BlueMax

🤣  
The parting remarks from the review above:

"I originally wanted to do a reverse transformmation video, but after transforming it back to Fighter,  I must say it is simply 10 times more torturous! After the transformation, I simply have no wish to transform it a 2nd time, hence I decided not to film it. If you guys want to know what kind of feeling this is, I highly recommend getting one to experience it for yourselves (No way I should suffer alone in this)."

This..... was not on my bingo card..... I'm 1/2 thinking this is an early April Fool's joke.

Bandai spent on what is basically a completely new mold for the VF-19kai, and if there is one thing that Bandai mecha collectible buyers are sure of, Bandai will want to maximise on the investment by milking the mold dry with as little retooling as possible, and if possible, leveraging on main character popularity. So, my take is that IF there is any announcement this year, the VF-19P Zolan Patrol being announced 1st would be more likely than VF-19F/S.

Bandai has now had two consecutive flops in terms of sales, both from Macross 7, in the DX line. While this one makes sense, the VF-19kai tanked for other reasons, but definitely quality and looks were not the problem. 

On the HMR side, the VF-0S with Ghost isn't doing so hot either. If my impression is right, most revival reissues aren't doing particurlaly great as well.

The only ones doing well enough seem to be the VF-1 series.

Of course, it could be argued that people just don't want to double or triple dip into products and charaters they already own (give us something new!), but all in all, including the fact that mecha anime has pretty much completely fallen out of fashion, other than perhaps the VF-1 series, I'm worried what Bandai's bean counters will take home from this series of flops and lukewarm sales.

Ooh.... that is new to me as well! Guess I haven't been transforming them enough!

12 hours ago, jenius said:

The annoying thing is that Bandai had invented a way to make the vertical stabilizers removable to address their mistake on painting the squadron numbers (and to make the Angelbirds more desirable). They should have implemented that system on the VT-1 and given us the option to have full size stabilizers or smaller ones. 

Absolutely.they should’ve. Will they? Maybe a good few years later when they decide to reissue it, we might get it, at least just the updated base that allows the easy removal of fins, and we’ve got to BYO  “normal” sized fins.

I see. I don't own any of the revivals, just the original versions, so my information is obselete. Personally, hard points to me is just there as an option. we can certainly choose to ignore it, and if we want a "custom" so to speak, the option is there for a non conventional loadout.

3 hours ago, Graham said:

Get rid of the hardpoints on the wings.

 

The 171s' wings did not come with hardpoints by default on the original releases, the hardpoint versions came with the FP sets. If the 17 is a non FP release, I believe they will have no hard points.

The S-type head shown on the frame doesn't do it for me, though I believe the D-head will certainly do better since it is pretty similar to the 171.

The one thing the 17 has going for it is that it is pretty much immune to yellowing....

This is somewhat unexpected, I’ve always thought the Emerald force would be priority, but I guess this is way more logical from a mild retooling standpoint.
 

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=pfbid02qQZjyz7pxih8wobgHvdvmnMNNHRK7NeKyr3CiWxCUTq2KXS9y8HWnUQZEqZ4opcAl&id=61556322872381

20 hours ago, PvtPrivate said:

I wonder if sealing it with a UV blocking topcoat will help it from returning back to yellow 🤔

Tried this. Answer is no.

15 hours ago, MKT said:

I think one factor that makes the Yammie 1/48 still endearing after all these years is how they are generally much more resistant to yellowing compared to Bandai's products. This, coupled with the other bad ass non-white schemes.

I'm afraid I cannot agree with the part regarding yellowing. Yamato 1/48 plastics are just as prone to yellowing. Also, the grade of plastics used seem to be at teast a grade lower, and significantly worse so on the color molded plastic, at least in the blue. I have feedback from a friend who I sold a MAX 1A to feedback that the intake area of the thigh-hip tealed/ yellowed badly (even without exposure to visible light), and when trying to transform from plan to gerwalk mode, just CRUMBLED.

As for the sculpt, it was the absulute pinnacle of VF toy engineering back then circa 2002 (just 2 years shy of a 1/4 century after release!!), and the proportions in fighter mode, with proper paint apps, is still up there even compared to the Bandai DX.

9 hours ago, tekering said:

Unlike most of you, I'm very pleased with Jetfire's UN Spacy branding.  The scheme fits quite well with my various Yamato VFs.

 

Well, how happy you are with the default markings depends on whether you are viewing it from a Macross fan POV, or a TF fan's. I mean, there are TF fans (who likely only has a vague idea of Macross) who wanted this to be so G1 accurate that they were unhappy with, and questioning, the inclusion of the heatshield when the G1 toy had none.

The "ears" of the head in the silhouette reminds me of BlackWing (Darking/ Hydra)

Oh man... they grossly over estimated the durability of the shipping box....

