Bobby

It appears to be the other way around... the Maneuver Book says it was published April 9, 2007 and the 1/15 Complete Box set was released a month before in March 2007. That's so close though... perhaps it was always their intention to sell the book by itself for some additional revenue for those unwilling to commit to getting another Garland.

Yes they are identical minus the cover (I own both). It's a great book!

^ Very good to know...thanks for the follow up!

A few were pre-order...you just gotta if you're a fan, right? Plus I wanted to support Evolution for their efforts in at least making a 1/60 happen (even though I know just about everybody hated it). The rest were a combination of gifts and purchases when the prices went down.

That is some good machine language -- VF-2SS 5 x 1/100 Bandai Kits (blue, blue, green, red, red - converted to SAP armorless) 2 x 1/100 Retppu Vakyrie II Battroid (resin) 1 x 1/72 Valkyrie II OVA Version Fighter (resin) 2 x 1/100 B-Club Conversion Parts (resin) 1 x non-scale Valkyrie II Fighter w/out SAP (custom wooden model) 2 x 1/60 Evolution Fairy 2 x 1/60 Evolution Nexx 3 x 1/60 Evolution Silvie 3 x 1/250 Macross Fighter collection Valkyrie II Fighter w/out SAP (blue, red, green - custom) 1 x 1/250 Macross Fighter collection Valkyrie II Battroid (custom) w/out SAP 1 x 1/100 HI METAL R pre-order (so far)

Thanks for pointing that out! Actually don't mind that it's optional

It's just great to see some of the improvements over the prototype images that were released last fall...namely: - getting rid of that split in the front foot thruster - tidying up the closeness of the canopy shield with the nose (while retracted in battroid mode) - blue visor instead of green - improved/sleek tab shape/design located on the inner legs - better concealment of the screws/hardware (mostly notably in the hips, elbows, and wing joints) old prototype images... vs. the latest pics!!! The feet improvement and blackened out hip hardware and under the arms is looking pretty great!

You're definitely right that those aspects are very important in assessing a favorite toy. As a matter of fact, if we were to imagine a bar chart that had the design quotient, engineering quotient, playability quotient, cost quotient, etc. rated in columns, the VF-2SS would score very low in these categories. But also in assessing one's favorite toy there's another metric which is any toys "X-Factor". Since this makes it subjective I don't expect this can truly answer the question as to how anyone can claim this VF-2SS as a favorite. But in my case Evolutions attempt was still able to fulfill a two decades+ long desire of putting something into a spot that's been reserved for a VF-2SS toy for a long time. It is probably more of the idea of finally having one than what it actually is in this case to the point where my x-factor rating just gets launched off the charts. And I'm not married to this particular version either because if Bandai does end up producing the hi-metal one we saw at the Tamashiination 2015 booth that will probably become my favorite! As mentioned earlier and in an attempt to be levelheaded, my VF-2SS rating would realistically have its bars for price, design, engineering, playability, etc. very low, like below the baseline in some cases (negative). But still, if I am to be honest with myself and consider my ratings of all my valks side by side, the highest scoring in the X-Factor category would have to be this VF-2SS toy... ...and so high (Battroid mode for display rating would be a decent score too in this case) it's to the point that it outweighs my negatives to end up in this position...at least for now. I know it's sad and I'm sure no one envies any of this like I envy many of you whose favorite valk ended up being a genuinely anime accurate engineering marvel that is highly playable and does Macross some real justice

