Neova

If that price is shown at NY TF, then it is the distributors price @ 3-5K pieces. Suggested Retail Price should be ~ $39.99 USD. A major retailer would probably try to push the price down to $29.99 - $34.99 or if they did a huge volume, $24.99 USD and that is only on promo. Best wish Walmart, Target or Toys R Us will pick it up in heap loads. Otherwise, the price would not be that cheap. If it really is 20 retail, I would SERIOUSLY doubt the quality on that thing, given the complexity of a PV mech.

My obstables: 1. Work... I am stuck here at least 8 hours day when I can be developing my skills, modeling and working on my customs. Work is so over rated! 2. GF - nuff said 3. Space - I finally found a room to model in but it has now became the Valkyrie Hanger and Armoury which houses the goods for my side biz. I have another small closet like room that would have been great for housing a spray booth but the need to stay clean has necessitated the occupation of the washing machine! 4. Spray booth - I am still trying to see where I can tap a blower or fan into that room and perhaps build a cheap flat folding collapsable booth so it won\'t hinder my laundry needs. Also, no room for a second vent so might need to tap into the existing exhaust! 5. Time... after work, after spending time with the GF, after processing the orders, after pulling parts and sourcing for others, what remains is for eating and sleeping. That 8 hour chunk of work time sure is wasteful! Not to mention the lack of time to test fit, puttying, sanding, and cleaning up just for the basic prep. This is all before masking, painting, decal work... sure is a lot of work! 6. Lack of skills - Why Hasegawa models can not be simplified more like Bandai\'s MG line yet still retain the realism and details? That would help partially solve 5 with the basic buildup. So, due to the first 4 points, points 5 and 6 crops up and leads to boxes of models and customs waiting to be built. Glad I have that Valkyrie Hanger space at least. I cannot imagine how must worst it can be if I was married and had kids, which I hope to be one day. Sigh...

I get a lot of requests for parts and have found a high quality recaster to help ease the parts drought since there are not enough interests for the leftovers to justify parting out Valks at this time. Please vote to help me gauge the interests for this project and I can get it going ASAP. Cost will depend on confirmed orders. Currently guessing 5-6 bux for resin bits (a set of TV hands) and 10 bux for hi impact part (pair or TV arms or TV Arm FP) before shipping ~ 2-3 bux by airmail. Minimum order is 20 total pcs for any item or kit to start. Most pieces will be produced in standard high cast resin to save cost (hands and pilots) or in a high impact polymer but will cost more. Some parts such as the arm and Fast Packs which will flex will be cast in high impact polymer only. The fast pack clips would snap off within 3-5 regular insertions if it was made in resin. Note: All parts will be available in native resin color (milk or creme white) only. Color powder is lacking over here so you will need to paint all parts to match. Casting quality will be the same as the scratch built 1/72 VF-4 offered by Valk009 (same caster). For those looking for half a chicken (VF-1D conversion kit), I might be able to provide a Valkyrie with only the equivalent parts from the 1D kit removed for a discount. Everything else can be included. PM me and specify TV or DYRL donors. Pilots : DYR Ultimate Type, DYRL Type, TV Type, Low Vis Type, TV Fat Hands TV Arms and Fast Packs from both sides - Compare with your DRYL and Fast Pack Sets. GBP Sides and Backpack pieces for detailing up. Custom sculpted and modified DYRL Hands (working prototype, not finalized yet. Will be slimmed down a bit): 1 Pair only, Thumb, Index and 3 fingers are ball jointed. Last 3 fingers will be merged but prototype is fully and independantly articulate. 5 Finger full articulated version will cost approximately double but doable. First Picture shows Hasegawa VF-1 Battroid hands for comparison. http://www.macrossworld.com/mwf/index.php?...e=post&id=31941 http://www.macrossworld.com/mwf/index.php?...e=post&id=31942 http://www.macrossworld.com/mwf/index.php?...e=post&id=31943 http://www.macrossworld.com/mwf/index.php?...e=post&id=31944 http://www.macrossworld.com/mwf/index.php?...e=post&id=31945 3 Bad Men Hands (Right Trigger, Left Gunpod Cradle, Right Gun Pod Cradle and Salute, L&R fists.

