03.16.09
Yamato 1/60 VF-1D (V1)
REVIEW(updated): 2 Seats… ’cause what good is a VF-1 if you can’t pick-up chicks?
Packaging & Extras (4/5)
Like the Super 1/60 releases, the VF-1D includes pilots and the enhanced gun as well as Yamato’s tradition 1/60 goodies (antennae for GERWALK, nosecone plugs, fixed pose hands, decals, and instructions). An additional big plus for the VF-1D comes in the missile department. Unlike the VE-1 and VT-1 that don’t have missiles, or the super releases that only have reflex missiles, this bad boy comes with both the DYRL missile pods and the TV series missile trees (like the original releases). Fortunately this toy was also released before Yamato decided to go with the ridiculously huge packaging that was used for the other two-seater valks. The box for this toy is approximately the same as the boxes used for the original 1/60 releases. It would have been nice if the supplied pilots were Hikaru and Minmay but Yamato improved their with their second edition release.
Charm & Collectability (2.5/5)
The 1D is always a fan favorite usually because it’s conspicuously absent from toy line-ups. As Yamato releases more and more new products in the 1/60 scale these red-headed step children of the Macross toy universe find their existence validated more and more. They do have a high die-cast content in the legs but the collectability is still hampered by their awkward and imperfect transformation. In February 2009 Yamato released their “Version 2″ of this toy which means if the version 1 is ever to become a hot collector’s item it won’t be any time soon. The version 2 toy is superior in nearly every respect with the high metal content being pretty much the only draw to this classic.
Sculpt, Detail, & Paint (8/10)
I love what Yamato did with the 1/60 series. Instead of taking the easy way out and simply cramming a second seat into the cockpit and using the same mold as the original one-seat plane, Yamato took the extra effort and made the slight modifications to keep the toy closer to the line art (as demonstrated in the picture above). As you can probably tell from the comparison pictures to the newer release, Yamato wasn’t able to go quite as far with the unique aspects of the 1D in their perfect transformation Version 2 toy. Personally, I think the toy looks a little too beige for it’s own good but that’s totally subjective and I’m sure some prefer the look. Take a look at my other 1/60 reviews to find my list of common complaints about the 1/60 sculpt as this toy still has (or lacks) a few things that irk me. One additional item that bugged me, the toy is biege and orange but the antenna provided is bleached white like the missiles… why is that?
Design (6/10)
The mechanics of the transformation did not change when Yamato made the jump to a two-seater so the design score stays the same. This toy does feature the improvements seen in the Super releases so if you wanted to take the fast packs off your Super VF-1 and swap them onto this plane that wouldn’t be a problem (as demonstrated below). If you recall, the Super VF-1s featured some modifications to allow fastpacks to fit as well as an improved gun which made the removeable arm pieces found in the first releases unnecessary.
Durability & Build (6.5/10)
If you’ve read my review on the other 1/60 Yamato (version 1) VF-1 products you probably know what my first complaint is going to be… those pesky screw covers!! Man, I sincerely hate how easily those screw covers fall off and how easily they can become permanently lost. Another build issue to be on the look out for is looseness in the feet/thrusters. The one I have has really loose feet so in fighter mode it’s pretty easy to find one drooping. I imagine this also could have a negative effect on posing the toy in battroid mode if they were much looser.
Articulation (8.5/10)
Yamato’s 1/60s are all very photogenic and extremely easy to articulate and the VF-1D is no exception. Since the VF-1D does not come with super armor the legs aren’t hampered in their ability to turn outward which allows for even more wild posing. The toy’s hips can be sloppy though and there are occasionally problems getting the toy to balance properly. One funny note, while dynamic poses are fun and interesting, trying to get this toy to stand like a stiff soldier (hands at hips, legs straight) can be kind of difficult.
Total Score (35.5/50)
Now that the version 2 toy is out there really isn’t much of a reason to seek out the version 1 toy which is why I knocked a point off the collectability score. Originally I posted that I hoped Yamato would be surprising us with a future 1/48 release but it appears all hope for that is lost at this point (which is a shame, as great as the version 2 toy is there are something that could have been better in a larger scale). In all likelihood the 1D won’t complement any other VF-1 toys you have so I think most people who are going to just get one 1/60 are far more likely to search out one of the super releases or the GBP with Hikaru… but it’s more prudent just to wait until a V2 version of your favorite valk is available, those toys are huge strides forward.
NOTE: This review has been updated: new pictures were provided and content was updated due to the release of the V2 toy.
Original Post Date: September 18, 2006
Dennis said,
March 20, 2009 at 10:10 am
I have just sold away both my VF-1D version one cos I have decided to give up all version one valkyries.
You did a great review again making comparison with the version 2 and a one seater valkyrie. Great job man!