ChristopherB

This is definitely great news! I never imagined we would see additional 1/48 variations besides those already released or planned (GBP-1).

Vitja, You did a really good job on both customs. Thank you for making them, they are definitely appreciated, as well as all of the hardwork/dedication you put into them. Sincerely, Christopher

I have to agree that it might be easier to use a Hasegawa VF-1D kit as opposed to the VE-1, especially since no armor is needed. However, if the VEFR-1 head is similar or the same as the VE-1 head, we would then want to use a VE-1 kit since it can be built with the legs in the normal non-fastpack position. Unless of course a resin head is provided. In this case, I wonder how the radar dish attaches to the body. I remember discussing this quite a while back, but there aren't a lot of reference pictures, so some details will have to be improvised. It would be cool to have a conversion kit in 1/72 scale, and it would be a first.

Thank you Devin. Your decals are really nice, and made these customs possible. Besides the numerial difference, the customs themselves will be different. I'm referring to the blue hexagon camouflage pattern. Very difficult due to all of the paint/masking required, but Thomas has devised an ingenious method.

One of my favorites: Blue Roses VF-1S Strike (dark blue with yellow trim, the armor is a slightly lighter shade of blue to help offset the valkyrie and armor from each other.) I came up with the idea that the rose color should match the predominate color of the valkyrie. The VE-1 Elintseeker has a green rose, and this one has a blue rose. I decided to go without missiles to keep the look sleek and agile. As with the others, all standard and applicable VF-1D PE parts are used.

Speaking from experience, I recommend the Hikaru VF-1J reissue. 1.) they are relatively easy to find and inexpensive. 2.) with a reissue you are guaranteed to get a brand new Bandai, and the reissues have some upgrades. 3.) the grayish color of the Hikaru VF-1J is the closest to the gray color used on the Elintseeker. Whenever possible, never use a white valkyrie to make a transforming gray valkyrie. Every time the paint gets chipped, you will see white underneath. The same goes for the VF-1A CF. You can actually keep the stock Hikaru VF-1J color, by carefully removing the chest stripe/etc., and then you will only have to paint the nosecone yellow, and the resin wings/head to match the gray of the Hikaru. Don't use sandpaper to remove the undesired paint, because it will leave scratches. There are several "chemicals" available which will remove paint and not damage the plastic underneath. Just use the chemicals in moderation, and don't let the plastic parts soak in the paint remover. By keeping the stock plastic, you'll never have to worry about paint damage, and all of the other work that goes along with a full blown repaint.

Awesome! I knew that you were a talented model builder, but this is truly a "custom" GBP-1.

I'm definitely interested, but then I have been since Noel first posted pictures of the original kit from Wonder Festival. I'm glad that this project has finally reached fruition, because my Hasegawa's were built with the launch arm in mind. I'm curious about the attachment option(s).

Damn, that's funny and painfully honest at the same time, . I don't know what's worse, them owning one, or the fact they are always stealing our batteries. It makes you question your manhood when start considering owning stock in Energizer.

Ken, Thank you very much for the update! Your revised barrel looks great. Your hardwork is appreciated. Good luck, Christopher

Thank you for the update Ken. It will be another month tomorrow, perhaps you can post the progress pictures you mentioned. Yes, I was away for a while towards the end of last year and now I'm back, and I appreciate the reminder to update the list. It has been done. If anyone else would like to commit or retract please let me know.

Looks great! Don't make any changes or revisions, because the arm armor looks perfect.

Noel, Thank you for your post. No problem, I understand that you are busy. Just be careful so you don't have anymore unfortunate accidents and injure yourself. Take it easy, Christopher

Vitja, Damn, looking good! If you start a new thread once you finish, I'm sure they'll get more exposure. Thank you for posting the pictures.

nightmareB4macross, I commissioned/bought quite a few 1/55 customs back-in-the-day when your only option was to find a halfway decent jetfire and have it painted/decaled to look like a Macross valkyrie. I'm glad you enjoyed the custom valkyries.

