HLJ getting VF-1A Angelbirds and VF-X in May

Not sure if you saw the Web-only specials from Yamato, the 1/60-scale VF-1A Angelbirds (the valkryie that Hikaru flew by in his fan racer) and the 1/60-scale VF-X (from PlayStation games), but HobbyLink Japan will have them in May, and you can pre-order them now:

VF-1A Angelbirds:  http://www.hlj.com/product/YMT00212

VF-X:  http://www.hlj.com/product/YMT00213

Since I don’t really feel strongly about either, I’m not going to get them, but wanted to let you collectors out there know.

Yamato VF-1S Max and Roy Have Same Off-White Color

One of our readers asked if the VF-1S Max DYRL and VF-1S Roy DYRL have the same white color.  Yep, they do!

VF-1S Max DYRL on the left, VF-1S Roy on the right

Side view

Yamato’s SDF-1 Macross DYRL 1/3000 scale

The latest addition to my Macross collection is Yamato’s recently released 1/3000th scale SDF-1 Macross, DYRL style.

Box, front view

Box, rear view

Compared to a 1/60 valkryie box, the SDF-1 is a little taller and wider.

The SDF-1 comes packed tightly in a styrofoam container, with a styrofoam lid (not shown). The screw covers, seen at the top of the tray, need to be glued onto the toy. Gee, I haven't done that in ages, since I used Revell glue! The display stand is beneath the main gun, and the display stand pieces are at the bottom of the tray. On the top right and lower right are the ARMD's.

Since I haven’t bought model glue yet, the pictures below do not show all the little pieces glued onto the toy.

Here's a top view of the SDF-1, with only one of the ARMD's attached. You have to use quite a bit of force to attach the ARMD's!

Front view of the SDF-1 in cruiser mode. The toy is amazingly detailed with lots of gun turrets and surface detail.

Front view reminds me of the opening sequence of DYRL

Speaking of detail, one nice touch is you can see the multiple levels of the bridge inside the plastic covering.

Look at that red circle thingy. Is it a big vernier thruster?

SDF-1's engines

Lots of detail on the surface of the ARMD.

Close-up of the top of the SDF-1: nice detail

Lots of screws in the arm

Nice Features (“Gimmicks”)

Yamato did a good job with giving this toy some cool features.

The tips of the main guns extend and retract. You simply pull on the tips to extend them. I like having the option of deciding when I want to avoid potentially damaging these tips.

On the left leg are two portals: the left one rotates to reveal clear plastic, thereby simulating opening and closing protective covers.

Close-up of the left window (2/3rds open).

Maybe those two windows are these two windows that we see in DYRL?

To take off the left leg cover, pop off the thinner side first, then on the thicker side, slide it away from the foot. We see a copyright notice on in the inside of the panel, as well as screws that hold in the U-shape piece that locks down the rotatable window.

With the cover removed, the left leg reveals Macross City.

Size Comparisons

Here’s the SDF-1 compared to Wave Corporation’s 1/5000th scale SDF-1

Here’s the SDF-1 next to a 1/60 VF-1S valkryie.

Attaching the ARMD’s Is Tricky

You have to use quite a bit of force to attach the ARMD’s to the SDF-1’s arms.

The SDF-1 arms have a small connector with a square magnet on the end.

Each ARMD attaches to the SDF-1 body's arm connector by using two ridges.

To attach an ARMD, attach the one ARMD ridge to the arm connector ridge first, then push the other ARMD/arm connector ridges together. In this picture, I attached the upper ridges, and am about to push together the bottom ridges.

Note on Transformation from Cruiser to Attack Mode

Graham from Macrossworld has great YouTube videos on how to transform the SDF-1 from cruiser to attack mode.  However, there was one issue with rotating the main body:  I couldn’t rotate it far enough to lock it with the legs.  The cause was that the main body locking tab was already in the lock position!  So please be sure this tab is unlocked when you’re transforming from cruiser to attack mode.

There's the main body locking tab, in the unlocked position. The tab slides in to the locked position, but you do that after rotating the main body and before pushing the bridge back.

Attack Mode

Attack mode, front view

Attack mode, rear/side view

Attack mode, straight rear view. I like those small thrusters on the SDF-1's back.

Just a closing comment, because of the thin, long shoulder guns(?) and the bridge’s radar antennas, I’m a little hesitant when handling this toy.  But overall, I’m impressed with the detail of the toy, its gimmicks, and its large size.

