easnoddy

It was pretty bad. Bandai re-released the Chunky-monkeys back in 2001-2002 I believe during the Macross 20th Anniversary. That was very soon after Yamato released the 1/60 VF-1's. The 1/72 Yamato M+ valkyries were released in 2000-2001 I believe. Prior to that Arii released some terrible figures (which you can still find today) and Bandai re-released the old Macross kits in 1996-1997 for the Macross 15th Anniversary. At the time the only transforming toys were the Takatoku and Bandai 1/55 valkyries. In the mid-1990's there was no Ebay and you just had to "find" them on message boards and the like. Here's roughly what the toys fetched: Taka 1/55 VF-1A, VF-1S & VF-1J Hikaru ~$250-300 Taka 1/55 VF-1J Max/Milia ~$450-550 Taka 1/55 Super & GBP-1S Sets ~$500-750 Bandai 1/55 VF-1A ~$300-350 Bandai 1/55 VF-1S Strike ~$400-500 Bandai 1/55 VT-1/VFE-1 ~$500-750 THEN came Ebay. Around the same time EBay was getting off the ground Cartoon Network got ahold of Robotech and the market went FRANTIC. Everyone was trying to find the toys of youth. Many valkyries soared upwards of $1500-$2000 for C-9 condition (basically lasted until the Bandai reissues). These were mainly things like the Elint, Ostrich, Strike, Taka Super, etc. In short, before Yamato came along IT REALLY SUCKED!

I was looking at my 1/48 CF VF-1A and noticed that one of the shoulder lights is gone. I don't know if it was like that when I got it or whether it fell out and the dog ate it, no idea. So, the question is, where can I get a replacement?

It really depends on the vintage stuff IMO. When I re-acquired a Matchbox SDF-1 like the one from my childhood I loved it, and STILL do. It is and was a great toy. The Gakken 1/35 Legioss were also great toys and still are. i have refrained from going after the transformers from my childhood. I love the scale and diecast of the cars, but they kinda suck as robots. I really like the newer big Sega Eva figures, they're really pretty cool (but don't stand very well). For the $50 I paid, definitely worth it. The Orguss toys I've bought I've resold because they just feel too brittle. I bought a C-8 or so Takatoku GBP-1S set off Ebay that left me with a little buyers remorse, but I'm not sad I bought them. I think I hacve buyers remorse moreso than an actual honeymoon after which I no longer want the toy. I still am not very happy with the SOC Mazin girl I bought whose hair paint was chipping out of the box. I reluctantly display it. On the flipside I love the SOC GX-01R and GX-10 that I own. I've sold so much of what I've owned though. I used to have 2-3 dups of every Yamato toy but am now down to one of each except the 1/60 which I got rid of in favor of the 1/48's. IMO though, the 2 toys I'd realy dissuade anyone from are they MPC alpha and Yamato VF-11B as they aren't worth the heartache. Yamato 1/48 are totally worth it to me though (as I only have 2 but am looking to acquire more). I think the honeymoon and buyers remorse have a lot to do with nostalgia and price.

For me, vintage toys are the worst. I buy them and wish I hadn't...they just weren't made as well as things are now. Except the Gakken Legioss. WHat a classic toy! Of course, the Toynami Alpha had a honeymoon until it broke enough for me to leave it alone permanently. The Gakkens are much nicer. I've founnd the Milia Queadluun Rau actually quite nice and I pick it up every couple of days. You can't do much with it which is sad, but it's still very cool. Of course my newest 1/48 VF-1 is always the one that gets picked up the most...until I get the next one...

I did, couldn't find anything under "valkyrie sqaudron" or "valkyrie color". I would assume that these simple phrases would deliver what I am looking for, but no dice...

Is there a site that has a picture of every valkyrie model and color scheme seen in the shows and movies? Can someone point me to it if it exists?

I realize I'm coming in late on this, but are you still accepting orders for the kit and if so how much? Someone please point me to the correct thread if possible... Thanks! John - You really ought to produce a lot of these. Once people see the finished result, you're going to be barraged with requests for the kit.

its been a few years since I've seen one, but I'm pretty sure the Joons red 1A had a Space Gandam box.

Actually, I'm positive there was a RED Joons 1A produced. I've seen them in a few Ebay acutions over the years. Prety hard to find.

The best thing about Macross 7 is...GUVAVA!!!! VF-17 gets a secondary nod

All I know is that my blue one crumbles more each time I touch it. Here's what's happened to it: Hand cumbled and broke apart (got a replacement...with RED paint) PVC slider cover inside forearm came off...had to use superglue to fix Leg PVC slider came off...had to unscrew the leg to fix, messed up leg paint Most recently...the large front landing gear door broke at the hinge They used SEVERLY inferior plastic for these toys. At least the metal is solid...if unnecessary. I've bought knockoffs from Big Lots that had better materials. They used diecast in places they didn't need it and plastic in places they needed diecast for stability.

IMO the best resource for YEARS (since 1996-1997 as far as I can remember) http://www.menet.umn.edu/~ngo/

Count me IN.

