GU-11

Heheh, those Chunkey Monkey yellow canopies only appear on nights when there's a full moon...or in some vintage collector's online gallery. As for the replacement parts, HLJ replied saying they're arranging things with Yamato to get me the replacement parts. I'm still waiting for HLJ to email me when they'll be sending them to me. I'll pop them another email if I still haven't heard from them by the end of this week. As for luck, I think I'll need it...and a whole lot of concentration, too. After reading what happened to Macross Fanboy's replacement leg, I'd better not let my mind wander for even a second while assembling that new leg.

Ouch! Sorry to hear about what happened. I'd better pay extra attention when replacing my VF-1D's leg once it arrives.

I wonder if the scheduled July reissue of the YF-19 will incorporate all the necessary fixes like the DN and BoP? I'm thoroughly satisfied with the DN's build and quality, but I've always wanted the original color as well. Hopefully, this upcoming release will have fixed all the problems. Just in case, I might just wait for a review before clicking on that "Buy This" button.

VI-RS, I know where you're coming from, but just hear me out. I'll admit that sometimes my words come off rather heavy-handed and harsh, but I was really looking forward to finally getting my hands on a VF-1D, and it was defective. The -1D is one of my favorite VF's, and I was (still am, actually) more than a little angry about mine having a busted leg. If you have to keep referring to the beige tone thing, remember that I admitted it was my mistake of my own free will. I could have tried to save face and not told anyone about, but I posted and admitted to my mistake, so that it wouldn't cause undue confusion to other VF-1D owners. I have no intention nor any motivation to spread panic about the VF-1D. Sincerely, I'm glad to know that your VF-1D is fine, but I'm dissatisfied with the QC of the one I got, and posted a thread here. And if you read the replies in this and other threads, you'll notice I'm not the only one with the broken leg peg problem here. The broken right leg peg is a fact; ask Old Man, Macross Fanboy and Kanedaestes, as well as several others who have similar problems with their VF-1D's. I don't see how and why my complaints about a faulty product from their company should upset you at all. Well, the good news is that this will probably be my last post on this particular thread and topic. HLJ is arranging for the replacement parts to be shipped to me, and once my problems with the VF-1D are solved, I no longer feel the need to bring up anything related to this incident anymore. Whether anyone else wants to relate a similar problem with theirs, however, is up to them. For the record, I'm not trying to bash Yamato, nor am I some Bandai-loving Yamato hater. All my Macross VF's have been Yamato products, and I've been a very satisfied customer until now. This incident does not stop me from continuing to purchase VF's from Yamato, but if and when there's a problem with a product I've got, I will talk, I will complain, and I will definitely rant. In the interest of peace, let's just forget I even mentioned the whole thing, okay? I just want those replacement parts to get here ASAP, fix up the busted leg and fit in a new cockpit capsule, and finally display it on my cabinet. BTW, safe and robust Chunky Munkey's aren't my cup of tea. I like sexy and dangerous; that's why I still buy Yamato. Besides, some Chunky Munkey's have yellow canopies, too.

Yeah, I'm not too confident about filing the pegs down, to be honest. I guess just removing the paint should do the job.

Yup. Starting with the paint filing, I plan to do all the necessary fixes on my VF-1D once the HLJ/Yamato send me the -1D's replacement parts (I pray they'll oblige me on the cockpit capsule request).

Oh yeah, that too! Gosh, this IS growing into an epidemic. If yours in on the right leg too, then this broken peg problem is getting too specific to be a mere coincidence or some isolated QC issue.

Well, the general consensus here is that gentle prying is the only viable option. I typically use the "edged" side of a plastic ruler; works almost like those "guitar pick things" Bandai sells to split assembled halves of a snap-fit kit. After successfully removing the peg, you might also want to file the edges around the peg to make them more rounded. It should help make the task of wiggling them out a little easier. BTW, be VERY careful with those damn pegs! Including mine, there are already three reported cases of broken pegs on VF-1D's, usually in the right leg. Someone should really be telling Yamato about this. I see. Honestly, I just don't know what to think about this anymore. If and when Yamato/HLJ sends me a new cockpit capsule along with the leg, I'll make a comparison then. In any case, thanks for the info. What can I say? Collecting Yamato VF's is like collecting vintage WWII dud mines and bombs. They might be expensive pieces of treasure, but you just never know when one might just go off in your face.

Although I can't personally recommend it, it seems the only apparent option here is to gently pry the sideways tab away from the torso. I'm not sure where to buy it, but Bandai sells one of those "guitar-pick things" that are specifically designed to remove assembled halves of a snap-fit kit without damaging it. Failing that, you could try wrapping thin cloth over a screwdriver or tweezers, and gently pry. Sorry if this isn't much help.

