Crazy Canuck II

It occurs to me that Yamato is really missing the boat not including all the head variants with these kits. Do they really think there will be a big enough market for unassembled kits for each head type? On the other hand, if this is a one time thing then that's all the more reason to include all the heads. Don't get me wrong I love the idea of a low cost unassembled VF-1 kit, but have passed so far as I want a low cost VF-1J so I can free up my TV Hikaru J from his GBP-1 armour, which seems like a pretty obvious market for these kits. If Yamato is worried about being able to milk this concept for sales I think different plastic color variants would be much better than the head types. Just imagine kits with all head variants in white, off white, black, low vis grey, desert tan, olive drab, etc. I would think this would be a customizer's dream and would be easier for collectors to justify as there would be a more obvious difference than simply the head type. I don't know, just my opinion.

Some of my wish list has already been covered, but here are my suggestions: - waterslide decals or at least reissue of existing sticker sheets - battroid side covers that lock shoulder hinge to prevent breakage - ground crew maintenance staff (various types and poses) standing pilots - support vehicles: Boom lift truck M-299 Utility Vehicle GN XM-3002 Low-Gravity Vehicle a tug vehicle for fighters Gunpod cart miscellaneous carts to carry ordinance etc mobile diagnostic/generator/hydraulic units - mechanical diorama elements: engine unit that has been removed for maintenance on a support cart head with external plates removed on a mobile diagnostic/repair unit exposed gunpod with ammo belt on a mobile reloading unit - Long shot and would depend on cost but: working battery powered LED mobile light tower.

My picks: - 1/60 Sticker or decal sheets. Obviously stickers would be the easier of the two for Yamato as they would simply have to offer the existing sticker sheets, but I think waterslide decals would be more popular. Granted we have third parties making stickers and decals, but not for all of Yamatos products and they are not always available. - 1/60 Ground crews/pilots and support vehicles. Even Unpainted kits like the 1/60 Hikaru fanracer if need be. - 1/60 VF-1 battroid side covers They should also lock the shoulder hinge in place to prevent the infamous shoulder pin area breakage. - 1/60 Factory dioramas Similar to kotobukiya chain base line

Me too. In fact one of the little tabs on the canopy was broken off right out of the box, I found it in the hole but since lost it. So now, not only does the canopy not shut fully, it is slightly askew. I'm thinking of seeing if I can get a replacement from Overdrive, or see if I can fix it myself, but I so far I have not found a way to get the canopy off. Yamato QC strikes again

My vote would be for ground support vehicles. And since this is a "wishlist", I would add that I would like them 1/60 scale since I'm a toy guy (yes I know this is the modelling section ) Perhaps 1/66 would work, as it is a fair compromise for both 1/72 and 1/60 and could tap two markets. I don't know, just putting it out there. Who knows, maybe Cap is looking for a nice small project and this could fit the bill. Besides sometimes wishes do come true.

Not that I have ever tried it or even heard of anyone trying it as I am not into models, but could you not use gold leaf? You know the insanely thin sheets of real gold, I believe the basic process is that there is some kind of adhesive you apply to the area, brush on the gold leaf and buff. I would assume you could clear coat it once you are done. If you could get one or two sheets I don't think it would be that expensive as they are so thin, plus even if it is a little more $ you would always have the satisfaction knowing your final model has some intrinsic value, what with the state of the economy and all.

Agreed. As far as I am concerned, Bandai can keep these if they are not tampo printed up the wazoo. Every marking should be tampo printed right down to the no step markings and they should be panel lined as well. If Bandai can detail the crap out of the Gundam Fix Figuration line they can do the same for Macross. Granted a GFF style Macross line may not be the point of these, but I for one am still holding out hope that is exactly what we will get.

I don't know if people have forgotten it or just not enough have seen it, but I have no guilt whatsoever for my fondness of "A Christmas Story" (1983). It's my personal favorite holiday movie and make sure to watch it every year.

I may be in the minority on this, but seeing as these will not be perfect transformation these will be more of display pieces for me and as such really want Bandai to detail the crap out of them with tons of tampo printing, panel lines and weathering. Basically a Macross line of the Gundam Fix Figuration, heck I'd even take the fix figuration crappy soft plastic and the tendency to fall apart as long as once together look as good.

That internal skeleton is actually pretty neat. Any chance Yamato might sell just the skeletons without any armor?

I suppose this is more a question/suggestion for Graham, but are these strictly a 1/200 line or is it more about the small size "collect them all" angle? Because I was thinking if they were to expand the line into characters and make them 1/60 scale it could be a great way to satisfy those looking for in scale figures for 1/60 dioramas as well as add variety to this line. Imagine little figures of all our favorite characters to collect and pose next to Yamatos growing line of 1/60 macross products. We could get main cast in iconic poses, generic standing valk pilots, ground crew members, destroid pilots, the list could go on and on and the best part is it could tap two markets, those who are collecting this line as well as those collecting the 1/60 line. I don't know, seems like a good idea to me. So Graham, any chance you could pitch the idea next time you meet with Yamato?

Two tiny unpainted figures? This is totally worth $100 now.

Wait, let me get this straight. This thing is the exact same price as the non-fastpack version of the new 1/60 VF-1? Someone care to explain that one to me? Seriously, I want to get one, but am having a real hard time justifying the price. It's smaller, less complex and does not transform. Yet it costs the exact same? This thing better come with some killer accessories, like a whole ground crew set (not just one or two extra figs), otherwise this may be a pass for me.

Hey Graham, I don't think this will qualify as a gimick so you may be able to answer this... Does the 1/60 VF-1 have ratcheted joints for the swing wings like the 1/48 or are they like the old 1/60 VF-1 and Mac Plus 1/60s where you have to align them symmetrically by eye?

I put this pic together to see what the 1/60 21 would have looked like if Yamato was able to give it bigger legs. I think it looks much better. I know fully well that there are compromises that need to be made to make a perfect transforming 21, but part of me (the part that loves the 21 battroid) just wishes they were a little less bias towards the fighter mode.