Shipment for those who have prepaid has been shipped! Shipping will follow for the rest who are consolidating their goods with other combos will ship as soon as the rest of the items arrive. Calculating combo shipping, repacking and etc... Yamato 1/60 Macross Zero VF-0S Preorder price - Release is in April 2006 135 USD for 1 268 USD for 2 400 USD for 3 530 USD for 4 You can combo this with any other 1/48 (to be released or in stock) to be shipped at the SAME TIME to receive further discounts. Price is before shipping. Shipping to be quoted once weight has been confirmed. PM me with requests. EDIT: Payment due date is April 17th, 2006. Current release date is schedule for the week of April 17th, 2006 if there are no delays. For those that want their VF-0S shipped seperately from their 1/48 combo orders, please let me know. Otherwise, I will ship everything together to save on shipping costs. Shipping (for 1 pcs by airmail) to USA: 25 USD - Bubblewrap and papershell packaging 30 USD - Box and bubblewrap 2 pcs to USA by air = 55 USD in a box Canada, add 5 USD per option. For those who are combining shipping or shipping to other countries or wish to toss your boxes + trays, pm to confirm your shipping costs.

True assembly can be switched with neglible cost impact for similar items, but it is STILL a seperate run. One assembly team would focus on a color version and one would focus on the regular version. One team would never mass produce two different line simultaneously. It is always a seperate sub team or teams. QC issues. The parts costs would cost same regardless of color since the plastic resin is purchased in bulk. Again, it would be a seperate run plus downtime to simply change out the color of the resin, clean out the tooling (residue colors, etc...)and setup. They produce only one color after another unless simultaneous runs were in place. Actually, most dealers are constantly trying to reduce their cost since the selling price of one item does not equate to fixed operation and behind the scene costs. I would say the market dictates the selling costs more so than the dealer or manufacturer.

All the colored valks are technically seperate runs just to change the colors. That is how mass production works in general. If you were a mass production baker, you wouldn\'t prep 2 chocolate cookies, a raisin oatmeal and double chocolate dip on the same line. You either finish one full run, then setup for the next run or run simultaneou different lines. Just imagine what would happend if the guy painting Hikaru\'s VF-1J had to paint 3 Max 1Js next, then 2 CFs, another Hikaru 1J and finally a Millia 1J. I can imagine all the QC issues or the creation of those \"rare, mistake valks\" that look like Joon wannabees. This might make for even crazier prices on Ebay. Also, speaking for pretty much all etailers everywhere, that 80 USD Valk is a pipedream. I wish most etailers can get it at that price. Now I can believe it if TRU Japan got that kind of pricing due to their volume but thats only at 500 pieces or more of the same exact item only. The only time I recall the magical 100 USD Valkyrie came to be was during the VF-1A Max blowout and when some of us were parting Super Valks out. Note I was not in HK during the initial release of the 1/48 so can\'t comment on that. Want to save on shipping? Go surface mail and wait 6 - 8 weeks. It is ~ HALF of the price of AIR SHIPMENT at 8x the transit time. This is available from most overseas retailers. I was going to further comment on the common notion here on MW that dealers have no incentive to lower the prices, but will leave it at this : without knowledge of the economics involved or the available choices offered from each dealer is ignorance.

Happy 46th Birthday Kawamori-San! Thank you for your creativity, drive and energy which has delivered enjoyment many! Looking forward to your next masterpiece! Fan forever! Neova

Probably a reissue of the GBP-1S. The first run is done already! Sold out! Looking forward to the stealth and low vis again though. I bet the Low Vis will be a 1S or 1J or a \"different\" 1A variant. Yamato has never re-issued their limited versions exactly as it was produced (EG: 1/60 TRU CF Limited Edition) so they may lighten or darken or change the camo pattern around.