Damn, that was long winded. I hate it when people go on, and on about things. I've always wanted my own "Mini-Me." I'm torn between getting the 1/100 Monster, or waiting for Mike's 1/72 Monster. Although it will be sometime before Mike's is ready.

Poor Cannon Fodder Valkyrie, looks like I forgot to post a picture, but the enemy never forgets to take them down first.

You are my hero Jesse, thank you!

Well, you could ask Fulcy since he was working on improved head lasers for the 1/48 valkyrie. The head lasers are of course metal, and hollow. You could also ask all of the Hasegawa builders that hollow out the antennaes, and the Strike Cannon barrels as well. The same applies to the photo-etched parts made by Hasegawa and dozens of other companies. In most cases, these metal parts just fit over the plastic ones, and often aren't that noticeable. The simple reason is increased realism. It's easier to buy a metal head laser that is already hollowed out. Why metal, because you can easily get machined aluminum/brass tubes and just cut them to size. People buy these parts, PE parts, resin upgrade parts and so forth, just so they can make their project as nice and as realistic as they possibly can. It's not to say the stock kits aren't good enough in and off themselves, but obviously the same companies that made the kit, market metal replacement parts to improve their kits.

Here are some pictures of the various items before Howard mailed them to me: Gokigen-Seimetsu Hasegawa Upgrade Items: Gokigen-Seimetsu VF-22S: Kantogakuindaigaku-Mokeidourakuka YF-19 Battroid 2005 Improved Articulation Version: I'll get all of the items from the (3) sellers together, and I'll post some updated pictures. Later, Christopher

I received permission to post the name of the creator of these awesome valkyries. Here at MW, he goes by AchtungMacross, and his name is Thomas. Here's his website: Modeling Homepage

All right, that's all of the pictures for now. (6) more custom valkyries are planned, before we move on to Macross Plus and then Macross Zero. I decided not to use 1/48 scale Yamato valkyries because of the large size. The Yamato 1/60 scale was considered, but I just can't get passed the too thin nosecone. I already commissioned a bunch of 1/55 valkyries, so that was not an option. For me, the Hasegawa kits are the perfect choice because of the detail, decals, and the options. Thanks to Devin and a custom decal order that was placed last year, I was able to get all of the limited Hasegawa sets reproduced, plus I commissioned some new sets, and ordered some of his existing sets. Here is the list and some pictures: 1.) Devin's Blue Roses (Dark Blue/Yellow Trim) 002 x 2 (with blue rose emblem) 2.) Devin's Blue Roses (Blue Camouflage) 004 x 2 (with blue rose emblem) 3.) Devin's Blue Roses (Desert Camouflage) 006 x 2 (with red rose emblem) 4.) Devin's Blue Roses (Green Camouflage) 008 x 2 (with green rose emblem) 5.) Devin's Low Visibility Squadron Set x 2 6.) Devin's Enigma Option Set x 2 7.) Devin's Minmay Guard Battroid Set x 4 8.) Hasegawa Option Set 1 x 4 Copies 9.) Hasegawa Option Set 2 x 4 Copies 10.) Hasegawa Option Set 3 x 4 Copies 11.) Hasegawa Limited Edition Minmay Guard Set x 4 Copies 12.) Hasegawa Clear Valkyrie Decal Sheet x 4 Copies The vibrancy of the decals appear muted because of the decal paper, but once applied they are just like the original, but you don't have to worry about spending a lot of money just to cut up the original Hasegawa sets.

Hayao, the lamented pilot who was so tragically killed. His fate was decided before he lived, because someone in the squadron had to die. One of my favorite valkyries, because I like green, and one of my favorite pilots because he also enjoyed two of my vices in life, women and steak.

Max, the ladies man, and the next in line after Roy to pilot the VF-1S:

The reluctant hero, Hikaru, in the ever popular, Strike Valkyrie: