drifand

Ah... but I'm no Sid-torturer, I assure you! I just take my time to balance the darn figures. To be sure, the old ClothGears SUCK at poseability... the stupid 'cloth pieces' just eat up all the freedom of movement in the exoskeleton! Still love 'em for old-school reasons. One more pic: Lemme check, non-RvT joints are the wrists, both shoulders, upper arms and the hips. For an actual dissection, check out Japanese toy collector Pony's review; he took the RvT Ingram apart: http://pony-hp3.web.infoseek.co.jp/REVOL-98.htm Otherwise, the toy is basically a very nifty all-PVC action figure that emphasizes dynamic poseability over technical detailing/gimmickery (see the 'non-canon' thigh seam for example). So far this series of toys doesn't use clear-parts for lenses/cockpits, preferring to paint the surfaces with gradient airbrush reflections/shadows; works great on the Ingram, but looks funny on the Dougram (to me). The modern Tampo detailing is very crisp, and on the Ingram at least, all PVC areas are painted, no raw surfaces exposed (good or bad for durability, it looks nice). The overall smaller sizes of RvT toys (~4") means less weight-induced stress on the non-RvT joints, which previously have self-destructed in larger Kaiyodo figures, like the infamous VO Temjin. Similarly, the ratcheted RvT joints in key areas help to hold off-centered poses better than older smooth-bore 'monoshafts' alone. Drawbacks? 'Neutral' poses are hard to achieve... the slightly splayed-out hips don't play well with ramrod straight stances; tend to look bowlegged or too crotch-forward aggro. And no generic weapon-grasp hand to hold accessories from 'elsewhere'. Worth ~2000yen? Yeah, it's priced right (esp when compared to other 'PVC' lines like the MAX35 Votoms...)

Make that a "Soltic H8 Roundfacer"! That's good news for those who liked and bought the RvT Dougram, although I didn't go for the overly anthropomorphic proportions. The Ingram is just right...

The more recently announced figures are mostly... human charas? But I do recall seeing promo shots of the Ingram 1 with a shotgun, so at the least, we should be getting a Ingram 2. Logically, we ought to get a Griffon someday. But then again, the first Revoltech Dougram hasn't gotten any enemies yet... Keeping my fingers crossed! CONGA!!

Thank you. The RVT is by far the most affordable, fun and playable Ingram you can buy today. - 1/32 DX: Plastic brick with lights & sounds. Hardcore fans only. Not cheap. - 1/60 ClothGear: Cool exoskeleton (ala Dougram), but not very playable. The Python is cooler than Ingram. Usually expensive to acquire. - LiA: Nice gimmicks (opening leg compartment/cockpit), so-so poseability. Series dead in the water. Surprisingly un-cheap if you can find it. - Revoltech: No gimmicks, all poseability. Possibility of more Labors (look at the EVAs...). <2000 yen cheap. Otherwise, it's the kits... 1/60s had more designs, 1/35 MGs had better details. but you can't really play with kits. I had bad experiences with the rubber shrouds on the 1/60 kits 'melting' the plastic joints over a period of several months... preventable once you learn from more experienced modelers. Get one if you like Patlabor!

This seems like... like TURN-A GUNDAM all over again – Bigshot outsider-from-franchise redecorates the house and leaves bewildered and dismayed fans behind. Except Turn-A had a good story.

You see, one of them is a 'bad' Alponse. Yup, that's it. You've seen Superman III?

It's the new Revoltech Ingram versus 'Labor in Action' Ingram! LiA pulls a drop kick! But RVT avoids it with a deft move backwards... RVT returns the favor with a slashing left turning kick... CONTACT! LiA is DOWN!!! RVT raises its Stun Stick... And it's all OVER. Revoltech wins by a KO. Next Better Player??? :-)

Dave, I really don't know - it depends on the DEALER's business choice.Tthere are wholesalers based in Japan as well as HK/China, and for various reaons, stock from HK/China is usually/almost always cheaper compared to that from Japan. Why? We can only guess: - No import taxes? - No additional shipping required?? - No QC??? (tongue firmly in cheek) So... where do the online dealers get their stock from? And for what reasons, besides availability? Good question. Like I said, I'm just glad I have the choice of a brick & mortar store to shop from. The new YF-19 is a must-have even at its high price, but because of my long-running experience with complex Yamato products, not 'right now'.

