1/60 Yamato VF-0A

[eriku]

What's the go with the release dates? It seems like the 0S is out but not the 0A?

This delay has cost me quite a sum of money I would imagine. No more half price EMS and the Yen has strengthened something serious in the past few days against the AU$

Nobody seems to know why, but the 0A was pushed to a late May release. The 0S was released at the end of April and is already gone at most places.

And yeah, I was bummed too about not being able to use AmiAmi's half-off EMS towards it. It's in the old-style Yamato box that's big enough to raise a small family in, so the shipping box will be enormous and expensive.

[macrossnake]

Nobody seems to know why, but the 0A was pushed to a late May release. The 0S was released at the end of April and is already gone at most places.

And yeah, I was bummed too about not being able to use AmiAmi's half-off EMS towards it. It's in the old-style Yamato box that's big enough to raise a small family in, so the shipping box will be enormous and expensive.

It sucks.

If you check on the Yamato site, many products have been deleted for a month... unfortunately.

[Macross_Fanboy]

The only thing I like about Bandai is the packaging. The VF-25 box is way smaller than Yamato's with or without FAST packs. On another note, I attempted to transform my VF-0A that I got for Xmas and the arms exploded. Gotta give Yamato a call so they can send me replacements.

[chiryuu]

I'm thinking of picking up the 0S reissue.

Are there enough changes in it to choose it over the old 0S+ghost release or is it just a tightened-up version? Also, is there a way to tell from the packaging if it is the latest reissue?

[Gunpod71]

The new release doesnt have the exploding arms right?

[Macross_Fanboy]

No exploding arms or shoulders.

[anubis20]

<!--quoteo(post=849471:date=May 8 2010, 07:17 AM:name=eriku)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (eriku @ May 8 2010, 07:17 AM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=849471"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->Nobody seems to know why, but the 0A was pushed to a late May release. The 0S was released at the end of April and is already gone at most places.

And yeah, I was bummed too about not being able to use AmiAmi's half-off EMS towards it. It's in the old-style Yamato box that's big enough to raise a small family in, so the shipping box will be enormous and expensive. <img src="http://www.macrossworld.com/mwf/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/dry.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid="" border="0" alt="dry.gif" /><!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

It sucks.

If you check on the Yamato site, many products have been deleted for a month... unfortunately.

I got my 0S from AmiAmi and the shipping box was huge!! It was big enough to house 3 or more 0S's

[Gunpod71]

I got my 0S from AmiAmi and the shipping box was huge!! It was big enough to house 3 or more 0S's

How is it? post some pics!!

[Knightdramon]

I got my 0S from AmiAmi and the shipping box was huge!! It was big enough to house 3 or more 0S's

Really? Mine was somewhat compact, big yes but not enough space for any other 0S boxes in it. Pics?

[General Chaos]

Looks like the 0A is hitting stores now.

I just got my payment request from AmiAmi. Thankfully the Au$ has recovered around 5c against the Yen in the past week.

[Vostok 7]

I might have to pick up another VF-0A, I really miss my old one despite all the problems it had. Hopefully the new ones have been improved a little.

[Chronocidal]

I might still need to get a 0S at some point, just to see how they improved it. It's a beauty of a plane, especially when you strip off the excess baggage (fast packs and shoulder bulges). I always did like the CF better than the Shin version too, those white stripes just don't add much contrast to the paint.

Edited May 30, 2010 by Chronocidal

[Vostok 7]

I might still need to get a 0S at some point, just to see how they improved it. It's a beauty of a plane, especially when you strip off the excess baggage (fast packs and shoulder bulges). I always did like the CF better than the Shin version too, those white stripes just don't add much contrast to the paint.

I just prefer the styling of the VF-0A to the VF-0S or even the VF-1 in some ways. I've always been a sucker for A-type heads, but the -0A's head is a work of art IMO. The whole plane just looks and feels more "real" than the VF-1.

[Macross_Fanboy]

Definitely digging the tailhook. VF-1s should have them too since they did launch from carriers like the Prometheus.

[Black Valkyrie]

Deleted.

Edited May 31, 2010 by Black Valkyrie

[General Chaos]

Got my Re issue VF-0A yesterday. Very pleased with it. Looks fantasic in fighter mode on display next to the 0S in Battroid mode.

Can't comment on the exploding arms as it will never transform from fighter mode but at least they are appear to still be intact.

I have retconned the retcon and it is now a Shinskullkudo311. Thinking about weathering it too.

Edited June 3, 2010 by General Chaos

[Fatalist]

I just prefer the styling of the VF-0A to the VF-0S or even the VF-1 in some ways. I've always been a sucker for A-type heads, but the -0A's head is a work of art IMO. The whole plane just looks and feels more "real" than the VF-1.

I have to totally agree with you on this. It feels more "real" than a VF-1, and the VF-0S looks a little too cartoony with the Roy type markings. Perhaps if they did a low vis grey version of the Zero S it would look more "real" as well. I could see this on carriers easily.