Update 2/18/11:  Anyone have suggestions for a display case, besides the Ikea Detolf?  The SDF-1 is too tall and long to fit in the Container Store doll display case.

Yamato Macross 1/60 VF-1S Super Valkyrie TV Version

Here’s the Yamato Macross 1/60th-scale VF-1S Super Valkyrie, TV version!

There's no flip-top lid

Inside the box are two plastic containers, one holding the VF-1S and normal accessories, and the second one holding the super parts.  There are also two instruction manuals and two decal sheets.

The major difference between this toy and the VF-1S TV Version without super parts is that this one comes with a Hikaru pilot figure, whereas the non-super-parts version comes with a Roy Fokker pilot figure.

Close-up of the Hikaru pilot figure

Now let’s transform this guy and put the super parts on!

The Super Parts are a lighter gray than the Super and Strike Parts that come with a DYRL valkyrie.  The DYRL version has more of a bluish gray.

VF-1S TV Version on the left, VF-1A Hikaru DYRL on the right

The arm armor pieces are different in the TV Version and the DYRL version.

TV Version armor on the left, DYRL version on the right

Another major difference between the TV Version and the DYRL version is that the leg locking mechanisms in the nosecones are different.  Yamato improved the locking mechanism by widening the hole where you lock the metal leg hinge into.  Because the hole is bigger in the TV version, it is much easier to lock the legs into place than in the DYRL version!

VF-1S DYRL leg locking mechanism on the left, VF-1S TV Version on the right

See how the locking mechanism isn't narrower than the metal leg bar?

I also noticed that when detaching the air intakes from the back breastplate, it’s much easier to detach than previous versions of the VF-1.

Anyway, I really like the bright white color of the VF-1S in battloid mode!

Besides the black arrows on the side of the head in the TV version, does anyone else notice any differences between the TV version and the DYRL version?

Yamato Macross Display Stand Deep Blue Version

The deep blue version of the Yamato Macross Display Stand for Valkyries just came out!

One improvement in the packaging is that the stand pieces are not held to the plastic containers by twistie ties!  As a result, the display stand pieces are easier to remove from the plastic containers.

Like the gray display stand, this deep blue display stand has the same glossy finish.  It’s also the same exact mold as all the other Yamato display stands.

Gray display stand base on the left, deep blue base on the right

In order to put the VF-1S TV Version on the display stand (and as with any Yamato VF-1), I had to separate the leg/air intake from the body of the fighter.  I noticed it’s a lot easier to separate the legs than previous VF-1’s.

VF-1J Max on gray display stand on the left, VF-1S TV Version on deep blue display stand on the right

I got the deep blue display stand from HobbyLink Japan:  http://www.hlj.com/product/YMT00193

Yamato’s Macross 1/60 VF-1S TV Type

Yamato’s Macross 1/60th-scale VF-1S toy with the TV series white color scheme is out!

The box does not have a flip-top lid.

This toy comes with the standard things:  missiles, round TV-style hands, gunpod, display stand connectors, and a Roy Fokker pilot figure.  What I really like about the TV-style color scheme is that it’s a bright white!  How does it compare with the VF-1S from Macross DYRL?

The TV-style one is so much whiter than the DYRL-style one!

The head has black arrows instead of yellow arrows.

I read somewhere that the TV series hands are supposed to be bigger.  Well, they aren’t.  They’re exactly the same size as the ones you’ll find on the VF-1J, but they are definitely a brighter white.

VF-1S TV Type hand on the left, VF-1J hand on the right

Finally, let’s get a close-up picture of the Roy pilot figure!

Yep, that’s Roy in his gray pilot suit–a first for the VF-1S toys!  In the VF-1S TV Type Super Valkyrie, Hikaru is the pilot because Roy never flew the VF-1S with super parts!

Yamato’s 1/60 Destroid Tomahawk, Olive-drab Version

Destroid Tomahawks from Episode 29 of Robotech ("Robotech Masters")

I thought about getting Yamato’s Destroid Tomahawk, but I like the Olive-drab version more because it looks more camouflaged.

Front view of box

The box has a flip-up lid.

Box lid open

This toy comes with a pilot, two ground crew figures, and the Destroid Tomahawk.

The toy is very well-painted.  The missiles are not removable, but their covers open and close.  The light on the left shoulder looks very realistic–if only it lit up!

