Draykov

Well, I got my first VF-1S Hikaru yesterday. I admit, as people started to get theirs and started commenting on them, I started to worry that I would be the victim of a Yamato QC blunder, but for the most part, I'm pleased with my purchase. I'm happy to report that there are no gaps over the intakes in fighter mode as reported in this thread. The general consensus on that issue, I believe, is that it was just a problem caused by lack of attention to detail during transformation. If you do it right, you shouldn't have gaps. The one thing that was a problem was paint. Much like Tam reported in his review over at the Twin Moons Forums, I had a similar problem, though not as bad as Tam's (see below). The black stripe on the port wing of my Valk was a bit shoddy, but not really noticeable or worth mentioning to any but the most discerning Valkyrie connoisseur. Overall though, another very satisfying product from Yamato. In fact, I liked it so much I ordered another.

Even after going through various threads and looking at different pictures, I'm still confused. I guess I should look at my manuals again. I haven't had FAST packs on in any mode other than fighter yet. Is the little dippy-do in the picture above the white piece that came with the FAST packs? Is it the FAST packs specifically that's causing people to rip off the Valk's backpack unit, like so?

Can anyone point out the specific problem area. As I haven't had the misfortune of breaking any of my 1/48 yet (knock on wood), I'd like to have some more insight. Can someone see it in any of these pics?

I've never heard of this problem before, but it just figures it would happen to a low-vis. Sorry about your loss, bro. The only thing close to consolation I have to offer is that you can probably still score a low-vis on eBay for around $150 if you're that desperate to replace it. I would also check out the Wanted forum. I know you're not the first to break a 1/48 (and unfortunately, you probably won't be the last). You can always hold out for someone with a similar situation and maybe swap parts or something. I think the thread you mentioned ended abruptly because Yamato's willingness to provide spare parts also ended thusly.

I think it's mainly for the S/VTOL style of flight. In atmosphere, I imagine you can move around in gerwalk more quickly and efficiently than in battroid (unless your intent is to "footsoldier" it, that is) and you gain the ability to hover which you lack in fighter mode.

I imagine this has been done before at some point, but I thought I'd ask. What is your favorite mode to display your VF-1 toys in? If you prefer another variable fighter, feel free to contribute in the form of a post, but be sure to specify what toy you're referring to. Personally, my choice all depends on my mood. Variety is the spice of life, so my display shelves tend to change every couple of weeks or so. I tend to go for the clean (without FPs) fighter mode first and foremost. Some of you must be thinking "What's the point of getting a transforming airplane toy if you don't transform it?" It just really appeals to me. But, like I said, I like to switch it up from time to time.

Thanks, Biggy. Sounds cool. As they are really just display pieces, I don't mind flimsy plastic, so long as Valks aren't dangling off their launch arms. The Hikaru next to a Yamato 1/48 super VF-1A Battroid or open canopy fighter mode Valk sounds tempting. I think I'm sold. Any dissenters?

$1500?! Well, time to go cancel all my credit cards before I do something stupid. I suppose I could trade my entire 1/60 Yamato collection for one.

I was surprised to not see a thread dedicated to these yet, considering how often I've heard them mentioned in the forums (or maybe my search just missed it). Anyway, I've found yet more Macross stuff that I wouldn't normally have paid much attention to, but after gazing longingly at the pictures and the promise of "2 mystery type" items, my curiosity has peaked to the point of purchasing. First though, I thought I'd see if anyone here had already shelled out the $30+ for them. The pictures I've seen look pretty cool, and I'd like to have some small scale Valks, etc. floatin' around to put in my display case that I'll eventually get. Any thoughts?

Dear Nani?!-san, We are most humbly working on it. Regards, Yamato Toys, Inc. Am I sensing some back-handed gratitude?