[Macross_Fanboy]

I have to totally agree with you on this. It feels more "real" than a VF-1, and the VF-0S looks a little too cartoony with the Roy type markings. Perhaps if they did a low vis grey version of the Zero S it would look more "real" as well. I could see this on carriers easily.

The thing about the 0S that makes it look cartoony to me is not the decals, my squadron's anniversary aircraft 102 was awesome to look at with all the red paint and viper on it, but the styling of the head and the fact that it looks more white than low viz grey like the 0A also. The Hasegawa kit says light gray, I'm not sure it's accurate on the toy though.

[Chronocidal]

Actually, the thing that sticks in my mind the most about the VF-0, especially when compared with other valks: it's actually streamlined.

Nearly every other variable design has huge flat panels that face to the rear of the plane, usually the hand covers (the VF-4 avoids this, as do the VF-25/VF-27 due to the shield design). In the world of aircraft, non-streamlined flat surfaces at the rear of the plane are a huge no-no. It's called base drag, and comes from the turbulence caused by the air having to fill in the space behind the plane as it goes forward.

On the whole, the VF-0 has probably the most streamlined shape of any valk I think, at least until the VF-25. Compared with the VF-1, the head, shoulders, arms, and hands are all completely blended into the fighter, while the VF-1 has big blocky shoulders sticking into the airstream, and all that flat area at the rear to make more drag.

What's funny to think about.. in terms of technology this makes perfect sense really. The VF-0 had conventional engines (beastly ones, yes, but still conventional), while the VF-1 had nuclear engines. Given that much thrust, they may have just looked at the drag coefficients, and laughed them off.

What's interesting to me... the same thing has happened in real life over time. Look back at the fighters designed in the era between about 1950 and 1970, and you'll notice that one of the popular trends in fighter design was a "coke-bottle" fuselage shape (great example is the F-5 Tiger, it had an extreme amount of this). That shape had the effect of seriously reducing the drag coming from shock waves approaching Mach 1.

But these days, you really don't see much of that shape any more in fighter aircraft (only newer design I can think of off the top of my head that still has it somewhat is the Saab Gripen). Why? Because with engines that give 40k lbs of thrust, that drag isn't really an issue anymore, unless you really want to optimize the fuel load of the aircraft (which to an extent is why the Hornet has such a short range).

Long story short, with enough power, drag isn't that big a deal, but it's still nice to get good fuel efficiency.

Edited June 3, 2010 by Chronocidal

[Fatalist]

Actually, the thing that sticks in my mind the most about the VF-0, especially when compared with other valks: it's actually streamlined.

Nearly every other variable design has huge flat panels that face to the rear of the plane, usually the hand covers (the VF-4 avoids this, as do the VF-25/VF-27 due to the shield design). In the world of aircraft, non-streamlined flat surfaces at the rear of the plane are a huge no-no. It's called base drag, and comes from the turbulence caused by the air having to fill in the space behind the plane as it goes forward.

On the whole, the VF-0 has probably the most streamlined shape of any valk I think, at least until the VF-25. Compared with the VF-1, the head, shoulders, arms, and hands are all completely blended into the fighter, while the VF-1 has big blocky shoulders sticking into the airstream, and all that flat area at the rear to make more drag.

What's funny to think about.. in terms of technology this makes perfect sense really. The VF-0 had conventional engines (beastly ones, yes, but still conventional), while the VF-1 had nuclear engines. Given that much thrust, they may have just looked at the drag coefficients, and laughed them off.

What's interesting to me... the same thing has happened in real life over time. Look back at the fighters designed in the era between about 1950 and 1970, and you'll notice that one of the popular trends in fighter design was a "coke-bottle" fuselage shape (great example is the F-5 Tiger, it had an extreme amount of this). That shape had the effect of seriously reducing the drag coming from shock waves approaching Mach 1.

But these days, you really don't see much of that shape any more in fighter aircraft (only newer design I can think of off the top of my head that still has it somewhat is the Saab Gripen). Why? Because with engines that give 40k lbs of thrust, that drag isn't really an issue anymore, unless you really want to optimize the fuel load of the aircraft (which to an extent is why the Hornet has such a short range).

Long story short, with enough power, drag isn't that big a deal, but it's still nice to get good fuel efficiency.

I'm sure the almighty Kawamori would want his fighters to run "green".

[General Chaos]

Not enough pics on this page so have at my re-retconned "Shinskullkudo311" VF-0A in front of my 2008 re issue Roy VF-0S

Still tempted to weather the VF-0A but that will be a weekend job.

Edited June 3, 2010 by General Chaos

[m0n5t3r]

nice job! looks better w/ those stickers.

although it looks like there's still that problem w/ the hips/intake not connecting tight enough to the underside of the chestplate in fighter.

i was cleaning my Shin VF-0A and VF-0S awhile ago and i do have to agree that the 0A looks much better/sleeker in fighter while i like the 0S better in battroid.

[Chronocidal]

I've noticed that about the hip/intake connections too, they're not very snug where the plastic pegs into the metal. Next tweak I might try on the one I'm fixing up is to beef up the pegs on the legs to fit a little better. I love super glue.

