Just got a 1/48 VF-1S Roy...simply awesome. Even without the Fast Pack, the VF-1S look great in either mode. Not nearly as delicate as it I thought, but you do have to follow the instructions the first time!. Can't wait to get the VF-1S and VF-1J Hikys!

Hey Los! You should also get the 1/48 Cannon Fodder and the VF1A Max too, so you have a complete squadron! If you need one pm me and I will give you a deal.

Btw, congrats on the Roy!

Well new pics of the Stealth:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v715/eddieyew/00916.jpg

Here is the LV v2
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v715/eddieyew/00918.jpg

The launchstand repainted silver:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v715/eddieyew/00914.jpg

Again repainted black (ooh how original):
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v715/eddieyew/00915.jpg

I'm def. hankering to pick up the LV2 and the Stealth no matter how bad some of our pals on the macross world forums are doggen on em, i like em personally and am happy to see Yamato taking the old VF designs into new directions. 

As for the stands you can keep those shelf warmers far away from me and my valks.  The original launch arms were kind of nice but i never had to rush out and buy them since most of my valks are in battroid mode, but these repaints IMO are just awful, straight up awful.  I would much rather have seen something perhaps in camo colors or olive drab or straight up gray like it it was on an aircraft carrier or something.  As it stands now these stands are novel ideas gon horribly wrong.

Curses!  My wallet will suffer again!  The Stealth looks great!  And I like the new Low Vis 2...based after JSDF's fighter markings.  I like the more real militarisitic look Yamato's heading towards.  After all, how many repaints of the original Macross markings can you have before you get sick and tired of them?

I don't know but I am sure Yamato will try and we will find out.

WOW!  That LV2 is really cool.  Think I'll pick that one up for the fighter mode at least.  Oh, where can one pick up these  launch arm things Fortress Maximus posted pics for.  The black looks ok to me.
thanks

The launch arms should be available at many sellers like BBTS, http://samurai-monkey.com/ . Both are pretty good.

I would advise againt TSINC if you ever have an interest in buying from them, they are horribly overpriced and charge high prices on tax and shipping. Good luck and ask more questions if you have any!

So I just got my first 1/48 VF-1S Macross Valkyrie and I got to say it's something else.
All this talk of the Masterpiece line, and seeing a couple fan customs of a VF-1S to a Jetfire, has got me thinking.

The reason Yamato can't sell the 1/48 line in the US is because Harmony Gold holds the rights to all Robotech merchendise in the US and they've got thier own crappy line going here.
But what if Hasbro could pull an '85 on us...

If Hasbro was able to liscence the 1/48 S mold from Yamato for use as a Masterpiece Jetfire, with the propper paint schemes of course, just like the original Jetfire, would you buy it? What if it only came with the bot and not the booster packs? If it came with the booster packs would you be willing to pay about $150 for it? I know I sure as hell would... I would pay good money for someone to do up my 48 in a jetfire paint scheme... if I had the money that is... 

Here's a pic of one of the 1/48's for those who haven't seen it...

would i buy it as masterpeace Jetfire...no as it looks nothing like g1 jetfire and seeing as the point of the masterpeace line is to make cartoon acurate toys of the G1 characters i think hes missing the mark by alot

now as a toy i think its cool just not right for the job

Huh.
I can dig that. However, the chances of that happening are slim to none I would assume, seeing as how much has to go into R&D....

Would you pull the trigger if it was an eHobby piece?

yup as its still not a master peace and if E-Hobby made it then it would need to be imported any way thus defeating the point of repaiting it into jet fire in order for it to be sold in the US/EU

Never say never in the World of Transformers.

I'd like to point you to the new Titanium Jetfire that's about to come out.  R&D wasnt a problem there. Every time you think something would never be able to happen. Boom! It happens. I never thought there'd ever be an Alternators line, a new Soundwave, or a MP Prime.

forgot about that guy. just hope he lives up to the hype

Ok, I'll do it.

Here is about the closest that we will ever see to an MP Jetfire. And frankly if HasTakTomy did this good of a job, then I would be impressed.

