schmungbeen

Haha! HLJ have shipped the 1J's (available as of 4pm today, Australia time). Now we play the... second... waiting game.

I guess so! Though I'd be hesitant with my clumsy hands to do that - prob more harm than good would come of it! After reading the majority of this thread, I went to check all of the problems listed with the ones I recently got (and have been transforming fancy-free for a while) - Was so relieved that none of the problems have surfaced (bar perhaps a rather tightly ball jointed right arm - which is present on both 1A and 1S). Stoked. And one guys fix for the rubbing away of paint from the tailfin - use a permanent marker (for small spots at least) - great idea. Getting paints right can be hard. Its fortunate though that you dont need to use the hook at the end of the backpack to hold the backpack close (thus rubbing paint away) - its pretty tight.

Well in theory the vertical fins are called/is called the vertical stabilizers. The underside ones are called ventral fins, like on the fishies.

Well, the 1S I got from HLJ, the 1A I picked up in Hong Kong. I only opened the thing up when I got back to Aus! I retain my receipt, but... I think it would be worthless now. I aint going back to Hong kong to exhange the figure. Besides, the 1A I got for $100 cheaper than what we can get, in Aus, from overseas - so I wasn't terribly upset. I can still sort of slot it in the right place in both up and down positions. Ill put a pic up maybe... when I get a chance I was a bit surprised as well - but it looks like it was packed with the arms slightly skewed... The thing is, though, I couldn't find the missing chipped-off part that I could have simply glued back on! Made me wonder if they (the store) took it out for display, broke it and put the figure back in... But based on the lack of box-fold that seems unlikely to be the case. At any rate, the fact that the rest of it works well is my consolation. Id be more peeved if it were the 1S, just quietly

Got my 1/60 valks - both 1S and 1A... I have a feeling I got 'not the first batch' VF-1S - there was no problem with anything whatsoever! awesome. Ditto with the 1A, except it had a broken backpack flap (you know the thing that hangs on two hinges under the main backpack) when I opened it. Has anyone else had that problem? It's minor - but pretty annoying for a $160 (australian at least) toy.

is it possible that the shoulders could crack from airmail transit? As far as Im aware mine isnt cracked (on either 1A or S) but with all of the change in pressure, could that be affecting shoulders of the figures shipped internationally? Not knowing the precise construction of the shoulder means I have little knowledge as to precisely why they would blow up... This may have been discussed before, and me not known about it (I am relatively new), so be gentle

transfiguretoys.com is an online Australian retailer that sells yamato stuff- and its free shipping Australia wide. The only problem is, that the price is a little high! But based on the exchange rate at the moment, its probably not a bad option - youll be paying less now. Also, I am sure that if you wanted something specific they could get it in for you, but you may find it cheaper on ebay etc. I think there are also a few places in Australia that actually sell yamato stuff - there was an animation store in the city (which I think has shut down now) and a japanese shop in chatswood that I have seen some things, but the prices are too high for me!

Very sweet. I love that tinting on the windows myself. Glad my orders in! Why does no-one apply the decals/stickers to these bad boys? I've found the decals add a fair bit of goodness to these things (even them 'no step' ones). Rarely have I seen a gallery with them applied. Not that thats a bad thing... But it would be nice to see a review with them included.

On an unrelated note, why is Grahams review not posted in the yamato toys section? Sure I can get to it at the beginning of this forum thread, but.. y'know

Just lookied on HLJ website - they have an early-bird rate, which is a small saving, for the VF-1J and super parts (separately) - but it would still be cheaper to get the set now if you want both! If you want them separately though - heads up.

I had a broken backpack on my (VF-1A -super) when I bought it actually in HK - the backpack flap thing? Its minor, but annoying. Aside from that both 1S and 1A have been perfect. So far.

Ditto!

Sorry, where's the 101 printed? I can't see it! I am still working out whether I like those spare hands or the beefy DYRL hands on the 1S/A better. I guess its for the cartoon accurate look. Also is the green on the super armour lighter like on the 1/48 version? Overall looks pretty sweet, glad I pre-ordered mine

That 1D looks great to me! By the way thanks to the people who gave advice on the hunting - found the 1A Hikaru in Mong Kok... Unfort it came with a broken backpack!!!! (i.e. the little flap at the back came snapped off - and the hole is kind of cut in two... if that makes any sense!) - its not a huge deal though. My 1S came into me from HLJ the other day too - and it is perfection itself NO problems whatsoever! Big fan of both, and the upcoming 1D definitely excites me now. Its just a shame the exchange rate to australian dollars is so poor at the moment - I hope it all improves soon.

I know this is a little off topic, and there is an existing thread talking about this but it seems a bit too general... I'm off to Hong Kong tomorrow and am definitely intending on picking up one or two macross things (of the new 2.0 line - keeping with the thread)... Where is the best place to go to get them? Mong Kok (if thats right) seems to be the place to go, but seeing as Ive never been around Honkers before, mention of more specific stores may be helpful! Also mention of places to avoid would be good...

Alright then. Well let's hope then that the shoulders on mine dont explode when it arrives! Lowsy yamato always releasing Focker first so everyone buys it; then finding out that there actually is a problem, fixing it for the ones that are not as popular; so we buy them because they have been improved. Diabolical. Fortunately HLJ replaced a part on my 1/60 VF-0S for free when there was a problem with the shoulder... Still looking forward to it though! and the 1J... and the 1D... assuming that is coming out. Is there a date on that or is it speculation?