ChristopherB

Bump for discounted prices! 

6 minutes ago, Sanity is Optional said:

The more recent Bandai 1/72 kit... Is not great. Super detailed, but also an absolute mess transformation-wise.

Yes, excellent point.  Nice pictures of the kit's contents, definitely build it and I'm looking forward to your updates!  Good suggestions from nB4m, especially since it's variable and paint damage can occur during mode changes.

Here's the latest picture with a new display stand.  It can be posed a bit better, but it's just a quick picture before being packaging.

I'm also looking for someone interested in working with me to create a set of removable armor for the Bandai Hi-Metal VF line.  Perhaps we could then move on to the Yamato 1/60 V2 VF-1.  If you have experience with 3D drafting/printing and would love to make this project a reality please let me know.  I studied drafting & AutoCAD for two years, but that was a long time ago.  I've forgotten more than I learned.  haha 

My total investment so far is a bit more than $1,000:

1.) Borrow the original (shipping)

2.) Make a resin copy/molds of the original

3.) Fix the entire copy (defects) & make improvements (listed above)

4.) Make new molds of the improved/repaired version

5.) Resin cast (3) sets [two to build, one to save]

6.) Build/paint/display stands for Max & Millia VF-1AG's

7.) Return the original & ship (3) to me

Hello,

I hope everyone is doing well, and there have been some great posts.   Let's keep it going, I'm enjoying seeing all the pictures!  Yes, this thread is for built Macross models and/or your collection of plastic/resin/vinyl kits.

I've been working on obtaining a few new items each month as my finances permit.  I'm really happy to have acquired some very rare Experten, I.H.P., Tanmen originals and Orange Collection resin kits.  Speaking of the Experten recast question, they were made in 1/100 scale previously although he's now switched to 1/72.  The kits have a lot of small fragile parts, so a recast wouldn't be very easy.  They're also still in business, so people try to only recast kits from companies no longer around.  With that said, there was a recast of the I.H.P. 1/100 YF-19 by a MW member.  Later there was a Liquid Stone version by the same sculptor, but not sure of the similarity to the Experten 1/100 YF-19.

Also, after many years I finally have my 1/100 VF-1 Armored Gerwalk, plus two built on display.  I'm almost finished with a list of my Macross model kits that I hope to post soon, and will try to include a group picture too.

Sincerely,

Christopher

PS: I previously posted the 2.) Studio HalfEye 1/100 VF-4G Lightning III Valkyrie Perfect Variable , but I was able to obtain another.  That way I have one to build and one to save.  haha  The same goes for the S.H.E. 1/100 YF-19 & YF-21. 

I agree, the pictures are just of some works-in-progress I wanted to share, completely unrelated to my question. 

If you need something more specific, let's say one of these kits mentioned by Carl Hoff (17) years ago:

L-Trans-R kits

NEED THESE
1:72 transformable YF-19
1:72 transformable YF-21

Personally I don't know of anyone that owns one, and have never seen one for sale.  Either way, just imagine the most rare Macross resin kit and see what you would do with it if you were the owner.  Thank you! 

Commission projects that are ongoing, Club M 1/72 YF-21 and YF-19.  They're being built by a longtime friend and MW member.  The wing and rear cockpit panels can be covered or left open to show the interior details.  Anyone else have pictures of their resin kit work-in-progress to share?

A philosophical question that's been on my mind for a while.  I would love to hear everyone's opinion:

Super rare resin kit:

1.) Build it, display it, share pictures with MW, and maybe pass it down to someone special for them to enjoy?

2.) Keep a box of jumbled resin parts inside a dusty box that someone will find one day and wonder what to do with it, or if you're lucky have the desire/skill to build it?

On one hand, if it's built, your family can see it, appreciate it what it means to you, and maybe one day feel lucky to have it passed down to them.  However, once it's built the resale value as a kit is gone, but would a collector pay even more for a built version of a rare kit?

If a family member is cleaning out your house and finds a mysterious box of white resin and Japanese instructions, will it even have a value in (40) years if there are no more Macross collectors buying?  Will they throw it away, put it on eBay not knowing the value, garage sale, etc?

Of course you won't care what happens to them when you're gone, but rather let's consider from the present.  

Hello,

Do you own resin variable kits or want to in the future and would like to have a resource to access when you get time to build them?

