Chronocidal

From a structural standpoint, not exactly. You're right, the original art didn't include any mechanism to mount the boosters aside from bolting directly to the backpack. That's.. fine? In a world with impossibly advanced materials that allow you to build a functional mech that can move like a human, and bear loads that would easily crumple modern aircraft like tin cans, that's not really a problem. What is a problem is that if you mount the boosters directly to the pack, you are depending entirely on the backpack hinge to hold their entire weight, in any mode. The HMRs get away with it for the same reasons that ants can lift so many more times their own weight: the laws of material science scale down in ways that allow it to work. The mass of the boosters isn't enough to overcome that tiny backpack hinge, unless it gets really worn out. That becomes more and more of a structural problem the larger the valk gets. I don't want to conflate the weight of the backpack boosters with the failures of the Yamato 1/48 backpack hinges, because the FAST packs weren't even released when that was discovered as a problem, but it didn't help it any, and that tiny backpack latch was really not built to support that much weight, especially when you consider that the latch itself was mounted to a moving panel. I never liked using that latch, as streamlined as it was, because it was always resting so much of the weight and stress of those boosters directly on the backpack hinge. The booster bracket on the DX VF-1 really only needs to support the boosters. It's just that the nature of its position also locks the backpack in place. The backpack doesn't need the help, so it really doesn't need any sort of specific lock. It stays up just fine with just the tension on the hinge when no boosters are mounted. The VT-1 though is a unique case, and I mean that specifically referring to the DX VT-1, and how its boosters mount. The backpack hinge is actually strong enough to fully support the boosters without the mounting bracket, even hanging upside down. It's not sturdy, so it's not like you could pick it up by the boosters like you can if you use the bracket, but they stay in place well enough while holding the valk by the main body. The difference between the VT-1 and the other DX VF-1 releases is that the boosters are clipped on with that secondary panel that clips over the backpack, and it is enough to keep them in place where the smaller tabs aren't. The regular VF-1 booster packs only have a tiny tab that tabs into the backpack for alignment (unlike the Yamato 1/48 which had solid metal supports that sank easily a half inch in from each side), and there is nothing to hold them onto the backpack otherwise. I think if Bandai had actually made the attachment points for the regular boosters more solid, and possibly increased the strength of the backpack hinge a bit more, the bracket may have been entirely optional. Personally, I do not mind the brackets, because they give me peace of mind in terms of structural stability, and they let me pick up a fully loaded Strike VF-1S by the boosters without worrying it's going to break. They're a far more solid connection than dangling the packs purely off of the backpack, with or without some additional locking mechanism.

I'm still actually confused why anyone thinks a lock is even necessary for the backpack. Those clips are completely unnecessary, and I've had no trouble with any of the DX backpacks staying up at all, since there's no appreciable weight applied to any of them, unless you're actually mounting the boosters with no bracket. I don't think there's any reason they couldn't have designed the backpack to still use the original tails, but they just didn't. It would have just required a different backpack clip to hold the boosters in the right position, and the backpack would have been canted up in the air like the old 1/55 was, but it would have been mitigated by actually having the tail of the backpack fold over like it should have all along. It wouldn't have worked to give you both sizes of tails though, unless they designed two completely different booster bracket systems for each tail size.

I'd say my MH knowledge is of a similarly low level, but yeah, that's definitely a Rathalos.. the only reason I know this is because it's also the monster they used for the FFXIV crossover event several years ago.

I've honestly never understood why the VT-1 had to have unique tails in the first place. Maybe they don't fit with the different booster profile? It's not as though you couldn't just keep the tails full-sized, and let them fold normally, then adjust the boosters to fit. It always felt like a completely unnecessary feature.

I know I could probably just print a copy of the VF-19 Advance heels and screw them on, but the YF-19's heels have a different metal structure with a couple of tabs protruding out the back that the heels surround. And even then, I'd rather just replace both the toes and heels. The toes are stupidly huge, and the heels are the complete opposite, leaving the foot completely unbalanced in fighter mode. To get all of that disassembled, I really just want to push the mounting pins out of the ankle so I can remove the heels and toes without wrecking the rest of the leg from all the stress it's going to induce.

Is this even being called an "anniversary" edition? And if so, does someone want to explain why the 40th anniversary version is being released on the 42nd anniversary? But yeah, no. I see no reason to pick up another copy of this same valk at this point. I want them to stop re-releasing existing ones and actually finish the freaking line already. Or you know.. re-release ROY. Or how about a DYRL release, since that's the actual 40th anniversary this year? Please, just try and do something that makes sense to the rest of the universe, Bandai, for crying out loud. I'm not even waiting for a DYRL Roy at this point, I made my own with a swapped cockpit console, and a repainted spare Hikaru from a VT-1. I think I prefer the TV-style tampo markings anyhow.

