kajnrig

Them bike shorts, man... EDIT: Also yes, you would be correct.

Yeah, it's pretty neat. I only know about it because I got really into F-14 models a while ago, and a lot of modelers talk about dealing with that specific detail. HLJ did a build video of the newest Tomcat model (by Fine Molds) and talked about it as well: https://youtu.be/Shm1JqLLcPI?t=2m23s (Also check out 17:51, where he demonstrates it visually.) Well, you yourself said that models should be "detailed representations" of their source material. And that if they want to represent a transforming mecha in detail, then they should also transform. But "detailed" and "transforming" aren't synonymous. The Yamcadia/DX Valks all transform insofar as they take on the "final appearances," as it were, of their various source materials. But a real VF-1 doesn't have exposed pegs and sockets in all three modes. A real VF-1 doesn't use ball joints that achieve poses through friction. The Yamato VF-1, which you claim is "far better" than the Bandai kit, features legs on a swing bar; this is inaccurate to the actual transformation. You might say that it's a small detail that can be ignored because the final outcome is essentially the same as the actual VF-1, but whether the final outcome is the same/similar isn't the point. You said that models should be detailed representations of their source material. A swing bar in place of actuators is neither detailed nor representative of the source material. The Yamato VF-1 and Bandai VF-1 differ in many aspects of their transformations. Which of these is a more "detailed representation" of the "real" VF-1? The Bandai kit's wings retract into the main body in order to fold all the way back; the Yamato toy's do not. The Yamato toy's arms peg directly onto the gunpod handle in fighter mode; the Bandai kit needs an adapter. Both of them have grooves in their arms for said gunpod gimmick that persist outside of fighter mode, whereas the real VF-1 doesn't. In order to achieve their transformation gimmicks, all of these toys and models necessarily have to be less detailed representations. Even the Hasegawa VF-1s, which I consider the best representation of the VF-1 in all three forms (aside from some ridiculously gorgeous resin kits), have to make concessions for the sake of ease of construction/stability of model/etc. This is all to say that your emphasis on transformation and articulation is misguided, as is your equating of transformation/articulation to detail. An F-14 with moving wings is all well and good, but if the air bags behind it don't inflate/deflate like they should, then what's the point? --- With regards to your other point, the "real" VF-25 was designed with simpler transformations/parts in mind. The franchise introduced some sort of magnet-based Overtechnology that allowed for faster and simpler transformation using fewer parts. This trickled down into the model kits as well, which explains why it doesn't have the same "defects" as Bandai's follow-up VF-1. (Though in reality, it was just that Bandai made a lot of design decisions that selected for gimmickry rather than prudence.) That being said, the Frontier kits have their own share of problems that make them less "detailed representations" of their source material. And again, the Hasegawa kit seems to be an overall better representation of the actual design despite being limited to only fighter mode. EDIT: I should also add, like VF-1A Grunt, that the work you did on these kits is pretty darn impressive. The frosted canopy on the VF-1 is a bit of a shame, but actually it doesn't look that bad here. It looks like maybe Roy and Claudia are just having some fun inside there, if you know what I mean. Cramped spaces and cozy environs...

I was talking about this in the M-Delta thread as well (with links to other discussions in other forums): http://www.macrossworld.com/mwf/index.php?showtopic=43414&p=1298661 EDIT: With regards to your question, dizman, there's this post from the Gundam Eclipse discussion:

Adding context to the above: http://www.macrossworld.com/mwf/index.php?showtopic=43414&p=1298737

Gah. The forum I got this from has stupid hotlinking issues (can't link to the specific post without isolating it from the discussion afterward). Oh well. Here's the post in question: http://gundameclipse.net/single/?p=709810&t=5193504 And here's the discussion afterward (go down about halfway to get to the above post): http://gundameclipse.net/topic/5193504/36/ We're all discussing this P-Bandai web page: http://p-bandai.jp/bc/images/net-s_tokushu/international_delivery.html It seems there are three proxy services: Buyee.jp (which NZEOD uses and recommends), From Japan (which I used just a bit ago to snag something, I had a good experience), and Samurai Buyer. Sorry for the convoluted mess of links. >.< --- On a related note, I ordered a P-Bandai kit through a US store, Tatsu Hobby - the MG Powered GM. I've purchased other things from them before, and now have two other P-Bandai preorders with them. Their P-Bandai prices are probably a bit high compared to using the above proxy services, but I've always had a good experience with them, so... just an FYI.

There's that, but also it's likely a more accurate representation of what the ACTUAL gear design is that Kawamori came up with. (As they appeared in episode 2 or 3 or whichever, with Mirage's 31C.) The DX and Bandai kit both have to compromise on the landing gear design in order to satisfy other requirements. I imagine the (eventual) Hasegawa kit will feature similar gear design to the Tomy Tec one.

