Max Factory 1/20(!) VF-1S/A Hikaru

[TMBounty_Hunter]

Can whoever ordered from amiami report when they start sending out payment requests and shipping prices?

[pafy6285]

My N-Y order is already in preparation status and no message for additional fees yet. Also tried adding the kit to my cart just to check if there are updates in the shipping calculator, and is still the same.  Do note that the original shipping estimate was for a 5 kg item as per Japan Post (SAL).

[Pulltoeject]

Does anyone have a rough estimate of how much this kit weighs without runners? I would plan on shipping it to a hotel, remove all parts from the runners and stow it in a suitcase to take back home. That way customs won't give me a hard time...

[GMK]

This just in from AmiAmi:

Subtotal: 32,980 JPY
Shipping: 15,600 JPY
GST: 4,858
Grand total: 53,438 JPY

That is to Australia via EMS. 

[TMBounty_Hunter]

Thanks for the shipping cost info!

 

This lovely gentleman has an unboxing thread on twitter. The Box Inception keeps going it seems. There's three flat boxes inside the colorful box which is inside the plain cardboard box which seems to get an extra cardboard box all around by whoever shipped it to him (and presumably for international buyers too)

Now I just want complete manual scans while I wait for mine. Hobby Search doesn't seem to post PLAMAX manuals like they do with everything else

 

 

[electric indigo]

3 hours ago, TMBounty_Hunter said:

 Hobby Search doesn't seem to post PLAMAX manuals like they do with everything else

That is pretty mean!

[milhouse]

I have yet to see the VF-1 at any shops here in Tokyo (amiami, yellow submarine, volks, yodabashi, etc) ... perhaps today will be the day!

 

Also, it's a bit funny to see that unboxing thread on twitter... a slight chortle was expressed

[tekering]

16 minutes ago, milhouse said:

I have yet to see the VF-1 at any shops here in Tokyo (amiami, yellow submarine, volks, yodabashi, etc) ... perhaps today will be the day!

I don't know where "compon" got his, but the Japanese release date isn't for another week...

Edited November 23, 2018 by tekering

[TMBounty_Hunter]

At least these guys have their stock

 

 

[macsam]

AmiAmi has stopped taking orders

are there any online shops taking orders?

[no3Ljm]

3 hours ago, macsam said:

AmiAmi has stopped taking orders

are there any online shops taking orders?

https://www.nippon-yasan.com/24850-plamax-mf-25-minimum-factory-vf-1-super-strike-gerwalk-valkyrie.html

 

[TMBounty_Hunter]

Twitter flooding this morning with shops posting their stocks

EDIT: lots more unboxing and building on the internet now

Full runner layout

 

 

Edited November 23, 2018 by TMBounty_Hunter

[macsam]

13 hours ago, no3Ljm said:

https://www.nippon-yasan.com/24850-plamax-mf-25-minimum-factory-vf-1-super-strike-gerwalk-valkyrie.html

 

thanks.  another ordered from Nippon Yasan before?

i am located in Canada.  Are they reasonable with shipping cost?

h

[no3Ljm]

1 hour ago, macsam said:

thanks.  another ordered from Nippon Yasan before?

i am located in Canada.  Are they reasonable with shipping cost?

h

If you haven't ordered from them there's a way to see the shipping cost to Canada by putting an available item to the cart. And on the right side panel you'll see the Cart and Shipping Calculator buttons. Click the Shipping Calculator Button and select the country where you want it to be shipped. There you will see shipping method and cost available for you.

Here's a screenshot. Remember, this interactive computation only works with items that are available and not 'unavailable/sold out'.

 

Edited November 23, 2018 by no3Ljm

[macsam]

56 minutes ago, no3Ljm said:

If you haven't ordered from them there's a way to see the shipping cost to Canada by putting an available item to the cart. And on the right side panel you'll see the Cart and Shipping Calculator buttons. Click the Shipping Calculator Button and select the country where you want it to be shipped. There you will see shipping method and cost available for you.

Here's a screenshot. Remember, this interactive computation only works with items that are available and not 'unavailable/sold out'.

 

 

thanks for the info.  i am seriously late to the game on this one.  thankful and relieved that i can still get my hands on this one.  

[Return To Kit Form]

Unfortunately this is way to big for me. Ironically making it's most attractive feature its biggest drawback.

It would be great if they pulled a Wingnut Wings and offered just the cockpit section

 

Cheers,

Brett 

Edited November 24, 2018 by Return To Kit Form

[nightmareB4macross]

7 hours ago, Return To Kit Form said:

Unfortunately this is way to big for me. Ironically making it's most attractive feature its biggest drawback.

It qould be great if they pulled a Wingnut Wings and offered just the cockpit section

 

Cheers,

Brett 

Now that would be an interesting idea for PlaMax to market. I could get behind something like this if they offered all the pilots for DYRL and SDFM for all VF/E/T and A/S/J/D configurations.

[Mr Jones]

HLJ just charged me for mine; in my private warehouse but currently no calculated shipping options. :S

[no3Ljm]

2 hours ago, Mr Jones said:

HLJ just charged me for mine; in my private warehouse but currently no calculated shipping options. :S

Can you try and put your item ready to ship so you can check how much the available shipping cost is? Thanks!

