Shin Densetsu Kai 7.0

Guys I juat got the Universe devastator 2 packs(RID landfill repaint) from target for 16.99 each and I RECOMMEND IT!~ Very awesome! As a combiner I thought he would be bigger but he is a decent size. A bit bigger than Beast wars ultra figures when combined. The individual modes are fully articulated and decent and the set has the BEST REPAINT COLORS EVER! The original buildking was way too bright, this one is PERFECT! I like it a lot more than my energon devastator. And don't let the box pics fool you, the other combinations not pictured are MUCH better! You can gattai this in 3 different ways and multiple weapon configurations. Totally worth it! *And for those of you with THS-02.......since he is so small maybe this looks like an "in scale" gestalt for him to try to topple!*

I'm a member there as well (as well as a paying member of the Tomcat and Tailhook associations). Since I plan to be there in September for the ceremony I've tried to stay on top of things there. While Tom Cooper offers up information that no one else has, be careful with it. He's going by what the government of Iran has TOLD him (and what few pilots he was able to interview have heard). He has next to no official paper evidence to back up any of his claims. Some of it may be true, other parts of it may not. There is an infamous "3-way" Phoenix missile kill he speaks of where an Iranian Tomcat managed to splash 3 MiGs with one AIM-54. The circumstances and possibilities are a near mathmatical impossibility (I'd give it about a 2% chance). He claims that almost their entire run of tomcats (minus those that Iraq managed to shoot down and a few accidents) are still completely functional. I take issue with this because just after the new year, I was made privy to the unclassified parts of an intelligence threat-assesment briefing held at McConnell AFB where basically the US reviews pretty much anything and everything it has to fear around the world. In that briefing, it was said that the US has eyes watching approximately 20 functioning Tomcats left in Iran. The rest are either mothballed or have been parted out. At any rate, they don't have the means to fly more than 20 or so without some parts-swapping between airframes. His book on Iranian Tomcats is awesome, it's just about the only resource available for Ali-Cats, but beware his facts and figures, because he's the only one spouting them and they don't match up at all with what pretty much every other government sees. 388758[/snapback] Oh I'm definitely aware. I tend to think the Iranian kills are lesser than what is stated in books, but much higher than the naysayers say(there are those that try best to diminish whatever success the cat did in that war and downplay it in favor of hyping the eagle or falcon). He himself did acknowledge that info was VERY hard to come by, and from what I recollect, the Iranian govt. wasn't very forthcoming at all. Not to mention they try to downplay any success by aircrews who were prerevolution IIAF and acknowledge the kills as SAM kills rather than cat. Also some of the crews themselves were hard to come by because they fear for their lives, same reason it was hard to get assistance from former IAF pilots. The recent posts he had shed a LOT of light. I was very skeptical at first and thought it would be just a neat book but after reading his long post on how hard it was to get info and the hurdles he went through(didn't seem like the US or IRanian govt. was very forthcoming at all) I am beginning to think that a lot of his info may be correct. From what I understand most of it was cross referenced between the sources he could get. And...I think its quite sad how everyone just says the tomcat just had 5 a2a kills....knowing truthfully that the numbers are much higher than that and it wasn't the giant stalling mess a lot of naysayers tried to make it out to be.

Boys I have quite possibly found thee BEST Tomcat site on the web aside from MATS. tomcat-sunset.org Its got MANY pilots that flew the thing, including some from the first squad...VF-1 Wolfpack! So many topic threads in its forum! Tom Cooper posts there as well. And I did say Dave Venlet there as well(one of the black ace crews who shot down SU-22s in 81) You can find paraphanelia including newspaper scans from its introduction in the early 70s, accounts of flying it, analytical descriptions from both F-14 and non F-14 pilots concerning its ACM and DACM capabilities, accounts from IRIAF pilots and how the current IRIAF is now with their tomcats, and such. So far from what I read Iran has a couple tomcat aces with the leading ace scoring between 10-15 kills....( think its listed as 12.....) But tom Cooper did a bunch of research....so I do trust his work. VERY interesting stuff. Its also very interesting to hear what all the pilots had to say.

I want Tenjin or Takani artwork on the box. HELL YES! Wait...BOTH of them!! The price is high so I will wait till you boys review the hell out of this thing and I find it at a local con....most of the stuff I find is sold for less than retail and sometimes you can cut deals. And I gotta make sure that the 1st release is worth buying rather than waiting for a 2nd release with fixups........hoping this VF-0S is so good it won't even need fixups in reissues....just reissues for high demand!

