mechaninac

Stupid sci fi movies have lied to me yet again

Sent you a PM. I've been waiting for someone to do recasts of the Yamato pilots. I'm definitely interested in getting one or more of each, depending on price, including the standing figure. Any plans for a Low Vis recast? That would look great in a M0 F-14.

I think both Jasonc and RTshark have good points, but I'd like to elaborate with my own 2 cents worth of irrelevance:

* Yes, the 3rd generation, Mospeada, is the most popular with RT fans after the Macross Saga.

* Yes, Southern Cross is the least liked of the three. I doubt we will ever see the AJACS or the SPARTAS released in MPC form.

* I stayed away from the VF-1 MPCs for two reasons: There were better renditions available in the market place, and reviews of the MPCs were abismal. While I can't vouch for the quality of the Alpha MPCs, I can confidently say that there won't be a flood of different Legioss fighters in the market; that alone will ensure that anyone who wants a new Legioss/Alpha variable toy will HAVE to go with Toynami's offering. Wether or not this translates into mad sales for them only time will tell.

* 15K units per Alpha type may look like a large number; but in toy terms, it's a very limited run. Injection Molding tools, even aluminum ones, are made to spit out well over 100K pieces with negligible wear; while I'm not familiar with die cast dies, I think that they would have a similar life span. I'm pretty certain that there are more than 15000 fans with enough money, and nostalgia for Robotech, to eventually justify Toynami's release of this new line of MPCs. The argument that the unit run is the same as the VF-1 MPCs, and that they didn't sell well, does not hold much water because the market conditions are different (see previous).

* The Aphas success or failure will depend not on its scale or MSRP, but on the reviews the toy gets after its release. Toynami's bad rep for poor engineering and sub-par QC was their own fault, but here is a chance for them to redeem themselves; given that they did improve the VF-1s over time, I'm holding out some hope that the Alpha will be at least good, if not $80.00 good. For the reccord, I would have preffered 1/48 scale even if the price were raised another $15.00 (would sure look cool next to my Yammies), or a price of around $55.00 for the current 1/55 scale.

* As I've stated elsewhere before, I'm getting the first one to judge for myself (like I said above, I never got a VF-1 MPC, so I'm a bit less biased against their products than those who have a personal experience with them). After that, my decision to complete the set will depend on wether or not they impress or dissapoint me, and on how well the first one holds its value over time. I'll only get the others at MSRP, or near, if the toy is very, and I mean VERY, good. If they suffer from "Toynami syndrome" than I'll either pass or wait for the price to drop to around $35.00 before I bite again.

Cheers

I had my 1st edition VF-11B fall from my dresser (a distance of about 5 ft.) onto the hardwood floor of my bedroom, and to my surprise there was no damage other than a slight stress mark (whitish discoloration of the plastic). To this day this VF is undamaged, even the much maligned hips are intact.

GI Joe sized would make the VF close to 1/18 scale...very big . I think there will be a 1/18 scale F/A-18 coming out soon from the Ultimate Soldier Series, if not out already; that would give you a perfect idea of just how huge the Valkyrie would be. I figure that the price for such a monstrosity would be well north of $500.00 USD, but if it were to ever be made I think I'd save up to get one.

Man, just thinking about it makes me dizzy. Imagine all the cool stuff that could be incorporated into something that big:

* Everything included in the 1/48

* Poseable pilot figure with removable helmet

* Steerable front landing gear

* Synchronized swing wings

* Individually articulated fingers

* Blinking formation lights

* Opening access panels

* Light up landing lights and visor

* Other stuff I can't even imagine

Great thread, very entertaining read, and it has given me the impetus to updated my tally:

1 1/72 VF-19A

1 1/72 VF-11

1 1/72 VF-21

10 1/60 VF-1s [1 HIKARU 1A, 1 CF, 1 ROY 1S, 2 MAX 1As (one for a KAKIZAKI custom...one day), 1 VF-1D, 1 HIKARU 1J, 1 MAX 1J, 1 MILLIA 1J, and 1 STRIKE 1S)

1 1/60 MILLIA Q-RAU

4 1/48 (1 LOW VIS, 1 MAX 1A, 1 HIKARU 1J W/FP, 1 ROY 1S, 1 FP set)

Approximate average spent in each category (per unit):

1/72s = $ 70.00 w/S&H

1/60s = $ 58.00 w/S&H

1/60 Q-Rau = $ 95.00 w/S&H

1/48s = $125.00 w/S&H

1/48 FPs = $ 60.00 w/S$H (note that one of the FP were included with the 1J)

Matching bare plastic colors with paint is as close to an exercise in futility as you can get. However, here is a small list of close color approximations for the paited areas of Yamato's toys:

Roy's yellow = Testors' insignia yellow...close enough any way ( I checked my 1/48 and it looks to have a tiny bit of orange in the yellow).

Low Vis blue = Testors' medium blue

Max's 1A blue 1/48 = Testors' cobalt blue...close, but not exact

Max's 1A blue 1/60 = Testors' french blue...close, but not exact

Non-TRU CF 1/60 Tan = Tamyia's TS-46 light sand...almost dead on.

YF-19 fuselage = Testors' desert sand...good enough if you don't like mixing paints.

YF-21 yellow = Blue angel's yellow...looks brighter than Roy's, at least on Yamato's versions.

Edit (04-21-04): Added CF tan, YF-19 fuselage, and YF-21 yellow to the list

There are very few Constitutionally mandated Governmental priorities; among these, National Defense is paramount, and that is where I prefer to have my tax dollars spent. It figures that in this age of the nanny state, a program that would guarantee US supremacy in aeronautics and provide for America's ability to project power, is being considered to get the axe.