I pulled out a few of the missiles earlier to test, and while the center pegs look about the right size, I think the general shape of the hardpoints are incompatible between the two. The VF-1s are all meant to rotate, but the YF-19 (and other existing missiles like for the VF-171) all have longer pylon clips that engage bigger sockets on the underside of the wing. I couldn't get any of them to stay on, because they don't have those extra sockets. Sadly, the reverse is also true, and the VF-1 weapons don't have the properly shaped clips to lock into the YF-19's wings either. It looks like the VF-1s are just a unique category. The YF-19 weapons do work all of the other DX valks I've tried though, including all of the VF-31 derivatives, the VF-171s, and (I think) the Sv-262s. As a side topic though, as long as I'm here... Has anyone ever figured out a way to detach the feet from the legs on the YF-19? I'm just.. I have absolutely had it with the stupid stub heels, and want to make some new more-reasonably-sized feet for the YF-19 that don't look so bad in fighter mode. I just don't know of any really effective method for pushing out Bandai's spring pin obsession and getting access to the main foot. Does it just come down to using a properly-sized punching rod, and a hammer?

I'm kind of assuming anything that near the feet would just say "BEWARE OF BLAST" (engrish not withstanding), and the pattern of characters at least looks like it lines up well enough with that.

Yeaaaah, uh, that's gonna be a really good way to completely destroy their younger audience. When a kid has to borrow their parents' phone or computer to actually build a set they got, we've hit a brand new level of suck. Edit: I can't actually find the survey they're discussing though, it looks like the backlash may have been so severe they already pulled it down. Let's hope so.

Definitely better box art, but I really can't justify buying one more just for the box.

Thanks for those! Looks like a set of four glued pins surrounding the tail hinges, maybe another two around the body hinge area. Would probably be really difficult to separate the halves without breaking or destroying part of it, but I imagine someone will find a way.

Didn't really consider it until now, but someone needs to take close-ups of the backpack on this one, since I think this is possibly the best way to determine how to disassemble them with the least damage, since you can actually see the connection points. The backpacks use no screws, and are your typical modern Bandai glue sandwich. Not saying to disassemble this one, of course, but just knowing where to pry is a good place to start.

I'm guessing the top of the main body opens up and it has to flip/rotate around to bring the cockpit out front, swapping it with the blank panel when transformed. Doesn't look anywhere near as complex as the Legioss, fortunately, but will definitely be fun to see how they do it. I'm mostly interested in seeing how well the two craft mesh when combined, since it looks like you should be able to slide in the connection arm to snug them up close, but it will depend on whether the arm locks in certain positions.

Should we start crossing our fingers ahead of time that the Tread connection peg is stronger than the stand that came with the Legioss?

Darn, I was hoping for a Project Wingman miniseries. Still, could be entertaining, I'll be curious to see how the style turns out.

Ok, I am going to say that is pretty disappointing for $80. Not even including any of the actual guards there feels a little silly, and the skiff looks severely undersized.

I would bet that's because the missing key figures (Luke, Han, Chewbacca, Lando, and Boba Fett) all came with (or will in the future come with a new version of) the smaller skiff.

You're right about the gunpod handle needing to swap out, so I guess that does mostly even out the parts swapping total between the two. This one's gun is basically equivalent to both Yamato and Bandai designs. Considering the HMR VF-0 has managed a perfect transformation gunpod now, I actually wonder if that's even necessary at this point. It is disappointing to have to swap the hands to hold the gunpod, but I'm feeling like this just really isn't one you want to display in fighter mode anyhow. There are better options for that, and this one's benefits primarily fall in gerwalk and battroid. It startled me how easily those couple of spots were rubbed off on the intakes, but I have rubbed back and forth on the undersides of the wings and in a couple of other obscure spots to test, and haven't seen anything like that happen there. I'm not sure why those spots on the outsides of the intakes are so prone to flaking.. maybe the high curvature? When I get my spare wing, I'll experiment with durability and touch-up methods on the messed up one, and see if there are any reliable ways to touch up any worn-off panel lines. But yes, the consistency of the color and gloss level on the exterior surfaces in comparison to the interior surfaces of things like the airbrake, hip hatch, and gear doors leads me to believe the entire thing is painted, top to bottom. I'll give them credit where due, because it means there are absolutely no color matching issues between the plastic and metal like Bandai and Yamato/Arcadia have had, but it does push this one into a different category of collectible, feeling a lot closer to something like a diecast aircraft model that just happens to transform, rather than something you're going to want to play with, transform, and pose frequently.

There we go.. that's exactly what this is... It's the Leg Day Valkyrie.

In fairness to Transformers, they usually at least make some attempt to hide the pile of kibble under the jet. This one doesn't even do that properly. It works fine as a bot, but I don't think I've ever really seen a less-attractive interpretation of a VF-1 fighter mode. In a weird way.. it kind of looks like an obscenely chonky bootleg mashup design? As if someone tried to merge a Chunky Monkey with legs from some other VF-1 knock-off of a completely different scale.

