Vifam7

Just because it's a durable toy doesn't mean it should be cheaper. Heck, the 1/55 Takatoku was pretty darn expensive back in the day!

Gloss finish has usually been given to what makers (not just Bandai) consider as high quality toys. And often they tend to be toys made of metal. That said, since Yamato aims at being a display model than a "toy", a flat finish is generally favored by those who like a little bit more of realism in their model. While I favor a flat finish, the problem with Yamato's flat finish (IMHO) is that it's not fully flat and it relies too much on the plastic color instead of doing a full paint job. IMHO it looks a bit cheap. Plastic never looks good bare. Alter's Yukikaze, which is fully painted, blows away Yamato in terms of realism. However, Yamatos can look much better once panel lined and given a coat of clear flat. But I have no intention of ruining something that costs 3 figures with my crappy skills. On a side note, I think Bandai's VF100s Alto uses unpainted white plastic, while the Ozma is actually painted.

By the time this kit comes out, it might be based on the "movie version" VF-25s which may do away with the body color differences between the 4 VFs (like the TV VF-1s vs. DYRL VF-1s). Which might mean Bandai could get away by just adding different heads, the sniper rifle, the radome, and decals for the 4 versions. Super parts will most likely happen (probably as a separate release). That was one thing the plamo guys in the Figure Oh article said they wanted to improve for a PG VF-25.

- It's still a prototype. - Looks like an easy enough mod to make. - Either way, me want!

Studio Nue (or rather Miyatake's) Powered Suit design was soooo much better. As was the design of the Roger Young. Anyone got a pic of the ship from the anime?

I don't think Bandai has ever released a kit of transformable mecha that doesn't transform. The only thing that might make this kit non-transformable would be if it was being released under the EX kits line. Which would also mean glue, putty, sanding, and paint required. EX kits are usually reserved for obscure or limited popularity stuff though.

I knew it! I had a feeling those guys in the Figure Oh article were hinting at a PG level 1/48 VF-25. The Queadluun has a planned release date of September.

Back in 1997, when I was in Okinawa (for study abroad program), I purchased a brand new PC Engine Duo-R from a game store for the insane price of 1500yen (US$15). Foolishly I didn't bring it back with me to the U.S. Gave it away to a guy in the dorm. Regret it to this day. On the last day of the semester, I saw a stack of NeoGeo games sitting in the garbage dump. Those big huge cartridge types. All of them were in fine condition. I thought about taking them home. But since I didn't have the system, I left it there. Another decision that I regret to this day. Also there was a bunch of well-built Dragonar models thrown out inside their respective boxes.

I'd love to know some examples!

The issue with shield-backplate is likely with the U-shaped connector piece. Either that or the fingers on the hands is a smidge too long. Try fiting the shield on without the hands. It it fits fine then you know the issue is with the hands. If it still doesn't fit well then you know the issue is with the u-shaped connector piece. In case anyone was interested - Ozma with lower legs glued/locked in:

If you're considering to get one, I recommend getting the Ozma version over the Alto version. The gray color makes it look good (IMO) and the fit seems to be better.

The VF-25F was recently re-released with some quality improvements made. You can still get it from Anime-Export.com. HLJ is out of stock but I assume they'll get more stock in sooner or later. The upcoming VF-25S Armored version is supposedly going to have even more improvements. You may want to wait for that to come out.

Probably not. Gundam uses 1:100 for MG kits and 1:60 for PG kits. I would imagine that since the current VF-25 kits are 1:72, a PG kit would likely be 1:48. They should (IMHO) stick to standard aircraft model scales. Personally, I hate the fact that 1:60 is the scale used by the the DX and most Yamato Valks. I've never built a PG Gundam kit but, the general rule of thumb (which also goes for MG kits) is that the older kits aren't as good as the newer kits.

Actually, the plamo designers in a back Figure Oh issue stated that should there be a PG version kit, they'd like to improve the way the Super Parts are fitted on. They said it in a way (at least to me) hoping they get a green light for a PG version.

Way too small and too obscure of a scale. Yamato's 1/200 VFC is already too small as it is. But at least Yamato did it in a scale that's seen some support. I'll be skipping this gashapon line. Bandai should've make it 1/144 to complement the Chara-Works collectibles.

Would this game count?

But the VF100s toy has better looking landing gears. Plus it's in scale with my Alter Yukikaze and MG Gundams.

Ah, but that's why I purchased a second one! I couldn't stand those lower legs sagging low so I had to glue them into place. No loss for me since I have no intention of parts-forming it ever again and I have that second one for battroid mode. And yep, that's a MG Zaku II down below. An excellent MG kit btw.

Yes. I glued the trailing wing root to the lower legs. Pretty much making this an expensive single-mode pre-painted snap-together kit for me.

Well, I suppose in such an advanced fighter, pilots don't have to worry about approach speeds, glidepath angles, or shock absorption.

Those rear landing gears are waaay too short.

Alto and Ozma

Bandai made a few adjustments to the Ozma 25 due to consumer feedback. As per the Tamashii website info here: http://www.tamashii.jp/t_item/t_item.php 1. the crotch block has been strengthened 2. the Gerwalk mode leg part was changed from plug-insert type to a ball-joint type. Pic: Left side: Alto Right side: Ozma Towards the bottoms, Bandai suggests there may be more changes in store for Mikhail's 25 and the Armored 25. And they say that the VF100s line will continue to evolve as it goes along. I got my Ozma 25. Same parts-formation mess as the Alto. Feels a bit less floppy in battroid mode this time around though. Lower leg issue in fighter mode is still a fail. Once again I used CA glue to fix that up.

I used to use Nero to make DVDs, but these days I don't bother making DVDs. I just use the divx file format, save it on a portable harddrive, and watch it straight from the PS3.

Maybe some don't takes the intake covers off because of those ugly fanblade detail? [shrug] I particularly wish Yamato would do away with them. It's really dumb looking and unrealistic. It's really the only detail that I don't like with Yamato Valks. I don't think we've seen a Gerwalk mode photo yet. I'd also like to see a bottom-up photo with landing gears extended. VF-11 looks good.