Bandai DX VF-31

[Saburo]

Just now, in2seconds said:

It is pretty hard to get the refund process set-up, now I'm exchanging emails to minimize my losses. I already got axed by customs for 50$, so the sunk costs just keeps on piling up one after another.

To be honest, I regret paying for the super parts early. I should have placed the order after I got the valk, but oh well.

Will AmiAmi refund you the shipping to them?

Might be a tough one, but maybe consider keeping it?  Does the misaligned nose cone affect Battroid mode?

[in2seconds]

Just now, Saburo said:

Will AmiAmi refund you the shipping to them?

Might be a tough one, but maybe consider keeping it?  Does the misaligned nose cone affect Battroid mode?

 

Yes, they will atleast cover the return shipping fees.

For keeping it, well, looking at it just depresses me. I haven't tried transforming it yet, but the nose cone would pry apart whenever it needs to be rotated.

[Saburo]

2 minutes ago, in2seconds said:

Yes, they will atleast cover the return shipping fees.

For keeping it, well, looking at it just depresses me. I haven't tried transforming it yet, but the nose cone would pry apart whenever it needs to be rotated.

Ok, its good they'll cover the shipping to them.

Sorry in2seconds.

[in2seconds]

Just now, Saburo said:

Ok, its good they'll cover the shipping to them.

Sorry in2seconds.

 

Thanks, but oh well. Nothing I can do anymore.

Maybe I'll just shoot for Messer's valk, but my plan with Hayate+Mirage would go down the drain. Hayate did use Messer's valk, but it just does not feel the same. Maybe Messer+Arad instead?

[Master Dex]

Messer pre-order is Jan 6? Ok then! That is the one I've been waiting for, and after Yeti's pics and review I am super excited now. I own a YF-30 and already love that so I really am looking forward to a 31 now. And Messer releases in April in time for my birthday! Of course.. I have to succeed in pre-ordering it first.

 

I managed to get a 262 preorder on a second opening, but I was in a timezone at the time that made it easier. Now I'm gonna have to be up at a weird time to do it I bet. What time do these preorders usually happen again (in EST for my reference)?

[Saburo]

3 minutes ago, in2seconds said:

Thanks, but oh well. Nothing I can do anymore.

Maybe I'll just shoot for Messer's valk, but my plan with Hayate+Mirage would go down the drain. Hayate did use Messer's valk, but it just does not feel the same. Maybe Messer+Arad instead?

Who knows you might be able to score a Hayate for a good price somewhere down the line.  The hunt is never over.

[Lolicon]

Both of mine arrived before Christmas. Snapped a bunch of quick pics right after opening it. I love this thing! The flat finish and overall production quality is definitely a cut above the Frontier era toys.

My only gripe: those f***ing knee mounted landing gears. They're ugly and annoying to pull out. A stand is a must!

I really like this insert, for some reason.

Much nicer than the plain piece of cardboard on previos DX releases!

Fighter pics

That sparkly canopy tint is unusual...

Lots of surface details. Needs a wash!

Love the fighter mode. I guess the CG animators did too, because that's all we ever got to see!

With the 1/72 model kit.

Compatible with previous weapon sets.

 

 

[kajnrig]

Are the knee landing gear integrated a la previous DX releases or parts-swapping a la the 1/72 model kit?

[Saburo]

5 minutes ago, Lolicon said:

Both of mine arrived before Christmas. Snapped a bunch of quick pics right after opening it. I love this thing! The flat finish and overall production quality is definitely a cut above the Frontier era toys.

My only gripe: those f***ing knee mounted landing gears. They're ugly and annoying to pull out. A stand is a must!

Those are great shots Loli.

[Lolicon]

Gerwalk and battroid pics. I forgot to pull out the sensor pod thingy all the way, but I didn't feel like retaking all these pics.

I'm glad to see Bandai used clear paint on all the head sensors, instead of making it half clear and half opaque like the YF-29 sensors.

Those skinny arms have no problem lifting a heavy beam rifle.

Siegfried & Roy

Bandai, give us a transforming Macross Elysion or the kitty gets it!

Don't feel too bad, Wright. Watching Delta made me want to commit a war crime too.

I like the VF-25 design better, but the 31 is a better toy.

[abbadon]

Congrats and great pics everyone! I'll pick up mine tomorrow.

[Lolicon]

14 minutes ago, kajnrig said:

Are the knee landing gear integrated a la previous DX releases or parts-swapping a la the 1/72 model kit?

Integrated. I think parts-swapping landing gear on a DX release would be criminal.

13 minutes ago, Saburo said:

Those are great shots Loli.

Thanks! I think investing in a PVC backdrop makes them look way more professional than the piece of cardboard I was using before lol

[UN Spacy]

Great photos Loli

[Saburo]

7 minutes ago, Lolicon said:

Integrated. I think parts-swapping landing gear on a DX release would be criminal.