[m0n5t3r]

the thing about that hip/intake connection (at least on my 0A) is that if i try to fit it in flush, the lower leg to backpack connection pops out, lol

and yeah, super glue is awesome... i finally decided to beef up the hardpoints of the missiles that come w/ the ghost pack coz they kept falling off at the slightest touch.

I've noticed that about the hip/intake connections too, they're not very snug where the plastic pegs into the metal. Next tweak I might try on the one I'm fixing up is to beef up the pegs on the legs to fit a little better. I love super glue.

[Chronocidal]

the thing about that hip/intake connection (at least on my 0A) is that if i try to fit it in flush, the lower leg to backpack connection pops out, lol

and yeah, super glue is awesome... i finally decided to beef up the hardpoints of the missiles that come w/ the ghost pack coz they kept falling off at the slightest touch.

Oh, I had a similar problem with those lower leg/backpack connections. I tend to hold the plane right behind the knees in fighter mode, and the pressure there always popped the legs out. Again, a layer of superglue on those leg tabs fixed it up nicely.

[General Chaos]

Yeah It seemed a bit sparse without the stickers. I'm used having lots of tampos I guess.

Oh and I see what you mean about the hip intake. I just had a look and the peg had popped out (possibly when I was messing around stickering it up). I popped the peg back in (without any fuss) and it seems pretty flush now, nothing to complain about anyhow.

nice job! looks better w/ those stickers.

although it looks like there's still that problem w/ the hips/intake not connecting tight enough to the underside of the chestplate in fighter.

i was cleaning my Shin VF-0A and VF-0S awhile ago and i do have to agree that the 0A looks much better/sleeker in fighter while i like the 0S better in battroid.

Edited June 4, 2010 by General Chaos

[eriku]

Got my reissue 0A yesterday and I'm in love with it. I far prefer it to the 0S I used to have.

One question ~ did the original release of the 0S and 0A have a window flap on the box?

I thought they did but I might be confusing that memory with the 1/48 boxes which look similar.

[anime52k8]

Got my reissue 0A yesterday and I'm in love with it. I far prefer it to the 0S I used to have.

One question ~ did the original release of the 0S and 0A have a window flap on the box?

I thought they did but I might be confusing that memory with the 1/48 boxes which look similar.

I'm pretty sure it did. I believe the VF-22 Gamlin was the first Yamato to come in a solid box, every release before that had a window box with a flap.

[eriku]

Interesting, the reissue box has no window flap.

[anubis20]

Oh, I had a similar problem with those lower leg/backpack connections. I tend to hold the plane right behind the knees in fighter mode, and the pressure there always popped the legs out. Again, a layer of superglue on those leg tabs fixed it up nicely.

care to elaborate on the fix, my 0S, 0A, and Shin bundle suffer from the same thing

[m0n5t3r]

care to elaborate on the fix, my 0S, 0A, and Shin bundle suffer from the same thing

it's just the usual "coat it w/ nailpolish or superglue to make joints or connections tighter" fix. you can either coat the tab/peg on the inside leg of your VF-0 or the outer sides of the holes on the sides of the backpack where the pegs go in. personally i prefer using super glue since nailpolish tends to flake off much more easily.

but i'm guessing there might be an alignment issue w/ the VF-0 mold where there's a give-and-take between the intake connection and the leg-to-backpack connection. it doesn't really bother me much anymore. what really annoyed me were those damn micro-missile pods and launcher pods that kept falling off of the wings. so far, the super glue fix is working like a charm on them.

[Chronocidal]

That's pretty much the gist of it, I just put a blob of glue on each of the leg tabs to enlarge them.

I suppose there is a trick to it though. I always use the slowest drying and thickest super glue I can get. The one I've been using for a while is Sentai Distributors Maxi-Cure brand, the extra thick 10-25 second stuff.

It's plenty thick to build up a blob on tabs, and if you catch it at the right time, you can actually shape it a little. I think what I did for the leg tabs was to just put a little on the top and bottom of each tab, and let it dry till it wasn't sticky anymore, but was still soft enough to make an impression with a fingernail. At that point, I pushed the tabs into the holes to let the glue mold to the shape of the hole, then removed them again to let them harden the rest of the way.

[GU-11]

Interesting, the reissue box has no window flap.

What?! I just got my -0S from the hobby store, and it came in a fliptop box! It can't be old stock, since the old MacZero Valks sold out ages ago in that shop.

What in the name Shoji frickin' Kawamori is going on here? :huh:

[eriku]

Apparently for some reason they decided to put the 0A in a flapless box. Maybe that's why it was delayed for a month?

[GU-11]

Apparently for some reason they decided to put the 0A in a flapless box. Maybe that's why it was delayed for a month?

So the reissued VF-0S's box still has a fliptop? Man, that scared the hell out of me. I thought I just bought an old V.1 VF-0S.

I wonder what's up with the VF-0A? Why the generic box instead of the fliptop? IMO, a generic box just takes the class out of an expensive collectible. Did not appreciate the delay either, since I was planning to get the -0A first before buying the -0S.