(Yes there could be some improvement, but it is pretty show accurate)

It looks nothing like SKYFIRE, it looks very much like JETFIRE.

I would probably buy it depending on how good the mold is... I bought some special Macross/Robotech valkyrie thing from BBTS a few years ago on one of their sales. I was under the impression that it transformed like Jetfire but with a bit more poseability built in. However it was a "partsformer", you had to detach and then re-attach the legs in a different position between jet and robot mode. To me, something like that doesn't qualify as "MasterPIECE".

you know if the body was trimed down a little it would be perfect for a kitbashed MP jetfire

I think you might be talking about a 1/60 veritech, which I felt was a dissapointment too.  The 1/48's don't need any parts removal... pretty good update from the original bandai mold.  I think it's funny that the Macross community describes something that transforms w/o taking pieces off as "perfect", as opposed to the other models/toys they have, whereas transfans have that with just about every toy that gets released! 

Yamato's VF-0S
Soon to be released...Yamato's verrrrrrrrry Slooooooow at releasing toys.
I mean what it's only been 3 yrs. since the prototype VF-0 was shown.
Better late than never I guess.

More picts:
http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g127/URN...ros2-medium.jpg
http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g127/URN...ros3-medium.jpg
http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g127/URN...ros1-medium.jpg
http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g127/URNVS/vf-0s-10.jpg
http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g127/URNVS/vf-0s-8.jpg
http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g127/URNVS/vf-0s-7.jpg
http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g127/URNVS/vf-0s-5.jpg
http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g127/URNVS/vf-0s-2.jpg

Anyone have a page that shows the differrences between the Japanese Macross SDF-1 and the Robotech version.  Also anyone know where to even get the Japanese version.

You need to start shopping on YJP.

Anyways, there IS an avalanche of Yamato stuff coming out guys! Not that most of you care, but there is a new LV v2, the Stealth w and w/o FP, the launcher repaints, the Zero, and the reissues of the VF1A Hikaru! Sh*t that's a lot of new stuff!

More pics of the ZERO!

http://img462.imageshack.us/img462/1422/vf0sa7wi.jpg
http://img462.imageshack.us/img462/9632/vf0s3lz.jpg

and plenty others too!
http://www.macrossworld.com/macross/toys/sample-vf0s.htm

ENJOY!

The Zero is coming out in a few weeks peeps! Let the countdown begin! s

Hot damn!
http://www.moeyo.com/img/rev/06/04/25/r2/rltop.JPG

I just picked up the VF-0S Valkyrie today from a local shop (Ages Three and Up, for those in the Vancouver area).  As my first foray into Yamato's Macross line, I'm pretty damned impressed.  Luckily, though, it wasn't my first foray into expensive Japanese transforming figures, or else I might have ended up more frustrated.

First off, right out of the package, the thing is simply beautiful.  You'd be hard-pressed to tell that it wasn't an actual model of a real jet, it's very authentic looking.  Lots of panel lines and sculpted detail, and it's got a decent heft to it, too.  It's pretty solid in all three modes, with enough locking mechanisms to prevent it from being floppy.  As an atmospheric fighter, you're supposed to take the intake covers off for Fighter/Gerwalk modes, but personally, I like them better on.  The intake fans themselves are well detailed, but the surrounding cavity is merely flat, unsculpted plastic painted in flat grey, which looks kinda bad, IMO.  The landing gear are die-cast, so they should take the weight of the toy pretty well.  But man, are they a Starscream and a half to extract.  The joints in them are purposefully tight, so that they don't randomly collapse, but the caveat is that they're ridiculously difficult to open up.  It's also probably a near-impossibility for those with fat fingers. 

Transformation from Fighter to Gerwalk mode is pretty solid.  The only trick is probably disconnecting the legs from the wing assembly.  The instructions tell you to yank the legs straight down, but the way the clip is set up just makes me worry trying to do it that way.  Instead, the best way I found was to bend the knees, which causes the clip to slip right out without much hassle at all.