Isn't that the Mcfarlane Robocop in front?

I agree, and not to mention most people tend to identify/and usually buy the first version that was used by the character first. Look how many people wanted a 1/48 VF-1J Hikaru. Look how many begged for a TV VF-1A max and TV Milia Qrau. Sure her DYRL version came out but people wanted the one she first showed up in. Also again with the VF-0D debate... Its like the F-14, there is NO trainer version of that aircraft. Rookie pilots/RIO's in the RAG/FRS man the plane. There training consists of flying and learning the weapon systems. In no way is it a trainer plane. Thats just how it is and how they start. And plus the only reason IMHO that Shin even flew a VF-0A later on was that his designated fighter was already blown to bits and Edgar was injured so couldn't do his RIO duties till he recovered. And besides.....if you want to talk about more screen grabbing attention and being more flashy, the VF-0D wins hands down. The VF-0A was only used by him in the last episode and wasn't that eye catching. This doesn't mean I wouldn't want one(I would) but the VF-0D is a much more elegant design.

Don't get me wrong, I understand where everyone is coming from, but doesn't Shin's entire new squad go out and train in the 0D? Or were they mixed with 0Ds and 0As? I understand the point of there not being any trainers present (other than Roy) and that, like the 1D, it could be used as a non-training vehicle, but if we limit it to the confines of the show, it would appear that the 0D is like a 0A with training wheels. The real point is, if you were gonna make a toy, and you had a choice between the plane the guy trained in or the plane the guy kicked butt in, wouldn't you go for the butt-kicking plane first? 388209[/snapback] Thing is its never stated anywhere that the 0D is a trainer at all. Maybe the VF-0B, but not the D. The B looks like an A with training wheels. The D is for the most part an all new altogether different almagation with just commanalitie for some parts, not most.

Boys the only trainer looking one I have seen is the VF-0B. And if yamato did make one based on the hasegawa kit then I would sure as hell buy one! And no even now I still liken the VF-0D to the F-15E strike eagle, not a trainer, a multirole strike fighter. Variable fighter multipurpose fighter bomber. Jack of all trades if ya will. Hell I wouldn't be at ALL surprised if the VF-0 family was branched like the F-16 family.....the F-16 had a cranked delta variant called the F-16XL that was a multirole fighter that lost out to the strike eagle.

Eh, the VF-0D ain't no trainer though. Its a strike fighter, much like how the F-15E Strike Eagle is not a training variant of the F-15C, rather, a precision strike fighter/multiroler with avionics and weapons systems that necesitate a 2nd crew member to operate due to the high workload imposed.

You're right the AH-1Z (I referred to at as the Zulu because of the "Z" designation) is to replace the current Cobras 387797[/snapback] Whoa...awsome pic! Could it carry 6 winders at a time? Also I did hear that later model cobras can be flown from the front seat and that the back seat also has weapon firing controls as well. I always found it intriguing that most 2 seat tandem copters have gunner in front and pilot in back. Also has anyone toyed with the idea of a jet engined helicopter rather than a rotor blade? I always envisioned that as the next step much how propellers moved way for the jet engine in fighters. I got a couple designed if any of you want to see.

Ya know guys I don't think the F-15C is a helpless fighter at all. I mean its still great. Its still got some advantages over the 4th gen russian planes. Its not like every eagle driver would turn and squeal on site of an enemy SU-30MKI. The F-15C pilot would just have to avoid turning with the MKI and hope to outdive him. Also the ease of use in US fighters factors into higher SA for the eagle pilot. As Skull leader more or less just proved in a VFA-103 pilot's knife fighting assesment between a super bug and a raptor, the super bug ain't helpless against the raptor either close in. The media is trying to make it seem like the eagle has no chance in hell to survive and confrontation with updated sukhois/Migs. I think the contrary. And guys....stripped of CFT's, does the F-15E make a good knife fighter....as in just as good as the F-15C? The E has higher thrust engines...and I assume the CFT's when removed provide a much lighter airframe.

Different characters. THe body was meant for Convoy but I believe he was dead at the time. So a human, Ginrai recieved/piloted it. Ginrai turned into the engine block that plugged into the cab.

