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Bobby

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  1. Bobby
    Garlandmania!
  2. Bobby
    I've had mine for a few weeks now and after transforming it several times recently noticed tiny paint chipping on the (top) diagonal edges of the white, chest piece The only time that piece is in contact with anything is in bike mode (after you flip the hands around the revealed clasping mechanism to hold the front suspension in place grab hold of the sides of the chest piece). Yamato's use of a magnet here was clever (but flimsy) and Arcadia's is much sturdier in comparison. But Arcadia's chest piece is a painted part that is being used for direct clamping to keep it solid in bike mode so chipping can happen. Just be careful when going in and out of this mode and maybe it won't chip on you.
  3. Bobby
    Hmmm...always wanted to completely dip a toy into a bath of future floor polish
  4. Bobby

    Bandai DX VF-31

    Bobby replied to UN Spacy's topic in Toys

    Thanks for the suggestion and images. I just tried transforming it leaving the head fully extended and completely out of the way to test if this might be the issue, but unfortunately it still gaps on the port side. In direct comparison my VF-31 J, F, & C all are dead on in alignment after a couple transformations. Good news is it's gotten to the point where it doesn't bother me anymore...I am just glad to have the 31A!
  5. Bobby

    Bandai DX VF-31

    Bobby replied to UN Spacy's topic in Toys

    ^ Powder coat does come in crinkle (the grainy texture) but you can also go powdercoat in flat, matte, satin, gloss, semi, heavy gloss, etc. and it is super durable.
  6. Bobby
    @ 4:31 ... the moment you realize what the entire transformation's gonna be like
  7. Bobby

    Bandai DX VF-31

    Bobby replied to UN Spacy's topic in Toys

    Ha...wanna trade
  8. Bobby

    Bandai DX VF-31

    Bobby replied to UN Spacy's topic in Toys

    Well bummer, after googling around I'm even seeing the port side gap issue online (from the Soul Nations Akiba Showroom exhibit sporting the same gap...)
  9. Bobby

    Bandai DX VF-31

    Bobby replied to UN Spacy's topic in Toys

    Regarding the VF-31a... Does anyone's have what seems to be an uncloseable gap between the intake and the shoulder on the port side? PORT SIDE STARBOARD SIDE It seems like a QC issue that just can't be worked to close (I have a VF-31 C, F & J to compare to and none of them have this issue)?
  10. Bobby
    Oh and by the way, I received my E=X Garland... What. A. Froppy. Mess. Reviews confirmed. It makes Evolution's VF-2SS look like a Bandai Soul of Chogokin So dissappointed
  11. Bobby
    Here is a rare Megazone 23 | 32 page fanzine that was printed just for an anime festival in Japan during Christmas of 2010. It even features a model of the blue garland version featured in the M23 PS3 game. If you're a fan and do not have this booklet I highly recommend it. A copy is on Yahoo auctions --> https://page.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/k311729700
  12. Bobby
    This is all I have (unfortunately I don't have this kit). I've been trying to get my hands on one myself but when it does pop up on Yahoo Japan it sells for between $400-$500 USD (and it's so tiny)!
  13. Bobby
    Just wanted to add this to this thread... This is a super rare fully transformable variable Garland resin kit (pre-colored) at 1/48 scale designed/developed by Mr. Hiroshi Imizu. It was only made for sale at a past Wonder Festival ('17)... "Operator 7-G, please respond!"
  14. Bobby
    Oh man...bummer. Yeah looking at other pre-release pics you're probably right. The overall front-to-back length of the torso here doesn't look to be as long as the Yamato release which might be partly why maybe. One thing I just noticed is just under Shogo's arm it doesn't appear that they're using magnets to hold the legs in place for bike mode which is probably a good thing since these legs are gonna be hea-vy.
  15. Bobby
    Speaking of which...here's the box set for a pretty good price at Mandarake [LINK] $190 (the ones on Yahoo Auctions all start around $290) Here's the Maneuver book from the box set by itself [LINK] $75 (rare to see since that means it got separated from the boxset) Here's the Maneuver book by itself at Yahoo [LINK] $116 (cheapest on ebay $158)
  16. Bobby
    It appears to be the other way around... the Maneuver Book says it was published April 9, 2007 and the 1/15 Complete Box set was released a month before in March 2007. That's so close though... perhaps it was always their intention to sell the book by itself for some additional revenue for those unwilling to commit to getting another Garland.
  17. Bobby
    Yes they are identical minus the cover (I own both). It's a great book!
  18. Bobby
    ^ Very good to know...thanks for the follow up!
  19. Bobby
    A few were pre-order...you just gotta if you're a fan, right? Plus I wanted to support Evolution for their efforts in at least making a 1/60 happen (even though I know just about everybody hated it). The rest were a combination of gifts and purchases when the prices went down.
  20. Bobby
    That is some good machine language -- VF-2SS 5 x 1/100 Bandai Kits (blue, blue, green, red, red - converted to SAP armorless) 2 x 1/100 Retppu Vakyrie II Battroid (resin) 1 x 1/72 Valkyrie II OVA Version Fighter (resin) 2 x 1/100 B-Club Conversion Parts (resin) 1 x non-scale Valkyrie II Fighter w/out SAP (custom wooden model) 2 x 1/60 Evolution Fairy 2 x 1/60 Evolution Nexx 3 x 1/60 Evolution Silvie 3 x 1/250 Macross Fighter collection Valkyrie II Fighter w/out SAP (blue, red, green - custom) 1 x 1/250 Macross Fighter collection Valkyrie II Battroid (custom) w/out SAP 1 x 1/100 HI METAL R pre-order (so far)
  21. Bobby

