sidearmsalpha

Like DND said, there hasn't been one released yet. I picked up one, but I don't know what issues it has yet, since I only pulled it out of the box to check it out once without transforming it, then put it back in the box. I figure if it has the sagging wing issue in fighter mode, I'll just leave it in battroid mode, leave the Nora in fighter mode, and ponder whether or not to leave the brown one in fighter or gerwalk. So what was the verdict on the brown one as far as problems go? Just wanna know before I pull it out of the box and start looking for things to watch out for.

Yeah, Drew, that's the one. It actually helps the backpack stay put with all that extra weight from the boosters. I think they're essential, aesthetic-wise. Even if I display a 1/48 in Battroid without armor, I use one of those. Same for the side covers. Like some of us have been clamoring, these pieces should have been included with ALL the 1/48's. I just don't like seeing all those gaps in such a well-designed toy. One of the cool things I like in the anime that I never noticed when I was a kid is that the valkyries have all these extra functional parts like hatches that seal exposed areas and intake covers that swivel up/down when necessary. And then there's the whole business with the feet thrusters. There seems to be 2 variations. So, which is the correct one, or was the shape of the thrusters able to change somehow? I know Kawamori designed these things to do lots of cool things in the anime, and I applaud Yamato for incorporating some of those things. I hope that someday we will get some kind of ultimate VF-1 toy in a large enough scale that incorporates things like: a more detailed radome with a nose that swings open, side covers and intake covers that are actually incorporated into the transformation, an air brake that opens and closes with an arm, a backpack that folds up and down with an arm, a cockpit seat that slides out from under the head, various hatches that open to reveal the innards and armaments of the VF-1, and so on. Maybe, someday, Yamato will do something with the VF-1 along the lines that Bandai has done with that super-detailed and massive Space Cruiser Yamato model kit, but with a toy.

I'm not sure how I really feel about the VF-25 (and enemies) yet. It looks really awesome in fighter mode, but the Battroid is looking too organic for my tastes, almost buglike, especially the head. It sure looks cool with all the armor though. I guess once I see these further along and more of the anime episodes, I'll probably change my mind. That's how I felt about the SV-51. Now I picked up all of the Yamato versions.

So what's the deal on the vehicles? Are future releases going to simply be reissues, or are they going to redesign them? My cousin picked up the set of 3 for me at a local Target in Milpitas, Ca, but I was somewhat underwhelmed that they were just reissues. I can see now why they're only going for $10 each.

I can't tell for sure, but it looks like the backpack support that came with the 1/48 super/strike parts isn't going to be part of this. Maybe, it's not needed, but it would really suck if there's a large gap between the head and the backpack. It could be that these latest pics are still too early and don't show all the accessories, such as all the missiles that may come with it. Wonder if they are incorporating the gunstrap with this new design, too?

Yeah, the sliding seat gimmick on this would have been pretty cool on the newer VF-1 toys, even if it couldn't transform. It's too bad some company like Kaiyodo couldn't have done this with the Revoltech figures. Maybe, Yamato will attempt it with the GNU line. I mean someone has to try something different, since nothing truly innovative is being done with VF-1 toys. The new 1/60 version has more articulation and a better Battroid mode and a 2-seater with the proposed perfect transformation, but some totally brand new gimmick would be cool to see.

I should also add that the VF-0A's should also be loosened at the elbows (loosen the screws in the elbow collars) since this area is prone to breakage as has been mentioned (and shown) before. I went ahead and removed the black rubber/plastic(?) rings that provide tension in the elbows since it has been pointed out that this may also be causing the breakage at the elbows. The arms are a little looser after removing the rings, but it's not that bad. Can someone confirm that the new VF-0S with the Ghost has the updated elbow collars with the screws like the VF-0A's? The first release does not have screws and are glued together, so disassembling the elbow is impossible without breaking the collar pieces, or so I would believe, but I'm not risking it. Even the damn VF-0S replacement arms I received from HLJ are this way! You would think that Yamato would have updated the replacement arm collars since these replacement arms were being offered at the same time the VF-0A's had been out for awhile.

As far as I know, there isn't a surefire way to know if you got a corrected version or not, but keep in mind, you can take precautions to alleviate the stress on the shoulders by loosening the screws on the outer shoulder pieces and the screws on the inner shoulder pieces as well. If this fails, and they still crack or break, SILVERDRAGON is offering recasts of the upper arms in the For Sale forum. It's yet to be seen how durable his recasts are though, but hopefully, he's using a plastic that is more durable than the one Yamato used.

Yes, please post your findings once you get these recasts. I bought 2 sets of the VF-0S arms and 2 sets of the VF-0A CF arms awhile back from HLJ for quite a bit, but I haven't needed to replace the arms on any of my VF-0's yet except for one VF-0A CF I received with a broken arm at the elbow and both broken shoulders from that creep, agr33 (still wanna take out my anger on this guy ). Still, if the recasts are good, I wouldn't mind picking up some extras to fall back on since the VF-0's have proven to be a ticking timebomb.

