ring true for this and other topics in this forum....

Ideally, what our Governments would "like us" to believe is that our currency values are market driven. But from what I've seen, $US have been propped from tanking by massive debt (governmental & private), and the fact that the US is the chief consumer of Chinese goods and Foreign oil. One feeds the other and so on. IE: Until China (and other countries with significant ownership of US debt ($US backed)) finds another source of demand for their goods, they will continue to help "support/stabilize" the value of $US. And as long as foreign goods are relatively inexpensive, Americans will continue to import rather than to purchase domestically. I would rather borrow $50 now to buy a Chinese made product than to save and purchase a similar US made product for $150 later. Mind you, I'd probably spend $150 worth anyways (I'd buy 3 of those $50 WIGGITS just 'cause it's so cheap... I mean really, people have been spending the same amount if not more on tons of cheaper stuff... we just buy way too much, more than we need). So what's driving (or driving down) our world economies now? Is it the growth of nations such as China and India (we Canadians aren't doing so bad either)? Or is the the growth of credit, the "irresponsible" monetary policy of not just the US Fed, but other countries' institutions to allow debt from credit to spiral out of control (lowering interest rates do not prevent recessions, through out history it has only made matters worst). Money doesn't grow on trees, but apparently you always borrow. Why can't people understand that sometimes, it's o.k. not to be able to afford something, that sometimes, we can do without that big screen T.V. or that 2nd IPod. The real solution is for developing nations such as China and India to grow their own domestic demand/standard of living. But as long as the C.E.O. of Wal-Mart demands that $5 is all they'll pay for a microwave because the average American doesn't want to pay more than $50 for his/her microwave (I've read some articles that 10% of a product is the actual manufacturing cost (to the Chinese manufacturer) and the rest goes to shipping, marketing and Company (American) profits, how is a Chinese/Indian worker able to earn enough money to afford that same microwave that he/she has built for $2/hr. There is so much excess capacity for manufacturing goods that if Americans finally wave the white flag of bankruptcy... the world would probably feel something closer to a depression instead of a recession. With that said, why the heck are Yammies so bloody expensive. With 5 x 1/48's and a couple of nice 1/60's I can get myself a nice 42" 1080P TV. I mean, they're made in China aren't they?!?

Again, thanks. I started collecting toys way back when I was a kid. My first toy was a Diaclone Sideswipe. Didn't have allowance so I collected bottles and did chores for the store owner... it took a while. When I was old enough, spent most of my McD's paychecks on G1's (I absolutely loved Macross/Robotech but they were way out of my price range back then). Stopped for a while and almost lost/gave away everything. Bought Black Arachnia as a joke during the mid-90's... collected a few BW's for fun... not too serious. It was actually Yamato's 3 Macross+ toys that got me back to full throttle. I bought all 3 of them from a store I just discovered (I remembered thinking that I spend more on 3 toys that day then I did in the past 3 years). I was so amazed/mesmerized at/by the figures. One you blow a big chunk of cash for the first time... there seems to be no stopping afterwards. I try to save on hair cuts, eating out, clothes (other little stuff), for the toys I want. Funny, the toys don't do as much for me now (very recently) as it did when I was a kid, but I get a lot of happiness when my friends'/relatives' kids come over to check the toys out (sometimes I get multiples at toys sales so the kids get to leave with a toy when they visit). I guess we all have to grow up sometimes and I'm feeling the pressure to change my priorities now. I hope I'll still be able to continue collecting these great pieces of craftsmanship in the future. Sorry for such a long post.

Thanks everybody. I think everyone who's ever posted in this thread have somethings special to offer this forum whether it's a big or small collection. Here's the last one...

2 more... (it doesn't really look right with all that wood & fiberglass... maybe one day I can get a few decent glass cases).

Here's a few teasers... hope to get a Digital SLR, take some real photos and maybe put it up on a little web site so people can view it if they want.

Some more.

I'm blushing (but even I know that my squadron of a collection is nothing compared to the airforce that some of you guys have). Just rearranged to make room for new preordered stuff. Lucky to know a shop in town that carries Imported collectibles for great prices. Here's the new layout and the non-Macross stuff. Will post new stuff when they arrive. Sorry if I'm cloging up the page.

That's an awsome collection indeed banronv. Your setup is quite diverse and really well layed-out.

I missed a chance to purchace a 1/3000 sdf-1 complete in a box from a Collector's store 10 years ago for $80 US. Would love to get a Yamato version at any scale. But not at any price... to me, unless it's a size of a room (impossible), it's just one big non-articulate brick (too much BRICK trauma from collecting Transformers, old & new).

Oopse, bad math on my part. That's 5 shelfs of 1 1/2' x 3'.

GI Joe FLAGG is 7 1/2' Long, 3' wide and 2 3/4' high. I use your generic plastic shelfing (Home Depot stuff) for the bottom. Each shelf was exactly 2 1/2' by 3' so it came with exactly 5 shelfs = 7 1/2' x 3' (the FLAGG will fit with less than 1/4" to give on each side. I added a backboard underneath and covered with reflective tinfoil. I then stuck some white christmas lights in between the grates for some effect. I also have your generic rack lighting on top from Ikea. The wood frame you can built with what ever (I would suggets 1/2" plywood for strenght). I have a friend would owns a plexiglass fabrication shop so I got the plexi at cost and free drilling. 1/4" - 3/8" thickness plexi would be suffice. (For those brave souls out there, you can also try and use glass). I used door hindges to hold front panel together so it can be lifted up to give access to the toys and a glass dooor lock on the bottom (everything from Home Depot). Total cost of build: Just under $500. I think that's pretty cheap considering how much a professionally made one would cost. Hope this helps.

Only on ebay. It's more than 20yrs old (G.I. Joe FLAGG). You can get the little carriers in almost any toy/department store for cheap.

Here's some close ups (of the Macross toys): I've also got some unrelated stuff in there... running out of space.

Here's the abriviated pics...

I agree, get what you need (just one of each Model perhaps)... and hopefully you don't have to quit COLD TURKEY. I know (as in more than just aquaintances) many that can't afford even one 1/48 (but loves Transforming toys), and I know someone that can afford 10B/$150 = well, let's just say Yamato Co. it self would be done in many times over (who wouldn't give 2 Sh*ts about Macross/Robotech)... and a lot in between. P.S. I'm finacially close to the "lesser" dudes and many lifetimes away from the "top" dude. I've been lurking since '99 and all it takes a few replies and a whole lotta beer for me to come outta my gopher hole. First off, yes some people can afford what ever they need/want and some can't. But it's not cool for some to belittle the "pain" of a person who well... would love to obtain more than he can afford (especially when it's just another $150 toy... not a $150,000 Ferrari!). Life's about what's really important, and that's family, friends, and true happiness. And happiness shoulnd't be measured in what "league" he/she is in. Dudes, if you can afford to keep you hobby going, that's great 'cause Macross toys (to me at least) are beyond anything else. If not, don't sweat it, maybe you'll come back to it one day, maybe not. But it's the appriciation of these great figures (stories) that draws us all together, and that should be more than enough to be a proud MACROSS WORLD member. Peace-Out...