    Hi-Metal R

    Bobby replied to joppewo's topic in Toys

    Thanks for pointing that out! Actually don't mind that it's optional
  22. Bobby

    Hi-Metal R

    Bobby replied to joppewo's topic in Toys

    It's just great to see some of the improvements over the prototype images that were released last fall...namely: - getting rid of that split in the front foot thruster - tidying up the closeness of the canopy shield with the nose (while retracted in battroid mode) - blue visor instead of green - improved/sleek tab shape/design located on the inner legs - better concealment of the screws/hardware (mostly notably in the hips, elbows, and wing joints) old prototype images... vs. the latest pics!!! The feet improvement and blackened out hip hardware and under the arms is looking pretty great!
  23. Bobby
    You're definitely right that those aspects are very important in assessing a favorite toy. As a matter of fact, if we were to imagine a bar chart that had the design quotient, engineering quotient, playability quotient, cost quotient, etc. rated in columns, the VF-2SS would score very low in these categories. But also in assessing one's favorite toy there's another metric which is any toys "X-Factor". Since this makes it subjective I don't expect this can truly answer the question as to how anyone can claim this VF-2SS as a favorite. But in my case Evolutions attempt was still able to fulfill a two decades+ long desire of putting something into a spot that's been reserved for a VF-2SS toy for a long time. It is probably more of the idea of finally having one than what it actually is in this case to the point where my x-factor rating just gets launched off the charts. And I'm not married to this particular version either because if Bandai does end up producing the hi-metal one we saw at the Tamashiination 2015 booth that will probably become my favorite! As mentioned earlier and in an attempt to be levelheaded, my VF-2SS rating would realistically have its bars for price, design, engineering, playability, etc. very low, like below the baseline in some cases (negative). But still, if I am to be honest with myself and consider my ratings of all my valks side by side, the highest scoring in the X-Factor category would have to be this VF-2SS toy... ...and so high (Battroid mode for display rating would be a decent score too in this case) it's to the point that it outweighs my negatives to end up in this position...at least for now. I know it's sad and I'm sure no one envies any of this like I envy many of you whose favorite valk ended up being a genuinely anime accurate engineering marvel that is highly playable and does Macross some real justice
  24. Bobby
    Favorites: 1. VF-2SS by Evolution - Graham said favorite, not best, most well engineered, anime accurate etc. For me, it fills the void of having wanted one as it's my favorite valk. I actually have 3 Silvie's, 2 Faeries, and 2 Nexx's. I really enjoy them regardless of all their MANY faults and am looking forward to having Bandai's someday (hopefully). 2. VF-19 Double Nuts/Bird of Prey - the paint scheme does it all for me plus the white body molds (vs. cream) seals it. Have them both on display in a prime spot, they look great and compliment each other well. And if you flightpose angle them just right to conceal the underbelly disproportions they look so good. 3. Low Visibility City Urban Camo w 1/48 VF-1J - again, the paint scheme and markings is what did it for me. Rare, menacing, clunky yet sophisticated. (Honorable Mention: 1/60 VF-X - I really, really like this valk a lot. Again, the paint scheme, simplicity, plus the rarity but just not quite as unique to me as the above.) Leasts: 1. 1/60 VF-25F (1st release) - Gerwalk legs? Fighter proportions? Battroid proportions? Discoloring plastic? Overall a let down. 2. 1/72 YF-21 (ver 2 w/fast packs) - As much as I wanted to like this as it broke the mold for typical variable fighter toys, I just could never get into it although for its day it was well done. On the other hand I have the Max and Milia 1/60 Sturmvogel II's and think they're great (except for their hips, grrr)! 3. 1/60 VF-1J Super Valkyrie (ver 1) - The partsformation. Right out of the gate still a relatively new company attempting Macross toys, using diecast, new molds, high hopes, making finding old Takatokus not as daunting, yet they couldn't figure out a way to engineer some attached swivel legs? (Honorable Mention: VF-2SS by Evolution - Yes it's weird to like it so much and yet be so simultaneously disappointed in it ...just keepin' it real folks ...jus keepin' it real.
  25. Bobby
    Indeed...as a matter of fact, it was just like a boobytrap
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