Graham

He means the white part of the head lasers on the v.2 Alto VF-25F are starting to turn yellow. A few people have noticed this happening already. Graham

The VF-17 is NOT a 'Stealth Bomber. It's classified as a 'Special Operations Fighter & Heavy Battroid'. While it's true the yellow stripes may degrade visual stealth and make it slightly easier to see with the MK I eyeball at visual ranges, they would not effect radar stealth or IR stealth. Graham

Pre order placed for 1 of each. I wasn't originally gonna order Alto's Armoured pack, but what the heck, I'm a sucker for the Armoured Packs. Graham The colour difference is minor and hardly noticable in person. Graham

As we all know, HLJ is notoriously slow at getting orders processed, packed and sent out, which is why on the rare occasion I need to order anything from Japan, I never use them any more. They are just too frustrating when you want something in a hurry. Graham

Is there supposed to be any detail at the back of the head? Lineart? But really, of all the things to nitpick about! Graham

Balcony, not bathroom. Graham

Close-up of the skull marking attached. Graham

The front is clear, with green at the back. Not 100% sure if the sides are clear plastic over green (I'm 90% sure they are, but it's hard to tell even looking close up). Graham

Close-up pics of the head attached. Graham

More "S" Commmander type photos, this time with the VF-0S added. Graham

Yes Yes, it is very impressive, especially compared with the fugly v.1. Graham

Nah, all my 22S are in fighter mode and I really hate transforming them. Plus with only 1 head laser, it doesn't really fit in. Graham

Damn, forgot to include the VF-0S. Will take a new photo later, out now. Graham

Before you start worrying, hopefully some of the 1/55 experts will, chime in, because reading that old thread from 2005, it seems like some Bandai 1/55 were shipped with non-notched head lasers. Graham

Checked my 1/55 Strike Valk, and it has the notched head lasers, see attached pic. Graham

History of commander "S" types. Graham

Tissues. I never have and never will smoke. Can't stand the smell. Growing up in a house with a chain smoking mum made me anti-smoking for life. Graham

Yes, it comes with the same coloured stand. Graham

A few quick unboxing pics snapped with my phone camera, under indoor night time lighting conditions, so sorry about the picture quality. note the toy comes with two sets of head lasers. These are a gummy (PVC?), but quite straight set on the toy and a spare harder (ABS?) set in the tray. The gunpod is a dark metallic grey. Graham

Just finished a marathon, tiring and sweaty toy hunt, running from shop to shop to beat closing time. No v.2 VF-25S to be found in Wanchai or Causeway Bay In fact sad to say, the long-running Animate branch on Sugar street has closed down Only one v.2 VF-25S to be found in Ins-Point in Yau Ma Tei, but the shop was asking an insane HK$1,800! Finally found a shop with several v.2 VF-25S on the second floor of Richmond Center at 111 Argyle Street, Mong Kok, selling for HK$1,680. As reported earlier, there are loads of v.2 VF-25F remaining in Hong Kong. I saw about a dozen tonight in various shops.Price averaging about HK$1,400. Graham When I get home tonight, will post a couple of quick unboxing pics. Graham

It's probably worth sending a PM to kanata67 as he probably knows the most about 1/55s, although we do have a lot of very knowedgeable people on this board. Graham

Just dug up this old thread from 2005. http://www.macrossworld.com/mwf/index.php?showtopic=16592 I'm wondering if at some stage your VF-1S had it's head replaced? Althought it seems like some of the old 1/55's did have straight (non-notched) head lasers. Graham

And raven029, just for your reference, most of us here don't use the 'Hi Metal' moniker when describing these guys, as it can lead to some confusion with the more modern toy line, as with jenius's post above. Usually, we just refer to it here as '1/55 Strike Valk', then everyone will know what you mean. Or if you want to be more exact 'Bandai 1/55 VF-1S Hikaru Strike Valkyrie' Graham

And at some stage (date TBC), we'll have: VF-17D. VF-17 Super Packs. VF-17S Milia (likely, but not confirmed yet). VF-19F. VF-19P. Graham

Will check my 1/55 Strike Valk when I get home tonight. Graham