Vifam7

More pics from Tokyo Toy Show. Looks like it's a wood prototype. Dunno what this means in terms of how far they are in terms of finalizing the sculpt and details.

PM sent! It's impossible to find a YF or VF 19 these days and I desperately want one!

I know exactly how you feel and that's the reason why I personally haven't gone crazy buying with the 1/48 or 1/60 toys. I must have a few though. Anyway, for fighter mode-only toys choices are few. I only know two - 1. The F-toys 1/144 Chara-Works Valkyrie Collection - There are 2 sets currently out. But it is only for the VF-1 Valks. HLJ sells them as 10-pack box sets. These mini-kits are pre-painted and pre-built. All you have to do is stick on a few parts and put on the decals. While the sculpt is fantastic, the build quality is a lottery. Some are okay, some are terrible. 2. Doyusha's 1/144 scale diecast Valkyries. These are really nice. A toy for the VF-1, YF-19, YF-21, and VF-19A were released. However, currently only the VF-1 toys can be found. I keep hoping that Graham can convince Yamato to try GNU fighters in 1/144 or 1/100 scale.

How tight are the joints on these GN-U figures? One of the biggest positives about Revoltechs are the clicking Revoltech joints that keeps them tight and not becoming floppy messes after repeated play. The lack of a stand is a huge minus in terms of play value. Does anyone know if these figures are compatible with Gundam stands?

All I ask for is - 1. A decent story. It doesn't even have to be canon or faithful to the original series. 2. Some decent actors. 3. Not have that rolling herky jerky fast-forward MTV style camera work. Transformers made my eyes hurt. 4. Some cool looking mechs with well done action scenes. But I'm sure it'll be some kind of cheap-ass CG crap with ugly looking "Veritechs".

I just got my 2 boxes today. Quick notes to these VF collectibles - 1. They are REALLY SMALL. I mean, if you thought the 1/144 Chara-works Valks were small, these are microscopic! 2. You can get one complete set if you buy one box of 10. 3. Size wise they match perfectly with Bandai's HCM Pro line and Takara's old 1/200 World Wings Museum figures. However, they don't match too well with Herpa's 1/200 diecast airplanes. 4. The sculpt on these figures are much better than I thought. Yamato certainly made the right call by making certain parts out of ABS plastic. Use of ABS plastic on the wings and tailfins makes these Valks look sharp despite being tiny.

Interestingly, at the very end it mentions not only a Destroid Tomahawk to be released this Fall but also a Destroid Defender. Same 1/60 scale.

Some new pictures (new angles and closeups) of Series 1 figures. http://d.hatena.ne.jp/type97/20080609 I have 2 boxes ordered at HLJ. They're currently being processed for shipping! I don't like the wash given to these figures. Especially the VF-1. Maybe I can take a little bit off with Gundam marker eraser pen.

Also, should the anime and/or the kits be successful, it possible that Bandai may expand the lineup to include non-transforming kits (especially if the call for one is loud in Japan). Meanwhile some of the more skillfull modellers out there may find ways to convert or scratch-build pieces to make these kits look the way they want it to look. Aftermarket add-ons and conversion kits are also a possibility.

I didn't notice this before but looking at battroid mode, that shoulder/arm joint looks scary (as in, it looks like a place where breakage can occur). The part that seems to hang and looks like plastic 'reverse C'. Attached to it looks like a balljoint. Camera angle tricking my eyes or is that really all that's holding the arm?

If these 1/200 collections become a success, perhaps they'd consider making 1/200 scale diecasts (considering they've already did the sculpts - save the landing gears)? I personally would love to have diecast Valkyrie fighters like the Yukikaze Mave . The 1/200 Yukikaze Mave and fighter planes released by Herpa, Gulliver, and Hogan seem to be quite popular.

I wouldn't read too much into what the loud mouth Nationalists and DPJ troublemaking fools say. Besides, the LDP still controls the more powerful House of Representatives in the Diet (which also allows them to choose the PM). Personally, I think the chances of Japan getting the Eurofighter is extremely slim. Besides, they're looking for a major upgrade in capability. The Eurofighter comes nowhere near what the Raptor offers. Buying the Eurofighter is like buying an upgraded F-15 or Super Hornet, except at a higher price. On a separate note, Lockheed-Martin and Boeing are probably already working on Congress to sell their ware to Japan. Afterall it's going to be a very lucrative contract! If I had to bet, I think Japan will eventually get a slightly downgraded Raptor.