Back on topic... Someone asked why there may be quality issues from Roy\'s VF-1S as more and more of it is re-issued and yet why Hikaru\'s VF-1S seems to be different. Color has nothing to do with the molds. Its all pantone matched ABS resin so unless the supplier has changed or the resin is not from the same exact batch, it should always be the same. You can compare the DYRL Valks from one given production period and the base color should be exactly the same (EG First issue Roy and Hikaru). This is not to say there cannot be slight pigment differences from batch to batch, but it should be 99.99% color matched if the factory is up the job. Now as far as the molds, I believe there were multiple molds as this is typical in manufacturing. Each mold is usually allocated for a product run and kept for that variation only, to ensure QC and to allow simultaneous runs of two different products / versions at the same time. It could be possible Hikaru\'s VF-1A (2nd issue) and the 1S are the same molds, while Roy had his own mold. Or Hikaru\'s and Max\'s 1A mold were the same, a new mold was made for Hikaru\'s 1S and Roy had his own mold. But too many molds won\'t make sense as each cost a LOT and the production run must be very high to recoup the cost. Can they re-use 1 mold for another item? Of course, since once a mold is setup to run, its cheaper to keep it going that to stop it for downtime and slap another mold onto the production line. I\'m guessing Yamato may have up to 4 production molds for the VF-1x series. 1 original mold, 1-2 reworked (rev 2.0 fixes) molds and maybe a backup mold. 2-3 molds is probably more likely. They would either tool a new head mold or re-use Roy\'s VF-1S (probably the latter since the head is so small and you can run a lot of these per day). I can check if these 5th or 6th issue (damn lost count somewhere!) and if it indeed are from the previous batch once I get a few in. I know the last batch of Max 1As I and Toy Wave had blown out along were not reissues and definately old warehouse stock of the last issue (2nd). I\'ll snap a picture to show you guys how we identify it. Heh. It is more than likely a new run though to co-inside with Hikaru\'s VF-1S reissue since its CHEAPER to produce both at the same time than to store it at a warehouse. But I will post my analysis afterwards. Crooked Skulls and seats and bad paintjobs? Thats just plain cost savings and QC.

Next week - Feb 9th! Apparently half of HK and MOST of CHINA is still off for Chinese New Year! Man, I wish could have another week off. All Preorders for will be honored!

Where is here? USA? ~ 20 USD for 1x FP in a box ~ 25 USD for 1x 1/48 in a box Canadians add 5 USD more per item. Multiple items will need a shipping quote. PM me with your location. Quantity discounts available of course!

Special pricing Yamato 1/48 Roy Focker VF-1S 5th Issue - 125 USD Yamato 1/48 Super and Strike Fast Packs 3rd Issue - 50 USD Combo of the above 165 USD All prices before shipping. Release is in Feb. No deadline for pricing! Until my inventory runs out! Let me know!

I agree on a new TV series or even a movie. I would like to build on DYRL and move on ala VFX so we can have new heroes, a new storyline that opens up the Macross Universe, which may lead to a bigger fan base and most importantly, more merchandise! Think how good a new Movie along the lines of Aliens or Black Hawk Down but in our favorite universe and then follow that up with a new TV series continue the momentum! Macross Bliss! Sorry if I\'m dreaming. Its the marketing guy in me.

My wish list: New Macross Series based on VFX 1/48 Elintseeker!!!! <-- man I love this mech 1/48 Super Ostrich 1/48 VF-1D but I already have the Captains! 1/48 Enemy Mechs - NGer, Glaug, and all 4 Regults at the minimum 1/48 M+ / M: VFX / M3 variants 1/48 upgrade kits Hasegawa detail, Yamato playability and all ABS / Die Cast Metal Joints construction. 1/1000 SDF-1 TV variant, followed by DYRL, M+ 1/1000 Enemy fleet (Britai\'s ship would be ~ 4 foot long!) All with full detail, lights fx, removable panels to show the interior and full posability. Wonder how much someone would pay for such an item? I don\'t care who makes it as long as it is AT Yamato or BETTER quality. Personally, I say put the old line to rest and get up to date with today\'s techonology and advances to make the best Macross possible.

I got customs to be done and parts will be available after this week. I might be able to provide the reissue Hikaru VF-1S parts if there is enough demand for it. Keep posting your requests here and I\'ll see if I can offer it.

You know you guys can pickup the Galaxy Defender VF-1S bootleg at Walmart for ~10-15 bux and pull parts off that? Might be a way to scrouge for parts for you 1/55 guys. I don\'t have any 1/55 so don\'t know if the parts are exact. I should go visit their factory and see what other bootlegs are out there. Heh. Edit - Picture is of a new version with lights and sounds! Interesting for 1/55 modders!

Ha! Awesome Gene! Now I can get back to customizing my TV Squardron with these time saving tips!

Graham has been paying for mine so thats free. Hehe..

I have both recast kits and can donate it for this project. But the YF-21 needs some serious re-work before it can be recast such as the wing thickness between the two sides. I will try to find some time to break it out of the boxes and take pictures for reference. Note: These were cast of the originals I believe and were the ones available here a while ago. If the current sources fall through, I\'m sure we can work with someone here to get it going.

Sorry to hear about your situation Seiichi, but I know I will always buy from you! Here is props to one stand up guy who is better than HLJ and Hobby Base! Now please read your emails!!