Favorites: 1. VF-2SS by Evolution - Graham said favorite, not best, most well engineered, anime accurate etc. For me, it fills the void of having wanted one as it's my favorite valk. I actually have 3 Silvie's, 2 Faeries, and 2 Nexx's. I really enjoy them regardless of all their MANY faults and am looking forward to having Bandai's someday (hopefully). 2. VF-19 Double Nuts/Bird of Prey - the paint scheme does it all for me plus the white body molds (vs. cream) seals it. Have them both on display in a prime spot, they look great and compliment each other well. And if you flightpose angle them just right to conceal the underbelly disproportions they look so good. 3. Low Visibility City Urban Camo w 1/48 VF-1J - again, the paint scheme and markings is what did it for me. Rare, menacing, clunky yet sophisticated. (Honorable Mention: 1/60 VF-X - I really, really like this valk a lot. Again, the paint scheme, simplicity, plus the rarity but just not quite as unique to me as the above.) Leasts: 1. 1/60 VF-25F (1st release) - Gerwalk legs? Fighter proportions? Battroid proportions? Discoloring plastic? Overall a let down. 2. 1/72 YF-21 (ver 2 w/fast packs) - As much as I wanted to like this as it broke the mold for typical variable fighter toys, I just could never get into it although for its day it was well done. On the other hand I have the Max and Milia 1/60 Sturmvogel II's and think they're great (except for their hips, grrr)! 3. 1/60 VF-1J Super Valkyrie (ver 1) - The partsformation. Right out of the gate still a relatively new company attempting Macross toys, using diecast, new molds, high hopes, making finding old Takatokus not as daunting, yet they couldn't figure out a way to engineer some attached swivel legs? (Honorable Mention: VF-2SS by Evolution - Yes it's weird to like it so much and yet be so simultaneously disappointed in it ...just keepin' it real folks ...jus keepin' it real.

Indeed...as a matter of fact, it was just like a boobytrap

Yeah, it will actually remain that way for a bit. What I've concluded is that it's just a poor choice of words for a short phrase. If the auction is over and you won (or did a buy it now) then rest assured, you won plain an simple. Zen calls this entire period where they go through all their customers won auctions and make payment for them plus arrange for shipping, etc. "awaiting buying". It should be something more like "awaiting acquisition" or "in the payment process", because it's already been "bought" so to speak. Once it reaches their warehouse you will get a "your items have reached our warehouse" email. It can actually stay in storage for up to 45 days for free. After that it is 50¥ per day. With multiple items (if you had a continuing shopping spree) I usually wait until around day 42 to "make my package". Usually by the next day they provide all the shipping options. Then whichever carrier you choose before you select it you can add that exact amount to your account so you can have a zero balance once the whole thing is complete. Then within the next day or two it will go out.

I know, the moment I discovered Japanese buying services it was like opening Pandora's Box!

You know, I've never had to do that before so I unfortunately don't have any experience with that. It usually just plays out like this...I use Paypal (2.9% which is cheaper than one single Buyee handling fee <$300) the money then goes into my account. I bid x amount which is usually my max bid (sniper) plus 300¥ and the money is no longer accessible because it is "reserved" for my bid until the auction ends (but you can still cancel your still). If I win, great, if I lose, all of that money plus the 300¥ returns into my Zen account and I usually win something else and have the money already there for another item + shipping. So in addition to the 300¥ service fee and 2.9% to load my account, the only other thing is the shipping costs (ex. of my latest shipments): size: 35 x 35 x 8 (14" x 14" x 3") weight: 2345g (5.2 lbs) fedex: ¥3,783 ($34 USD) -- size: 33 x 24 x 13 (13" x 9.5" x 5") weight: 3430g (7.6 lbs) fedex: ¥5,148 ($47 USD) As you can see, that seems very reasonable for that size and weight. Even though the yen has been getting stronger in the last few weeks, this ended up being much cheaper than Buyee as well because at Buyee they won't take your items out of the packaging they received it in. So if you win multiple items, the box just keeps getting bigger and bigger and heavier and heavier because it has to hold all these other boxes/envelopes and all this wasted space (another thing that bothered me). For the most part, I've seen that Zen unpacks and then packs more efficiently (at no charge) and can even send you pics of your items for inspection (for a small fee). It might depend on the packer or the item though because I do recall having received a few items before that were still in their originally shipped box (from the YJA seller to Zen). If you've ever wanted an item from Amazon Japan but saw they are unable to ship to your stateside address, Zen has a tab (just like Buyee) where you just click the Amazon tab and buy it. And for that matter, technically ANY website in Japan that will not ship to the USA (just click the "Other Shops" tab) can be bought from by simply adding the shops URL to the shopping cart and then buying the items which I've done as well and was very happy. My point being that there are SO MANY ITEMS in Japan that you are bound to find something! At least that's why I've never needed to get my money put back on my card About getting your money back: With all that said, it might just come down to this...if I recall correctly, Buyee doesn't charge unless you win...so that's definitely a great value proposition and eliminates this whole issue and might be the way to go for single items and infrequent overseas shopping vs. if you are a regular overseas Japan shopper and purchase multiple items on a fairly regular basis.

