ArchieNov

It’s funny because N-Y emailed earlier today that the release date for the VF-31C super parts was moved to 5/28. And then an hour later they ship it.

My Yamato version (possibly a later release) had the bridge separate in the box. The styro was similar to the Arcadia non-PE SDF-1. The reason it was separate is because the antennae can get snagged on the styro cover or the plastic, so it’s safer that way.

I didn’t use the screw (just like with my Yamato), so I can easily remove the bridge for storage and/or transformation. But the fit is tight enough that it stays snugly in place.

I’m sure your scale model will look 100x better than the LEGO version once you’re done. And your photography skills will enhance it even more Thanks for sharing the pic. It reinforces my thought that the LEGO version is appropriately scaled to the astromech droid, but too large for the pilot minifig. Shame as I got it because I thought it would scale with the Slave 1 and Millennium Falcon.

Lego 75181 UCS Y-Wing. This thing is massive and impressive! 2 feet long.

Just finished building my UCS Y-Wing this morning. This is just my 2nd UCS (first was Slave 1). I got it because I hoped it was minifigure scale, but after building it, it does seem a little too big if you compare it to Gold Leader, but looks to be just perfect if you compare to the astromech droid. It also feels a lot bigger and heavier than I thought it would be in person. The greebling is great, which is one of this model's highlights. All in all, I think I like this more than Slave 1.

@Saburo Does it require some photo editing or manipulation in order to achieve this look? This is kinda what I hoped it would look like on my shelf, but it doesn’t.

I mentioned a few pages back that I was underwhelmed by the glow in the dark. It’s not as bright as the photo promos make them out to be to the naked eye. For example, in some promo shots you can see there’s a light shining on the SDF-1 but the glow in the dark is still very intense. I haven’t been able to replicate that look without the use of a camera. It’s a shame really because that promo shot of the glow in the dark feature was the main reason I opted to get this version and sell off my Yamato.

Yup, mine were hurting for an hour or two after I was done. Now that they’re in there, I don’t see how they’re ever coming off without damaging it in some way.

Yeah there are really 2 leftover parts. I read someone say that they’re used when you’re building the kit version, and are installed somewhere inside. But since you don’t see that area, leaving them out doesn’t matter.

If I had known it would be more available now, I’d have not gotten it for 42k yen a few months ago But that’s always the gamble you have to deal with in this hobby.

Thanks for the explanation, @davidwhangchoi! I just finished installing all the screw covers a few hours ago and my fingers still hurt. It seemed a lot harder this time around compared to when I did it for the Yamato a couple of years back. Maybe part of it is because my finger dexterity and eyesight aren't as good now as before, but I think it's also because of the topcoat. It makes the part fitment really tight so I have to use a lot of force to push these tiny parts all the way flush. Also, now that I have it in hand, I'm a little underwhelmed by the glow in the dark paint. I really hoped it would look as good/bright as it did in the promo shots (or at least as good as the photos of @tekering and @Gundam@EFSF). But I feel some camera tricks/photo enhancements were used to make them look that way. With my naked eye, the glow in the dark isn't really that noticeable unless I'm in an almost completely dark room. Granted, in complete darkness the glow is very noticeable, but I wanted to be able to see the detail of the SDF-1 at the same time. In complete darkness, all I can see is a bunch of small rectangles and dots. Hope others will have a better experience though. Lastly, I know I shouldn't, but I just can't seem to get over comparing these two (mainly because they are displayed on the same shelf). The Threezero Titanfall Ogre on the right is MUCH bigger, has fully detailed tampo and paint apps, weathering, mixed media (plastic, rubber, cloth), 40+ points of articulation, LED lights, comes with a 1/12 scale pilot figure that's like a mini Hot Toys (super detailed, complete with fabric and weathering). All of that for around $200 cheaper than what I paid for the PF SDF-1.

So it seems I wasn’t the only one with the reversed back leg armor out of the box for the Hikaru VF-1A. I mentioned it a couple of pages back and asked if anyone else encountered the same issue. No one chimed in so I thought it was just me. Weird that they’re only making this mistake in assembly now though after so many prior releases. Perhaps they have a different factory assembling these?

Oh it’s supposed to come in an Arcadia shipping box? Mine didn’t. I don’t mind though.

Quick snap.

So mine just arrived. The shipping box was banged up badly but fortunately the box and contents were perfect. Out of the box it seems smaller than I remember from my Yamato, but obviously it’s not. Anyway, bless N-Y for under declaring the value of the item as always. I was able to get away without paying customs tax for this really expensive item (which may have amounted to an additional $150-$200). I can’t seem to get the glow in the dark to really stand out. How long do I need to “bathe” this thing in bright light to get the same effect as the promo pics?

I just received my “Ray”, but too lazy to open it. Wasn’t expecting it to arrive so soon because of Golden Week.

She can try the picture frame stands

If I know watching a movie would result in my nephew or niece or any relative/friend getting emotionally devastated... I’d gladly bring them to watch it!

Yeah, EMS is the worst IMO. You have to arrive before it opens so that there’s a chance you finish in 3-4 hours. Arrive after 8am and you’ll only get done after lunch. Process is still as dumb as ever: 1) Submit your notice/tracking number and get a number 2) Wait for a very long time for them to call your number. They check your information and this is the only time they will start to locate your package. They give you another number 3) Wait again for a very long time for them to get your package. When they find it, they will call your number. 4) They will now inspect the item and confirm if it is eligible for customs tax. They forward the item to the customs queue. 5) Wait again for a very long time for them to call your number. Go inside the customs office and they will compute the fees to charge you. 6) Go to cashier and make payment 7) Go back outside and wait for your package to be released It’s a hellish experience and I pity anyone who has to go through it. I feel sorry both for myself and the foreigners I see at the EMS office whenever I had to claim a package there. I’ve even seen some people go home empty handed because they couldn’t afford the customs tax they were being charged for 2nd hand items and gifts received from their relatives.

I thought this only applies to light sources that have UV light. I keep my collectibles in direct bright LED light almost 8 hours a day for the last few years and they haven’t yellowed from that. In fact, the only yellowing I’ve experienced so far was from valks I kept inside their boxes for over a year. So now I keep those out of their boxes.

You chose to use EMS in our country? I avoid EMS like the plague. The tracking is not as good as courier services like UPS or DHL, plus I have to pick it up at the Pasay office which normally takes 3 hours because of the lousy process they follow. Plus the customs guys there seem very eager to charge lots of customs tax. If there’s no invoice on your item, they’ll “research” the highest price on the internet and use that as the value to base the tax on.

Am I the only one here who preordered Rei from Amiami? I was billed earlier this afternoon and it will ship out probably tom.

OMG, they’re gonna release a PG Nu Gundam?

Now that’s the photo I wanted to see. Thanks @Gundam@EFSF