I agree and I do think the Commanche was due to replace the cobra. The apache kicks ass. I often wonder as well, what will replace it? I always see it as a semi counterpart to the MI-24 HIND. God that thing looks awesome!

I knew that, but I couldn't remember the exact ways it was (no slammers was one I think), and I was too lazy to dig around my computer for the article. 387618[/snapback] Same here, I don't even remmeber the whole article from ARC but it spurred off a huge debate. I just remember the advantages given to the Indians making it nearly impossible for the US to win and yet the media publicizing the notion that we got slammed. And thanks for the comments on the Lightning boys. Anyone care to compare the P-51D and late model lightnings? The lightning looks awesome.

The reason usually cited why the Lightning didn't do as well in Europe was twofold: 1. the engines turbo/superchargers didn't perform as well in the [more] figid high altitude air of Europe as they did in the warmer air climes of the Pacific 2. the twin-boom layout was a dead giveaway to German pilots at altitude, especially when high enough for the engines to leave tell-tale twin contrails; the Germans could essentially spot/make out their foes sooner. They called the P-36 "twin tail Devil" or something like that, IIRC. I suppose the Lightning's biggest advantages would have been: more firepower; had cannon AND MG's in the nose, didn't it? Also, having the guns in the nose/centerline of the airframe made for higher accuracy and focus of firepower? Redundancy of 2 engines; definitely a good insurance policy when flying long missions over vast expanses of the Pacific. 387572[/snapback] I wonder, if they called it a devil then it must've done some damage right? Good points on the historical info though, I don't know much about the plane.

Here I go again. That line about Vietnam and the Phantoms with no guns etc etc keeps popping up everytime someone on a public board mentions the paradigm shift in fighter combat. Its not the 60s/70s anymore. This is 40 years on. In the 1930s, if you told people to leave defensive guns off the heavy bombers, they would think you are nuts. In the 20s, if you told people to forget about battleships, they would think you are nuts. IMHO, the 70s was not the time of the BVR missile yet. Why cant it be possible that in 2010, the BVR missile and its associated avionics has finally come of age? As an analogy BVR missile in the 70s = Torpedo Bombers in the 1920s BVR missile in 2006 = Torpedo Bomber in the 1940s 387558[/snapback] I don't doubt that BVR has come a very long way. I'm just saying dogfighting skills and guns will still be needed in the future. Look at the whole Bekaa valley fight, the sparrows actually DID work in that conflict but the Israeli's used all the weapons on their plane. I tend to think a plane with JUST AMRAAM is not the best fighter, I'd give it a gun and some heaters as well. This is the same reason I don't agree with the RAF removing the cannon in their Eurofighter.

soundtrack HERE http://jeff.ali213.net/ACZero/index.htm

See with me I always wanted a 2 seater. And unlike the VF-1D, this isn't just a 2 seat version, its an almost all new plane altogethere. Not to mention it looks awesome! I would have never thought Kawamori would put a 2 seat delta into Macross zero...with canards. Its a spectacular looking design. Where as the VF-0S is similar to the VF-1, the VF-0D looks NOTHING like it! And that I like!

From what I recall it was in India. It wasn't even about Indians having the homefield advantage, they had numerical superiority and BVR superiority as well. They were not as limited as the Americans were. IT wasn't an even playing field no matter how you look at it. IF it WAS on even terms I have no doubt in my mind that the US would have called a lot of the shots and won a lot of the battles. If anything the way the media portrays it helps both countries as a propaganda tool.... 1-Makes Sukhoi look good in the eyes of potential customers 2-Makes the F-22 increasingly important especially in the eyes of paranoid politicians(this is not to say that it is not needed but when programs need more money just about every trick in the book/urban legend just about works). And I did hear at one point that the Mustang was inferior to the Lightning and that the Lightning did okay in the pacific but horrible in Europe. Thoughts?

True but advanced technology was around in vietnam and still dogfighting skills and guns were just as important there as they were in Korea. I believe that no matter how advanced technology gets, fighter pilots should still be prepared to fight in the booth so to speak and have guns even if its 'just in case". History shows that unexpected threats will come out of nowhere and what we thought was not needed long ago in favor of new stuff, will once again be needed.

Heh yep, just me wishing it would be. Although to be honest, even if the size might not be anime accurate, I wouldn't mind it being just as big as MP prime. Starscream rules! Heres to hoping they make a masterpiece God Ginrai at some point. OR THS version.

