Quagga

Zoidberg?! Awesome profile pic. Thanks for the tip regarding Gerwalk. Is it a standalone kit? Or do you need to combine it with a fighter or battroid?

Me being the "maximizer" that I am, I've gone ahead and ordered one of each

• 65710 VF-1 Battroid Valkyrie (Plastic model) Hasegawa 1/72 Macross|No.10
• MC-063 VF-1S Strike Valkyrie Battroid Ichijyo Hikaru Custom (Plastic model) Wave 1/100

Sure we all know that I could have been happy with either option, but my personal demons compel me to *know* that I made the perfect choice, certainly where my hobby-time is concerned

What I've already learnt:

• Expect these models to be display pieces and not toys
• Expect water-slides to be challenging
• Skipping the clear-coat is not an option
• The forum @ Macrossworld is a friendly and helpful place

Making promises on the internet is never a smart move, but *perhaps* I'll report back

Thanks for the help guys!

@JET7 That is a really nice collection. Thanks for the pics!!!

Lunch time is coming up... time to bite the bullet and order something

@Model-Junkie Even lower prices?!? Model-making doesn't exactly look like a license to print money... Thank goodness that Hasegawa, Wave, Bandai, etc make the effort.

@Millhouse Finally a vote for Wave! Don't be a Minmay, share some pics already How posable are those kits compared to a common-or-garden variety Gundam? Could they crouch for instance? (I expect not, but need to know! Managing expectations and all that). Could you perhaps say something about the feel in general? Type of plastic compared to Gundam, etc.

Man, I love the internet, forums especially. All replies are greatly appreciated

Wow, that mech looks absolutely amazing! Obviously I have no illusions that my first attempt will turn out anything like that... JET7's build is a much more realistic target for me, while still looking very cool.

I love the "A" model, IMO the most realistic among the "real robots". How wrong would it be to do a brown Valkyrie with twin (or even quad) head-mounted cannons? AFAIK the lasers are the only visible difference between the VF-1 variations. Looking at the Hobbysearch link (AKA 1999.co.jp) you only get one head with the kit, so I guess I'll have to make up my mind before ordering. Decisions, decisions

Correction, the head-situation at HobbySearch is as follows:

The "A" (no.13) and "S" (no.14, including strike parts) models come with the appropriate heads (€16)

The slightly cheaper "VF-1" (no.10) comes with all 3 head options (€13)

I can't believe these prices... even the relatively expensive Wave 1/100 Battroid is only €27. Soooooo, that is €40 for BOTH?!?!

Unfortunately EMS shipping cost between €20 and €30, bringing me right back down to earth

@MechTech Thanks for chiming in. I've had the 1/100 VF-19 sitting in my shopping cart since yesterday, but given that it costs the same as the Hasegawa I'm having a hard time pulling the trigger

@Model-Junkie Thanks for the input: those Hasegawa instructions look remarkably Gundam-like (but way more awesome, being Macross-themed).

@Chas I consider myself warned that more effort is required (i.e. glue, filler, paint) but having given the matter some thought: I've got the Valkyrie fever and I am ready to do what is needed to scratch the itch...

It seems to come down to Wave or Hasegawa. I'm leaning towards Hasegawa, because bigger is better (or so I've been told)

Trying my best not to over-analyse, what would you guys recommend if GERWALK mode is taken into account?

As far as I can tell this entails two kits for Wave @ $36 each and for Hasegawa three times $20 (both excl shipping)

PS: My definition of "Gundam-like" has evolved to mean that the model is posable (using poly-caps or similar)

PPS: AFAIK a 1/1 Battroid should stand ~12m tall, meaning that 1/100 should be around 120mm and 1/72 approximately 167mm. Does that sound right?

Hi Vifam7

Thanks for the reply. As I was hoping, you gave me some fresh ideas

Did you have something like this in mind regarding Macross 7?

[Amazon: Valkyrie VF-19 Custom (1/100 scale Plastic model kit) Bandai Macross 7 JAPAN]

If not, could you please help with a link?

As a kid I built dozens of plastic aircraft, complete with nasty brushed paint, over-glued joints and torn/skew waterslides Perhaps I would be wise to start with the Wave 1/100 Battloid and see where that takes me, before jumping in with a Hasegawa.

Dear MW

I've recently built my first 1/144 HG Gundam and I really enjoyed the experience. Now I'd like something similar, but Battroid shaped. I've tried to make sense of the options out there, but I came to the conclusion that I need professional help

The obvious choice would seem to be the Bandai 1/72 transformable VF-1, but I'm afraid that it is too flimsy/compromised. Now I've read that the Hasegawa 1/72 Battroid uses polycaps for articulation, which lead me here with the following questions:

• Could the Hasegawa Battroid be pressed in duty as a detailed toy, Gundam-style? Or is it too fragile to handle repeated posing?
• How much articulation are we talking? Could it crouch for instance?
• Are there any other options I'm missing? Wave models? Older Bandai releases? Unpainted 1/60 Yamato? Though I'd prefer the VF-1, I'd consider later Valkyries too.
• Or should I give up the wild goose chase and head on over to the toy section?

All advice welcome!