Bandai Kits

[Galaxy_Stranger]

I'm used to seeing Macross kits in general on Amazon for at least $50 American, or so. But lately I've been finding these: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001DTVI9Y?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=ox_sc_act_title_2&smid=A111T5BUDCP21Y

What's your evaluation of this brand? What separates the other, more expensive, kits and brands?

[NZEOD]

Ha! that's the one I'm using as a test rig for the LED lighting project. Side by side with the Hasegawa kit there is no comparison. Bandai's one is way more basic in every respect.

[Galaxy_Stranger]

I see! Thanks! I look forward to getting one of each. Hasagawa has some models at the same price point.

[Model-Junkie]

Before you buy the kit, are you expecting it to be Bandai's new mold VF-1A or their old mold kit?

The kit you posted is the old mold, get the Hasegawa kit if it is the same price.

[Galaxy_Stranger]

Ok, so the consensus is to pretty much avoid Bandai?

What about Wave?

[Model-Junkie]

The new Bandai Macross kits are ok if you want a transforming model kit. These are the new Bandai VF-1S & VF-1A/S kits. Here is a build thread on the Bandai kits.

The wave kits are good for 1/100 scale, the link you posted is at an excellent price as they are usually $35+

I personally prefer the Hasegawa kits, they have more variety and the proportions for Fighter mode are very realistic

[MechTech]

I agree with everyone. I'm finding as models get old and newer, better versions are released to exceed them, the old ones get dropped in price like the Bandai one posted. It WAS the bomb back in the day though - 25 years ago

Those had the cool comic tips with two girls doing crazy things like displaying models as insects with pins. They also had small binder formatted cards to collect with nice artwork and detailed line drawings. Today you're doing great with just good decals! - Phill

Edited August 5, 2015 by MechTech

[Vifam7]

Ok, so the consensus is to pretty much avoid Bandai?

What about Wave?

If you're going to get a Bandai kit, get the either the old 80's transforming kit or the new 2013 transforming kit. Both are 1/72 scale. The old 80's kit is actually better engineered for transforming ease. The new 2013 kit is better off built into one mode.

If you've got kit building skills/experience, it's probably better to go for the Hasegawa kits.

The 1/100 scale Wave kits are excellent. Fantastic sculpt and very easy to build. I highly recommend them.

Edited August 6, 2015 by Vifam7

[Galaxy_Stranger]

1/100 seems like such an odd scale to me.

[Vifam7]

1/100 seems like such an odd scale to me.

It's a scale that's often found on anime/sci-fi models from Japan. Imai and Arii used the scale for Macross models back in the 1980s. Bandai currently uses it for their Master Grade line Gundam models.

The scale can also occasionally be found on aircraft models. Tamiya dabbled with it back in the 70's. Nowadays, it can be found in cheap pre-built models included with subscription magazines.

[Galaxy_Stranger]

Other than this, I've never even seen 1/100. Hobby Blobby has 1/144 and that's about it, I think. Freakin' things are so small, I broke off the fins on my F-15 just putting the cockpit together!