WaferMouse

4 hours ago, no3Ljm said:

Also, it's really becoming weird if this 'praise' comment will still be downvoted like the rest of my praise comments, right? Not that I have noticed.Hahaha!

I wouldn't worry too much about it. I've definitely noticed a higher than average number of downvotes in this thread. It's almost as though the people doing it think if they keep it up, we'll stop talking about KOs. In the gray market thread.

Honestly, the thing that bothers me the most is they're not even getting involved with the conversation.

Eg, Lolicon's level-headed comment gets 4 down to 2 up:

On 12/27/2018 at 4:52 AM, Lolicon said:

An item is worth whatever you are willing to pay for it.

There is no secret cabal that determines the "real price" of a toy and etches it into a stone tablet or anything. 

I guess we annoyed the secret cabal! 

If we're 31A theory-cracking again, my personal theory is that Bandai had a schedule laid out based on the series, and then when the movie came out Bandai decided they couldn't let it pass without a tie-in. Suddenly, molds and factory lines had to be reassigned from the 31A to the 31F, and things went screwy.

Imagine Doc Brown drawing on a blackboard, Messer is Old Biff, and now we're all living in alternate 1985 waiting for PO'd 31As and Chuck's release.

2 hours ago, arbit said:

I don't think the Macross market is large enough to support KOs like Transformers, is it?

This is also my concern, and why I'm only buying things that are already in the after-market or don't exist otherwise. I figure if I have the KO, it means that someone else that cares about having it 1P doesn't have to go without.

My Hikaru arrived last night and with the exception of a black speck on the Spacy tampo on the wing and the same detent in the shin that needs filing down, it's a huge improvement over the Skull Leader. Arcadia needs to either lawyer up or up their game. I'd hate to see this be the death of them.

12 hours ago, nightmareB4macross said:

Did this ever get produced?

Also, if you open the first link of this thread you will see the Yamato Zentradi Uniform. Is this going to be reproduced as well?

We've been wondering the same thing about the Regult recently in the grey market thread, but no conclusions as yet. Since your post relates to more than just the Regult and KOs are somewhat of a taboo subject, and this thread hasn't had a new post in months, it might be better to ask over there: 

@TrickyCustomer's VF-11B found a new home  Here she is before I put her in the Valk tank. So stoked about this pickup, it's been a Grail for a while for me.

2 minutes ago, Firefox said:

Valkyrie Factory actually takes deposit for the VF-31S (below) I just hope they make a VF-31A

https://showzstore.com/pre-order-valkyrie-factory-vf-1-60-macross-delta-vf-31j-siegfried-hayate-immermann-machine-modelaf27_p1176.html

It's the J, but okay. It's already been mentioned here, so best to restrict further discussion to the KO thread.

10 hours ago, nightmareB4macross said:

I hope you guys are both right. 

If this release is of Kai then I am totally for it. I was never too crazy about the price tag. All Bandai did was splash some black steaks over the original paint scheme, attach a new emblem, and a few armaments. 

Fairly certain they'd mention it were it the Kai, unless there's a language barrier somewhere. Why would they miss out on the extra sales?

1 hour ago, Xigfrid said:

The only reason I can see for a KO 31j is to make a Kai version of it. 

I really don’t understand why they don’t make a 31A, that would be an instant multiple buy for me

I'm considering the J because originally I was only going to get the C and E, and whilst I was waiting for Chuck I ended up buying everything BUT the J. Though I gotta agree, the fact that it's not a Kai is giving me pause.

In terms of "why not the A", I'm guessing they haven't got the molds (yet?) and want to make bank on the molds they have before they try to improvise.

I very much doubt they have an easy method for contact. Imagine the potential torrent of emails from people who mistakenly thought they were buying an Arcadia, or knew what they were buying but have QA issues, and are now mad as all hell.

Besides, there's just way more of a market for canon colours. See the VF Master Files for examples of all the things Bandai and Arcadia could make but don't, because of a lack of demand.

On 10/25/2018 at 12:47 PM, seti88 said:

CHUCKY!!!

11 hours ago, nightmareB4macross said:

Just wanted to pose this question here since this could mean the completion of the Delta Squadron. Now surfacing ia a supposed Valkyrie Factory picture of their upcoming VF-31 on FB. My question is, “Would you consider buying this to complete your missing 31 if they were to release Chuck’s Siegfried?”

With Valkyrie Factory taking on the VF-31 they surely are playing on dangerous grounds.

There you go. The thread gained a few pages over the course of about 48 hours at the time so I suspect you missed this in the flurry of comments on the AP.

9 hours ago, nightmareB4macross said:

Oh I truly hope you’re right.

Now that you mention it, I do recall the announcement but it was a long time ago. Bandai already has the toy designed and all that should have happened long ago was just a simple paint scheme. How long has it been since the first 31 DX release? As of now I have obtained all of them, but my patience is beginning to run thin with Bandai and Chuck’s missing DX.

I mean, they showed us Chuck at Tamashii Nation only a couple or so months ago, the same time we saw the first real photos of the armour pack. I've been getting impatient waiting for Chuck as well, but I suspect you'll be able to have a Bandai 31E in hand before Valkyrie Factory can churn one out, if ValkFac are only just starting with the J later this year.