I can't imagine Japan buying a non-U.S. fighter (no matter what party/administration comes into power). But the prospect of such a thing happening is VERY intriguing. Even if Japan says they don't want another F-15, I wouldn't be surprised if they buckled under US pressure and accepted an upgraded Eagle (I wouldn't mind seeing a F-15J-kai with the ACTIVE technology included ). However... If Israel gets the F-22 then it's likely Japan too will get it. However, I'm not sure if Israel will get the F-22. After the suspicions of Israel helping China develop the Lavi-like J-10 fighter, I'm not sure the U.S would be quick to sell F-22 technology. Japan too recently had some issues with leaks concerning classified AEGIS radar technology.

The review at CollectionDX suggests that the wrists aren't stiff enough to hold a diecast sword.

I think what you're looking for is this: http://www.collectiondx.com/node/635 or this: http://www.collectiondx.com/node/560

I think I'd rather get the Super HCM Alex (which in the works according to pics from Wonderfest). The Katoki-fied Alex is blah (IMHO). I'm kinda on the fence with GFF figures. Indeed, the detail on some of them are absolutely fabulous. And there are some mechs in the lineup that are not available anywhere else (like the Gundam X Divider). Best of all they all (save the Metal Fix line) pretty much come in 1/144 scale (my favorite scale). That said, there are some things about GFF figures that I'm not too fond of. First, I'm not a fan of Katoki and his 'touchups'. His RX-78 Gundam Ver. ka is the worst (IMHO). Secondly, GFF figures sometimes have too many fiddly parts and pieces that tend to fall off too easily. Other times they come with too many unneeded/unwanted extras that could've been omitted or sold separately. Like my GFF Gundam X that comes with an option to turn it into a GX Bit. (who in the world wants a GX Bit figure). I'd rather do without those option parts and have the toy a bit cheaper. And finally, I hate those rubber hands. Pain in the ass to put the weapon in and have it stay in position. As for the PVC vs. ABS plastic argument. Given my experience with HCMPros and a SuperHCM against MSiAs, EMSiAs, and GFFs - no question, toys made with ABS is my preference.

Whoever did the wash/panel-lining needs to be shot. Is it me or is the sculpt of the Black Knights VF-1 special different from that of Hikaru's 1J?

I wish they would release the non-silver plated versions. The 1/144 4-in-1 non-silver plated kits are quite hard to find these days.

I'm one of those who didn't like Victory all that much. I thought it was really good until the story moved into space. Once the story moved into space, events seemed to go at a much faster pace (resulting in what I felt as a less impactful story). Dunno maybe I need to rewatch it. The last time I saw Victory was over 10 years ago...

The bottom of the pic says "Some decals have not been applied".

Yes, yes but where would Macrossworld be without all the bitching, calling people names, and concocting conspiracy theories? :lol: On a separate note, I'm surprised that there has not yet been any pics or promotional articles about the 1/100 line.

Okay. Thanks. Overall I felt the movie was okay. Certainly nowhere near as good as Raiders or Last Crusade, or even Temple of Doom. Generally I felt that the setup for Indy going after the skull and it's treasure wasn't as good as the prior films. I agree that some of the CG segments were pretty obvious. The whole 'killer ants' part was stupid IMHO. I know big vermins and bugs are a part of Indiana Jones movies but I thought it was stupider than ever before.

I musta of nodded off during the movie. I missed something... or rather I didn't understand one part of the movie. Um, what was the deal with the crystal skull and whole thing about the conquistador finding it, and Indy going after it in Peru (the whole conquistador burial chamber)? I mean, the beginning of the movie says Indy found it just fine several years ago and the Ruskies took it.

Shouldn't be a problem for me if the toy comes in fighter mode out of the box. If not, I'm in trouble.

Why does the heatshield look like it's floating above the canopy (in battroid mode)? Is that the way it's supposed to be? Or is it just an odd camera angle? Looks good nonetheless.