Yamato’s GN-U Dou VF-1S, VF-1A, VF-1A Max, VF-1J

Here we have Skull Leader and the Vermilion Squadron, whose valkyries are from Yamato’s GN-U Dou line of toys!

Left to right: VF-1S, VF-1J, VF-1A Mass Production, VF-1A Max

It’s not quite Vermilion Squadron, because Hayao/Ben’s valkyrie is really the mass production VF-1A, but I like the mass production VF-1A’s darker brown color more than the light tan color on Hayao/Ben’s valkyrie toys.  For a review of the GN-U Dou VF-1J and how its height compares with the 1/60-scale valkyries, please see my earlier post, https://eyeforthings.wordpress.com/2009/11/15/yamatos-gn-u-dou-macross-vf-1j/

Front view of box for GN-U Dou VF-1S

Front view of box for GN-U Dou VF-1A Mass Production

Front view of box for GN-U Dou VF-1A Maximilian Jenius

As you can see, each toy comes with four TV-show-based hands and four DYRL-based hands and a gunpod.  The display stand is in the back.

Beauties!  Each is very well painted, and highly articulated.  Both wings can also pivot, but the backpack is fixed.  The laser antenna(s) also pivot.

About the display stand, in order to mount the piece that the valkyrie rests on, take a Phillips screwdriver and loosen the screw so that you can fit the ball socket into the display stand arm.

See that small screw? Use a Phillips screwdriver to loosen the screw to put in the U-shaped piece

The only flaw that bothers me somewhat is that these toys have a nasty plastic odor, but the odor is definitely not as strong as the one you’ll find from the Revoltech valkyries.

• HLJ’s product page for the GN-U Dou VF-1S
• HLJ’s product page for the GN-U Dou VF-1J Hikaru Ichijo
• HLJ’s product page for the GN-U Dou VF-1A Production TV Type
• HLJ’s product page for the GN-U Dou VF-1A Maximilian Jenius

Vermilion Squadron in Macross DYRL

In Macross DYRL, Hikaru Ichijo is the leader of the Vermilion Squadron, which also includes Max Jenius and Hayao Kakizaki.  Vermilion, a deep scarlet red, is the color of the accents on Hikaru’s valkyrie.  We first see Hikaru, Max, and Hayao as part of Roy’s Skull Squadron at the beginning of the movie.  After Roy dies, we see the three again when Milia/Miriya’s team of Queadluun-Rau’s launches an attack on Earth.

Our first look at Skull Squadron. Roy's VF-1S is the only one with the strike cannon

Hikaru's Vermilion VF-1A in Gerwalk Mode

Hikaru's Vermilion VF-1A in Battloid Mode

Max's Blue VF-1A

We don't see Hayao's valkyrie engage in close combat. Instead, we get to see his enthusiasm! His helmet has green accents.

Yamato has 1/60-scale replicas of each VF-1A valkryie!

Left to right, VF-1A's flown by Hayao, Hikaru, and Max

In Hobby Link Japan’s photos of Hayao and Max’s VF-1A’s, there aren’t skulls on the cockpits’ heat shields.  But these toys come with them!

I put the Super Parts on Max’s VF-1A to mimic what we see in the opening battle.  The Super Parts do not come with Yamato’s VF-1A, and must be purchased separately.

• HLJ’s product page for 1/60 VF-1A Hikaru Ichijo with Super and Strike Parts
• HLJ’s product page for 1/60 VF-1A Hayao Kakizaki (currently on sale!)
• HLJ’s product page for 1/60 VF-1A Max Transformable
• HLJ’s product page for 1/60 Super and Strike Parts for VF-1 (comes with both strike cannon and missile launcher, which are interchangeable on the backpack booster)

Now for a bit of trivia:  Hikaru’s VF-1A is marked 011, Hayao’s is marked with 012, and Max’s is marked with 013.

See the "011" on the side of the cockpit?

See the "012" on the side of the cockpit?

See the "013" on the side of the cockpit?

Vermilion Squadron about to engage with Queadluun-Rau's

See the "012" on the side of Hayao's cockpit?

I wonder why Hayao got “012”, whereas Max got “013”.  Hayao has the bad luck of being killed by Milia’s squadron–he should’ve been 013.

Finally, for another bit of trivia, notice the hands on the DYRL valkyries.  I like those hands–the fingertips are straight and the joints are pronounced.  In contrast, the hands on the valkyries from the TV series have round fingertips and the joints are not as pronounced.  Yamato also has the valkyries of Vermilion Squadron from the TV series.  More on that later!