1 hour ago, rdrunner said:

As much as I hope they will do a 31A KO, Im not too sure that it’s a small number of different parts besides the head... from memory alone the two wings, the two missile bays, canards, chest fold crystal parts and the shape of the chest piece, and the crystals/lights on the nosecone are all different between the W-winged Siegfrieds and the 31A. 

It seems I need to set some time aside for more swooshing and a side-by-side comparison. I was mainly thinking of the fold carbon area, completely forgot about the calf missiles 

8 minutes ago, Lord_Of_Tetris said:

Uh. It really doesn't fill me with confidence that those images for the VF-31J KO preorder are actually of Bandai's 1/72 model kit...

Thanks, I thought the photos looked a bit off, even for KOs. Maybe it's placeholder, I mean it's gone from rumour to preorder within 24 hours. I don't have a J so I am tempted to pick one up just to fill the squad out.

1 hour ago, spacemanoeuvres said:

Always good to have options. Just need them to get cracking on that KO 31A

But where would they get an example piece to work from? 

Seriously though, if they've got molds for the 31J then the A probably requires only about 3 different parts besides the head, so they'd be crazy not to knock one of those out after using the J to build hype.

Yup, here's the preorder for a KO DX 31J.

I think it's official: KO Macross has arrived.

Another factor that I might have mentioned before is the shipping from China. I don't know what it's like for the rest of the world, but in the UK, between the exchange rate, free shipping and no import duty sting(!!!) these Valkyrie Factory pieces are a steal, particularly the Hikaru with SSPs. Looking forward to putting the Hikaru next to the Roy to compare.

Also, I don't think it makes sense to make a judgement on these VFs based on eg. TF KO prices. There's a much larger international market for TFs compared to Macross.

So sure, these VFs are less plastic to the pound compared to what I paid for a KBB Starscream, but for me at least they're still way cheaper than buying Arcadias and a better value proposition than the so-so painted, parts-forming V1 Yammies.

The price isn't fantastic, but the fact that it slides through UK customs like it was Teflon-coated made all the difference for me. The duties I pay on top of most Valks bring tears to my eyes.

On the fence about whether I want a Hikaru or just the parts to slap on Roy.

16 hours ago, nightmareB4macross said:

Has anyone experienced any breakage the shoulders? Are these the updated versions?

I don't have any worries about the shoulders. Feels about the same as my 30th anni 1J, don't know whether those are the updated versions though.

I think once I get the armour pack I'm going to transform/pose Arad once a year at most. Might add extra stands depending on how it feels when it arrives. Fortunately I've got plenty of other 31s to pose and mess with.

On 11/16/2018 at 8:57 AM, Xigfrid said:

I love sketchup, this is easy to begin modeling with, and once you get it you can make mechanical parts quiet easily. Only thing, is that you really can't sculpt with it (or I haven't tried hard enough to test it), you can also "curve-modeling" with the correct extension addons.

Thanks for your thoughts on this! I'm more of a mechanical shapes guy as opposed to a sculptor, so Sketchup sounds like an ideal starting point. The designs you pump out through it probably exceed my design ambitions anyway

2 hours ago, mickyg said:

A great place to get started is Sketchup.  It's not perfect but it should get you a feel for how to do modelling.  I think you're gaming world editor experience will serve you well too. Though as I recall, Unreal used a "carve it out of a hunk of clay" sort of method.  Is that still the case with newer versions?

Back on topic, Xigfrid used Sketchup a lot so would be a great place to look for what's possible. 

Cool, I'll check out Sketchup to get started then. AFAIK Unreal still uses subtractive geometry, I haven't actually had a reason to touch it since 2k4.

Question's a bit out of nowhere, I know, but it seems like it's the best place to put it in front of the eyes with the answers: What software are people using to cook these models up? Is there anything with a low learning curve that's still versatile? Also free/cheap would be great, since I may discover I suck at it 

I'd like to experiment with cooking up a design or two for my VFs. I've got a bit of experience with UnrealEd, Blender and vector graphics, for reference.

10 minutes ago, Chronocidal said:

I'm thinking that pod makes a nice flat alleyway to mount all kinds of weapons between the engines, F-14-style, if you don't use the gunpod.

It would be great to have a modular system for our modular system.

On 11/6/2018 at 11:09 PM, Xigfrid said:

I took the most inspiring to me and that was the last on @Sanity is Optional pile !

So far so good, I got a last challenging articulation to go through before the model is good to print, hopefully I would be able to catch on Shapeways promo

 

Great work, as usual!

I dunno how possible it would be, but a version of this with the starboard/rear part replaced with a gunpod mount would be a for-sure purchase for me. Or maybe a more plain version of the existing pod but with 2 DX mounts fore and aft to put a gunpod clip on? That might be easier, and more versatile!

4 hours ago, Mommar said:

I need Chucks Super Packs to keep with my tradition of having all RVF variants with super parts in Gerwalk.  I suppose I could split the difference and leave tje radime on withbthe super parts if I had to but it’s not the same.  The VE-1 started the trend and I’ve kept it up with the RVF-171 and 25.  If only we’d get an Elint 11 and 17 as well.

I'm very much looking forward to posing Chuck and Luca together in their SPs, though Chuck will be wearing Messer's SPs 

5 minutes ago, Saburo said:

The sleek lines of the VF-31S x Lill Drakens.

Really looking forward to getting my Lil Drakens now, the way they extend out in front is awesome. Am I correct in thinking that the Messer versions are darker than these?