Neova

Trigger hand with thumb

oops... pressed submit instead of attach picture...

DYRL FP leg booster compared to TV FP leg booster

DYRL FP leg booster compared to TV FP leg booster

DYRL FP booster compared to TV FP booster

Since these are my first Yamatos, I finally opened the boxes and decided to share some pics.

A big correction on my part is that the FPs are different in color. The VF-1J's FP have more grey-blue tones making the DYRL FPs appear a tad green in comparison. Also, you'll all be happy to know the trigger finger hand did not have the thumb amputated. AFAI can tell, the sculpts for both FPs are the same except for the arm cannons. I got the VF-1J FP combo knowing I would have gotten the FP anyways and to save shelf / storage space. I would gladly trade my VF-1S and FB boxes for a VF-1J combo box. These things are HUGE.

BTW: For all of you 1/48 owners out there without FP, I HIGHLY recommend you get at least 1 set. I was initially skeptical about dropping 50+ bones for few pieces of plastic but after close examination, these are not simply a "few pieces of plastic". The detail is very nice and feel a tad hefty. My VF-1S doesn't feel so incomplete anymore.

Enjoy the pictures and I'll try to answer any questions:

DYRL FP booster compared to TV FP booster

Question about scale but how come the Legioss is SMALLER than the 1/48 VF-1 next to it? Aren't they the same scale and shouldn't it close to the same size? Or perhaps the camera angle fooled me into thinking that?

Amazing work! I think I need to pickup a few more VF-1Ss but the bank is denying the loans...

Louis, ChrisB is indeed commissioning 1/48 custom versions of all four valks pictured in this thread.  I'll probably be helping him with a few of them.  His fleet of customs is legendary....

BTW: Is there a link to this fleet of customs for us to see?

Last pic for now

Next pic

Pic was too big so here are smaller shots

The two fast packs looks the same to me. I'll post pics once I get back from dinner. Here are some pics to drool on first! BTW: Toy-Wave rocks!

The GBP Armors for the VF1J! Or The Thunder Hummer VF1S!

If Yamato is working on these, then I am officially staying in HK until I get mine!

But it will probably be M&M versions next.

Thanks for the link. It will be invaluable.

If I'm still here in HK, I'll hang out with you guys. Sounds like fun.

For those who have cut their kits apart, what is the proper way to dissect a model and still retain the smooth OEM like edges? Did you use xacto, dremel, table saw, bandsaw or light sabre (kidding about the saws)? I know finish sanding and minor prep would be required before primer, painting and detailing.

I think I found a potential solution to make those perfect transforming Hasegawa Valkyries and would like to experiment but not waste my kits in the process. I will assess if 1 or 2 donor kits will be required but won't know until I try.

I will post my results here as soon as possible. Need to consider which kit to cut up first... YF-19 or VF-1...

Any pointers would be appreciated.

I was also thinking this was heavily kitbashed and dang it, my "junk box" is quite empty. sigh...

I will keep everyone posted if I decide to tackle this project. I'm trying to itemize and breakdown the project requirements before I dig in too deep. I need to talk to my ME and EE friends and see what they come up with. Glad they're also die hard Macross fans.

I was checking out the magazine section on the main site and blew my wad after seeing the picture below. I see the parts are all detachable and would like to try this in my spare time, working on one piece over time and moving onto the next if I don't get frustrated. I'm not a good model building but can work well with tools if given direction. The level of attention is incredible. I would love to see this done to a production transformable toy such as a Yamato.

What parts did you think he used or if there was an item list, what were they? I've read plastic styrene is the material of choice to building up parts but this guy simply rocks. Did he take sheets, cut them up, glue them, bond up the seams, sand and mold and then follow up with primer and paint? I didn't see how the torso armor was attached but I think its was a two piece affair with the front and backs connecting to each other via studs. The leg armors would probably attach the same way. I don't know how he formed the swing out hinges either. Any tutorials would be appreciated since I'm heading to the local hobby shops to re-fill on materials soon, oh and to pickup a few MORE VF-1 battroid kits (just in case you know).

NP with the hijacking Monkey Nugget! I love the updates! Please keep us all informed. That monster is amazing.

What about the concept of having the movie produced overseas in Japan such as Returner without bastardization, become a hit or miss, then have it imported back to the US to be screen played?

It happens sometimes and this may be a better way to get the movie produced under the wings of Kawamori-san. The only thing I shudder to think is the possibility that it may end up with a movie that stinks with B actors and bimbos outside of Hollywood such as those crap live action Street Fighter movies produced overseas (not that the American version was any better).

Thanks for the replies folks. I guess I just have to make do with whatever I can find for now. I could use the smaller scale kits as "background art" in diorama building.

Wow! That looks really good.

Did you consider masking and painting in shades of grey ala WMCheng's YF-21 to bring out more of the details of the plane?

Keep up the great work.

Besides the ARII 1/20000 Kits, does anyone else make any Zentraedi Cruiser / Battleship kits ? How about anybody else besides Bandai and IMAI making Queadluun Rau, Zentradi Glaug and Nousjadeul-Ger and at a scale of 1/72 or bigger?

I'm looking for some of these kits to flesh out the oppossing force, yet most are around 1/100, 1/144 or smaller. I would prefer something around 1/72 or bigger or better yet, have Hasegawa make some kits.

Any help would be appreciated.

Nice work there! Maybe you can inspire the toy companys to produce other vehicles besides the primary stars of each show.

Keep it up.

From a product selling stand point, there needs to be enough demand for Yamato to respond with a new pilot accessory pack. If we take a vote here, I'm sure many of the VF-1S Roy and VF-1A Hikaru owners would want this product but there would not be enough customers to warrent funding such a project yet, especially considering that it is very likely all future 1/48 pilots would use the improve sculpt. The market and demand would grown diminishingly smaller over time.

The launch arm and TV fast packs may come out as Fast Pack #2 and / or a big bundle with the first version but that would also depend on the sell through of the current fast pack and sales of the TV version of the VF-1s. So long as the VF-1Js and future VF-1s sell like current ones do, I think Yamato may consider this option.

I haven't gotten my first 1/48 yet but I and others considering MAY end up buying multiple VF-1S Hikaru and just customize the pilot and color schema to match Roy's. It sure would be easier to obtain and not have to wait for Yamato to make the fixings for a un-eventual 3rd re-issue of VF-1S Roy and VF-1A Hikaru.

Personally, I think someone should simply re-cast the new pilot sculpts (improve them if they can and maybe the VF-1 Battroid heads A/J/S) and sell a few sets to satisfy the limited but real demand for them. DYRL or TV color schemes can be options or let the owners' paint it themselves. If I had a VF-1S Roy or VF-1A Max now, I would rather go this route than take up Yamato's resources to provide this feature. I rather have Yamato work on near perfect 1/48 scale VT-1, VE-1, VF-0s, VF-4, YF/VF-19, 21, and 22s and etc... oh yeh, and how about some 1/48 Zentradi's to go along with my UN Spacey Force?