Introduction & Release
Details
The Yamato VF-1A Max type is due
for release in Japan on February 21st or 22nd 2002, and will retail for ¥7,800.
Luckily, I was able to obtain one a few days
early for this review.
Just a quick note, this is going
to be a shorter than normal review as except for the color scheme this
toy is pretty much similar to previous Yamato VF-1 releases. So if you want
more details on the toy or the transformation, read my earlier reviews of
the Hikaru VF-1A, TRU VF-1A or Focker type VF-1S.
There is only one new change to
the Max type VF-1A toy, but I'll cover that later on in the review.
Box
Standard Yamato VF-1 box, with
photos of the Max type. No surprises here.
Sticker Sheet
Same as previous VF-1 releases.
See previous reviews in the MW toy section for
a picture of the stickers.
Instruction Manual
The cover of the instruction manual
is new, but the inside of the manual is the same as the one supplied with
the VF-1S (see VF-1S review for pictures).
Accessories
The VF-1A comes with the same accessories
as the other previously released Yamato VF-1 toys, that is: -
-
4 X AMM-1 triple missile clusters
-
4 x UMM-7 micro missile pods.
-
1 x heatshield (blue)
-
1 x radio antenna for Gerwalk
mode.
-
1 x spare nose plug
-
1 x optional open left hand
-
1 x optional hand with extended
trigger finger for holding the gunpod.
Unfortunately, my VF-1A Max type
toy was missing the small bag containing the two optional hands, spare nose
plug and radio antenna.
Materials & Finish
The VF-1A Max type is made of the
same greyish-white plastic as the Focker VF-1S toy. As
a side note, there was originally some discussion at Yamato about using
a white plastic with either a slight greenish or bluish tint for the Max
type, but as Yamato wanted the toy to be released in February there
was some rush to get the toy made before the factory in China closed for
the Chinese New Year Holiday in mid-February. Thus there was not enough
time to look into other colors, so it was decided to stick with the greyish-white
of the Focker type.
The paint job on the Max type is
very good, with no flaws.
Transformation
Same as previous Yamato VF-1 toys
(see my review of the Hikaru VF-1A for details on transformation).
New Changes
The only change Yamato have made
to this toy is a minor change to the hip joint design, which allows the
hips to bend backwards slightly more in battroid mode for improved posebility.
Other comments
-
Like the VF-1S, the back pack
hinge is tighter and you can do barrel rolls in fighter mode without
the back pack falling down However, if you vigorously shake the toy,
the back pack will still fall down.
-
the VF-1A max type does not
have the necessary holes and modifications to accept Yamato's FAST packs.
Cat in the Box
Last night while I was taking the photos of the
Max type, one of my cats "Harry" decided to crawl into one of my VF-1S
boxes. I thought this was quite funny so I've included the photos.
Graham's Opinion
A good quality toy with no flaws
except for the missing accessories. If you love Max Jenius or Yamato color
variations then buy this toy.
Graham
