Graham

Gotta say, I'm absolutely in love with the VF-19S. I think it's an absolutely beautiful and fantastically engineered toy. Yes, the wing trailing edges are thin and sharp, but I don't really consider that an issue. If you are aware if it and know to take care during transformation. I love this toy in fighter and battroid mode and have had no problems. I've never transformed it to Gerwalk mode though, as I seldom, if ever Put my VF toys in that mode, so not experienced any issues. I will test though. I really love zooming this thing around the house in fighter mode and it looks so cool and aggressive in Battroid mode. Love it. Graham

Ozma uses the Armored Pack's beam cannons in episode 1 (or is it ep 2, I forget) of Frontier, when he's grappling with the red Vajra. He transforms to Gerwalk, to avoid the Vajra's attack and fires the Armored Packs beam cannons at the Vajra at point blank range. Graham

I'm rapidly coming to the conclusion that as all modern, complex transforming VF toys, whether from Bandai or Yamato seem to break, decay, rot or whatever even when stored untouched in the box, it's probably a good idea just to play with them and enjoy them while you can, as no matter how carefully you handle them, they are going to disintigrate sooner or later (probably sooner) anyway! Graham

In terestin Interesting hypothesis Renato. I'd never considered it to be an and/or situation with regards to internal storage of the VF-22S's gunpod(s) and reaction missile(s), but that does make sense and explains why Max only had one gunpod during the Operation Stargazer mission. So basically, he had one gunpod in one bay and one reaction missile in the other bay. Makes sense. Although it stll doesn't explain why when his gunpod ran out of ammo, he didn't then switch to the foream beam guns? Perhaps he didn't actually have much time on the VF-22S and forgot about them. Graham

The VF-19F when it comes will be a thing of even more awesome beauty. Salivating now, thinking of white stripes on that gorgeous blue and the single laser head............yum! Graham

Ya' got me thinking about how many new TVs I could buy for the cost of those Valks sitting on my old bedroom CRT TV.........Hahaha! The problem with new LCD or Plasma TVs is they make lousy stands for Valks. Graham

Nah, really, they are back-up, pop-out propellers, in case the six (count em' 6!) existing engines on this thing all fail simultaneously........LOL! There's nothing like taking multiple systems redundency to a whole new level Graham

Got my YF-29 FAST Packs yesterday. They attach very securely in fighter mode. I haven't tried them in other modes and probably won't, as my YF-29 stays in fighter mode permanantly these days, given how much of a pain in the ass it is to transform. There's a high level of detail on the packs and nice fine panel lines. I'm happy that Bandai painted the space between the red micro-missiles black this time, unlike on the Tornado Pack space parts. The only minor issue is with the shield armour. While it clips onto the shield securely, it tends to want to push the shield away from the body of the fighter, so that you often get an about 2mm gap between the shield and the rear of the fighter and from time to time need to push the shield back into position. I haven't extended the anti-Vajra harpoons or auxiliary propellars or whatever they are in my attached pictures, as I think they look stupid. Graham

Fantastic toy, picked up a second one a couple of days ago. Only two minor complaints about this toy: 1) I'd love to see this with more Tampo printing. We don't even get the red warning "<"on the intakes. I'd love it if Yamato could use as much Tampo printing as Bandai did on the VF-25F Renewal Version. 2) The trailing edges of the wings are quite sharp. The trailing edge inner corner of the wing, being so thin and pointed can be damaged quite easily if you are not careful during transformation. Graham

Haha, that video from Renato is priceless. Classic comedy gold! "It's not like the Bandai one". RTFM, Renato.........LOL! Graham

And the confusion over the engine model and thrust of the VF-19S continues! Seldom do sources agree! Yamato 1/60 VF-19S box = 2 x P&W FF-2500F with 82,500kg thrust each. Macross Chonicle VF-19S entry = 2 x P&W FF-2550X with 68,950kg thrust each. VF-19 Master File, VF-19S entry (page 80) = 2 x P&W FF-2550X with 68,950kg thrust each. Macross Compendium VF-19S entry = 2 x FF-2550J with 78,950 kg (68,500kg in space) thrust each. Bandai 1/100 VF-19S plamodel instructions = 2 x FF-2550J with 68,500kg thrust each. Bandai 1/65 DX VF-19S toy box = 2 x unknown engine (unless written in Japanese) with 78,950kg thrust each. Graham

After seeing the mag scans, I hope you all understand a bit better, why 100% anime accurate storage of the gunpod was not possible, given the size of the gunpod relative to the lower leg. I think Yamato's gunpod storage is a good compromise solution. Graham

Because ABS test shots have only recently been made, that's why. Graham

Scans attached from the January 2012 issue of Dengeki Hobby magazine. I like that they used red plastic for the ABS and diecast test shot, kind of gives an idea what the Milia version would look like Transformation is definitely a bit more complicated thatn the old Bandai 1/65 DX version! Graham

The new Dengeki Hobby magazine, out today has a 2 page spread of an unpainted AND & forecast diecast test shot. Will scan & post later tonight. Graham

Good, then I don't need to go out today to buy a second one, can wait til' next week. Too busy today anyway. Graham

Is this supposed to be out today, or Nov 30th? Graham

So there for this movie. Graham

Finally got round to watching the first 2 episodes of the much-hyped Gundam and was severely underwhelmed. I actually fell asleep during both episodes. As a recent mecha anime, I thought Macross Frontier was better in every single aspect. Definitely not my cup of tea. Graham

Fantastic toy, but sharp leading edges on the wings, and very sharp points on the rear inner corner of the wing. Graham

[Jedi]This is not the show you are looking for.[/Jedi] Graham

I love how they did a slight curve to the surface of the engine in the lower leg. Another area in which the toy is superior to the model. Graham

Damn, should have bought multiples from Animate when it was released. Coulda made a killing now! Graham

Yes, they are officially nuts. Graham

Yamato 1/60 scale VF-19Kai Fire Valkyrie, my current favorite Macross toy, until the Yamato 1/60 scale VF-19S is released later this month Close second at the moment would be the Bandai 1/60 scale VF-25F Renewal Version (AKA v.2 DX VF-25F). Graham (Photos by Swoosh from Graham's upcoming VF-19Kai review)