Lots of vernier thrusters!  Great detail on the back!

Pilot figure seated in cockpit

Pointing ground crew guy

Ground crew guy with yellow lights to direct the pilot

This toy is also very well articulated:

• The elbows pivot and rotate.
• The shoulders pivot.
• The waist rotates 360 degrees, and also tilts slightly upwards to help with destroying enemy craft.
• The hip joints to the legs pivot left and right, and up and down.
• The foot tilts up and down.  The rear ankles on each foot also tilt up and down.

Finally, the Destroid Tomahawk feels slightly heavier than a 1/60 valkyrie.

Yamato 1/60 VF-11C with Super Pack

I haven’t watched the entire Macross 7 series yet, and am slightly hesitant because of how music is used as a literal weapon.  However, when I saw Yamato release the VF-11C Thunderbolt, I was drawn to its appearance:  I really like the bone-white look, and the curved nosecone.  I also looked at the VF-11B, but the dull gray color scheme with orange accents doesn’t appeal to me.

I like the VF-11C best in its fighter mode.

The Super Pack consists of two boosters, and two pieces of leg armor, each of which attach with a small circular magnet.

There are some nice gimmicks:  the cockpit is ejectable, and the white flat pointy piece you see between the legs is really a shield for the left arm.

If you’ve seen pictures of the VF-11C in an off-white/yellowish color scheme, those pictures came from an earlier prototype.

The VF-11C is slightly longer than the VF-1.  Here’s a picture comparing it to the VF-1S Hikaru.

I bought the VF-11C from AmiAmi, at a 15% discount off the list price, and 50% off shipping!  http://www.amiami.jp/shop/?set=english&vgForm=ProductInfo&sku=TOY-RBT-0977&template=default/product/e_display.html

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

Yamato’s 1/60 VF-1J Hikaru Ichijo with Armor Parts!

Yamato just released their 1/60 VF-1J Hikaru Ichijo with Armor Parts!

The box comes with two plastic encasings that fit one on top of the other.  Because there’s some overlap, the depth of the box is not quite twice the height of each plastic encasing.  For comparison, here’s the side view of the box next to the box for a VF-1A.

The actual toy is beautifully painted!

Missiles!!

At 8 minutes and 57 seconds into DYRL, we see this armored beast for the first and only time!

The missile tips in DYRL are green!  In the TV series (Episode 9, Miss Macross), they’re white!

So how does the 1/60 stack up to the 1/48?

• Perhaps the largest difference is that the missiles in the 1/48 toy are removable, whereas in the 1/60, they are not.
• The boosters on the shoulders are gray on the 1/48, and are gold on the 1/60.
• The gunpod in the 1/48 comes with a strap, whereas the 1/60 does not (although we know that none of the 1/60 valkyries have a gun strap).
• The armor on the 1/60 is a darker purple than that on the 1/48.
• The 1/48 comes with DYRL hands (the ones with the black joints and flat fingertips), whereas the 1/60’s hands are all white with round fingertips, as in the TV series.  In addition, the 1/60’s hands are slightly larger than the normal hands that come with a 1/60 valkyrie.
• The 1/60’s head’s eye is a darker green than the 1/48’s.  Update 4/7/10: Also, the eye has a gray covering (matches what you see in the line art), whereas the 1/48’s eye covering is white.  You’ll also notice that the older 1/60 VF-1J Hikaru’s also have the white eye covering.
• The 1/48’s backback has an antenna, whereas the 1/60’s does not (although this is also true for all 1/48 vs. 1/60 valkyries).
• The chest armor on the 1/48 fits better because the top hinges go over the metal hinges in the valkyrie’s shoulders.  In contrast, the 1/60’s chest armor merely rests against the shoulder metal hinges.
• The red missile doors on the chest armor on the 1/48 pull out a certain distance to make seeing the chest missiles easier.  In contrast, the 1/60’s missile doors do not pull out at all, but just open on hinges like a normal door.
• The white paint on the 1/60 is brighter than the white paint on the 1/48.  The 1/48’s white is almost an off-white.
• The 1/60 comes with feet covers, whereas the 1/48 does not.
• Because of its bulk, the 1/60 is easier to handle and play with than the 1/48.

Finally, the 1/60’s instruction book shows additional missile attachments that make the missiles look like they’re taking off.  However, these missile attachments do not come with this toy.  They’re separate!