I would like to propose a project if anyone is interested in helping.  The creation of a tutorial/guide with step-by-step pictures, or even better if it's a video showing the entire process of building a variable/transformable Macross resin kit.  To include checking/arranging the parts, cleaning/preparation, resin kit safety procedures, sanding/filling resin pin holes/mold seams, test assembly for clearances, primer coats, pinning/screws/polycaps, airbrushing, weathering, panel wash, detailing, decaling and painting techniques to minimize scratches, etc.

A lot of these things apply to fixed pose Macross kits and more so Imai/Arii/Bandai 1/100 & 1/72 variable/transformable plastic kits.  The main differences being that resin kits often don't include clear instructions, don't provide polycaps, resin preparation/safety, use of screws/pins and so forth.

Some Macross resin kits like the Studio HalfEye (S.H.E.) 1/100 line have pretty good instructions, well molded resin parts, and all the screws/pins/caps that are needed.  Whereas others like the I.H.P. are more challenging.  They only come with resin parts, no instructions, and the website linked to by the parts guide is no longer available.  So, if you're interested in the helping it's your choice which kit to use.  Just let me know what your preference is S.H.E., I.H.P., Retppu, etc.

For my part, I'll be happy to provide the resin kit from my collection and sponsor the cost for the build/guide.  If payment isn't preferred, please let me know if something in my For Sale/Trade thread interests you.  The built kit would be added to my collection once the tutorial is completed.  Donations are welcome only for the extra cost that the builder might ask to make the tutorial if you also want to learn more about the process.

Thank you in advance and please let me know if you have any comments or suggestions.  If you know of anyone that might be interested in assisting, please contact them,

Christopher

All packages will be sent via Express Mail Shipping With Tracking whenever possible.

1.) H.G. Toynami 1/100 VF-1D Trainer (VT-102) 2016 Convention Exclusive (MISB): $25

2.) Bandai Hi-Metal R 1/100 Missile Effect For Super Valkyrie (MISB): $60

Hello,

Around (20) years Macross World membership, more than $30,000 sales here on MW during that time. 

Prices lowered for the holidays, everything must go, if you have a reasonable offer let me know! 

My preference is sales for $200 and above.  That way I won't have to make so many trips to the post office or package a lot of boxes. 

Please contact me directly via MW messenger, only post here that you're sending a message and no reservations. 

I'm always happy to provide additional pictures and details upon request. 

Christopher

We've received permission from Carl and Shawn to offer our VF-1AG resin kit for sale.  I'll start a "For Sale Thread" once I have more details regarding the pricing.  It could potentially be scaled up to 1/72 if people prefer.  Each kit would include the resin parts, canopy, copies of artwork & inserts & color pictures include with the original kit inside of a box.  Please feel free to contact me if you have any interest or questions.

Here are some new pictures with the pose improved.  The base will be changed to a round one featuring the Macross kite symbol as well.

haha that was pretty funny, nicely done Slide!

Unfortunately I cannot get anymore pictures of this valkyrie, it was post on Yahoo! Japan Auctions.  They only included two pictures and someone purchased it for almost $200.  Hopefully it was a MW member, because I would love to learn more about it.  Either way, congratulations to the winner.

Excellent, well done NZEOD I appreciate you checking the kits you're building.  Wow, (9) models in-progress, your VF-1EA Howler is a work of art.  You're certainly an expert on Hasegawa VF-1's and I agree with you.  All of my built Hasegawa 1/72 VF-1's are boxed up so I couldn't look myself.  So, some type of conversion, but perhaps not the IHP one.  Definitely looks to be 1/72 scale as well.

Good point and thanks, I noticed that also.  Looking at the green U shaped bent metal with a point on one end, that looks like it would slide between the arms so the gun pod could be attached to the loop side.  Definitely giving the impression of a resin/plastic model kit of some type.

Okay, doesn't appear to be the IHP 1/72 VF-1 Hasegawa kit, because the tail fins are hinged in the middle.  Just checked the MW link to the VF-1 Experimental Valkyrie that was featured in a magazine.

Hello,

Not sure who made this valkyrie, these are the best pictures I can get.  Please feel free to zoom in and check the panel lines, hinges and so forth to confirm what it is or isn't.  It's described as being 1/100 and variable, but I still ruled out 1/72 to be safe.  There looks to be a screw that attaches to a slide as well, visible at the top rear.  That leads me to conclude it might be a resin kit.  The shape is very nice, more modern with DYRL style hands and detailed cockpit.  One of the tail fins is broken as are some other parts detached.

