Shaorin Posted February 10, 2011 Posted February 10, 2011 (edited) this is the second release in a series of three MACROSS entries in BANDAI's unfinished 1984/1988 H.C.M.(High Complete Model) series of pre-assembled toy-like models. in all, there were; * No.17; VF-1S Ichijo DYRL Ver. (minus FAST packs) * No.20; VF-1J Ichijo SDFM T.V.Ver. (which this article covers) * No.21; VF-1A "Cannon Fodder" Ver. for the first 15+ years of these toys' existence (1985/2002) they were pretty much unanimously considered among the MACROSS fanbase to be the "Cadillacs" of the existing VF-1 toys at the time. and indeed they were, as they were an ideal blend of the best aspects of the old 1983 IMAI "VARIABLE TYPE" line of Parts-Forming 1/72 model kits, and the rugged, "Perfect Transformation" TAKATOKU/BANDAI 1/55 "Chunky Monkey" toy lines. these rugged toy-like models possessed the detail of the IMAI kit, coupled with the transformation of the TAKATOKU/BANDAI 1/55, with the only "Parts-Forming" involved being the addition of the cockpit canopy blast shield to the BATTROID's chest, a limitation shared by the TAKATOKU/BANDAI 1/55. indeed, these were (and still are) AWESOME vintage VF-1 toys, adeptly combining the nostalgia of both the 1/72 IMAI model and the 1/55 Chunky Monkey into one cohesive, POWERFULLY nostalgic whole. in all honesty, the only real failing these toy/models have, beside a couple areas that might prove fragile if you handle the toy carelessly; *head lasers; BE SURE you shift them UP when shifting the legs/engine nacelles to and from BATTROID position, otherwise they'll catch on the swing bars and forcing the mechanism carelessly could possibly snap the lasers. * tail stabilizers; fold/unfold them gently, as i've seen the rotation lugs break before from overly rough transformation. they can easily withstand the latch/unlatching action of flipping them to FIGHTER position, just remember to perform the action GENTLY.... -is the fact that these toys had a rather limited production, and as such, have always been rather hard to come by. nevertheless, complete examples DO show up from time to time, and usually command around around $150/$250 NIMB/MIB. while these toys have handily been eclipsed by both the 2002 YAMATO 1/48 and it's successor 2008 1/60v.II VF-1 toy series, it nonetheless is a SUPERB and VERY NOSTALGIC vintage toy series, and HIGHLY RECOMMENDED for those who desire the best of then, as well as the best of today... - SPECIFICATIONS - Accessories: (ALL MODELS) *Two(2) pre-punched file cards for the accessory BANDAI HCM file card binder *instruction manual *Decal Sheets (Two(2) for No.20; VF-1J and No.21; VF-1A, Three(3) for No.17; VF-1S ) *BATTROID mode cockpit blast shield *GERWALK mode backpack radio antenna *wing mounted missile clusters (Twelve(12) missiles total, all removable from the Four(4) missle pylons) *non-collapsible GU-11 Gunpod *Chara Figure (unpainted); Hikaru Ichijo in flight suit (No.17; VF-1S) Lynn Minmay in DYRL pink and white stage dress (No.20; VF-1J) Misa Hayase in uniform (No.21; VF-1A) Features: *perfect transformation (ala TAKA.BANDAI 1/55) *metal landing gear with real rubber tires and dual NON-CANON Arrestor Cable Hooks in main gear bays *jointed hands (separately movable trigger fingers that grip GU-11 well, and movable ball-jointed wrists) (please also see "AnyMoon.com"'s review of this same toy; http://anymoon.com/blog/2006/07/21/bandai-172-hi-complete-model-valkyrie/ ) (MY PERSONAL FINISHED COPY OF No.20; VF-1J Ichijo SDFM T.V.Ver.) Edited March 1, 2011 by Shaorin Quote
Renato Posted February 12, 2011 Posted February 12, 2011 What the hell?? I never knew these came with a Minmay figure! Quote
Shaorin Posted February 12, 2011 Author Posted February 12, 2011 (edited) What the hell?? I never knew these came with a Minmay figure! an unpainted one, with fairly ugly proportions, yes. each of the three releases includes a figure; *Chara Figure (unpainted); Hikaru Ichijo in flight suit (No.17; VF-1S) Lynn Minmay in DYRL pink and white stage dress (No.20; VF-1J) Misa Hayase in uniform (No.21; VF-1A) Edited February 12, 2011 by Shaorin Quote
jenius Posted February 13, 2011 Posted February 13, 2011 Ha, I'm currently working on a complete overhaul of my review of this very same toy. Beat me to the punch! Quote
Shaorin Posted February 13, 2011 Author Posted February 13, 2011 Ha, I'm currently working on a complete overhaul of my review of this very same toy. Beat me to the punch! ah! i'm looking forward to it!! Quote
Shaorin Posted March 1, 2011 Author Posted March 1, 2011 (edited) i just finished going all throughout this baby, tightening up all joints by way of cutting strips of electrician's tape, and placing properly cut-to-shape pieces in all joint cavities, including all landing gear bay doors and landing gear strut joint cavities. the result is an HCH that is quite literally as tight as a drum. the damned thing almost feels like a precision instrument now. i kid you not... Edited March 1, 2011 by Shaorin Quote
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