I took apart the ower leg and to be honest, this thing has ridiculous articluation. In the foot alone there are 7 points of articulation. If you take into account the rest of the leg, there over 10 points of articulation. IMO this toywas brilliantly designed (except for the use of glue instead of screws in several places) and poorly made.

I think it's a very fair comparison. What did you mean by "With the 1/60 we knew what we were getting into"? I bought the Macross Plus 1/72 line and there were major problems with those. The only 1/60 I have left has loose hips (as bad as MPC's arms) and the annoying leg-swap. Toynami probably could have made a better toy had they made the legs removable. I have the 2 side-by-side and they look good together. Like I said though, the MC Alpha has a much more complictaed paint job than any of the 1/60's most of which were molded in color. I did have to take apart the hip of my VF-1 to make it less floppy. In fact, my only real complaint withthe NMC alpha are the little paint flubs (2) and the crappy landing gear. This is my first Toynami MC toy and I like it. Also Yamato had lot s of problems with various toys. Need I remind anyone of the VF-11B's hips? I remember some of them having legs that fell off right out of the box. Or the infamous Tab B on the 1/72 YF-19? Several people broke the shoulders on the YF-21. How about the fact you cannot rotate the 1/60's shoulders forward without the chest popping out of place? The removable cockpit, Loose missiles, etc? What about paint chips? Almost all the Yamato's with diecast are susceptible to paint chips. I think it is fair to compare this toy with the 1st and 2nd toys Yamato made, which I own as well.

I got my alpha on Thursday, went out of town Friday and today was my first chance to take a real good look at it. I must say after transforming it a few times I REALLY like it. If I have to compare it with anything for the price/scale it would be the Yamato 1/60 VF-1 series. Comparing it to the 1/48 is not fair, just like it is unfair to compare the Yamato 1/60 to the 1/48. My review: It weighs almost exactly the same as a Yamato 1/60 and the diecast content is in similar areas (legs). The transformation is just as difficult at first but involves less parts swapping so the MPC gets a bonus point. It is a tad looser than the 1/60 Yamato, more reminiscent of the 1/72 YF-19. The toy fits solidly in all modes after I made a small fix*. The fighter mode has the arched back syndrome so the landing gear are basically useless, the Yamato 1/60 is much better in this area. The cockpit and pilot are NICE, much better than the Yamato IMO. The detail is equal to that of the Yamato 1/60 HOWEVER, the opening missile hatches ont he shoulders and legs give this toy a bonus point over the 1/60 Yamato. The decals are equal to the Yamato as is the instruction manual. The hands are nice, no problem with mine. I have 2 paint flubs but no biggie IMO, this paint job is tougher than any of the Yamato's except the YF-19. My only complaint is the looseness of the arms and the fact they were glued together so they would be a pain to take apart so I could put the nailpolish on the joints to stiffen them up. I may try it later. I paid $80 shipped for this toy from an Ebay seller. I probably paid $75 for my Yamato 1/60's. I would give the Alpha a leg up on the VF-1...enough to justify the extra $5 on the pricetag at least. This is a very delicate toy and I would recommend it to anyone who liked the Yamato 1/60 toys. I will be getting the rest of the alpha series and am very satisfied with this toy. * The fix I needed to make was that the knee joint had slid off the track on one side. To fix it I took the leg apart, glued the PVC spacer back onto the grey slider. I also added some clear nailpolish to the upper foot piece as it was a little loose (much better now). I ended up scratching a little paint but I can live with it.

If you've never owned a Bandai/Takatoku/Jetfire you won't understand. There's a serious nostalgia factor with toys that are over 2 decades old. The resissues were actually nicer quality than the original Takatokus. The Takatoku's are not as detailled or poseable as the Yamato's, but they are prize pieces, no question.

Good deal! I got the VF-1S + GBP-1S set on Ebay for less than $250 shipped. Pretty sweet how the market has fallen! (for those of us that didn't pay ridiculous prices 3-4 years ago that is)

That's terrible. Extremely sorry to hear it. Be strong.

I say screw the collectors. Toys are meant to be enjoyed not collected. I think if Bandai was going to make any of the originals limited they should have done it with the Hikaru 1A. Everyone should have a chance to own Strikes, Elintseekers, and Ostriches.

Invid/Inbit would be GREAT candidates for he super-poseable line. As would Zentradi power armors/Queadlunn Rau and the Southern Cross Bioroids.

Noel, I meant the diecast motorcycle for $150 was high. Also, a MIB Japanese boxed Legioss went on Ebay about 2-3 weeks ago for $300. Seriously. Sounds like you need to buy them off Ebay and seel them to Japanese stores.

Noel, no offense, but what's with the crzy prices on Ebay lately? $1000 for a MIB Gakken 1/35 Legioss? There was another one just like iit a month ago that finished at $250-300. $150 for the diecast Gakken Mospeada? No one is going to pay that much. Hopefully you're right on the monster though...

I hadn't seen this already posted... http://www.hlj.com/scripts/hljpage.cgi?YMTMC-18