So this is definitely not part of the transformation? Shame. I've been waiting for someone to figure out how to do that.
The thing about VF-1 is that no manufacturer (that I know of) have gotten the VF-1 Battroid proportions right on a full transformation toy. Shoulders, head, forearms, hands, lower legs, feet (ankle rotation), chest, wings: all or some of these are always so far off the mark that the Battroid mode ends up looking bulky, clumsy and not very dynamic or heroic, no matter how cool the toy looks otherwise. That's why I haven't bothered getting any VF-1 toys (after Toynami masterpiece Max), even though it's THE valkyrie and one of my favourites.
Anyway, I'll take swappable parts over bulky wings any day and will probably get this one and other Hi-Metals, if they turn out good.