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It is; the original has fists that are like Prime's in that they need to be "plugged into" the forearms. On that note, since I have both the original and the ML version, let me post some pics comparing differences in both: On the right is the original G1 version, while on the left is ML Sunstreaker. Noting differences between the two, the ML version weighs slightly more due to the inclusion of more diecast (the hip/ pelvis joints and shoulder sway hinged on the body. Transform is generally the same, although you now have the legs splitting apart which requires them being slotted back together when converting to vehicle mode: Of particular interest, the feet now have a ratchet mechanism that "clicks" when they're flipped up or down. Also, the canopy/ windshield tabs into the main body to reinforce the vehicle and robot modes. Just be careful to remember to unplug it, or you can damage the tabs and even shear them off. Vehicle mode: Pretty much the same, no particular changes here. My G1 original is a slightly different shade of yellow as I rebuilt it from parts I got from 3 broken ones, and all of them were slightly differing shades of yellow! Speaking of the fists, here's close-up of the new transformation for them: They pivot back into the forearm, but can remain flipped around or even removed in favor of either the included original issue fists or one of three missiles (I opted to keep the flip-in fists and give the original-versions to my G1, although they do not stay well in the launcher arms). One major change is the linkage for the head/ engine/ canopy unit; when converting to robot mode, it can be a royal pain to line it up properly in order to compact down and click into place: The left pic (ML) shows it "open" from car mode, while the right shows it compacted and locked down. If you don't, the head/ engine unit won't line up properly and the canopy/ windshield won't tab in solidly. For comparison, here's the G1 original's version: Both just "pop in" to the hinge, but I don' t recommend removing and reattaching either repeatedly, as it can stress the plastic attachment points on the main body and loosen the joint as a whole. You also risk breakage with that as well. One final note I have is the sculpt on both faces: The mouths look slightly different between them; a good job resculpting the original nonetheless. The eyes (like on ML Optimus Prime) appear to be separate pieces of plastic slotted in from behind, as they appear much brighter than painted plastic and have a "seam" around them upon closer examination. I can't say I blame them, as this allows them to not have to paint the eyes and yet have a cleaner look to them. Anyways, I hope this adds to your review Mike and helps out in some way!

There is no end to your madness. I love it!!!!👍

I think we're firmly in the realm of Bandai retreading designs that Yamato already covered the demand for a decade ago, and we're in a market that didn't have that much demand to begin with. I'll see if I can pick up an HLJ or AE order, but I'm not going to stress over it. I should really be asleep before they go on sale, but I would not be surprised to see them still available when I wake up.

Adding teeth.

1.31 Regulatory Charges. 7.47 Duties (They marked the item as from Japan, not China, so it's only 15% and they valued the item at $24.90 each) 17 For Duty Tax Processing. Interesting note about the Duty Tax Processing. HLJ are overcharging for that. Based on the size/weight of the P versus a Mafex (and my previous shipment from them) they've also doubled the base DHL price. I did the math on the real price. Total if they did full price and marked from China should have been 91.30.

Interesting, I will be interested to see how that goes, I have a pair ordered there.

@rsvictor1976 The bases are definitely quite stable. I have many other DX VF-1s on Archi Pro stands in much higher angle of banks, but most of them are utilizing the larger arm. The one pictured could be angled much higher and the DX VF-1 would have no problem staying attached to the mount. That specific setup is extremely tame versus what you can do with the Archi Pro stands. MB

Well, BigInJapan ROYALLY undervalued that item. We'll see if DHL catches this.

Would you say you're able to bank the Valkyrie more than what you have it at or is that at it's limit?

TMNT 1990.

Mobula preproduction sample.

Mole Rat (Stage 2).

https://hobby-genki.com/en/macross/63864-vf-17s-nightmare-stealth-valkyrie-dx-chogokin-4573102692672.html

Star Wars TBS Barriss Offee.

Nin nin page for 17 is already up https://www.nin-nin-game.com/en/dx-chogokin/199613-dx-chogokin-macross-7-vf-17s-nightmare-steal-valkyrie-gamlin-kizaki-custom-bandai-spirits-.html Starts at 4 PM Oct 1 JST.

Wasn't the VF-19 kai like a super popular valkyrire? Still availabe on many stores. I don't see the 17 selling out. Not with that treatment.

😅 Kinda like having the original LRRP crew (Stalker, Snake Eyes, and Storm Shadow) and the two main leaders (Duke and Hawk) out in front. There is that little space in front, but it’s getting tricky to fit figures in there without blocking the figures behind them. I guess I could add Wet-Suit for another Navy character. But I don’t feel like plopping extra funds for a custom. . . Yet.

