mechaninac

Alright, its about time that the colonial marines made it to the "Movie Maniacs" series. And I'll add my voice to the chorus...I want a Dropship (1/72 or larger) with unfolding missile storage wings, opening payload ramp with removable APC, folding landing skids, rotating VTOL nozzles, in-scale figures, opening cockpit?, the works. Does anyone remember the the action fleet version of the Aliens' vehicles? Even though they weren't supper accurate, and compromises were made for playability by little kids, they were pretty nice; but today, they fetch way too much money...upwards of $60 USD. I'd love to see a rendition of all the vehicles, especialy the Dropship, made with the adult collector in mind. That would rock!

It'll probably be some time, but I'm sure will see them over the next couple of years. For now, anyone who wants a GBP armor will have to make do with the 1/60 version.

OMDG... Must.......See......More......Pictures......

Congratulations on your first, and probably not the last...these damned things are addictive, 1/48 VF-1. Man, that is the one Valkyrie I still want to get, but it is currently too expensive in the USA. I'm glad you found my FYI useful; there are other, less obvious, improvements akin to those introduced on the Low Vis, but Yamato dropped the ball by not selling the reissues with the new pilot sculpt included with the VF-1S Hikaru. Here is another piece of advice: If you plan to leave the toy as is, other than doing the panels, buy Takatoys stickers for your Valkyrie; they are much better than Yamato's stickers and you get to keep those mint in their bag. If you intend to do any customizing that requires painting and sealing than try to get Anasazy's decal sheet (he makes self-adhesive stickers also, but I haven't seen them in person; anyone who has can give you a review) since they will look better than stickers and much more "model-like". Now if Yamato would only release other VFs in 1/48...

I'm afraid they actualy got it right. Just look at these pictures (shamelessly lifted from The Ultimate Genesis Climber Mospeada Home Page): This may be one Legioss best displayed in Armo-soldier mode.

For those skilled with airbrushes, I believe that Testor's Model Masters Cobalt Blue is a very close match to the blue used on the 1/48 Max 1A and Intermediate Blue (available in a spray can) is a dead ringer for the Low Vis' accents. Can anyone post other close or exact color matches?

If you have a chance to view the box in person than just open the widow flap and look at the following: 1. the reissue has the redisigned pilot seat head rest (rounded instead of flat); 2. I'd say that 99 out of a 100, at least, don't have velcro tabs at the corners of the flap (same as with VF-1J Hikaru). Those are the only two obvious ways I know of to quickly differentiate between the different versions.

The master has spoken...case closed.

Even though I promissed myself I wasn't going to do it I broke down and preordered the first MPC Alpha/Legioss from Twin Moon Anime...the free shipping offer did it. I figured that this MPC will be much more popular and hold its value better than their VF-1 line (no Yamato, Bandai or Banpresto to offer competition, and, although expensive, cheaper than the old Gakken alternative), and I have a feeling tha if I wait too long it just might sell out and leave me in the lurch. The other releases I'll probably wait for the probable MPC price drop.

Wow! Thanks for that link. I've got to try this think out. And the best part is that you can scale this thing to your heart's content.

I think his name was Fef (sp?)

I've used both types of Grey fine point Gundam markers on my 1/48s and find that they give a nice effect to the toy (the felt tip is specially good); they are not as harsh in appearance as the black pen. I tryed the black on my first 1/60 (VF-1A Hikaru) and hated it...the contrast was just too jarring; but the grey, once toned down by rubbing with your finger or the eraser trick (gotta try that next time) will be just dark enough to make the lines stand out. Other people will swear by using paint washes to do the panneling, and although I'm sure the results are superior to the pens, the extra hassle of having to spray a protective "varnish" over the toy does not justify this method...it's a toy after all and meant to be handled (clear coats have a nasty tendency to collect skin oils and dirt over time). IMHO, unless you intend to treat your toy like a static display model that is only touched on rare occasions, than I suggest the Gundam marker rout...no clear coat necessary.