I actually been asked this question by several people and my position have to be: "ALL" Bandai have their Pro's and Con's, same with Yamato and Toynami. If I want the detail, I would have to say Yammi. If I want to transform and not have fear of breaking it and everything just fits perfectly : Bandai. Toynami: Because they're reviving the Robotech (Macross) to US collectors (And they have made significant improvement on their Valks, since their flawed VF-1J). I cannot choose one over the other. All are good for me A fair and balanced assessment. I like your style. I'm sincerely glad you're here, CID.

already has been done. Next time you want to point something like this out, a link would be helpful. By the way Graham, for a first web page, that was pretty darn good.

You know, that kind of language only makes the uninformed more curious. "We lost some good men and women on that one...I can't talk about it."

That's a lot of hardware being pointed at your face. Is it just me, or does that look like a big nut sack behind him?

The Yamato Conspiracy turns its ugly head yet again. "This prototype looks great...let's do something to #### it up!"

Well, I certainly wouldn't be the one to flame over statements like that, though I think the cash invested in a Yamato collection prompts some people to get a little dramatic when their faith is questioned. While the 1/48 do lack the "heavy metal" quality of other Valks, and it's hard to pay over $100 for a plastic toy, they are the coolest thing I've seen come along in the form of a VF-1. Personally, I haven't collected much that is Macross and not Yamato. My discovery of Macross World coincided with my rediscovery of Macross and my discovery of the Yamato Macross Plus toys and shortly thereafter the 1/60 VF-1. I missed out on the chunky monkey stuff in the 80s because I was unaware of how to attain it in the US or unable to do so (financial limits are strict when you're under 16). Pre-internet America and limited funds = no cool Japanese toys. It was also due in large part to the fact that I was unaware of just how different SDF Macross and Robotech were. So, out of curiosity, what is your favorite?

Impressive (though it looks like someone could use some Yammie 1/48 action ). Welcome aboard, CID

Planning on starting a whole Carrier Air Group are we? That is, indeed, curious. I can't imagine what possessed them to make it yellow. Although, I'm sure if MWorlders had it their way, Kawamori-san would be in the Yamato factory going over each individual Valk meticulously. I'm all for consistent QC, and things like trading old flaws for new ones is not an attractive option to me, but I'm inclined to believe Hurin and Kensei about gaps. Little things like yellow dots, while annoying, are not enough for me to fly off the handle.

I also have the same problem but when in Gerwalk the gap does not appear I'm sure this can be fixed by just transforming it carefully There aren't any gaps in this photo:

Thank you, Hurin. Your level-headed reassurance has brought me peace of mind. My perfect, flawless, untainted Valkyrie with working radar and living 1.5 inch pilot is on it's way!

There is hope!

The other night, I decided to give my Max and Milia 1Js a workout. I hadn't transformed them at all and I was getting sick of looking at them in their bulky FP state. Initially, I transformed Max to gerwalk and simply removed Milia's FAST packs. When I tried to reassemble the legs on Milia, I was having some trouble but it turned out I had inadvertently swiveled the leg before putting it back on and didn't notice until after several tries. I then decided to transform Max to battroid. In my carelessness, I was trying to separate the chest plate from the back plate before breaking open the cockpit section. I preceded to pull the entire forward cockpit/chestplate assembly completely off the rest of the Valk. I about had a heart attack, but somehow, the patron saint of stupid people looked down on me and said "Not today," and behold! Max was not broken! I simply had to reattach the rings from the back plate onto the C-tabs of the chest plate and voila: fixed Max VF-1J. On the upside (besides the fact that I didn't break my toy), I've figured out an easier way to make a custom "Virgin Road" VF-1D if I ever wanted to.

yeah I tried to use exterme for to foce it down Maybe it isn't so much pushing the chest plate down, but this part up:

Well this blows. Ya know, I'm not one to nitpick too heavily, but some consistency from Yamato would be nice. Another pic of the 1A prototype: This pic of the new 1S in Gerwalk is also Tam's, and the problem doesn't seem to be as noticeable as in Indigo's pics in fighter mode.

Gotcha. I thought it was strange that they would redesignate an SR-71 to M-21 instead of M-71. "Mother Ship"