For the ones who might care about the luminosity of the Booster Tip covers, i've managed to dig out a little UV LED used to cure epoxy resin and I conclude that they do glow under UV:

In case of doubt, here is the transparent leg cover as the control:

HOWEVER, long time collectors know that UV rays and toy collections absolutely don't go together, ESPECIALLY WHITE PLASTIC based ones.  You have been warned.

I'm approaching this from a Macross fan's perspective way more than a TF fan's perspective. This means that this is primarily a VF-1 cosplaying as a TF character. For me this applies even to the original G1 Jetfire. It was always a VF-1 in non canon Macross paint scheme primarily to me.

Therefore, I personally have no need for the markings to look EXACTLY like the 1/55 version to me. Would it have been better for it to look like that? Maybe, but I'm perfectly good with what we have. This is good enough. The marginal utility/ returns just isn't worth the marginal effort in achieving the "perfect" G1 look. I'm not letting "perfect" be the enemy of "good enough".

Anyway, here it is on a TF CHUGs shelf.

8 hours ago, spacemanspiff said:

Does anyone know of a way to remove the jolly rogers?  (I really don't want those on a Jetfire figure)

The jolly roger on the heat shield should be comparatively easy: The plastic is molded black and painted on. It should be just a case of using a very mild abrasive or even rubbing alcohol to get rid of it.

Tail fins wise probably a little more tricky. It is white paint on red paint on white plastic. If you are having FAST packs on in any mode, visually it should not be an issue. If it really grates on you mentally, then some red stickers trimmed nicely, or gundam paint markers with masking tape, (or a combination of both, should you want the base figure untouched) should do the trick. 

Not-Jetfire attempting (unsuccessfully) to be a Robot in Disguise when it is painfully obvious that he is More Than Meets The Eye.

So my standard copy came today, after removing the outer wrapping, this is what the shipping box looks like:

Opening the lid reveals:

A long retangular box which stores accessories (and stand if you got the deluxe version) and acts as ballast to protect the flap of the main box from damage

The box in all its glory:

The contents:

I haven't got too much of a chance to meddle with it yet, but my initial feelings are:

- Feels like Valkyrie Factory quality

- Love the BOX! And the color scheme really pops!

- Paint quality is acceptable (very mild over-sprays, some what similar to the Yamato 1/48s), but some parts are probably susceptible to paint scrapes. Would probably recommend a clear coat, preferably UV resistant ones.

- Plastic finish is a little on the rough side on the underside surfaces, but acceptable. The rough plastic finish / minute flashing may make mounting of the booster backpacks way more difficult when compared to OG Yamato/ Arcadia. 

- The supposedly luminescent parts are not glow in the dark. They need UV light. Probably. I have no blacklights handy.

- Some parts are really tight, to the point that I felt as though if I forced it more, I might cause breakage. I advise a good dose of caution and err on the side of caution, especially when you have no experience with the OGs. If OG Yamato/ Arcadia is tight out of the box because of precision, then this tightness is more because of imprecision. 

- It is really beautiful, and it is easy to think of it as a Yamato/ Arcadia in Jetfire colors. makes for a super wonderful static display. However, handling it will remind you that it is a Yamato/ Arcadia KO presented as a TF 3rd party product.

- Overall I am very satisfied with it despite it being a KO, so much so that I’ve placed a 2nd order, this time the deluxe. The G1 style packaging really does it for me and did I say mention I absolutely dig the colors? I’m not partial to the skull and crossbones, but not a big deal. If it bothers me in future, some Gundam paint markers and masking tape should take care of it. I’ll probably stick an Autobot insignia on the nose cone though.

1 hour ago, WhatBoutMyStar said:

I could be wrong, but I think the translucent pieces are supposed to be black light reactive as opposed to glow in the dark. I think many of us would be hesistant to shine black light on our valks for an extended period of time, or any time at all, given concerns about UV and yellowing.

Yes, from the videos, you need black light to create the effect. 

Very nice! Did you agonize about having to cover up the majority of the tampo printing though?

48 minutes ago, Shawn said:

I thought we all had to have

1 to open

1 to keep sealed

1 to resell later

😛

 

eh.... 1 for each mode on display actually😁

On 3/12/2024 at 6:21 AM, twich said:

So, does anyone have any insight as to why this was pushed to W3 2024 on the ShowZStore Website? 
Twich

Bummer that this is delayed, but seeing that we are almost at the tail end of Q1, Q3 sounds more likely than the original release date of "End 2023/ early 2024" on the listings on Taobao which has not been updated since.

These delays seem par for the course for products of this nature. In fact, besides the VF-1Ss, some of the proposed VFs became vaporware: The CFs, Angel Birds.

I just hope that this will actually be released.

Steam now has it listed, but only unlocked in about 7 days

https://store.steampowered.com/app/2103230/MACROSS_Shooting_Insight/