What it isn't, but feel free to disagree and explain why:

1.) Hasegawa 1/72 VF-1 (has no tail fin hinges, etc)

2.) Bandai 1/72 VF-1 Variable New Version (many differences, panel lines, hinges, etc)

3.) Imai/Bandai 1/72 Variable Old Version (many differences, panel lines, hinges, etc)

4.) Club M 1/72 VF-1 Fighter (fixed pose, no hinges, etc)

5.) Arii/Bandai 1/100 Variable VF-1 [Silver Box Arii Include Versions w/o Armor] (many differences, panel lines, hinges, etc)

5.) Wave 1/100 VF-1 Battroid/Valkyrie [Gerwalk If Kits Combined] (many differences, panel lines, hinges, etc)

7.) Yellow Submarine 1/100 VF-1S Strike Variable (metal tail fin hinges, etc)

Could it actually be a toy and not a plastic/resin kit?  Doesn't look like a Bandai Hi-metal (new or old version), a Toynami 1/100, Bandai HCM, Banpresto or Kaiyodo that I know of.

It doesn't look like the Experten 1/100 VF-1 variable, which didn't have a super clear canopy or detailed cockpit to my knowledge.  IHP conversion kit was 1/72 scale and for use with a Hasegawa.

Thanks in advance,

Christopher

So many amazing pictures, I keep changing my desktop background...cannot decide which one to use...sensory overload! 

Very cool, this will be a big help and looking forward to updates.

Another informative review from Anymoon!  Well written and I admire/appreciate the time you spend posing/taking all of the pictures for fans.  Thank you very much. 

I really hope we'll continue to see valkyries other than the VF-1, such as the VA-3, VF-4G, VF-3000, VF-5000B, VF-17D/T and Fz-109F for example.  The Hi-metal line are just the right size, price and have good detailing.  As a long time fan of the G.F.F. series, I don't mind adding a few parts here and there. 

It's awesome to see everyone's collection, Grayson 72 you definitely have one of the largest collections I know of and I love the list you made.  You mentioned how much you spent so far in your message to me, and I can believe!  Great looking stage coach as well, your friend is very lucky.

I've been spending most of my time collecting, but I really want to start building as well.  I used to do everything from Tamiya 1/16 full option tanks (built/painted) to R/C balsa wood Super Chipmunks & a B17 Flying Fortress, Japanese gas powered helicopters, hovercraft, R/C cars/bikes to every conceivable type of plastic model.  I've never tried my hand with resin kits, but I hope to soon.

Here are some newly acquired resin kits:

1.) Studio HalfEye 1/100 VF-19 Kai Fire Valkyrie Perfect Variable
2.) Studio HalfEye 1/100 VF-4G Lightning III Valkyrie Perfect Variable
3.) Yellow Submarine 1/100 VF-1S/A Strike Transformable
4.) Project AG 1/100 VF-1J Armored Gerwalk
5.) Experten YF-21 Omega One With Fold Booster High-Comical Transformable
6.) CoryDoras Works 1/144 VF-3000 Crusader Valkyrie
7.) TECT 1/144 YF-19 Valkyrie
8.) TECT 1/144 VF-19 Grade Up #6
9.) TECT 1/144 VF-19 High Grade Up Parts #11
10.) Yellow Submarine 1/144 VF-1S/A Strike Fighter
11.) Yellow Submarine 1/144 VF-1S/A Strike Fighter
12.) Yellow Submarine 1/144 VF-1S/A Strike Fighter

Thanks for the comments, I recall researching the name of the manufacturer (15) years ago.  However, I didn't write it down, but they were very small and this was the only kit they made as far as I know.  The box top and/or inserts could be scanned and then translated via Google at a later date though.

Yes, that was part of the reason we wanted to have a finished VF-1AG, because the single line art in existence shows the front and one side.  That means the back is somewhat of a mystery, but logical conclusions can be made based upon what we can see, the GBP-1 and so forth.  For all we know, the Japanese creator had access to additional information.

That means the wings wouldn't have been removed, only the armor attached to a VF-1 in gerwalk mode just as the GBP-1 is attached to battroid mode.  In this picture you can see the original wings swept all the way back as in common in battroid:

Nice work so far, I like how you've integrated your system inside such as small space.  Not sure if there is any way to reduce the noise, whether it's the motor or the gears.  Although the final assembly and enclosure will help alleviate it somewhat.  The method used with the 1/48 is interesting in that the movement is more fluid/advanced, but just look at the size of the unit barely visible underneath.  While it's high tech, it seems quite large and impossible to place inside the 1/48.  He found a method, whereas your project seems much more feasible.  Good luck and looking forward to updates.