The bent VF-0 tailfins were caused by the individual boxes being packed too tightly in their shipping cartons; this I heard from my 'reputed local dealer'. The first run were packed 6 to a carton, wall-to-wall (IIRC...), and so despite the huge amount of nothingness in the boxes, any bumping of the carton could damage the fins. After feedback from unhappy dealers, Yamato changed it to 4(?) in a carton (with padding). These numbers could have been remembered wrongly, but the gist is the same. I still got my 'regular's discount' for this 2nd-run. As for the instances of misaligned Tampo's skulls etc, it depends on whether you give credance to the (pricier) Japan-import versus (slightly cheaper) China-import QC issue. I've found that when it comes to Bandai toys like SOCs and Armor-Transform figures, the HK-editions don't really lose out to Jp-editions because Bandai's factories already have excellent QC in general. For Yamato stuff, I simply won't take the chance, especially if I like and want to own the pricey toy in question... only Jp-import from now on. I'm just glad I HAVE the choice.

Has the 1/48s ever been OOP? I'll definitely wait out the first run (see Garland, broken arms, etc). Besides, 'they' will probably improve the non flush-fitting collar piece before too long. For those who take the first bite, salut! I bought into the VF-0, eventually. 2nd run, Japan-import shipment by seasoned local dealer. No glitches.

Last pic is great for showing how far VF designs have come. I like the VF-0 for being a great realisation of a mecha designed today, but the more sophisticated 'stealthy' lines always jar my senses when seen next to any VF-1...

I'm a regular at TBDX. This sounds more like an ID hijack trolling spree.

I'm more likely to pick up a truly improved series of 1/60s because I: 1. Prefer the better balanced proportions over the 1/48; 2. Enjoy the more sensible size and affordability; 3. Anticipate a greater variety variety of same-scale mecha; 4. Never bought more than 3 of the 1/60 1Js anyway because of the many problems with the other designs I liked: eg. squished 1S head, 2-seater chestplate fit, etc. Possible deal clinchers: - CAD re-finement - New attachment/locking system for hip pegs (separate legs is OK, don't mess the proportions!) - Properly sculpted 1S head - Correct TV-style FPs (I'm not a big DYRL fan) - Integrated heat shield (several custom examples exist) - Properly sized gunpod ejector port - Better detailing and articulation in foot nozzles - More Tampo markings - Rethinking of materials used: LESS PVC! Diecast where it counts.

zanderwitaz, Since you've already gone all out to mod the legs, why not take out the gunpod 'scope' as well? Once final touches are in the toy will look really great. I'm also a big fan of the 1/55s but not in the way that I'd mod them for 'fighter-only' display pieces, or heavily modified joints. I like 'em for the way they are: The epitome of realistic transforming mecha toys of their generation.

Yup - 1/100 Conversion Kit. Actually I only have 2 destroid bodies. After shooting the first pic with the Monster, Tomahawk and Phalanx, I removed the Phalanx and redressed it as a Defender and merged the 2 images together. As for the 1/60s 'sucking'... to each his own, fellas. I've shown what I love about 'em; and if they were properly remade, I'd love them even more. The 1/48 's all-jet emphasis just doesn't cut it for me.

Sorry for the picture quote but isn't that a Masterpiece Joons 'clown' version? i kid, i kid!

Thanks guys! Glad you like 'em. Wanna guess what's my lighting rig? It's just one row of 'down lights' in my dining room ceiling. The REAL trick is to shoot with a tripod... totally eliminates the need for flash and lets you pick the most dramatic angles. Try it and see. :-)

Lastly, I present... Advance of the Destroids! Yamato x Takatoku = 1/100 Love!!!

As for the new 1/60 YF-19... I sure hope it (and the inevitable YF-21) can pull off poses at least as good as these old clods: (The pilot figure is a 1/60 Orguss accessory)

The 1/60 VF-1 series had lots of problems, but most were ironed out by the time the 1Js were released. These were the only ones I bought because of my love for the 1J's head design. All have been modified to some extent, especially the shoulder polycaps and elbow clearance... And when I shoot my toys, the POSE is probably the biggest part of the fun! Here are some Gerwalk poses that I feel can rival the 1/48s any day, even with their more limited joints: And there are shots the 1/48s can never be a part of...

Yes, the VF-11 is a pretty fun toy as long as the hips don't break... I shot this one years ago before I could bother to clip out the heat shield... I think I'll drag out the ol' Canon G2 this weekend and show you guys just why I love the 1/60 Battroids so much. :-)

Agree wholeheartedly with LoneWolf - the 1/60 Battroid can't be beat... ONCE you've modified the shoulder joints a bit! I just can't fall in love with the plane-centric 1/48 after all this time. I mean, the 1/60 had better proportioned hands that FIT into the arms than the larger 1/48's skeletals...

Here's an old one shot by a pal and 'shopped by me. 1/60 Love!!

Profit$? (Sorry, couldn't resist.)

Ah, I see the thigh 'cheat' but otherwise pretty cool action figure. No extending gun-arm snatch action though...