DX Chogokin VF-1J 50th Anniversary

[Radioguy]

13 minutes ago, Froy said:

Thought were already sold out there.

Looks like they got a hot meal into their guy and sent him back to the store once again. I bet he's sick of carrying them back.

[jenius]

The going rate is getting cheaper in Japan so they're grabbing a couple and making a few bucks getting them to international buyers.

[Froy]

Yikes! 45k at Yokakunow. That, plus shipping place it above I can afford right now.

I will keep tryin my luck at Mandarake. 

[betocc]

YJA avg price is 36,000 yen cause many people is selling, not a bad price. Consider proxy fee and commonly highter shipping price than Mandarake or similar store

https://auctions.yahoo.co.jp/closedsearch/closedsearch?va=DX+VF-1J&b=1&n=50&auccat=&tab_ex=commerce&ei=utf-8&aq=-1&oq=&sc_i=&exflg=&p=DX+VF-1J+50th&x=0&y=0

Current listings:

https://auctions.yahoo.co.jp/search/search?va=dx+vf-1j&is_postage_mode=1&dest_pref_code=13&exflg=1&b=1&n=50&s1=tbids&o1=a&auccat=&tab_ex=commerce&ei=utf-8&aq=-1&oq=&sc_i=&exflg=1&p=dx+vf-1j+50th&x=0&y=0

 

[jenius]

Pictures don't do this thing justice... it's so much more bizarre in hand. I don't know what process they used to make the shiny plastic the way it is, obviously it's textured on the normal DX releases. Is it like an electrolysis process done to normal plastic parts? I really do need those dx gloves!

[kkx]

On 4/26/2024 at 4:19 AM, Spark-O-Matic said:

No! the store is very infamous in Gundam & 40K circles. Store hopes to hold you off on preorders long enough to were PayPal, Banks & Chargebacks are past the point of no return.

Store will screw you if given the chance, big time! I've latterly heard hundreds of horror stories from guys who are stand up types and only brought it up to warn others.

I have an order with them and they never reply to repeated email asking for status, after the item is available for over 1 month from other sellers. I am likely not see my money or item ever.  

[Chronocidal]

7 hours ago, jenius said:

Pictures don't do this thing justice... it's so much more bizarre in hand. I don't know what process they used to make the shiny plastic the way it is, obviously it's textured on the normal DX releases. Is it like an electrolysis process done to normal plastic parts? I really do need those dx gloves!

Since metallics usually require a dark basecoat, I wonder if they're coating the whole thing with a black filler primer to level out the texturing, and then buffing the topcoat.

I'd be really surprised if the thing moves as well as the normal releases though, that much paint is going to wreak havoc with the tolerances.

Edited September 4 by Chronocidal

[Radioguy]

1 hour ago, Chronocidal said:

Since metallics usually require a dark basecoat, I wonder if they're coating the whole thing with a black filler primer to level out the texturing, and then buffing the topcoat.

I'd be really surprised if the thing moves as well as the normal releases though, that much paint is going to wreak havoc with the tolerances.

Sounds like it could be a floppy mess in time with play. 😬

[Dark Skull]

Yup....

Gonna open this up later

[Radioguy]

6 minutes ago, Dark Skull said:

Yup....

Gonna open this up later

Ooh. Ya gotta wear shades for how bling this is. I hear @jenius is still recovering from staring at it too long.

[Dark Skull]

5 minutes ago, Radioguy said:

Ooh. Ya gotta wear shades for how bling this is. I hear @jenius is still recovering from staring at it too long.

I got some Oakleys I can wear....and I did get the gloves in :P

[Bolt]

I'm still lusting after this one , even though i told myself i was done w this scale long ago. 

[Dark Skull]

I got a pair of microfiber gloves meant for lenses and jewelry, and they worked well while handling this thing

 

[Radioguy]

Not recommending them personally, but see they have it back:

https://www.anime-export.com/index.php?product=83626

[Shawn]

Still waiting for someone to throw on the mechanic edition clear fast packs on this thing. 

 

Mine hasn't arrived yet 

[Froy]

Seems I finally managed to grab one at Mandarake last night. Still waiting for the confirmation/invoice mail.

I really hope I didn't got cart hijacked since it took me some time to log into the site. Lol 

[Bolt]

1 hour ago, Shawn said:

Still waiting for someone to throw on the mechanic edition clear fast packs on this thing. 

 

Mine hasn't arrived yet 

That's going to look awesome. 

[Froy]

 

[Sanity is Optional]

On 9/4/2024 at 8:02 AM, jenius said:

Pictures don't do this thing justice... it's so much more bizarre in hand. I don't know what process they used to make the shiny plastic the way it is, obviously it's textured on the normal DX releases. Is it like an electrolysis process done to normal plastic parts? I really do need those dx gloves!

They look very similar to the metallic coated Gundam kits, which electroplated on top, for the uncolored metallic ones the coating thickness isn't too bad (colored metallic is much thicker).

Will need to wait for mine to show up to see how it looks up close. I have a few kits I can compare against.

[Froy]

Just paid for my ordered at Mandarake , 44750. (38000+6700 EMS shipping)

But hoooooly cow! At 6.6 yen for 1 MXN that is the worst exchange rate I have seen in years.

[grogall]

So I caved and got one for 36,000 Yen.... But not opening it since I don't have gloves. 🤪

 

Edited September 18 by grogall

[Slave IV]

4 hours ago, grogall said:

So I caved and got one for 360,000 Yen.... But not opening it since I don't have gloves. 🤪

 

What a deal!🤣

[no3Ljm]

4 hours ago, grogall said:

So I caved and got one for 360,000 Yen.... But not opening it since I don't have gloves. 🤪

 

Wow! You caved for Y360000? That's US$2,536.

You didn't sell an organ, did you? 

[grogall]

2 hours ago, Slave IV said:

What a deal!🤣

 

2 hours ago, no3Ljm said:

Wow! You caved for Y360000? That's US$2,536.

You didn't sell an organ, did you? 

Oops, That's 1 zero too much, meant 36,000 yen 🤪

[no3Ljm]

4 minutes ago, grogall said:

Oops, That's 1 zero too much, meant 36,000 yen 🤪

No worries. We understand. 

You're just too excited you didn't count the zeros. Bet you're probably giggling too when you post it. 

[jvmacross]

Looks like the average selling price for unopened samples is inching up from the early lows.....currently just a bit more than 40,000 JPY....the hype is real...

https://auctions.yahoo.co.jp/closedsearch/closedsearch?p=DX超合金+VF-1J+バルキリー+CHOGOKIN+50th&va=DX超合金+VF-1J+バルキリー+CHOGOKIN+50th&istatus=1&b=1&n=60&select=5

[Zeliard]

[Shawn]

Just got mine in, but can't get to my mechanical version at the moment.

Someone throw the clear fast packs from the Hikaru Mechanic on this already

 

[Bolt]

3 hours ago, Zeliard said:

Looks awesome 

 

2 hours ago, Shawn said:

Just got mine in, but can't get to my mechanical version at the moment.

Someone throw the clear fast packs from the Hikaru Mechanic on this already

 

Yes, someone please do, I'm Looking forward to seeing it!

[Chronocidal]

Didn't really consider it until now, but someone needs to take close-ups of the backpack on this one, since I think this is possibly the best way to determine how to disassemble them with the least damage, since you can actually see the connection points.  The backpacks use no screws, and are your typical modern Bandai glue sandwich.

Not saying to disassemble this one, of course, but just knowing where to pry is a good place to start.

Edited September 19 by Chronocidal

[Zeliard]

[Zeliard]

[Chronocidal]

Thanks for those!  Looks like a set of four glued pins surrounding the tail hinges, maybe another two around the body hinge area.  Would probably be really difficult to separate the halves without breaking or destroying part of it, but I imagine someone will find a way.  

Edited September 19 by Chronocidal

[Shawn]

yeah the backpack pins look like trouble...
LOL

[sh9000]

Ordered a spare from Mandarake last night.  It will be shipped with Registered Airmail.  I'll check out the look of it with a mix of Mechanic Edition and TV Super Parts.