Yamato VF-11C - is it worth it?

[sjoebarry]

I’ve been on the lookout for years for a Yamato VF-11C, kinda like my white whale. One is actually up for sale from a Japan site but it’s 60,000 yen. Obviously that’s because of rarity but just wondering from the community of y’all think it’s worth me pulling the trigger on it. 

[rsvictor1976]

The one on Mandarake? If you really want it, get it before it’s too late. It’s not like they’re easily available. 

Edited July 12 by rsvictor1976

[Bolt]

At that price. You have to really want it. 

[nightmareB4macross]

A VF-11C is quite rare to come by on the open market. And when it does they usually fetch a hefty sum. The Thunderbolt design is quite a nice piece of engineering for a toy and the look is very clean. One of Yamato’s last true testaments to their engineering prowess.

With the current yen to dollar exchange rate you get it at a fantastic price.

Totally worth it.

[Seto Kaiba]

Yeah, those old VF-11s are hard to come by.

I think I paid about 25% more than that when I got mine.

If we ever get a DX Chogokin VF-11 that price might collapse a bit, but I've been holding out hope for that for ages... (partly because I want a Mina Forte VF-11C).

Edited July 12 by Seto Kaiba

[jenius]

Be aware that the Yamato 1/60 VF-11 molds are prone to having lots of little cracks but they rarely lead to catastrophic failures. 

[Mommar]

1 hour ago, jenius said:

Be aware that the Yamato 1/60 VF-11 molds are prone to having lots of little cracks but they rarely lead to catastrophic failures. 

Time to flex...  I should check my three for these cracks.

[sjoebarry]

2 hours ago, jenius said:

Be aware that the Yamato 1/60 VF-11 molds are prone to having lots of little cracks but they rarely lead to catastrophic failures. 

Thanks @jenius  I did end up biting the bullet and getting it. 

[jenius]

7 hours ago, Mommar said:

Time to flex...  I should check my three for these cracks.

The same problem happens in the 11B and there are a couple other hinges that will have similar cracks.

[Mommar]

No cracks on my 11's, two of which I paid $120 for...

[Bolt]

It's a brilliant toy. No doubt. I picked up mine at around $200 when Yamato was still around. And these days, i personally can't justify that 60,000 yen  price for any of my hobbies anymore. If it's your holy grail, then it's worth it, obviously. 

Edited July 13 by Bolt

[sh9000]

The last time it was listed on Mandarake was last year so it was a good opportunity to grab one.

[Hikuro]

I've got the 11C, damn thing has yellowed and it wasn't even near sunlight. 

[sjoebarry]

Darn thing was cracked right out of the box just like @jenius warned. Guess I could try some model glue. I was only planning on keeping it in fighter mode anyway

[Angesdad]

1 hour ago, sjoebarry said:

Darn thing was cracked right out of the box just like @jenius warned. Guess I could try some model glue. I was only planning on keeping it in fighter mode anyway

Wow you got it real fast it showed up on Mandarake only a few days ago lol. Sorry to see the crack, maybe someone has come up with a 3d printed replacement for it?😗

[sh9000]

This was the description of the item:

main item may have cracked due to being opened (used), Package heavily damaged , or condition deteriorated due to ageing

It should hold together if it's only left in Fighter mode though.

[sjoebarry]

2 minutes ago, sh9000 said:

This was the description of the item:

main item may have cracked due to being opened (used), Package heavily damaged , or condition deteriorated due to ageing

It should hold together if it's only left in Fighter mode though.

Yeah I know I read the description too. I was just hoping that was like some standard language for old Yamato Valks. Fingers crossed with the “may” word in there. Ah well. Gonna be fine sitting in fighter mode. Maybe my kid can figure out how to 3D print a replacement part. Looks a bit like the shoulder hinge on the VF-1’s

[Test_Pilot_2]

I almost pulled the trigger on this one. I'm bummed this happened, but it's still a spectacular valk.

That was fast shipping. I'm still waiting on my Aaliyah I ordered about the same time.

[505thAirborne]

I could be wrong, but I think someone here on the forums did attempt making 3D replacement parts for the VF-11's a few years ago. If someone did, hopefully they post a link. 

[Test_Pilot_2]

Another C hit the market @ Mandarake. I'd snag it, but need to cool my rockets or my wife is going to wombo-combo me. Maybe someone here can find it a home.

[sjoebarry]

7 hours ago, Test_Pilot_2 said:

Another C hit the market @ Mandarake. I'd snag it, but need to cool my rockets or my wife is going to wombo-combo me. Maybe someone here can find it a home.

Yeah saw that.  It’s 5,000 more also though. 

[Raikkonen]

On 7/16/2025 at 1:11 AM, sjoebarry said:

Darn thing was cracked right out of the box just like @jenius warned. Guess I could try some model glue. I was only planning on keeping it in fighter mode anyway

I'm so glad I dodged all these Yamato bullets. This would rage me into Hulk mode!!!

[Chronocidal]

You know.. I kind of want to think that that piece is a simple enough shape that you could just machine one out of solid plastic without too much trouble, or even metal with the right tools.  It's just a rounded plate with holes.

Would take precision to make by hand, maybe a jig or drill press to align the holes, but it's not really a complex piece, unless those indented sections are actually required to fit during transformation.

Edited July 29 by Chronocidal

[Bolt]

5 minutes ago, Chronocidal said:

You know.. I kind of want to think that that piece is a simple enough shape that you could just machine one out of solid plastic without too much trouble, or even metal with the right tools.  It's just a rounded plate with holes.

Would take precision to make by hand, maybe a jig or drill press to align the holes, but it's not really a complex piece, unless those indented sections are actually required to fit during transformation.

I believe you are correct , my good man.

I honestly don't know if my 11-C had that issue, as i may have transformed it all of once and then kept it in fighter mode in it's box .

[pengbuzz]

On 7/15/2025 at 6:11 PM, sjoebarry said:

Darn thing was cracked right out of the box just like @jenius warned. Guess I could try some model glue. I was only planning on keeping it in fighter mode anyway

Model cement won't work on that kind of plastic; it looks to me like too much pressure was applied to it during assembly and it let go.

I recommend Permatex Plastic Welder (order via NAPA or Amazon); I've had excellent luck with that. It's a 2 part epoxy like adhesive with tremendous hold and strength:

https://www.amazon.com/Permatex-84145-Permapoxy-Black-Plastic/dp/B00THUUVSU