wsna

I was lucky to get a hold of PF VF-0's. I am glad to hear that they are refining the VF-0 line. I wish Arcadia would be a bit more inventive. Didn't the Yamato VF-0A come with stickers for a "What if" VF-1 Wolf Pack? Tampo print that on molded grey and I'll be looking into Pre-orders. The Master File series always inspires a bit on squadron liveries but I haven't seen a version of VF-143 Pukin Dogs. On the Tomcat, it looks good either high or low viz...just sayin'

I'm not quite sure but I think the trend for most fighter design these days is on the more "fleshier" side (I'm looking at you F-35). You're right about the penguin. I think Bandai gave us an entirely new type all together. It's a Pengroid-Fighter. If and when (or if they are still around) Arcadia revisits the YF-21, they're a lot of tricks that Bandai uses that could make the Yamato design even better. We'll see in time, as soon as my wallet heals.

I always appreciate your work and BTW, thanks for suggesting BBTS. I have been extremely happy with these guys! -WS

I'm going to leave this here: I'm pretty sure that a custom garage revision kit add-on or modification kit for the Yammie is fermenting in someone's brain. When you think about the parade of customs on the 1/48 scale valks...it is just a matter of time. This is low hanging fruit. thoughts?

My order from BBTS came in yesterday. No glaring issues. Happy.

I really hope that they are seriously considering an evolution of what they already have for a YF-21. Apart from the self-collapsing main landing gear, the belly plates and the legs could do with a rethink. Looking at the DX version in terms of pics (I’m waiting for mine), making the plates fold an extra turn could be a nice idea for Battroid i don’t mind the legs so skinny as it really makes the fighter work so well. I also imagine that the Battroid might have an attack profile similar to a Quealuun-Ray anyways… ..and of course, just go straight to the to the PF version so I can punish my wallet 9nly once…and not a second time for a PF Version. i know it’s been already said, but I’m saying it again for an evolution YF.

Ah! The 5th mode!

The gap is certainly a drawback, but in terms of the (+) column, are we talking better durability in the pieces that allow changes between modes? Is there more density in the legs? How is the DX stable in Battroid vs Yamato?

Question: What is the improvement(s) on the DX backpack versus the Yamato?

I was really hoping when Bandai was showing off their DX in those official release pics was a prototype getting its last bugs figured out - such as those pathetic stubs showing off is penguin belly-glow. I am giving my PO's a serious re-think. On my Yammies, I use brass rods for struts to prevent landing gear collapse. This was not the fix that I wanted paying a premium then when they first were released. I wonder if there is going to be appearances of modified Yammies seeing what Bandai has given us...thoughts?

The front 3/4 views of both the Yamato and the DX looks promising. I never understood why Bandai does not paint their landing gear white. I am concerned about how the fighter is going to be in hand, but it definitely not cause to dump my PO's. If anything, the amount of engineering and detailing seems more evolved than the Yamato...we'll see...

That panel is troublesome. The main landing gear always bugged me. Some brass rod for struts works well but it is not an elegant solution.

Question. See the pic please.

Pengroid convinces me that Yamato spoiled us with a svelte, graceful looking fighter. Bandai will have to engineer the sh1t out of their version - we'll see soon enough.

It's probably been mentioned before, but I'll say it again. PF grade YF-21...and a "Moon Shooter" too (I know it's a VF-22, but still, I would enjoy it much more as a '21!). I have the Bandai one on pre-order, but that fighter version...no comment. I really like what Arcadia did when they brought out the PF VF-0S. It's nicely refined. I would hope that it could happen to the YF-21 after some time.

Hello fellow MWers, Who makes custom decals these days? I will be working on a s set of models and would like to change the tail insignia. It's for a 1/144 models. A long while back , I got some other customs from JBOT some years ago but the guy at this point is in retirement. Any help would be greatly appreciated! BTW, Tamiya thin cement worked nicely for some 1/144 pre-painted Cafereo models that have and will look forward soon to working on some of my Tomytecs.

Hi MWers - I wrote some time ago about good adhesives for Tomytec pre-painted kits. I recently have acquired some Bandai HG kits that I will likely build as "non-paint". The linked video seems to be helpful but I wonder if there are any other methods out there. Here's the link on what a cursory search gives me: https://hobbylink.tv/paintless-gunpla-for-busy-people/ With Many Thanks - WS

I agree about the Yamato’s legs being a bit on the skinny side. Looking back at the many model/toy iterations of the VF-1, I think it’s going to be a long while until they get the right “comprise” for a YF-21 that is a perfect and proportional transform. I would hold out in some hope that Bandai DX version would revisit and refine those landing gears but it isn’t a complete deal killer. The overall engineering and execution is likely going to be better than the Yamato, wouldn’t you say?

I have been giving Bandai DX a long think too. Ever since I saw the first images of the Studio Half-Eye YF-21, Yamato ver 1, D'Stance and Yamato ver 2, the soon to be release 1/100 HG Bandai ver have given me some pause for thought. There are of course, those few custom one-offs you see published in Hobby Japan...etc. I was convinced for the longest time, that YF-21 was destined to stay chunky and graceless until I saw a few images of the D'Stance model. Despite the skinny jean legs and collapsing main landing gear of the Yamato ver 2, this is still my favorite of these interpretations on the Sturmvogel II. I am curious to see how Bandai does when you feel the heft and sculpt in hand (photos can hide a lot if you let them).

I was wondering the same thing too. I wonder how much metal is those legs…

Very nice. I might want to give this a think as finding your "1A" Cannon Fodder is proving to be difficult.

Sorry about that...I haven't been following this thread until recently...that and it's probably easier on the eyes not to look at the thread on your phone during a quick smoke break.

Getting those thicker legs probably forced the fitment of the those bottom panels over the leg assembly to bow out giving us the pregnant “sturmvogel” in fighter config. Maybe the YF-21 was supposed to sport skinny legs after all… thoughts?

I think it is a clearance issue on the nose gear. Not enough space for a pick tool and certainly not for sausage fingered people...otherwise. it seems promising...was just thinking...how much clearance the main gear has to the ground with FAST packs?

I am hoping the main landing gear struts lock out. I like the idea with the movable wing and tail flaps but I think it isn't necessary. I wonder if the wings lock out as well.