At the current rate of technological advancement, I bet we'll see actual transformable valkyrie toys in our lifetime should there be an interest in the future.  We already have large scale cars and a valkyrie that have limited transformation. 

Amazing project, so realistic, reminds me of when I was in the US Navy.  Green is my favorite color, and I love the appearance of your valkyrie.  I'm looking forward to seeing what comes next.  Everyday I look at my stack of Macross model kits and want to start building again, if I can just get over this initial trepidation.  Thanks for the inspiration!

Hello,

Happy New Year to everyone and thanks for viewing my thread.  The VF-1AG (Armored GERWALK) always appealed to me, most likely because I love military tanks.  The initial project was around (15) years ago when we tried to create a removable armor set for a the Yamato 1/48 VF-1.  Unfortunately the MW member (Fulcy) who was working on the scratch build wasn't able to finish his work.  I was of course disappointed and lost interest over the years, but never forgot about it.  In 2017 I decided to give it another try, and contacted my long time friend Carl (wwwmwww) since he has the only known 1/100 VF-1AG resin kit in existence.  He has quite an amazing collection and this particular kit is one of rarest of the rare.  Just finding pictures is a challenge, and Carl was nice enough to allow me to borrow his kit.  Lastly, I appreciate the coordination and assistance of Shawn who was informed of the project from the beginning.

Another longtime MW member and trusted friend (Tom) agreed to receive the kit and make a copy so Carl's original could be returned.  Unfortunately the very small garage kit company has been out of business for a long time, and their resin recasts weren't well done.  I doubt they made very many, but there was a lot of pin holes, a few blobs of resin, thin/missing sections and so forth.  We were able to make color pictures of the kit's photographs and inserts as well.

So, the next issue became fixing everything and I came up with a list of upgrades so our VF-1AG would be unique/improved.  Most of them were able to implemented, and we're happy with the results.  Here is the list:

1.) Hollow metal gun barrels
2.) Grind out just the cockpit (pilot, chair, instrument panel, clear canopy from Bandai 1/100 VF-1J kit)
3.) Drill out any resin gun barrels (main cannons, hand cannons)
4.) Metal antenna both sides top turret
5.) Brass rods/pins so the cannons can elevate
6.) Gun pod and hands (Bandai 1/100 VF-1J kit or Bandai Gundam style hands)
7.) Replace stubby/damaged VF-1AG wings if needed (Bandai 1/100 VF-1J kit)
8.) Shoulder missile launcher doors opened and missiles inside
9.) Decals (Bandai 1/100 VF-1J kit)
10.) Main turret able to rotate

We ended up with a VF-1AG based upon the original, but with new parts plus many hours of repairs.  The updated version was then recast with a high pressure pot to create a new molds free of defects.  Please keep in mind that the VF-1AG was loosely put together for pictures, the positioning of the arms/legs can be better.  Our next goal is to improve the stance to achieve a downward tilt of the nose as well as placing the legs into the preferred "A Stance".  Personally, GERWALK mode has always been my favorite since it's what defines Macross to stand apart from other anime with either airplanes or robots.

I enjoy collecting Macross resin kits, but all along my goal was to make available a removable armor version that could be attached like the GBP-1 sets.  Before the armor can be created, we needed to have a 3D representation of what a VF-1AG is.  There is only one known line art and only one super rare resin kit, but I overcame that obstacle.  We've now proceeded further than the initial attempt and have spoken to parties interested in working with me to have the armor set created.  At this point I'm considering to make it for the Bandai 1/100 VF-1 Hi-Metal line first, just because they have a nice sculpt, good price, easily obtained, and it's cheaper/easier to start with a smaller scale.  If viable, we could then move on to the Yamato 1/60 Version 2.

Of course all of this will require a pretty big investment, so hopefully there is some interest in owning a new and improved resin kit of the VF-1AG in 1/100.  Please feel free to let me know your thoughts and suggestions.  After more than (15) years of waiting, I can now proudly display an extremely rare design.  My feeling was to make a Max & Milia VF-1JAG set to compliment the Bandai VF-1J M & M Hi-metal valkyries.  I owe my thanks to Carl, Tom and Shawn for making it possible.

Sincerely,

Christopher

Amazing job, the pilot looks great and thank you for the information about resin casting!

Sorry for the late reply, yes I do ship to Chile.  However, the VF-1D is no longer available.  Thank you for your interest though!