 

[GMK]

On 11/24/2018 at 10:13 AM, nightmareB4macross said:

Now that would be an interesting idea for PlaMax to market. I could get behind something like this if they offered all the pilots for DYRL and SDFM for all VF/E/T and A/S/J/D configurations.

A set of separate heads paired with pilots would be sweet. 

[tekering]

So, Amazon.jp was wrong, ‘cause my "Gawalk" is here already:

Edited November 25, 2018 by tekering

[TMBounty_Hunter]

8 hours ago, GMK said:

A set of separate heads paired with pilots would be sweet. 

A/J/S heads are already included in the kit. Pilot runners are entirely separate so we'll probably get extra ones as plain minimum factory releases.

From the looks of it the runners look laid out to only swap two runners to make it a VF-1D. 

[AngelBird4]

17800 shipping... seriously reconsidering this...

[derex3592]

HOLY OUTRAGOUS SHIPPING BATMAN!!! Jeeeez 

[milhouse]

So, I'm back in the US without a second vf-1 (didn't have the money or space in my suitcase for this monster, or maybe I'm not hardcore enough)... will have to wait for CDJ to ship/upcharge shipping

 

Anywho, I got to see the model in box (and in box with a box) at Yellow Submarine in Akihabara's Radio Kaiken... It's big.... it's heavy... I was giddy... it made me really wish I had brought another suitcase.

 

I got all my model supplies ready

[Sanity is Optional]

Yup, Just got dinged new shipping for CDJ, ¥17,800

Total price: ¥49,124, or $435.11 on the cc charge.

[tekering]

Well, I'm massively underwhelmed.  This isn't really a kit with a lot of potential... at least, not without aftermarket decals and upgrade parts.  As it stands, it only comes with lousy stickers:

Stickers meant to be applied over molded detail, at that.  

Obviously, you're better off painting whatever detail you can, but that doesn't extend to all the warnings and nomenclature, of course...

If you're lucky, your sticker sheets won't be stuck together like mine were.  

Again, you're better off painting whatever you can.

The DYRL pilot figure included is molded in Roy's colors -- matching the stickers -- but there's nothing specific about the sculpt; you can paint him any color and call him whoever you want.  Stickers only include Roy's name under the cockpit canopy, however.

Even if optional missile pods are made available in the future, there will be no way to attach them to the wings; as you can see, there are no mounting points whatsoever.

We knew going in that it wasn't transformable, of course, but it's gonna take a lot of effort to even make it LOOK like it could.  The kit is simplified to the point where separate moving parts have been sculpted as single static pieces -- the arms and legs, even -- and I think I'll be cutting a lot of these large parts into separate pieces just to maintain the illusion of articulation.

The detailing is accurate to the line art, even on the underside, but it's awfully flat and shallow.

Basically, Max Factory has cut every corner they could to keep this kit reasonably affordable, but anyone used to Hasegawa, Tamiya, or Bandai kits will likely be disappointed with the results:

• The lack of articulation is understandable, but the low parts count means it's not gonna look good without considerable effort.  
• The lack of tampography, rub-on transfers or water-slide decals is inexcusable, and the supplied stickers look like they belong on a cheap toy.  
• Unless you have the skills and resources to make your own decals, there's no point in even using the optional 1A or 1J recessed head parts, since the stickers supplied are only for Roy Focker's 1S.

Frankly, I'd rather pay twice the price for a decent kit at this scale than go to all the effort it will require to make this one look good, even as the stock Roy DYRL scheme.  

[milhouse]

3 minutes ago, Sanity is Optional said:

Yup, Just got dinged new shipping for CDJ, ¥17,800

Total price: ¥49,124, or $435.11 on the cc charge.

I was just charged right now. Paid for it... It stings a little, but then again I make sure I have money for things I need before I buy things I want

 

Question: how much paint do you think will be needed on this? What are your guys/gals preferred paint brands?

I usually build/paint 1/100 macross kits, 1/35 military kits, or anime/custom figures. I used to solely use Vallejo paints, but a local shop stocks Gaia Notes, and Mr Color, so I've been using those, and will likely use that on this kit

[GMK]

@tekering thanks for the overview. Would you mind taking a pic of the A & J heads?

[Sanity is Optional]

Well, I'm not going to be going for a anime-accurate look anyway, probably going to go for a more realistic low-vis look. Though I'll gladly keep the skull-and-crossbones markings.

[tekering]

52 minutes ago, GMK said:

@tekering Would you mind taking a pic of the A & J heads?

I think "heads" is a bit of an overstatement...  

[Sanity is Optional]

This is a kit that really begs for an inkwash. Those lines are too deep, and too big to do by hand.

[no3Ljm]

2 hours ago, tekering said:

I think "heads" is a bit of an overstatement...  

Ouch. Those head lasers look so thin.  I do like how proportioned the 1A's head.  

 

Edited November 26, 2018 by no3Ljm

[GMK]

9 minutes ago, tekering said:

I think "heads" is a bit of an overstatement...  

Ouch -you’re not joking!

Thanks for posting. The position of the A’s laser looks waaay too far forward. 

[macsam]

i am confused with the head pieces.  do you have to extract the head out of the plastic all around?   Meaning you have to use an exacto knife to cut all around it?

Is it a full complete head that you join with a bottom head piece or is it just the top?