takatoys

Wow, the YF-19 without panel lines and stickers is like another toy. The shoulder fix, neck cover and moving wing flaps make a difference too. Don't use paper, the flat black spray can cap works really well and it is easy to cut. The neck cover will look like part of the toy

Ok, here is the template for the neck cover. Drag the image to your desktop and print it.

I will reissue the complete 1/48 VF-1S/J/A sheet for the last time and the VF-0S/A sheet is almost done.

I need to update the pictures on the other thread. This is actually version 2 of the neck cover. It fits very nice. Just cut a piece like this using a flat black spray can cap.

Without doubt my stickers have a longer life span. The 3M sheet that I use has a 3 year life span if used on exterior.

Yes, a new set of VF-0S/A is coming soon.

Looks like the site exceeded the hourly data transfer Well you can drop me an email for more info: importsalexander@terra.com.pe

My new YF-19 stickers are ready. The sheet has a couple of new markings taken from the Tenjin's YF-19 cockpit illustration and the wolfpack markings from the VF-0A sheet. Price is US$7. To order, follow the instructions on my geocities site (the link is on my signature) Here is a preview of the sheet and some pictures of the stickers applied to my YF-19

It can be done but only if someone casts a different type of wing, like this resin kit:

I think the strees mark on the grey block is common on all YF-19 and if you don't have the mark, you will after a couple of transformations. Yamato made a mistake designing this type of dettaching mechanism. That grey block should've been made of metal. Maybe magnets could have worked better, who knows. Since the 1/48 VF, all Yamato toys designs are excellent including the Garland and Scopedog, it is just the poor choice of plastics and not using metals on crucial parts that diminishes the value of the toy. No matter how good the Yamato transforming toys look, they should not cost more than US$100.

The shoulder fix is not difficult to do if you have the proper tools. A Dremel is the best tool for sanding and drilling and gives you better control. Fortunately, the modification is from inside of the shoulder and practically unnoticed in all modes. Don't worry, the shoulder cover won't fall apart if you do it right. Good luck.

Well, I managed to fix both, the shoulder sitting flush and the gap of the swivel and shoulder. It did not require to dismantle the whole shoulder, but you need certain skills handling a dremel and the drill. As you can see in the picture, you need to create space from inside, so the shoulder itself can be pushed forward to the swivel and thus, eliminating the gap. This modification fixed both the gap and the shoulder sitting flush. No need to take the arm apart too, I just did it so you can see the modification better. Be careful when sanding the excess plastic with the drill, try smoothing it down with the x-acto knife There is a minimal gap between the end of the shoulder and leg, but it is barely noticable. Now my YF-19 looks perfect in fighter mode. Right shoulder fixed Both shoulders fixed No gap!!! Now it looks perfect, next project: custom stickers

The only way to connect them is by using a pair of sewing needles or similar. I cut the flaps with x-acto knife and dremel with a cut-off wheel. You can cut the tip of the flaps with the knife. But the end of the flaps is too thick so the cut-off wheel is required. That left a big gap that I had to complete with a small piece of plastic of similar color. I sanded the little pieces with the dremel tool, glued and pinned them. You need to drill the little holes with a tiny drilling bit, the ones found in a hobby shop. Any mistakes on cutting and drilling and you can ruin the flaps. It is not an easy job so I do not recommend this customization to everyone. The last thing I need to do is to apply my custom stickers that will be ready very soon, so wait a few days for more pictures

Thanks I hope you can fix the gunpod issue the way I did it. For me, it works. Let's see if it works for everyone else.

For me the toy looks great. It is just the excesive price that Yamato takes advantage of. With no other toy manufaturer producing macross toys in 1/60 scale, Yamato can inflate the price the way they want. The YF-19 is not a limited edition toy, it is mass produced. Sure, there are not many macross enthusiastics as Gundam, but the YF-19 can not cost the same as a Gundam perfect grade kit or a Soul of Chogokin toy. I don't know the pre-production costs, but I imagine that it costs no more than US$30 to produce one YF-19 box included.

And don't forget to try the neck shield also done with the spray can cap. It makes a big difference.

I just fixed the gunpod in three steps. Very easy fix, no glue necessary. 1.Cut a small piece of plastic from a spray can cap. It has the right thickness and you can give it shape with a pair of scissors. 2.Make a little hole so the piece snaps in place on the left arm. 3. Put the gunpod as it goes and that's it, straight fit.

I just made another little customization, the neck shield It looks nice, just as I wanted.

For me, the wing flap gimmick was a nice addition on the 1/48 VFs. Many fans considered it annoying coz sometimes the wing flaps fall off. But I really like the movable flaps, Yamato made cool new features on the next VF variants but discarded the wing flap gimmick

This

I love my Yamato YF-19 This is the toy I was waiting all along. Everything is cool on this toy except the price It has been a long time since I customized a toy. Inspired by these old photos from Hobby Japan I added a little more black paint on the cockpit area, some panel lining with pencil and the most challenging customization for a US$200 toy. It is a little gimmick, but makes a big difference. If you are afraid to transform your YF-19 then I won't recommend it. Next week I will have my custom YF-19 stickers ready and mission accomplished.

I am updating a new sticker sheet that will be for the 1/60 VF-0S and the new VF-0A. I am also planning to reissue the complete 1/48 Vf-1A/J/S sticker, but popularity for this toy has diminished so it will be extremely limited.

Another ugly box for this beautiful toy. With the huge box, you can make a wonderful artwork to attract more buyers and collectors. For the cost of this toy, at least we want a decent box to display too. Someone at the the art department should advise Yamato to hire Hidetaka Tenjin as Hasegawa did.

Wow, this toy looks better and better. I remember being so angry at Yamato for releasing the first version of the YF-19 in 2000 which was indeed a pice of junk. I was so dissapointed for not using computer technology to make a perfect YF-19. Now, after long 6 years, Yamato is delivering a truly remastered YF-19. Was it worth the wait?... you bet.

Is the VF-0A sticker sheet any different from the VF-OS? No new emblem for the heat shield?