What also helps make the Flanker including all of it's variants able dogfighters and the Mig-29 and Mig-33 as well is their special helmet mounted targeting system(I think German, Russian, adnUkrainian variants are the only one's that have this) in which the pilot just has to jerk his head in the position of the enemy fighter just to achieve a lock on opposed to American and European(I think) aircraft that require the pilot to line up the nose of their aircraft just to obtain a solid lock on. Sure I'll admit Russia has superior fighters but they don't have suitable multi-role capabilities just like American and European fighters. The only Russian fighter that has this is the Su-34 Platypus which serves as a fighter/bomber as well as the Su-30MKII Zhuravlik. The Flankers and Fulcrum have may have a more sleeker look to them but in terms of design, there's not much variation since they are just mere updates of original models. (It's aslo worth noting that the Su-33 is my favorite Flanker variant) The Su-47 is Russia's first sewpt forward three surface wing design and boasts far more maneuvaribilty than the Raptor I think that it strongly has something to do with it having lateral 3-d thrust vectoring nozzles opposed to the Raptor's 2-D vertical vectoring. I also believe that MIG-1.44 may be a complementing fighter to the Su-47 since it boasts identical capabilities. I aslo believe that the mysterious MIG-37 Ferret may not enter service at all. European fighters don't have much of a fear factor in terms of design but the only fighter that I'm feeling is the Rafale since it looks more sleeker than EFA2000 Eurofighter Typhoon. As for Sweden's JAS-39 Gripen, I'm not fond of it's design and I wish that the Saab Viggen was updated with avionics to compete against comtemporary fighters but I think that the plane is long retired from service. 387517[/snapback] MIG-37 was just a concept painted by an artists back in the 80s. SU-47 won't even see production, its just a tech demonstrator. MIG 1.44 won't come out, MIG/Sukhoi are working on a new 5th generation fighter. And Noyhauser I saw the stats on the whole US/India engagement...the Indians held the advantage the whole time with engagements and radar and all that really catering to their side. The US was put at a severe disadvantage, but barely any of the press even mentions it. IN other words the fight was NOT FAIR AT ALL. Just goes to show how far the media will go to make the US look bad. I wouldnt at all be surprised if this was to gouge more money for the F-22 though.

That's because Galaxy Force ended prematurely in Japan, due to poor sales, and Takara slowed down their TF releases leading up to the merger with Tomy. [ Wow, that was downright jaw dropping. I remember seeing this CG render when it first started surfacing but i had no idea the guy was actually putting his render into motion. That is some seriously talented work. As for Don Figueroa i had no idea he had anything to do with the movie? I think Don Figureroa is easily the best TF artist out there right now, but i don't remember reading him designing the TF's in the movie. If this is the case i don't think we'll have anything to worry about when it comes to the designs of the robots... as for the movie itself though, that might be a different story... let's just say i don't have high hopes for it. 387028[/snapback] Wrong Don. TF movie producer is Don Murphy. Don Figueroa works with Hasbro designing toys these days along side his comic work, but most likely doesn't have anything to do with the movie. No way no how. Ridiculous suggestion. 'Not that big?' You've got to be joking. 387483[/snapback] No I am NOT joking. I got a BBI 1/18 scale F/A-18. You seriously think an F-15 in 1/24 scale would be big to me? Not really. You gotta remember, your talking to a guy who wishes for a 1/18 scale F-14 at some point.

Guys think hypothetically. Pretend the VF-0S and VF-0D were coming out at the same time. Or pretend you only had enough money to buy one, which would it be? YES the VF-0S is coming out. This is just to see if more people would want a VF-0D over a VF-0S. This has nothing to do with how the VF-0S sales dictate whether or not we get a VF-0D or any of that. That stuff is in other threads. This is just a poll to see interest. As for the other options.... I think I covered those in my poll extravaganza either last year or the year before.

Thing is, MP ex and dragon kaizer were designed from the outset to combine. A lot of diecast may have worn the joints down to the point of being a gattai ragdoll. And from what I remember, exkaizer was just a bit taller than an alternator in combined mode, maybe with dragon kaizer it is bigger, but its gattai mode alone is barely bigger than an alternator. Not to mention masterpiece braves are seperate from masterpiece transformers. So I do think MP Starscream will probably have a good amount of diecast. Not a ton, but a good amount.