Thanks! I think investing in a PVC backdrop makes them look way more professional than the piece of cardboard I was using before lol

Backdrop definitely helps and your lighting is good. 

I just finished processing my VF-31 photos, but I might hold off on posting them don't want to overload the thread.

[OzmaLee74]

Congrats on receiving your valks guys! Mine won't be here til probably late next week since it's coming with Voltron.

Edited December 27, 2016 by OzmaLee74
Typo

[sh9000]

Nice pics.

[barurutor]

I have to admit, I chuckled at "Siegfried & Roy"

Great Pics Loli!

[Sandman]

Thanks, but oh well. Nothing I can do anymore.

Maybe I'll just shoot for Messer's valk, but my plan with Hayate+Mirage would go down the drain. Hayate did use Messer's valk, but it just does not feel the same. Maybe Messer+Arad instead?

I think you'll be better off selling it on ebay in a couple of weeks. I think you'll make your money back even with the defect.

 

[Sandman]

I managed to get all my vf-31Js miraculously before Christmas. I was expecting one to make it before then. Frustrating there was no forum to post to. Packaging is solid but i'd like bandai to get rid of the styrofoam tray and use a plastic one like arcadia/yamato. 

By the way exactly how far up are the canards suppose to sit?

[in2seconds]

1 hour ago, Sandman said:

I think you'll be better off selling it on ebay in a couple of weeks. I think you'll make your money back even with the defect.

 

1

Heh I wish that's the case, I have been trying to sell my VF-25S Renewal for 7 months now and no one has picked up on it yet.

For a defective item, is the seller mandated to refund the original shipping fees as well? Or will that depend on their policies? Amiami pulled a fast one on me saying that they will only refund the merchandise price because I shipped it with something else (1/48 VF-1 Photoetch parts which weighs next to nothing!).

Edited December 27, 2016 by in2seconds

[Duymon]

I got my lone VF-31J from HLJ. I decided against having multiples since I really wasn't really into Macross Delta.

Couldn't use the old panel lining technique so had to opt for Flory's Wash which wouldn't harm any of the large painted areas. Really happy with the flory's as it came out with nice, thin and subtler panel lines

 

Btw, anyone have issues with the gap between the chestplate and nose opening up all the time? I swear they should have put in some locking mechanism because every time I touch my VF-31J the chestplate gets bumped up and i get a crooked valk.

Edited December 27, 2016 by Duymon

[spanner]

awesome photos Lolicon! 

I got my two (HLJ & CDJ) but ended up trading one away for four other Valks! (25S, 25A, VF-1S & VF-1D) but I bought another two from NY which should arrive in the next few days. I want three on display, one for each mode of course!

Well anyways here are some happy snaps taken earlier!

 

[spanner]

and yes those rear landing gear knee caps totally suck @55.. 

[wmkjr]

4 hours ago, sh9000 said:

VF-31F Siegfried Messer Ihlefeld use

Preorder:  January 6, 2017

Release date:  April 2017

http://sp.tamashii.jp/s_site/

Nice. Welcome back from the break everyone.

[Scream Man]

Im the jerk who traded with Spanner, and it was worth it! The 31 is Bandai's best plane, with the only issues I have being very minor quibbles. 

Panel lining was much faster than sometimes as well. 

 

 

[spanner]

hehe! you're such a jerk Scream Man! 

looks pretty trick all panel lined eh! 

[spanner]

has anyone else noticed that it seems to lock up in fighter mode better after a transformation or two? the forward fuselage gap behind the cockpit sits closer now than originally.

[spanner]

3 hours ago, Lolicon said:

snipped..

looks mad with those missiles! I might have to dig out my 171 missiles too now! 

[Scream Man]

Not really, but it is nice and tight. 

Also i dont mind the Knee gears. Easy enough to use for me, and i ike the mechanism involved. I think its quite clever. |

 

 

 

 

[spanner]

great pics! it looks good in gerwalk too! 

[F360]

http://www.amiami.com/top/detail/detail?gcode=FIGURE-021748

more in stock

[Bato]

Thanks, Just ordered one!

 

*fingers crossed*

[dero]

5 hours ago, sh9000 said:

VF-31F Siegfried Messer Ihlefeld use

Preorder:  January 6, 2017

Release date:  April 2017

http://sp.tamashii.jp/s_site/

Generally what time in Japan (UTC +08:00) do these preorders open?

[spanner]

5 minutes ago, dero said:

Generally what time in Japan (UTC +08:00) do these preorders open?

usually 4pm Japan time..

[dero]

5 minutes ago, spanner said:

usually 4pm Japan time..

Thank you.  That's 6pm my time.  I'll have to get a leave pass to see if I can get a preorder in.

These photos of the 05 that are coming up are convincing me to put an order in.