Wicked Ace

Maybe this person has some ties to Bandai, paid big money for 1/55 scale Bandai Valkyries during the Macross drought, and enjoys some kind of price discount.

Check out this thread. While it doesn't specifically answer your questions, check out member Skull-1's signature for Chunky Monkey Mafia members -- I bet any of these members will be glad to assist another 1/55 scale enthusiast. Thigh swivel mod thread

Just as valk1j and you stated, the gear does pull away from the gray part; however, the gear must be rotated to pull free. The lock mechanism only allows for one-way rotation, thus you get this in gear-up position without taking apart the leg and flipping the gray piece around: The bay door does close completely and the gear/wheel has the proper orientation in gear-down position.

Old picture -- that thing is in a box somewhere. Thanks for the heads-up on the HLJ sale.

Funny thing is I have one of these monstrosities but haven't got around to buying any of the version 2 VF-1 Valkyries.

Very nice work, denversaur!

Despite the release of the Max and Millia type -22s, which I believe many members intended to make with this kit, I still want this.

For the as-appears-on-screen conscious collectors, the first version of the 1/60 scale VF-1S is preferable.

I had no idea what I was missing out on with the 1/60 scale VF-11. I now see why so many members voted this one as their favorite purchase of the year.

Thanks for the tip! I didn't want to take this thing apart right away.

Looking for my screwdriver (the tool, not the drink) now.

I used a considerable amount of force to try to turn it the correct direction.

Anyone had to deal with this? The gear seems to turn only one way.

Seeing those pictures makes me interested in this thing -- the articulation is impressive.

I don't know what you are talking a_boot.

Yes, the nostalgia is what many members like myself love about Macross collecting -- thanks for sharing the pictures of this model. I laugh at the inaccuracies of this kit's castings but still enjoy my memories of the same kind of kits I not-so-skillfully built many years ago.

I was actually just laughing at the statement; I have nothing against Canada since Canada has apologized numerous times for Bryan Adams. Maybe Canada should invade -- start with the Baldwin's house!

We need a picture of a Macross Valkyrie kicking that "younger sibling" thing over.

Take that, Michael Bay! . . . you fail me yet again, Starscream.

This is this thing's charm, to me. However, I would not want this if it was a larger, more expensive product.

I'd buy conversion kits for VF-1 Valkyries that are like this type of thing -- something different:

I don't trust that drunken Irish mall Santa. I want toys under the tree, so I am taking matters into my own hands! I think 1/60 scale VF-11B and DX Armored VF-25S will do nicely. Now that I have the toys coming, I just need a tree. . .

Anyone else get that good toy feeling when (re)opening the box to a 1/48 scale Valkyrie? It's been a while since I've played with one of these.

I just had to pull one of my 1/48 scale Valkyries out of the box.