Well it invoke PO madness? Can't wait to find out!

I started Yano-kun's Ordinary Days today, I was not impressed at all. It is on the 3 episode protocol.

Being tomorrow would put it tonight around midnight PST, depending on timezones and daylight savings shenaniganry.

@Mog Nice collection! But I clearly see some space near the very edge there. Plenty more room!

Gonna get scrambled!

Here is the only Archi Pro stand I have using a short arm with a 90 degree connector. MB

Does anyone have pictures of the Archi Pro stands with short arms and the 90 degree angle connectors on a Bandai DX VF-1 in fighter mode? I'm curious how far you can angle it without risking it falling off.

Well, I picked up Missing Link Sunstreaker... Unlike Bee and Optimus I never owed a G1 Sunstreaker, so the entire mold is new to me. I was surprised to see that he's taller than Sideswipe. Being that I'm not familiar with G1 toy, I can't really say how many changes Takara actually made. I think it safe to say that he's got some paint and tampographs that were probably stickers on the G1 toy. His forearms also open to reveal some flip-out fists... I think that's new? He's also got some accessories that he original didn't have. The fists, the yellow boosters, and the three rockets came with the original toy, but ML Sunstreaker also comes with a chromed rifle that is, best I can tell, a straight copy of the one that came with G1 Sideswipe, and a Dianaut. The Dianaut has yellow legs and a khaki button shirt with a collar and pocket that makes me think they were going for something like Spike, but then why the silver head? Sunstreaker's head can swivel. His shoulders are a bit weird. The entire arm hinge can move laterally about 45 degrees, and the hinge works like a forward/backward butterfly joint. The arm behind the tire swivels laterally on a soft ratchet, which combined gives you 180 degrees of lateral movement. However, his shoulders don't swivel forward/backward at all.* His bicep swivels, and his elbows bend 90 degrees. His wrists swivel, and his fingers are hinged so he can open his hands. No waist swivel. His hips can go 90 degrees forward, and over 90 degrees laterally, but just a little bit backward. His thighs swivel, and his knees bend 90 degrees. His feet can tilt downward on a ratchet, due to his transformation, but not upward. He's got about 45 degrees of ankle pivot, with his heels on a separate pivot. *Technically I guess you could hinge the shoulders forward on the transformation/butterfly joint and turn the biceps. That'd make the lateral swivel a forward/backward swivel... but it'd look weird, and come at the cost of any lateral shoulder movement. Sunstreaker's new articulated hands can hold his Sideswipe rifle, and the boosters plug into his shoulders same as they ever did. If you want a more "classic" look, you can fold the new hands into the forearms to reveal a port on the other side. You can plug the rockets in them, or even the shoulder boosters, as well as the larger G1-style fists. The G1 fists didn't have holes, though, so neither do these, and cannot hold the Sideswipe rifle. I imagine that the transformation is about the same as the G1 toy. His head folds down into the engine. The feet fold down, the legs collapse and tab together. His chest opens and a bunch of hinges move his canopy down/forward and lift his engine up and into place, then a flap opens on his back and his arms kind of bend and tuck, one behind the other, underneath before closing his back flap back up. For a simple G1 transformation it seems to make a bit of finagling to get everything lined up right, especially going back to bot mode. What's not to like about Sunsteaker's design? It's a fictional supercharged Countach with massive intakes on top of the engine. Again, not really sure what's different here between this version and the original G1 toy, aside from some tampoed details (like on top of the intakes) that were probably stickers on the G1 toy, but otherwise I think it should be the same. As most of us know by now much of the original Transformers line came from Takara's Diaclone line, so if you open Sunstreaker's canopy there is a seat in there for the Dianaut he comes with. The boosters can stay in place on his shoulders, which are now on the back of the car. But that's about it for storage. No place for the rockets or the rifle, or the big fists. I can't really complain; the G1 toys rarely had storage for accessories, either. But that sort of leads into my conclusion... I'm still not sure how I feel about Missing Link. Like, yeah, I have nostalgia for the toys I grew up with. And yeah, those toys had awful articulation. I remember wanting more even at the time. But something else I remember wanting more of at the time was cartoon accuracy. And in that sense, Generations, Masterpiece, and a variety of third party lines are doing a great job of delivering cartoon-accurate toys with even more accuracy than Missing Link. In a way, all Missing Link is doing is giving me the toys I had when I was a kid in a way that's clearly NOT the toys I had as a kid, which kind of makes me want an original G1 toy or even a straight G1 reissue instead, especially when the ML figures cost nearly as dang much. Honestly, I bought Sunstreaker because I never had the original. I think if I did, I'd have probably skipped this one. I'm not sure how many more of these ML figures I'll buy.