Yeah, I really just cannot understand the weird elbow thing. All of the packaging still shows the original (correct) design as well, so I don't know what went wrong. Looking specifically at the elbows, they do not look like they're a separate moving part, they look like they've been sandwiched between the arm halves as part of the structure now. I think my biggest overall concern, from a handling perspective? This thing is beautifully painted, and nice and heavy.. but because of that, it comes off as something you are not intended to handle frequently. Yamato/Arcadia, and even Bandai valks are primarily unpainted plastic with varying amounts of tampo prints, and they can generally be handled without too much worry of scraping or damaging the paint. The couple of Arcadia weathering versions I have seem to have a clear coat specifically to protect the weathering. This thing may as well have a giant sign on it saying "WARNING: FRAGILE PAINT - HANDLE WITH CARE." Everything is painted. All of the plastic, all of the metal. But I'm not seeing any sign of a clearcoat. The two thruster/sensors on the sides of my intakes have already lost all of their panel-lining, just from me picking up the toy. It brushed off disturbingly easily, and it makes me wary of actually handling it too much. The tampo warnings on the nose blisters are wearing off just from clipping the hips into the nose. It looks very nicely finished, but that means it's much more like a model than a toy, and should probably be treated as such. On the other hand though.. I know I complained earlier about needing the side covers to hold the battroid together. That's not entirely true. The hips still clip in well enough to hold it decently, and I discovered earlier that leaving the back able to shift enables a few poses you wouldn't be able to accomplish otherwise. Without the chest and back locked by the fillers, you can push the wings out far enough to let the intake rotate completely back. The torso is a bit sloppy this way, but it also gives you a pretty substantial upgrade in flexibility. I'm not usually one that experiments with poses much, so I'm not sure if any of the other VF-1s on the market can pull this off, but I don't think any of them have this deep of a knee bend. Have we ever gotten a transforming VF-1 that can do a kneeling/aiming pose? (No, the Revoltech doesn't count ) The only real downside to those ankles (aside from being a little loose forward to back) is that they don't twist side to side, since they aren't ball joints. So yeah, the more I mess with it, the harder a time I have giving a this guy a fair assessment, because I keep finding things it can do that I don't usually look for.. The amount of paint worries me with the potential to rub while handling and transforming it, but this may be the most posable (near)perfect transformation VF-1 we've gotten to date. I'm just having a harder and harder time calling it a "toy," because it seems the most likely to lose paint out of every VF-1 I own at this point.

What I really want out of the HMR line at this point is for Bandai to actually acknowledge all of the things they have teased, and then buried in their "unfulfilled promises" warehouse like the ark of the covenant. And, you know. A mini YF-19 and Non-Bandai DX-based YF-21 mold.

Yeah, no. I tried, and it looks like they've completely redesigned the arm since that initial photo. The elbow section feels completely glued in place. Just doesn't make a lick of sense.

Generally "non canon" just means things like DYRL which are supposed to be movies that were filmed in-universe, similar to how part of Frontier's plot is the production of a Macross Zero movie. I think some of the characters in Macross 7 at one point actually discuss watching DYRL in theaters, so the whole thing is really one giant pile of meta-narrative. The really "fun" question to ask.. was the Macross Zero we watched the in-universe movie, or the actual event? It's been debated back and forth what the "actual" version of any event really is, with regards to things like the differences between SDFM and DYRL. The same thing kind of happened with both Frontier and Delta, since the summary movies changed some key events (Frontier's changes were probably the most drastic). I think the most common consensus is something like "the truth lies somewhere in the middle." Which.. of course, only Kawamori really knows. I believe Macross 2 is the only one generally referred to consistently as an "alternate timeline." While you could speculate it could also be some kind of in-universe production in the canon Macross universe, I think everyone just agrees that since Kawamori wasn't involved (in either the designs or the plot itself), it needs to be placed in a separate category.

Just in a general sense, I think the Bandai DX does about half of those specific things, which the ThreeZero entry mimics for the most part, as well as adding that inner ankle panel you mention. Bandai did add some coverage for the empty spaces from the top of battroid by adding a filler panel to the hatch that opens to let the head through, and added that specific outward joint at the hips, though it doesn't have as much range as you might hope. I'm not sure there's actually enough room in the intake to put a full 90-degree lateral extension. while still maintaining the other 90-degree bend for gerwalk mode. Getting the hips to clear the wings is probably a pipedream without somehow shortening them, but I'd be curious what you mean for the hip bar and mushroom swivel. Some of what you mentioned might actually be closer to how the HMR VF-1s do the hips, since they forego the thin hip bar for a larger bracket that mounts behind the nose and clips around it, and they do include a smaller clip-on set of wings for battroid to get them out of the way, but the HMR releases accept a fair amount of parts-swapping. Not sure a really good way to lock the backpack has ever been developed though, short of how the backpack booster mounts lock it in place by presence alone. A more robust backpack hinge with solid detents would probably be a good start. You might enjoy some of the tweaks ThreeZero made to the design, since it seems more focused on making a solid battroid figure. My comments were pretty harsh on it, but I got soured a bit by some paint damage and having to heavily modify the arm sliders out of the box to transform the toy at all. Have to agree with your earlier thought though, I'd be really curious to see how Takara would approach the subject. On another subject entirely, I've always wondered if someone could manage some kind of insane collapsing panel origami to give Megatron legs that were a good size in robot mode, but collapsed down to make the grip of the pistol not look like some kind of double-wide magazine customization.