Are the recasts made of hard resin or something similar to PVC? If it's the latter, than put me down for one set at the moment. Thanks, and regardless of the material used, this is a great service to all the 1/48 fans.

I know what you mean. Insideous addiction, isn't it? My 1/48 collection quickly grew from a single Low Vis to three Valks. I too started my VF-1 collection with the 1/60 series and, though they pale in comprisson with the 1/48s, I can't bring myself to part with them; besides, I figure I can always display them alongside the upcoming 1/55 Alphas/Legiosses (1/55-1/60...close enough for government work). I also have the 1/60 GP-01Fb and GP02 toys, as well as a few Orguss Mecha in 1/60 scale, so my small VF-1s will never seem redundant.

I remember the feeling of getting my first 1/48, and I do mean first. Once you get one you're hooked and need to buy more. Congratulations, and welcome to the 1/48 owners fraternity.

I just looked at the pictures on HLJ and noticed a YF-19 in there. While it is impossible to tell form that small, grainy, image, could that be our "first glance" at the much anticipated YF-19 FP? Just wondering...

(dream mode ON) Here's an idea for anyone who has the tools, time, and talent: 1. Take the Bandai 1/100 VF-2SS kit (a realy awesome rendition of the Valkyrie II) and scan the parts with a laser scanner into a neutral 3D format file (IGES, STEP). 2. Clean up and slightly alter the files (patent defeating detour) with a solid modeling program (Solid Works, Pro/E, Inventor, whatever). 3. Create parts to allow the wings to fold and for the mecha to be made into the unarmoured version. 4. Export the files to a prototyping machine and make the parts into whatever scale you desire (1/72, 1/60, or... ...1/48). 5. Post-process the prototype parts and have them cast in resin. 6. Adversise them on the For Sale section of MW. I'm sure they'd sell out in a heart beat at just about any price. Just a thought. (dream mode OFF)

The bigger the better, that's all I have to say. M+ Valks in 1/48 = ...

Man that is looking sweet...I love the design of the VF-2SS. One question: Is this model intended for a flight sim mod? It looks to be fairly low poly, but captures the look of the mecha quite well. Looking forward to seeing this finished.

How about telescoping aluminum tubes similar to automotive shock absorbers? Great looking stuff so far...and ambitious. Keep it up.

Well, first, you might want to start shopping elsewhere for your Valks. Second, you seem to be forgetting the fact that the 1/48 is considerably larger than the 1/60 and they have to pay for those molds somehow. I'm talking about original prices... i know they can be found cheaper. If the 1/48 is larger but with no diecast shouldn't those things "cancel each other out" a little?? I think yamato is making us pay for the detail ... not for materials used. ~Tico Larger and greater content of plastic parts, regardless of amount of detail, equals bigger steel molds or more of them (not to mention all the added cooling lines, gating, ejectors, cams, et al), with increased cycle times that monopolize molding machines longer with a lower output of parts, and don't forget the larger boxes that also increase storage and shipping costs. All this adds up to higher per unit production costs and a longer amortization curve to pay for everything, and I'm sure Yamato gave itself an higher profit margin on the 1/48s compared to the 1/60s and 1/72s so that the decision to make the larger valks looks good on their financial statements. Of course, I could be wrong and the higher price is just a conspiracy to suck every last penny out of our bank accounts.

Agreed. I think everyone is just getting way too stressed over what is clearly stated (at Twin Moons anyway) to be "prototype pictures"; besides, it makes absolutely no sense to have an opening cockpit with removable pilot with an opaque canopy. Everyone should just chill out a bit and wait for pictures of the production toy. What I've seen so far, canopy excluded, looks really good...almost Yamato like; my only nitpick of the toy has nothing to do with its execution at all, but with the MSRP of $79.99...what the f**k is Toynamy thinking charging that much for something so small (1/55), even if it is limited to a 15k unit production run?

A note from one of those bastards...HLJ has them back in stock, and I would assume that Rainbow Ten does too. Now get off your a$$ and get one!