If you are a newb at modeling, DO NOT USE BRAKE FLUID or THINNER on your heatshield! That will eat the plastic and either warp it, make it brittle or a combination of both plus, its not safe to get that stuff on your skin for too long. The best trick was using Haterist's idea: Buy some brass / metal polish. Its almost like toothpaste consistancy. Take a piece of masking tape and tape the front so you don't scratch it by accident. Then take a clean cotton rag, dip it into the metal polish and apply it to the back side of the heatshield. Start rubbing. It should start to come off but don't rub TOO hard or you'll cut the finish on the bottom leaving streaks. Just keep at it until it is clear of paint. After that, clean it off with soap and water. Paint the backside and let it dry for 24 hours before touching it again. I have a ruined heatshield here from using brake / engine degreaser that would make a great damaged valkyrie custom though.

Sorry to have neglected this thread for so long but with the resumed production of 1Js and 1S, I can offer parts again during my spare time. I will be parting out brand new valks and still need to break even for this service to continue. So please be patient and always advise the scale, TV or DYRL and model type to best match your Yamatos. Side Note: Customers get 2nd dibs as we want to fix as many broken Yamato's as possible! Keep that Valkyrie Hanger running!

Great Review Hayao! Now lets see those GBP CUSTOMS!!!!!

I should have clarified my comments were based on small businesses as they have the luxary of either doing business with you or not since business is really good, they are the ONLY choice or the competition has fixed the prices to an all time low and nobody becomes cheaper. Edited above post. In Japan, the overall impression I've gotten was very nice but mostly on the surface. If you press some shops too much for info, they do get irratable. Its also as oceanfrr had stated : The Japanese culture is more respectful in general so customers don't complain or request as much. Their humbleness evens out across both business owner and customer. When American expections are requested, it comes off as pushy and is a turn off even for the business owners who are not used to providing up to the same level of service as in America. Different culture, different rules, different expectations.

Kinda off topic but this is just MY opinion of how business works over here in Asia. -edit- clarifed small business and not all business in general /gets on soapbox .... MOST, not all, SMALL Asian businesses (Japanese, Chinese, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Korea) in their native country are very frank and have a firm (hard) policy where the business is provided as a service at THEIR expense and time to the customer. It is exactly a flip flop of the US tradition where SERVICE is king. The store or business is the king and if you don't like it, move on to the shop next door or down the street because you are only wasting their time. Why? Cuz most businesses over here operate on these real world rules: 1) Rent is extremely high (HK and Japan are at downtown NY or SF rates or more per sq foot) unless you're way out in the burbs but all the good stuff is mostly in the high rent areas. 2) Wages are extremely low (most workers here are paid 1/2 to 1/3 the same rate as Americans at the same level of work or education) 3) Mark up is very low for regular items but very high for HOT items because most markets here do not sell the same volume as a US company would. Supply vs Demand Heck, I bet most etailers (combined) in the US outcompetes any local stores such as Toys R Us Japan or Hong Kong on sheer volume for certain hot catagories (Gundam, Macross, Transformers) or gets really close. This is not counting that big almost-monopoly Walmart. All of this compound with the Asian tendancy to open shop in the same area, district or next door to each other for the same target markets leads to intense competition. Good for consumers, bad for small businesses. There is really no room, time or patience left for service since the profits are so thin at the end of the day and there is no consumer loyalty. I see guys move over to the next stall to save 0.15 cents even though the previous shop offers better service. No wonder these guys drop to the local common service level (next to none) and competes only on pricing. Now, most BIG shops like Watsons in HK or Sogo in HK/Japan has enough of the local marketshare, are incorporated and seek to adopt western managerial practices since they can afford to. Service has a cost and somehow, somewhere, someone needs to pay for it. In the US, the sheer raw sales volume nets US distributors better pricing than most Asian retailers, even for a home market item!!! This pays for the service, to remedy the real complaints and to put up with non-justified complaints, which leads to service expectations unprecedanted in the rest of the world. Europe is sorta in between where the UK/Oz/Germany is close to the US but France and Spain may not be except for big corporations. Again this pertains mostly to small businesses. I'm not saying any of the local businesses are justified in such practices (I for one can't stand it) but I do understand where they're coming from. At the end of the day, I say put your money where the services you want comes from and support those retailers / etailers anywhere to keep them in business. Losing great guys like Kevin and perhaps Rob would leave us only with the Celga / T@men of the world and we all lose at the end. BTW: I am of Asian decent so don't read into this as an anti-ethnic rant. Just trying to clue in my fellow Macross brothers and sisters on the delicate issue of dealing with those "rude" services outside of the US/Canada. /ends rant and drops off soapbox from dodging bad sushi from Celga