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LOL @peter - that is an absolutely beautiful VF-1 (I see you fixed the angle on the rear legs too - was that a hard fix?). I do enjoy models too, but with my crazy work nowadays, toys provide me that "instant" gratification 😛. I don't know when I'll be able to build again, and its such a long commitment at least several weeks to start, then I get obsessive about finishing it. The Bandai DXs don't require much to get it up and passible, you can just do a quick wash to capture the panel lines and I do a light pencil rubbing with a smudge stick over some of the panel lines to weather it a bit, a day and you're done and back to enjoying (no swearing from the basement in the middle of the night :P).

For Canadians - my Hobby-Genki order where I specified EMS got "upgraded" to DHL (I think at pre-order the EMS was actually a little more expensive 5,200Y) and its taking at least 8 days delivery (scheduled for Jul 30th). As expected from DHL, I was dinged with customs, tax, duty and brokerage fee - but it was less at $34cdn than I expected, so my total shipping costs came out to $94cdn just in shipping alone! Argh.

Huh, I checked in with Hobby-Genki's website and it says my order shipped - but I didn't get any emails notifying me of anything. I too paid (5,200Y) for EMS back at pre-order hoping that would be available now - mainly to avoid the DHL guaranteed customs, duty & brokerage fees which would probably be another $60cdn on top. I hope they don't "upgrade" me to DHL either. The website status does say 07/23/2021 Japan Post EMS (but shipping cost to be paid later?) - there's even a tracking number, but its not a valid EMS tracking number. Very strange. I must say I'm pretty excited for this release - more so than the last few, I love orange Valks and I missed out on that Yamato Fan Racer and now I'm glad I did!

So would there be a "CX" version of this (Mirage Farina Jenius)? I'm just missing the magenta valk... 🙄

I think DHL & EMS options were the same price (or at least really close) back then, but I hope they don't "upgrade" me to DHL as it would guarantee a Customs & Duty of $40 (HST taxes) and DHL's $20 brokerage and handling fee. 😭

Nothing from Hobby-Genki either, but I paid 5,200Y for EMS (back in Dec, I hope its available again to Canada as their website still has a Apr 16 notice that says EMS is not available - thought it was available again in another thread, but things looks headed for another lockdown in Japan)

Unfortunately I'm in Canada, so shipping, customs & duties and the crappy exchange rates puts it over $100cdn and Amazon.ca is $110.66 - argh! Are God Hands that much better (x3) than DSPIAE Nippers? Are the Micromark Micro Sprue cutting pliers that much smaller that I would need both DSPIAE and Micromark? Are the Meng just like the DSPIAE?

Yes, every few years when I get back into this hobby there seems to be all these new paints and companies to learn all over again! Just when I thought no one builds physical models anymore (there's a few brick and mortar shops that have closed around me). I can't see myself paying over a $100 for God Hands, but $35 for these Chinese clippers might be a gamble I'm willing to take - especially like that circle cutter from the same company! My new hobby (other than collecting kits for my retirement) is collecting tools for my retirement 😛

Anyone ordered from Hobby-Genki? Any good experiences with them? It's my first order with them, but it still says July 31st on their website and they still have a Apr 16th warning that there's not EMS to Canada on their front page - both not instilling much confidence in me 😬

Wow, thanks for all this info on sprue cutters - I never knew. I've been using my x-acto blade all this time (sometimes I might even break out my Canadian Tire hardware $1.99 wire clippers!)... now I really feel like a dinosaur! I'd love to find out more about this glass file as well. I've always hated sanding, its the worst part of model making - I'd love to learn anything new that will make this chore less like a chore.

My wallet is safe - never been a fan of any of the prequels but how could that beat out the medical frigate or tie bomber?!?! Its not a very good rendition of this mech either, given its size I would have expected better accuracy. That Knight Rider is pretty good, it would be amazing to get a little flashy red back and forth light for the front of it!

When are the pre-orders? Is it soon if AmiAmi has a page?

Wow @arbit I love the hair peeking below the helmet. This is amazing quality, love to see it primed to see if there are any print lines - I might have to look into one of these machines someday (is this a resin printer?). Great work!

Oh MAN!!! @David Hingtgen I didn't even noticed that till you pointed it out! Now I can't unsee it - argh. I wished they moved the whole cargo bay forward a few studs, and made the OMS pods longer and moved the forward landing gear forward. (other than that, its a pretty perfect Lego kit)

If they had that for the VF-31C I'd get it (only one missing now that I wasn't going to get them all - now its the only one I'm missing and I'm not going to pay these prices they have now for it). Does everyone get these sound pods in the movie?

Yep in the exact same situation - its so big when its done! No idea where I would put it.

YES!

Thanks, good to know, I was all ready to get up at 3am... (after a 16hr day too - argh!)

I just took the plunge... (they never let me down yet - incl. VF-31A)

I don't get it, why did some stores allow ordering beforehand? Is it because this is TWE? Glad to pay at NY now to not have to wake up at 3am tonight when I work 14hr days! I know about NY - but they have never failed me yet (even with the VF-31A). I hope they allow EMS to Canada by the time September rolls around, I hate UPS/FEDEX/Purolator with their processing fees and brokerage plus its 100% duty dinged whereas EMS has been 90% duty free so far.

OK, so I've never ordered from P-Bandai, what does that mean? I only want the Armored Set (without the VF-1J) and that's only available in Japan (but aren't all these toys only available in Japan?). I've only ordered from HLJ, AmiAmi, Nippon Yasan, Mandarake, CDJapan - so where would I try my luck at the PO for this on Apr 23rd? Help would be greatly appreciated, I'm not fooling myself that this is going to be very hard, but I have to at least try.

OMG!!! I'm speechless. Nothing like shooting the photos outside to capture the sharp shadows from the sun.

Yeah, I think its the hip joint - at the top of the thighs that controls how far out I can spread the legs? I haven't looked at it, but can you unscrew it to get to the inside cups? I thought I might be able just to put some crazy glue or future on the metal ball and be done with it?

Beautiful - what did you do to tighten the joints? I have to do that with mine too, I have it on a stand with the legs splayed but now its loosened and the legs just falls and aligns straight down due to the weight of the leg armors.

YES!!! So envious of you all - at least I can live vicariously through your achievements.