Guys and gals, below are 16 photos of the new Yamato 1/60 scale VF-1D, which should be released around the middle of this March 2003. Note, most of these pictures were taken at night under artificial light and although I think they capture the colors of the VF-1D pretty well, nighttime photos always look a bit different to daytime ones.

Anyway, now for the review. As I've admitted previously, I'm not a fan of the VF-1D. Personally, I think it's one of the ugliest mecha in Macross. However, this new Yamato toy may yet change my mind. In the short time I've had it, it's really grown on me to the point where it's fast becoming my favorite of the 1/60 line.

Anyway, I was pleasantly surprised that I did not find a single QC problem with this toy. The toy transformed smoothly and flawlessly, with nothing too tight, nor too loose either. None of the problems that sometimes occur with the 1/60 series, like difficult to close wings, or loose necks were present in this toy. As Goldilocks would say "this one's just right".

The VF-1D features several significant differences over the rest of the 1/60 series. First off, the most obvious difference is that it comes with a two-seat cockpit, with two pilot figures. Unfortunately, Yamato chose not to sculpt TV version Hikaru and Minmay figures for the VF-1D, but instead supply the toy with two identical pilots wearing white TV type flight suits and helmets with green and blue trim.

Also, the canopy and heatshield of the VF-1D are not interchangeable with other VF-1 toys as they are both ?onger, wider and taller than a regular VF-1's canopy and heatshield.

The VF-1D also features an all new chest-plate and heatshield sculpt featuring different panel lines and detail. Also the back hatch is an all new sculpt, which correctly features the VF-1D's side-by-side antenna, rather than the tandom antenna of the VF-1A/J/S.

One thing that I was not too happy with, is that the VF-1D features the two different length of wing hardpoints that was first introduced on the 1/60 VF-1S Strike Valkyrie. I was hoping it would have the normal 'short' missile attachment points the same as the other non-FAST pack 1/60 VF-1 toys. I guess when Yamto made the VF-1S Strike Valk, rather than create all new tooling for the wings, which is very expensive, they just modified the original tooling, which is far cheaper.

The VF-1D comes with the same accessories as any regular 1/60 non-FAST pack VF-1 toy. Unfortunately, the instruction manual and sticker sheet were not ready when I picked up my sample, so I don't know if they will feature anything new.

You will all be pleased to know that the VF-1D features the new style gunpod with folding grip, which allows the gunpod to sit higher in fighter mode. Also, although the VF-1D does not come with FAST packs, it is fully capable of mounting the FAST packs from any of Yamato's earlier 1/60 Strike or Super toys.

Now finally for what you have all been waiting for, the pictures.