There's no info about Mac Zero stuff yet, but who knows. If sales are good on the current Macross stuff they have coming out, they may expand the line into other series, that is, of course, if they have the licenses for the other series. The possibilities are numerous considering how much mecha there has been in all the Macross series combined, but it all comes down to sales. I really do hope Kaiyodo keeps this line alive, and, more importantly, keeps pumping out more Macross figures. The problem with the Revoltech line is that Kaiyodo is putting out figures for all kinds of super robot series, and now, human characters, too. This isn't necessarily a bad thing since I'm picking up alot of the other non-Macross figures they put out because I like those series or the figures just kick ass! But, if you're only a Macross fan, waiting for new Revoltech figures can be somewhat of a pain. Look on the bright side though, they are putting out Macross figures and they are getting into enemy mecha like the Regult, so one can only hope they keep it up and put out more obscure mecha.

Didn't want to go back and read through pages of stuff, but I'm sure this was mentioned already... Holy Shi-ite!!! Checked out the link to the Yamato website in Crazy Canuck II's post. They managed to incorporate micro-missiles in the boosters! Damn! That and the removeable covers on the leg armor was something I wasn't expecting. I hope they remove the locking hook on the backpack. I was hoping they would do something similar to the 1/48 hook.

Hey Graham, does Yamato give you any sales figures on their Macross toys? I figure by now with several years behind them, I'm sure sales are pretty healthy and have increased, maybe not as big as Gundam toy/model sales, but it seems like this forum attracts new collectors all the time, so sales must be growing, hopefully in Japan, too. At the same time, they have to see that fans are clamoring for different Macross mecha that have never been released as toys or even models. I'm still hoping that someone will make a VF-2SS toy before I meet my maker.

I mean to ask you about those custom armor parts for the 1/55 VF-1J Max/Miria you sold on eBay not too long ago. They looked really good. Did you make them yourself?

I was thinking maybe SaveRobotech or samurai m could step up and help us out on this. I know samurai m helped us out a few years ago to obtain the 1/48 Clear Parts.

Went searching around the net and found info about the VF-1J Max and Miria here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Revoltech In the section where they talk about limited editions, it has this: 034fs VF-1J Super Valkyrie Max Version Friend Shop 05.15.2008 XXX VF-1J Super Valkyrie Miria Version Magazine Mailaway Exclusive 05.15.2008 So, it looks like the VF-1J is going to be a Friend Shop exclusive, and the Miria is going to be some type of Magazine Mail-Away Exclusive. Just great!

How would you anchor these glass display shelves to a wall so you don't have to worry about them tipping over, especially in earthquake country Cali?

I hear ya. I'd rather commit hari-kari than sell off my 1/48 collection or vintage Valks.

They feel the need to reissue these again?! Lame! There's actually a demand for these particular ones?! You gotta be kidding me! Those retards at Bandai can't figure out that most fans (I'm sure this is even true in Japan) would rather have the ones they never reissued. Damn! What am I saying?! Reissues of those would kill the values on the vintage ones I have. Still, it would be nice to have a reissued trio that I could finally display outside of their boxes.

Man, I hope not! It's bad enough most Macross stuff has to be imported here or purchased from overseas sellers because of the whole HG rights fiasco. The exclusive stuff is even harder to get or more costly (i.e., the 1/48 Weathered VF-1S).

The Regult is looking pretty cool. Wish it came with the other missile attachment. How many different types of Regults were there? I remember at least 4 different ones including one that looked like it had communications antennae. I hope they milk this mold and do all of them.

So, what you're saying is that $80 would be too much to pay for a 1/60 Regult? Well, it's no wonder that companies like Yamato seem to be hesitant to put out enemy mecha. You think they could milk the molds as easily as they can with the Valkyries?!

That is one cool custom! Stupid question time: What's a v-stab?

I'm gonna wait and see what happens with the first release. I don't think it's going to be that hard to find at a reasonable price later. And you can be sure that Yamato will re-release it at some point. I still need to pick up an SV-51 Nora and CF version, not to mention a VF-0S with Ghost, so I'm overwhelmed as it is. Damn you, Yamato!!!

The YF-19 Battroid actually looks better in this new pic than the GNU version, IMO. The legs just look better -- not as chubby, I guess.

Looking at the newest pics, it's not horrible despite its design flaws (the biggest being the Tlead's landing gears most likely not being removable or folding, IMO), but for the asking price, I'd rather get the new Yamato YF-21 and still have money left over. I just can't believe they're pricing this at more than $200. I hope this sells well enough to get some other company to put out their own Legioss/Tlead combo and better this one at a more reasonable price.