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

[THOR]

They probably skipped the mold flow analysis

[TMBounty_Hunter]

I have a suspicion that due to the massive size of the molds needed Max Factory couldn't use their previous maker in China and instead had to go to someone with much larger injection machine. Larger injection machines are usually used for stuff like appliance cases and dashboards, where it's one large part with no spues/runners left attached to it once the product leaves the factory. While those guys have the necessary machines, maybe asking them to do model kit molds with lots of interconnected parts wasn't the best idea.

[Graham]

Haven't been keeping up, so is this thing finally out already?

[Graham]

And they went with Gerwalk (the least popular mode) first!!!!!?????

[no3Ljm]

1 minute ago, Graham said:

Haven't been keeping up, so is this thing finally out already?

Not out per se. It’s been delayed since August. Now it says it’s going to get released in November.

 

[tekering]

34 minutes ago, Graham said:

And they went with Gerwalk (the least popular mode) first!!!!!?????

It's a good way to test the market for such a large and expensive model kit, I expect...  If gerwalk sells well, they can safely invest in developing kits of the other modes, too.

I expect Kidz Concept released Minmei as their first Robotech figure for the same reason.

[Sanity is Optional]

11 hours ago, Graham said:

And they went with Gerwalk (the least popular mode) first!!!!!?????

Heretic.

The 80s had lots of planes and robots, and even things that turned into robots.

Gerwalk mode was part of what set the Macross designs apart.

[no3Ljm]

'Gaohku' is what makes Macross Barukiri's unique. 

 

[Chronocidal]

On ‎10‎/‎23‎/‎2018 at 12:11 AM, tekering said:

It's a good way to test the market for such a large and expensive model kit, I expect...  If gerwalk sells well, they can safely invest in developing kits of the other modes, too.

I expect Kidz Concept released Minmei as their first Robotech figure for the same reason.

But.. doesn't that artificially skew your statistics to only represent the really die-hard fanbase?  That's basing your expected production volume on the least popular item. 

Sounds like a really good way to convince yourself that you won't be able to turn a profit on the items people actually want to purchase.

In this case though.. I think production-wise, it might not matter which one they release first.  If they're smart about the design, all the releases can share the majority of the major parts.  If the Gerwalk kits don't sell well, they can probably just repackage the parts with fighter-mode directions, and still sell them.

 

Edited October 25, 2018 by Chronocidal

[TMBounty_Hunter]

Remember they did announce the vanilla Valk development first. Gerwalk didn't show up until over a year later. Parts breakdown on runners accounted for different modes from the very start and at this point the Valk should be ready to go whenever their contract factory has the capacity as all the design work seems finished.

[DarkArchon3000]

1/20 Misa at AmiAmi!

 

https://www.amiami.com/eng/detail?gcode=TOY-SCL2-96645

 

[no3Ljm]

There's something off about her face. Not sure if it's the eyes or her face. Her face should be a little bit narrower(?).

 

 

[electric indigo]

Misa's face looks extremely narrow in some of the concept art. I think the figure captures her features pretty well, looking at other pictures.

[Sanity is Optional]

I think it's her ears, they're sticking out a bit which makes her face look wider.

[Convectuoso]

5 hours ago, DarkArchon3000 said:

1/20 Misa at AmiAmi!

 

https://www.amiami.com/eng/detail?gcode=TOY-SCL2-96645

 

What's wrong with her eyes? Too much drinking with Claudia? 

[AngelBird4]

Wow Misa looks crap. The only out for it is that the lighting in the photo env doesnt show off the facial shapes at all... fire the photog and hope the sculpt is better.

[tekering]

1 hour ago, AngelBird4 said:

Wow Misa looks crap.

It's certainly not the worst we've seen...

[kajnrig]

12 minutes ago, tekering said:

...

.......

...........hot????