Gerwalk to Battroid transformation is a much trickier deal.  The whole toy practically explodes into all plethora of dangling parts until you lock it all together in the final steps.  Thankfully, there are plenty of locking systems in place, so the final transformation winds up pretty solid. 

It's an absolute beaut in all modes, plain and simple.  I like the tech-ier styling of the VF-0 Series compared to the VF-1 Series, and despite the fact that it's supposed to be the prototype, at first glance, it looks more modern (transformation-wise is a different story, with the design of that seeming more primitive, especially in the hands and the Heat Shield).

However, it seems that Yamato products can't be totally without flaws, and I have a few minor niggles:

- The gunpod handle is quite frustratingly loose.  It seems to lock in place properly, but when you go to place it in the Valkyrie's hands, it has the annoying tendency to collapse.  Unfortunately, the thing is glued together, so I can't crack it open to see if I can fix things.
- On mine, the pin that connects the hip T-bar to the rest of the swing bar wasn't fitted so well.  I had the pin simply slide out on me several times.  I've since applied superglue to both ends of it, which should hold it, I hope.
- The bicep and knee swivels are a bit on the loose side.  I think I can tighten the knees, but the way to crack open the biceps eludes me, as there doesn't seem to be any screws there.  The loose biceps make it practically impossible for it to hold the Gunpod in one hand, it needs the other to brace it.  Which poses problems for the Gerwalk mode.

And not actually a QC problem, but I absolutely hate the cluster missile hardpoints underneath the wings.  With the rest of the design seeming so authentic, the hardpoints are simply an eyesore, looking very "toyetic", with little effort made to make them look good. 

And a few miscellaneous notes:
- the magnetic Fast Packs work really well, snapping tight to the leg with little effort.  They're kind of irritating in ways, though, because the tendency when transforming the thing is to grip the legs around that area, and with the magnets offering little sliding resistance, they tend to mess with your grip, or just pop off.
- in a similar vein, be careful with the landing gear hatches on the legs.  It's quite easy to accidentally grab the leg and force them inwards, which'll take a bit of prying to pull them in again.
- there are two odd-shaped plastic blocks included in the package.  I'm pretty sure they're adaptors for the 1/48 Valkyrie stand, so don't be confused as to their use.
- interestingly enough, there is no factory tape on the box, nor on the plastic trays inside.  The only tape to be found is the stuff attaching the instruction baggie to the inside box.  Makes cracking this sucka open very easy, and sealing the thing back up again equally so
- As seems to be the general trend with Yamato, their QC is pretty hit or miss, and I've heard flaws such as uses of the same shoulder parts on both arms, seemline gaps, random looseness of joints, etc.  My copy is pretty good in those regards, but just be wary.

No pics of my own, but here's the pre-production gallery courtesy of MacrossWorld.com: http://www.macrossworld.com/macross/toys/sample-vf0s.htm

Overall, highly recommended if you know what you're getting yourself into.  If your only experience with transforming robots is Transformers, or Power Rangers, then be more wary, because Yamato's products are definitely more delicate.

Mine should be coming in this weekend...

Do any of you guys know anything about this one I have? I bought it at Anime North in 2001.

http://tweedledee.dyc.edu/~tpx/images/bst/DSC01268.jpg

It's a posable PVC type toy, similar to the Mega SCF toys. The card backing slides out of the plastic part. It is in Japanese so I can't tell what it is.

Macross Valkyrie VF-1D Standard Trainer Type in Battroid Mode

Anyone else pick up the ZERO?

I'm going to SD Comic-Con in search of a Yammie VF-0S! Which dealer/dealers should I go to, any suggestions?

Don't know I usually buy online. List some of the toy dealers who are comfirmed to attend and perhaps we can figure it out.

I recommend AnimePunch if they attend or BBTS, Tams, or even Valkryie Exchange, though not sure about VE since they are closing.

I try to avoid HobbyShop JP, but that's just moi.

I'm confused by this . . .