You're welcome! Btw, if you lose an auction zen gives you the 300¥ commission back and of course the amount you bid. Also, you get options for which carrier you want after everything is packaged and weighed so you can choose the cheapest and/or the fastest method.

I use zenmarket.jp. I purchased lots of items through Buyee in the past and never ever had a problem. But over time, the fees kind of got to me (high service and packing fee in particular). After researching I found zen...they don't charge anything for packaging your items and they have a straight service fee of 300¥ per transaction no matter what you buy. They also have a built in sniper system (but you still do have to honor YJA platform of waiting until all bidding is done for). The main difference is that you have to pay upfront to load your account while buyee just charges as you go along if I remember correctly since it's been awhile. You can buy credits when the yen is weak as well so market behavior can be in your favor/control instead of just when it happens. I have purchased over a hundred items (lots of books mainly) with zen and again, never had any issues and their contact support always gets back to me within 24hrs.

I bought some of this awhile back...yeah, it really didn't work that well as a glue/weld. I too was quite hopeful when I saw it. However, it works great as a custom formed support to test-fit and/or glue pieces together after using it. But in the end the bond is as only as strong as the glue you used and maybe it has a little more support as it adheres the resin cast you created to the joint you were repairing. The music and claims being made in that first video reminded me of this parody of another promise to relieve pain...just not broken toy pain!

I got a message requesting more specifics on this mod. I figured I might as well post the pic I made as a reference in case anyone else was curious. 7-Step Summary i. Remove Rudder A/B w/dremel (leave hinging portion so there is no gap). File/sand everything smooth. ii. Separate B from A w/knife or dremel. File/sand smooth. iii. Remove C and D from wing (separate C parts from each other, D will fall out, use dremel to remove plastic peg that C rotated on and file/sand smooth) iv. Fasten A (plastic weld or super glue) to existing wing (make sure you sanded an angle that matches the existing wing). v. Weld/glue D and B together to form new rudder and weld/glue new rudder right before wing joint towards the rear. vi. Swap E with each other so they are facing the opposite direction or leave it off. vii. Use 91% alcohol to remove F tiger stripes and G yellow/orange line/logo markings As a general rule, always have as smooth/flat surfaces as possible before mating any pieces together for a strong, secure bond. Once complete, it still fits in the foam insert in the box and the wings still extend in and out. The only thing that's fixed are the rudders but a hinge modification could be possible.

This. Is. Great. Please. Post. More.

oh man...oh man...oh man...hot diggity dog

I'm going to guess 1/55...it's actually made out of wood. It was carved by emodelairplanes on ebay. This was a looooong time ago when still waiting for something bigger than the old 1/100 Bandai kit!

Thanks...it's probably the most anime proportionately accurate of them all. (one on amazon jp)

VF-2SS

I'm getting more and more excited for these! With all the comments on the similarities of the VF-31a / YF-30 I thought it was worth a quick photochop "test". This series of chops is only moving the rudder location, then removing black, red, and adding the 31a paint scheme. Maybe I'll save some money and just paint my YF-30...not

My 29 broke obliterating its resale value...and since I had to fix it, I modded it and one of the first things I did was get rid of the black "tiger" stripes. I really like red valks as well (reminds me of Milia)! The orange, yellow and some other colored lines were not my fancy so much and it's quite easy to remove the stripes (and any other paint you don't prefer as well). You just need some paper towels, 91% isopropyl alcohol, and some patience to rub it off (and blue painters tape to mask off other nearby paint). Of course you wouldn't want to do this if you are concerned about resale value.