Transformation isn't inherently a problem. If it can be achieved without compromising on the representation of the subject, then I don't think anyone would complain. Of course, such a thing is nigh impossible. Many Gundam kits transform, but while they might take on the right final shapes and such, they aren't exactly representative of the "actual" transformation. Armor panels opening/shifting, internal machinery moving around, etc. The Bandai VF-1, for all its faults, manages to faithfully reproduce the leg swing bar, and that's commendable. (I can and do fault it for all of its compromises elsewhere that ultimately negate that faithful reproduction, though.) By that definition, a bunch of these double ball joints glued together would be the ultimate Gundam model, whereas this would be tripe of the lowest caliber. You do realize that a good majority of (pre-modern) 1/72 F-14 kits DON'T have swiveling wings, right? The F-14 has inflatable air bags that "fill in" the empty space of the plane when the wings are fully open. A model kit with swinging wings would be an improper, un-"detailed reproduction" if it did not also have inflatable air bags. Most make do with allowing you to position the wings, then providing you with extra parts to "fill" or "empty" the air bags as appropriate.

P-Bandai means "Premium Bandai." It's something Bandai started a couple years back where kits (and other items) not well suited for mass production can be ordered directly from them and produced on an as-needed basis. (Recent Gundam kits include the MG Powered GM, MG Altron, MG Heavyarms Kai, etc.) Unfortunately, P-Bandai is only available to customers in Japan, so until recently overseas customers had to resort to ordering these limited-run kits through proxy services, which would add various markups/service fees/etc. to the regular price. Bandai now has partnered with certain proxy service companies to allow overseas customers to get in on these P-Bandai kits. Fees and such are still applied, but there are now at least "official" proxy services.

85m height / 350 scale = 24.3 cm = 9.6 in. Taller than a 1/72 VF-25 (21.7 cm), and 1/100 Gundams (18 cm). That's not bad at all. I suppose it's too much to ask for an 18-incher to challenge the Neca toys...

Huh. Dunno where HLJ is getting this info from; anyone want to confirm? EDIT: Probably the above Japanese press release?

Did the regular release feature Ghosts? I don't think it did... Bandai re-issues might be your best bet for them at this point. EDIT: While we're at it, did the regular RVF feature anything that might not be included in this one? The 25G has the speakers and Ranka figure (and copilot seat?) that I don't believe made it to the Super version.

Yes. Resident Evil Damnation was super good. Dumb as a brick, but the goodness was off the charts. Perpetual heartthrob Leon S. Kennedy versus TWO Tyrants AND a horde of Lickers AND the entire state of not-Russia? I'm not surprised in the slightest that this movie is getting the drubbing that it is. After the hype had worn off Advent Children, I realized it for the mess of a movie that it was, and I'm coming into this one with the low low low LOOOOOW expectations it deserves. The problem is (probably) that it treats itself with such reverence and so little self-awareness. The dialogue is (probably) super stilted and awkward and melodramatic. That seems to be the Squenix way. Anyway. Visuals look damn good, at any rate.

Damn it... I paid for my Bandai kit just a couple days ago, too. Oh well. I guess I can compare the two...

Nice. Thanks so much. Now I won't have to shell out the same amount for the long-OOP regular RVF.

Oh, I prefer fixed-pose hands. I was just commenting on the SIZE of the hands. They look two sizes too big.

The MG Ground Gundam has the exact same problem. It's an issue with all older MGs, I imagine. (The Wing Zero/Ver Ka had ratcheting knuckle joints, but the same overall design.) It's a design flaw carried over from their 90s 1/100 NG/HG kits. I remember the 1/100 EW kits were nearly as bad, redeemed only by the relative ease of weapon designs (and the lack of articulated thumb).

Just got my payment request as well, hoping to ship it with the TomyTec 31A that should also be releasing soon. Shame it won't come with swappable fixed-mode tail fins, but oh well. Looking forward to it nonetheless. ...also those hands look rather alarmingly big. Hopefully it's just me.

Well, I just got a payment request for the 1/72 SV-262, so... there's that? Speaking of the VF-31A, the Tomy Tec one is coming out soon as well. (Guess what two kits I'll be getting?)

Eh... To me, Bandai has never known exactly what they want in an inner frame. Recently it feels like they do it just because they think they have to. As for the FA itself, it looks awfully skinny without its FA set on.

Binge-watched this and the last episode. My two cents:

Agreed. I was just hoping to distract you all with the 2SS so that I could have that Sahelanthropus to myself.

For those who've been on the fence about this toy, HLJ has the Silvie 2SS as part of their weekly sale for 15k yen (60% retail): http://hlj.com/product/EVT57191/Act The sale in general: http://hlj.com/scripts/hljlist?ItemGroup=WEEKLY20160815

Has there been any confirmation (or even talk in general) of a CF Draken?

Thanks so much for the head's-up. So it seems these WERE an event exclusive. And they're using stickers and not decals, at least from the pics, which is unfortunate. But super cool either way.

*whimpering sounds* You... You wouldn't happen to have advice on proxy bidding, would you? EDIT: Well, took a dive and set up an account with From Japan. Hopefully this goes well.