Hi there, mickyg! In that case, I guess the VF-25G is still pretty doable. I just plan to display it in battroid mode next to Klan for a sort of diorama. Great build, by the way!

That is so messed up in so many ways. If they keep up with this kind of thuggish business tactics, sooner or later, they'll run out of customers. I hope you get your money back, man.

Whoa, you mean there's no guarantee that they'll send you the parts? I mean, it IS their fault that the leg was busted. So what happens if they don't have spare parts? Great, and I just emailed HLJ asking for a VF-1D "cockpit capsule" to replace the one I've got that had the yellowed canopy. What are the odds of them sending me a replacement VF-1D leg AND a cockpit capsule, I wonder?

Thanks for the info, man. I'm pretty concerned about the landing gears; like you said, it's gonna be a hell of a mess it it falls apart. BTW, did Yamato send you just the thigh part or a whole leg? I'm guessing they just sent you the thigh.

Since there's basically nothing much I can do about this right now anyway, I'll agree to disagree. There's no way for you to see the canopy in person, and the entry level camera I've got just can't get a hi-rez shot of the thing to show you what I see. There's really no point in either of us debating over this anymore. Actually, I think I'm even starting to get used to the yellowish tint. All that's left now is to fix up the leg.

Honestly, I'm not particular about how thick or thin the layer of tinting is, but the whole damn plastic canopy is just yellowed. I checked the tiny plastic pegs and the part that swings the canopy open and close, and those parts are yellowed as well. Now they can't possibly have tinted those parts too, now can they? Over-reacting or not, I'll send in a request anyway and see if HLJ can get me a new canopy. If not, I'll just have to get used to it, and keep telling myself the yellowish hue of the canopy adds character to the VF-1D.

Sorry to hear about your VF-1D, man. I'm starting to think that those damn legs just weren't designed to be transformed like that. Even after I get my -1D's right leg replaced, I'll be filing the peg to round out the corners and try prying it loose with a ruler or something before wiggling it out.

It's official: we've got a possible "VF-1D-exclusive" leg version of explodium arms here. Great, first arms, then legs. What next? Nose cones? Oops, better not jinx it.... Graham, if you're reading this: please kindly inform Yamato that they've got another QC disaster on their hands.

By tints, did you mean the rainbow effect or the actual coloration of the plastic canopy itself?

Well, at least you got most of your money back. Man, to think I actually had plans to buy that FAST pack set from OD last month. Turns out that they only accept customers who register using paid email accounts, which I didn't have. Whaddaya know? In the end, it was a blessing in disguise.

Glad to hear it! I'll have to get around to doing the same after the -1D's replacement leg arrives. Thanks for the heads-up, man. I was getting kind of worried about dismantling the whole leg. Sorry for being "thick", but when you said to unscrew everything, does that include the lower leg, or just the thigh part from the knee up?

The guy is probably making up excuses to save his rep. It's quite likely he's playing a guessing game here, because I doubt he actually knows what's going on inside Yamato's production line--how could he, unless he actually works there? Like Shin Densetsu Kai said, if Yamato had been using the old molds for the MacZero VF's, we'd be hearing reports about exploding arms and various other QC issues by now.

The canopy on mine has minimal to no rainbow effect, and anything you see through it is tinted yellow. While I admit that the beige/tan thing was my bad, there's no mistaking this one. If you compare the photos I took of the VF-1D's canopy and that of the TV Max (same camera, same settings, same time and environment), you'll see that the paper seen through the Max is still white, but is tinted yellow through the -1D. Believe me, I sincerely wish it's just a case of over-reaction. FYI, the -1D's canopy has such minimal rainbow effect that its almost unnoticeable, so it can't be the effects of that "soap bubble" film. Same thing here, Froy. Compared to the other VF's with the rainbow effect on their canopies, the -1D's is almost unnoticeable. I just hope yours isn't yellowed like mine. BTW, I was wondering if there's any way I can replace the canopy myself, if I asked HLJ to send me a new one? Can't find any screws to split up the cockpit, but if seems if I remove the seats, I might be able to get to it. If there's actually a way to safely remove the canopy, someone please tell me. I'll send a request for a replacement canopy ASAP. And in case you're curious, HLJ just sent me a cookie-cutter reply saying they're working on sending a replacement for that busted up -1D leg. Totally dodged my request for a replacement VF-1D.

Gosh, and I was actually planning to build one of these VF-25G's to go with that 1/72 Klan Klan fig Mega House is making. Guess I should perish the thought at this rate....

Wait--what? I have to unscrew the whole leg to dismantle it? Uh oh. Please tell me there's a tutorial somewhere here I could follow. Hate to leave some spring or metal rod out that might be crucial to the leg when I put it back together.

Supposedly, one pair has pegs to hold missiles, while the other is a pair of "clean" wings to display without missiles, most likely in battroid mode.