[milhouse]

Woo! According to the Goodsmile website the vf-1 will be released on the 21st of November https://www.goodsmile.info/en/post/4788/Release+Dates+and+Changes+for+November+2018+Products.html

 

Two days after I arrive in Japan! ...Sadly I had preordered this monster on CDJapan (well, not too sad cos the price was just too good)

[no3Ljm]

20 minutes ago, milhouse said:

Woo! According to the Goodsmile website the vf-1 will be released on the 21st of November https://www.goodsmile.info/en/post/4788/Release+Dates+and+Changes+for+November+2018+Products.html

 

Two days after I arrive in Japan! ...Sadly I had preordered this monster on CDJapan (well, not too sad cos the price was just too good)

I'm pretty sure you're going to pickup another one while you're in Japan.  

 

[TMBounty_Hunter]

Oh god, is it finally happening!? I need to lube up my wallet....

[Sanity is Optional]

I can't wait to have nowhere to put that gigantic box.

[Major Tom]

Really big box! https://twitter.com/MAXWATANABE/status/1050683813016231936

https://ameblo.jp/digitamin/entry-12370847754.html

 

Edited November 13, 2018 by Major Tom

[no3Ljm]

^ Nice! It really has that centerpiece shelf presence.

 

[Sanity is Optional]

New updates via TagHobby

Shipper box is confirmed at 72cm x 57.5cm x 43cm and 11.2kg

That's roughly 28.5in x 22.5in x 17in and 24.5 pounds.

Contents are only 5.5kg/12lbs

[TMBounty_Hunter]

That "new" info is on the previous page of this thread :P

[Sanity is Optional]

25 minutes ago, TMBounty_Hunter said:

That "new" info is on the previous page of this thread :P

I thought there were a few new pictures on the Tag Hobby article now that weren't in the Twitter post, guess not.

[pafy6285]

Wonder how much extra shipping N-Y will ask for this kit (had an estimate shipping charge of Y7300 SAL to be shipped to Canada, so should cover up to 5kg). If gross weight (11.2kg) as per twitter will be followed, SAL rate would be at Y13950. Hoping that they could do away the original brown box since the kit is just 5.5kg.

 

 

[Sanity is Optional]

I'm wondering what the updated prices will look like from CDJ as well.

At least we don't need to worry about whether or not to do combined shipping?

[milhouse]

4 hours ago, Sanity is Optional said:

I'm wondering what the updated prices will look like from CDJ as well.

At least we don't need to worry about whether or not to do combined shipping?

 

I wonder if Hobby Search shipping estimator would work https://www.1999.co.jp/eng/ems

EMS for 11.2KG is $146

 

On 11/12/2018 at 9:35 AM, no3Ljm said:

I'm pretty sure you're going to pickup another one while you're in Japan.  

 

Possibly... possibly :P

[TMBounty_Hunter]

The worst news to wake up to

https://www.post.japanpost.jp/int/information/2018/1115_02_en.html

It's only a rotating strike, it's not that bad, if only they had waited a week it would have shipped and arrived ;___;

[Mr Jones]

1 hour ago, TMBounty_Hunter said:

The worst news to wake up to

https://www.post.japanpost.jp/int/information/2018/1115_02_en.html

It's only a rotating strike, it's not that bad, if only they had waited a week it would have shipped and arrived ;___;

Yeah this affects me too -- whee ... well we'll see what options HLJ has when its in my warehouse.

[Sanity is Optional]

Nippon Yasan now showing in-stock at ¥30,200

I'm not linking it, because their shipping rates are murder, and you're better off waiting for another vendor.

[macsam]

1 hour ago, Sanity is Optional said:

Nippon Yasan now showing in-stock at ¥30,200

I'm not linking it, because their shipping rates are murder, and you're better off waiting for another vendor.

 

thanks for the heads-up

can we continue tossing out online shops that still has this listed with reasonable shipping cost.

i am still in the market for one and did not pre-order.   i am located in Canada and know the shipping is going to hurt

 

[Sanity is Optional]

I've got one on order with CDJapan, but I'm pretty sure they're going to re-assess the shipping fee I was initially quoted.

Once I know what the actual ship cost is, I'll report.