mechaninac

Well, that's kind of weird, but I stand corrected; I was positive they'd be molded in color. This does make it very easy for those who plan on changing the fold crystal color to whatever suits them, so I'm definitely glad for that. Personally I'm fine with them in blue.

That's awesome and cute at the same time, and an excellent 3D modeling redition on the artwork... and it's just begging to be uploaded to shapeways.

Anywhere It wants...

Ouch!

In the sense that all VF-19s from Yamato use different parts from, say, the VF-17, of course they had their own molds and production windows at the factory, but that is the case with all the different VF model numbers (not their letter sub-designations). If you look at all VF-19 Yamato produced (Kai, S, F, and P), every single one is gloss because they all share the exact same molds with mirror finished inner cavities, save for extra tooling (or tooling inserts depending on how the molds were originally engineered) used for different shoulder pauldrons, heads, wings, etc. Due to the fact Yamato decided to go with a gloss finish for the Fire Valkyrie, they pigeonholed themselves into producing an all gloss VF-19 lineup; the only way they could have made everything after Basara's unit into matte finished toys would have been to make all new molds with etched cavities, or rework the existing ones to accomplish the same goal (this rout, while less expensive, would have precluded them, had they survived as a company producing Macross toys, from ever pumping out reissues of the Kai with a gloss finish. Note that the upcoming YF-19, from all indications, will have a matte finish. It is also, logically, a completely new toy with all new tolling that will share nothing/almost nothing (maybe Arcadia will be able to reuse the landing gears, but I doubt it) with the current crop of VF-19s. In the future, if Arcadia were to release a VFX2 VF-19A, it too would be matte as it is the same as the YF-19, and because the other 19s come from different tools it's feasible that a Kai reissue* could come out at the same time. * I'm not saying that any such reissue is forthcoming, I'm just illustrating a point: there are molds to produce the current 19s and a new set of tools meant for the production of the YF-19 and VF-19A. Exactly. Other than the old YF-19s, there are no current ones with a matte finish; all Yamato VF-19s on the market are gloss (thanks a bunch Basara! ). The only VF-19s with matte finish anyone will ever encounter are those that have had a flat overcoat applied by one of our bold customizers. I've tried explaining this in the past, but here it goes again: There is no such thing as gloss plastic or matte plastic, regardless of the type of plastic; surface finish of the molded part is all in the treatment given to cavities (the spaces into which the plastic is injected) of the injection tooling molds.

I can play the non-tranforming, non-Destroid, non-Zentradi, wishing game too. How about, in 1/60 of course, a F-203 Dragon II, a MiM-31 Karyovin, an ES-11D Cat's Eye, and a SC-27 Star Goose?

We're getting Pinky, so... when are we going to get The Brain (Gamo or Gosu)?

If you're asking what the difference is between Bandai's semi-gloss/gloss Frontier DXs and everything 1/60 from Yamato/Arcadia (excluding the super-gloss VF-19s), the answer is: The mold surfaces of the injection mold tooling; the particular grade/quality/type of ABS used, or any other plastic for that matter, is irrelevant. In order for any manufacturer to give you a choice of purchasing either a matte or a gloss version of the same product, ex.: a VF-1, would require the toy maker to invest in two separate sets of tooling for the same toy; one set, with mirror polished internal cavities, if used, would produce glossy parts for a glossy toy, and the duplicate set of molds, with etched cavities, would generate matte parts for a matte toy. Everything would have to be doubled: two sets of mold tools; two concurrent production lines, or staggered runs (double the set up and manufacturing times); two separate parts storage set-ups to keep gloss and matte apart prior to assembly; two independent assembly lines, etc.; the logistics alone are mind boggling.

If Arcadia were to go with the made-to-order paradigm they're employing for their upcoming YF-19 "2.0", same as Yamato did with the almost as equally obscure to the VF-2SS -- the VF-4G, I'm sure they could make Macross II variable mecha a profitable venture... at least the Valkyrie II with SAP; a general release would almost certainly prove a financial loss. I would certainly preorder 2 Sylvie versions and 2 Nexx ones, as well as one copy each of the other Faerie squadron variants (Amy, Natasha, and Saori), if released at widely spaced intervals, even at Arcadia's absurdly high 30K+ Yen per limited edition unit going rate... I want them that much. I know that chances are that it will never happen, even if they could make the numbers work, but it's fun to dream. I'd also be up for the VF-2JA Icarus, at least 2 copies; but the Metal Siren... not so much.

Well, it wouldn't necessarily need to be the Zola patrol version, now would it?... I'd certainly be up for this M+ version and/or the VFX2 one.

I'd wish for a VF-2SS with SAP as well, but see it as highly unlikely. If I were to speculate on Arcadia's first, totally new, 1/60 perfect variable from Macross, I'd have to bet on the VF-5000.

An alcohol soaked cotton swab should do it; more aggressive options would be oven cleaner (it's plastic safe), nail polish remover, and enamel thinner (can turn styrene based plastics brittle).

Aside from the colors, other than the pilot?... Absolutely nothing.

Here are some links: http://www.macrossworld.com/mwf/index.php?showtopic=21944&hl=%2Bcrusher+%2Bjoe http://www.macrossworld.com/mwf/index.php?showtopic=23880&hl=%2Bcrusher+%2Bjoe

To me, if Bandai announces the Ozma version of the YF-29. that assertion may come into question. Although, I'd rather get the news that his 25S is being reissued soon, before the YF-30, even.

I got my shipping notification as well, but since I opted for the cheapest SAL choice it could be a minimum of 1.5 weeks before I see it.

Hong Kong Collectibles still has it in sock if you're dead set on getting one...

"Preparation in progress" for mine... and seriously tempted to purchase a second.

I'm positive all the clear bits are molded in color: transparent/translucent green, purple, and blue, respectively. As such, there is no possibility of stripping any of them down to water clear for a color change; you either accept Bandai's choices, or remove the bits that offend you in order to make molds to recast them in clear resin that you can tint before pouring, or paint after. Personally, I don't have a problem with what Bandai has done on Isamu's 29. It would've been nice if they'd gone with green and blue, or green and purple, or red and blue or purple, for that matter... heck, it would've been nice if all of Bandai's Frontier, at al, were matte finish, but they are what they are.

That's one pink crab... like someone de-shelled the poor thing to expose its squishy flesh. The proportions and casting quality look amazing.

Just paid for mine, with amount due deferred for up to 6 months, which makes it a lot easier on my poor depleted wallet.

To me, in no particular order: VF-11B/C Thunderbolt III -- it has such clean lines. VF-0A/D/S Phoenix -- D aside, this one is just like the VF-1, only better in aesthetic terms. YF-21/VF-22 -- one of the cleanest F modes, and it's inspired by the YF-23 Black Widow II ATF... 'nuff said. Honorable mentions to the VF-1, VF-2, and VF-171.

Those look really good.

666? Ha!

Here's a site that will inspire, instruct, and scare you...