BlueMax

I think the initial retail price (at least for the VF-25F renewal) was about HKD11XX. That's the price I got for the 25F when I was in HK last Nov @ In's Point.

Yeah... and we'll be really old farts by then.

Congratulations!

This current thread is to admire the kit in all its built-up goodness. This is the original thread where it first surfaced: http://www.macrosswo...%20thunder&st=0 Perhaps member Valk009 would like to re-visit this since there seems to be a renewed interest it it

Since the 1/48 version thread has been bumped up, I thought the 1/60 version for version 2 VF-1s should get one as well, especially with shapeways potentially looking like its a good place to print these parts.

For all valks i own, i always pop off parts of the fast packs 1st before transforming them anyway, because more often than not, having the fast packs on simply obstructs the transformation procss. So for Yamato's approach for the 17, I won't say i support it, definitely not against but I can accept it.

Actually to be fair, none of the valks by Yamato Bandai and most makers are "safe". It is as you have said, more or less prone to damage, that's all. I remember back in the 80s, I even managed to break the Bandai chunky munkey's back pack and vertical stablizers for a toy considered "unbreakable"

That was what I had some vague re-collections about, not definite nothing of the firing missles for the 1/48s by Yamato themselves. For the 1/60s, I have seen exactly the same auctions from probably the same HK seller, but he is asking for what I think is a high price for a replica and unpainted.

Only the 1/60 version was ever officially released

I guess some compromises are necessary as far as this aspect is concerned.

Count me in for the U.N. Headquarters Guard as well.

I am quite happy with the scuplt of the D head as it is, though I would not mind any improvements.

Finally! Gotta save up for May... And also hope more of such non- traditional releases on the way

Actually I'm pretty much in the same situation right now

Well, if everybody waits for the price to drop or for cheaper versions later on on sale... well the irony is, if nobody buys the 1st one, Yamato wont make the next one.

Thanks Shawn, Hopefully the main page will get more traffic now!

Hi, Skyfirewho, welcome to the The world of Macross collecting (your wife/ GF and wallet are going to hate you for it) Main gripes against Bandai is the perception that they are not as committed to the Macross franchise even though they have the technical ability to make really nice products. This was especially so before maybe before or around the start of 2011. Since then they have given us pretty nice stuff. However, Yamato has been committed to the Macross franchise since like more than 12 years ago and they have given fans the most complete and aesthetically pleasing collection of 1/60 valkyries and mecha across the various Macross series/ OVAs, sans Macross Frontier, which is of course the domain of Bandai. Also one very big gripe against Bandai is the fact that they like to have "exclusives", as compared to Yamato stuff which are generally released for retail, with a few exceptions. This means, for collectors outside of Japan, paying much higher prices than the original listed prices, which are by no means cheap in the 1st place, and an extra layer of difficulty in gettinmg these exclusive products, in say getting a third party to buy it in japan and paying the 3rd party fees on top of whatever costs. Latest case in point: VF-25 (F and S) Super packs and Armor packs. All of which are exclusives, compared to Yamato's Super Packs and GBP-1 armors, all of which have been mass released or at least easily available. Also, we have an insider to Yamato in the form of Graham (As in "Shawn and Graham's Macross World"), who gives regular feedback and suggestions to Yamato. So these are partly the reasons why people are probably more partial to Yamato compared to Bandai. However, of course consumer loyalty is fleeting and we will support whoever listens to fans and comes up with outstanding products at affordable prices.

Congratulations on your purchase.

Always loved the enigma scheme. If only Yamato would release one based on it

Nice!

If you are a completist, then you don't have too much of a choice. There is only 1 release of the VT-1, so it is this or nothing. Possibility of a reissue? Maybe, but it's quite a gamble. If you are more of a display person rather than play type, then it's even clearer: just get it.

I'll say take both if you can, but since you have to pick one.... I'll say the VF-17. Design wise, it is probably one of the most non traditional valks we have seen, especially when you take into account the "attack" gerwalk mode. Also, it is the more expensive of the 2, so picking this one up, you won't feel so bad about picking the VF-19S up in future. In toy form, the 19 already has 2 iterations in the form of Fire valk and YF-19, so its not that dissimilar in terms of silhouette. The 17 is a totally unique one. Plus its probably among the most imposing of the 1/60 valks in battroid mode Pilots wise.... I would choose Gamlin/ Kinryu anytime over that prick Docker.

The Sith Lord has spoken! Now... the questions: will whatever planned for release....: 1. Are they toys? 2. Are they something most Macross fans would be excited about?

Darn... with all these releases.... and almost twice or more the cost of the Yamato VF-1.... its gonna get REALLY expensive.....

I'm a sucker for fighter mode, so the absolute most of the VFs have not even been transformed once. Only one of my VF-1Js have been transformed... and less than 10 times since it was purchased.