Those pictures remind me of my attic. Some times I'm afraid to look up there for fear of contemplating the sheer volume of boxes I've accumulated over the years.

TO - MANY - UN-BUILT - MODELS....MUST - NOT - BUY - MORE

But who am I kidding? I tend to suffer from that all too common modeler's disease that causes one to see all the wonderful possibilities of a perfectly finished kit when the sprues are all intact, the excitement, the anticipation, the avarice...only to stop a project due to lack of appropriate skills, intimidation, lack of interest, or just the fact that some new kit caught my eye.

Oh the dilemma!

which program are you using Gorgon?

It's LightWave 3D Version 7 or above. That little icon on his Statistics Pop-Up window is a dead give-away.

By the way Gorgon, really nice start on one on my favorite VF designs. Keep those updates coming.

I'd like to add my voice to the chorus of those who wish to get recasts of 1/48 pilots (the gummy sculpts, not the original). I'd be in for a couple of TV pilots recast off the 1J sculpt, a couple DYRL? from the Hikaru 1S, and 2 or more M0 style pilots cast from the Low Vis (I plan on assembling a 1/48 F-14 and make it into a Macross version, and the pilots would help).

The material used should preferably be a hard, but flexible, rubber-like resin (I know the suff is available; it's just hard to work with). However, hard resin versions would be helpful to anyone who intends on modifying the recasts to achieve different poses...it would be cool to try to create a standing figure, or one climbing a boarding ladder.

Come on recasters, lets hop to it. I'm sure you'll have plenty on interested members.

Any new news about the MPC release dates? Anything confirmed yet?

Last thing I read, I forget where, the first Alpha is supposed to come out late May or early to mid June. However, given Toynami's track record, I would bet on late June to early July.

Just got the fighter lenght from Starship Modelers' review of the FV-0S.

........Lenght: 27 cm (@ 1/72) = 270 mm = .27 m. That makes the plane 19.44 m long @ 1/1. Therefore, at 1/60 the plane would be 324 mm long = 32.4 cm = 12.76 inches. And at 1/48 it would be 405 mm = 40.5 cm =15.94". Not that outrageous in my book.

And, just for kicks, the SV-51:

........Lenght: 31.7 cm (@1/72) = 317 mm = .317 m. At 1/1 the plane is 22.824 m (the compendium quotes 22.77m, but I'll base my numbers off Hasegawa's kit). Thus, at 1/60 you have a length of 380.4 mm = 38.04 cm = 14.98". A 1/48 version would be 475.5 mm long = 47.55 cm = 18.72". Pretty big bird.

PS: to the naysayers...insane speculation, and wishful thinking, are very common traits in these forums.

Here's a novel idea to put this debate to rest: Get the physical dimensions of the VF-0 in fighter and battroid modes (length, height, width at shoulders, depth, max wingspan, etc.) and divide them by the scale factor denominator (1/60, 1/48), then convert the results to centimeters or inches if desired. Of course, this will require the plane's actual dimensions to be known; have the stats been posted anywhere?

I, for one, will wait for larger scale versions of the M0 fighters before I start buying anything (1/48 would be my prefference, but 1/60 would do in a pinch). Even though, at 1/100, the upcoming release will be in scale with existing VF-1 kits and with Bandai's VF-2SS model, the only way I can see myself spending any money on the 1/100 Zero Valkyries is if I find them at a pretty good discount (40% off retail, minimum) a few months after they come out; I got caught with my pants down on the first few 1/60 VF-1s and I'm not going to let that happen again.

You can try the method spelled out HERE. Good luck.

I thought that environment looked familiar.

I've been following the Low Vis' prices on eBay out of curiosity. The last 5 sales averaged $277.00 each, plus shipping...boy am I glad I got mine early on.

Heh, don't you usually look for reviews BEFORE buying something?

The VF-1J is great!

Probably my favorite one yet.  The J style head is amazing, the fast packs are great, pilot figure is wonderful, no flaws whatsoever.

If you like 1/48's there's no reason for you to be disappointed with this one.

The only thing I noticed on my 1J was a slightly looser air brake than on my previous 1/48s; it tends to flop open in battroid mode. Other than that...a real beauty. You will be very pleased with it.

And don't forget, the pilot sculpt is on par with the Low Vis (gummy PVC, I think, with a sculpt superior to the original DYRL ones), and the TV style hands rock!

Great looking stuff, your Rau is coming along nicely. By the way, what are you using to model this thing, Rhino?

Okay then, not ugly..........how about eccentric looking?

However, ugly isn't necessarily bad. A-10 pilots and crews consider their birds ugly, but it's a cool ugly. And I'm sure they're even uglier to any joker on the receiving end of that massive gatling cannon.

This is getting good...

I've never been a "Yes Man," because I want to be cool and make friends. If you don't like my opinion, well, who gives a damn, I'm entitled to it, just as you are to yours. I have no desire to discuss it further, either you like the SV-51r or you don't, no need for anyone to crusade and waste time trying to change someone else's mind. I'd like to see more respect for other's opinions, and less focus on debating them. 

You boorish, narcissistic, contemptible, reprobate! How can you not like the SV-51?... Just kidding. You're right, it is ugly, fugly even, but I think that's part of its charm, and it definately looks like nothing else in the Macross pantheon of variable fighters.

Cheers

Serge

This thing looks great, and I like that center VTOL engine...cool. If I'm not mistaken I believe that's a first for VFs in the Macross Universe.

Most Macross, and dare I say Robotech , fans will agree that the center piece of any VF-1 collection is Roy's ride. Second to that would be Hikaru's VF-1J, the second hero mecha of the series. Whichever one you chose, however, will not disappoint you...they're gorgeous pieces for display and play. Just beware not to overstress the backpack hinge once you get one; they're the one Achilles' heel of the 1/48 design.