05.08.09

Yamato 1/60 Weathering Edition Destroids (Tomahawk & Defender)

Posted in 1/60, Destroids, Macross/Robotech TMS, Yamato at 12:01 am by micronian

 

Observations & Critique(updated): Destroids play dirty

 

These Yamato website limited products do not get particularly special packages. The only thing differentiating these packages from the standard release is a big sticker on the front of the box. The ground crew and pilot are the same as the previous releases and, understandably, they look the same as they would… a weathered human wouldn’t make sense. I’m not much of a decal guy but it appears that Yamato replaced the standard stickers with water-slide decals that need to be cut out and applied for the Tomahawk but the WE Defender looks to have the standard stickers (if you own one please leave a comment to confirm, as I said, I’m not a sticker guy).

 

I haven’t been able to determine just how limited these releases were or how long the ordering window was open so if you happen to know feel free to leave a comment. As Yamato has proven by reissuing their VF-1S Weathering edition, a closed window for ordering doesn’t necessarily mean it won’t be available again. For the moment though these do seem relatively hard to get and somewhat in demand. Going price appears to be about $185 with an original Japanese MSRP around $120.  The Destroid settles nicely in its case and has additional thin plastic protective layers so if you’re buying one second hand these will be your best indication on just how minty your toy is.  Not pictured are the announced Olive Drab Weathering Edition toys but they will likely be just as collectable (if not more so).

 

I was a little let down to see that, unlike the previous Weathering Edition 1/48 VF-1S Yamato put out, the Destroid does not come with pre-applied decals. If you were to now use the fancy provided decals (pictured below) they would look far too pristine on the otherwise weathered toy. Imagine a big clean, perfect, gold triangle somewhere on the toy that’s otherwise black from the weathering effect- it just wouldn’t make much sense. The weathering itself is also a bit heavy-handed and uneven (more so on the Tomahawk)… which is good in a way since weathering should be somewhat uneven but I feel many people would have preferred it be more subtle (while some people will gobble up the excess).  Don’t be worried, the weathering has been applied to all necessary nooks and crannies without being applied to spots that are never seen (such as way the abdomen connects to the waist).

 

These toys are pretty obviously just excess stock that got a quick hand applied weathering job. Don’t expect any adjustments or improvements over the initial release… but the initial release was so solid I don’t see why you’d be expecting any.

 

Yamato’s original weathered toy, long before the “Weathering Edition” fad came about, was the 1/48 LowVis edition. That toy had numerous reports of people accidentally rubbing their weathering off. When I handled my samples they didn’t feel tacky at all and the weathering was applied thick enough where simple handling didn’t feel it would erase it away. Since you won’t be transforming this toy with slightly sweaty hands or anything like that I suspect you can rest assured that the weathering will stay as it is for years to come. The only thing you’ll need to be really worried about is accidentally scratching the toy (as you should be worried with any painted toy).

 

While the Destroids aren’t the most dynamic toys ever produced, they are fun to handle but I suspect most people will keep a hands-off approach when it comes to this pricey repaint. If you are so daring, the hips are a bit of a hindrance but do realize you can click them down a bit to gain some clearance from the hip armor.  Update – it turns out the hips were just really stiff on my Tomahawk, when clicked fully down the leg section of the toys is very dynamic.

 

The destroids were supposed to be the real workhorses of the Macross universe and as such a liberal bit of weathering seems becoming of them. While it is a bit of a bummer the decals weren’t applied I still appreciate the somewhat burnt appearance. I do hope Yamato keeps up with the weathered toys as a collection of weathered destroids sounds like it’d be quite the sight to see (and from what I understand, it appears Yamato does indeed plan on releasing numerous future “weathering edition” website exclusives ranging from valkyries to more destroids).

 

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