I haven't seen Macross Zero, so I don't understand why this is a 1/60 scale and not a 1/48?  I have the 1/48 VF-1S Fokker Type and I love it.  VF-0 looks beautiful, but is smaller than the 1/48 AND more expensive?  In the cartoon continuity, if the VF-0 significantly larger than the VF-1 requiring the scale shift?  Does anybody have comparasion pics with the 1/48 VF-1's?

I don't have it anymore, but I had one of these Gakken's year  ago, I remember my mom bought it for me for Christmas. For $20.00.

It was one of my favorite toys. Man I used to love that thing.

The VF-0 is indeed much bigger.  In Fighter mode, it's about the same size as the 1/48.  In Battroid mode, it's about half a head shorter, and that's only because there's some extra transformation in the torso that condenses it, that the VF-1s don't have.

Storywise, the size is due to the fact that the compact fusion generators used in the VF-1 series haven't been developed yet, so the extra size is a result of the larger, more conventional engines.

Thanks for the clarification!

If you need pics you can visit Macross World and do a search in the search field. Otherwise just go to the TOYS section and read about the VF-0 aka ZERO toy threads. Most have pics and explain in detail any concerns with the toy.

Great news peeps, Yamato is doing the YF19 in 1/60 scale! Yowzzaa!

And in the meantime YAmato is releasing the VF0A!
http://www.macrossworld.com/macross/toys/vf-0a/vf-0a.htm
See these pics! Damn! s

I picked up a VF-1J SSS this weekend and broke it this weekend (BP8) and have to limp by with the Perma Poxy that I used to fix it.

Damn me for not being able to read Japanese! DAMN! Of course after breaking it, I did a search here and realized I did the same thing Kahn did.

Damn these guys are cool but way too expensive.

Sorry to hear about that dude. You might want to read the n00b FAQs on MW as well as watch and study the 1/48s transformation instructions/video by Graham in the toys section too. Welcome aboard to your new addiction!

Damn that's what happened to my 1/48 VF-1J. I put the DYRL Fast Packs on it and the BP8 just kept limping down. So I tried pushed it past the stopper thinking that's what held it up. Big mistake, one of the hinges snapped right off. It got glued back on and it's almost as good as new. I can transform it and put the fast packs on, properly now. I only learned that the piece above it pushed in more after I broke it.
Now I gotta be really careful when transforming it now. Good thing I know now so I won't break my Focker 1S when it arrives.

well its no Yamato, but for 25$ I got the VF-1S 1/100 from Toynami... It really feels like an old model kit. Some flimsiness, the backpack part especially. the legs need the wings folded down so they don't fall around backwards. Its Tiny though... its getting its ass kicked by my 1/144 WildFalken.
ton of tiny accessories. display parts mostly because the gunpod cant fit into place in fighter mode.

meantime, I won't complain. I got the VF-1 Masterpiece collection but I don't have a valk for display purposes. So tiny's in with the gundams.

I picked up Max's 1A and noticed basically the same thing. It feels a lot like a suped-up Banpresto toy, with slightly tighter joints and a bit more stability.

I also noticed that the fast majority of the joints are basically just "peg in socket" design, which may make it a little flimsier, but would also make it incredibly easy to take apart should you want to paint it.

thats good to know, i ordered series 1 from bbts, and had series 2 preordered, but i will cancel series 2 if i dont like what i see with one and sell the other 2 in the set on evilbay

Makes sense. That's why I only have the one, since I didn't feel like getting three toys if they were all ass. I'll definatly get Max's 1J, but that's only because I've wanted a Max's 1J since the 8th grade.

You might also want to read the n00b FAQs toy threads and watch the 1/48 transformation video Graham created at MW in the toys section. There are tons of helpful tips to avoid damaging your goods.

Yeah, I only came across MW AFTER I broke my toy . I had ordered a new part but that didn't work out as well as I had hoped (it was warped).

I was in Fry's a couple of weeks ago and found a $100 remastered set of Robotech (I don't think it was Macross), almost bought it but want to save my money for MP Starscream. I'll get the DVD's later.

BTW MW is down do to a virus attack.

1/60 vf-19 nov06 18,800 yen...