Hoku

Like many others here, my first valk was a Jetfire. My first "real" valk was a Bandai VE-1 (that came with Jetfire armor ). Many years later I came across a badly painted Joons in a local hobby shop. Although the Joons paled in comparision to Bandai valks, discovering it filled my heart with joy! I always thought I would one day spend hundreds of dollars (or more) on a Bandai VF1S Strike Valk. It was a dream I had since childhood! Fortunately, quality valks of all shapes and sizes have become widely available today. I still don't have a Bandai 1S Strike Valk, but I do have a Yamato 1/48 1S Strike Valk B) ! And it all began with a Jetfire and a VE-1.

1/72 = 0 1/60 = 4 1/48 = 2

My wife bought me the VT-1 last weekend, and I had picked up the VE-1 the week before. I actually stopped buying 1/60 Yamatos because they felt so fragile and I didn't like the detachable legs, and because the 1/48s were so superior. However, the Ostrich and 'Seeker were so unique and full of character I had to get them! I have always loved the VE-1 because this was the only Bandai valk I had as a kid. And my wife liked the VT-1 because she thought my collection needed some color! Both of these models feel sturdier than my 1/60 1S Roy and 1A Hikaru. To be honest I haven't transformed the VT or VE into battroid mode yet. Mostly because they look so nice in fighter in mode, but also because part of me is afraid I might break them if I transform them! In general, I prefer the 1/60's in fighter mode. The VE and VT FAST packs look great. Without the FAST packs on, the fighter mode's stubby tail fins look weird. But I don't foresee displaying mine without the armor. And while the canopy design doesn't match the valk aesthetic that I am used to, I don't have a problem with it. One day, just for fun, I swapped their armor around. The Ostrich's armor matches the 'Seeker's orange nose cone almost perfectly and the 'Seeker looked pretty cool with orange armor. In the end I restored their original packs though. I'm really glad I got the Ostrich and 'Seeker. Even though I'm not a huge fan of the 1/60 design, these are two fine looking valks that are full of character! PS - what a great time to be a Macross collector, when we can say things like "I prefer the 1/48 design to the 1/60 so I stopped buying 1/60s". Just a few short years ago I would have paid ridiculous money for anything that remotely resembled a valk! Nowadays, I get to be choosy. Woohoo!