12.07.09
Yamato 1/60 (V1) VT-1 SuperOstrich
REVIEW(UPDATED): Do You Remember the SuperOstrich?
Packaging & Extras (2.5/5)
The good: this 2 seater valk comes with a Hikaru pilot and a Minmei (or anonymous other) passenger figure. The bad: the packaging is ridiculously over-sized which makes it really seem like more should have been included. You get the fastpacks but this toy couldn’t exist without its custom fastpacks. The original 1/60 line of supers had big boxes to begin with, why make this box so huge? So the toy comes with all the stuff it needs to but nothing that qualifies as a big extra. I would have liked to have seen them really work up the trainer aspect of this vehicle. Missiles could have been included, they could have even been made to look like training missiles (whatever those would look like)… maybe even a big fake gun.
Charm & Collectability (2.5/5)
All 2-seater valks are instantly collectible and the SuperOstrich is a favorite amongst them. Having played such a major role in the movie Do You Remember Love? makes it easily recognizable to most fans. Unfortunately, the 1/60 line of VF-1 toys aren’t very popular so that will hinder the collectability of this otherwise rare offering. UPDATE – 11/12/2007, still not even the briskest rumor of a 1/48 Yamato SuperOstrich so it seems these toys may eventually be come quite collectible. UPDATE 12/7/2009, while it looks all but certain now there will never be a 1/48 release of this toy, the 1/60 Version 2 simply blows this older version out of the water. Sure, the newest one lacks diecast metal but it’s otherwise a joy and I suspect only a few diehards will now seek out this first version toy. I’ve reduced the score here from a 4.
Sculpt, Detail, & Paint (8/10)
The SuperOstrich had a slightly different nose from the other VFs and Yamato has stayed true to the lineart. The nose is a little more squat which helps mitigate the needle-like appearance of the previous 1/60 versions. The paint application and detail are still fantastic if the color isn’t overly drab. There are really only a couple problem areas. The first, the hips, although they don’t look as bad with the less pointy nose, still look funky in battroid. Second, the canopy, in my opinion, looks a bit bulbous. Third, where the wings attach to the body in fighter mode there is a somewhat odd jump in trim-size. These are definitely more nit-picky issues though and over-all this toy looks great.
Design (6.5/10)
This toy transforms like all the other Version 1 1/60s (meaning the legs are detached going from mode to mode and then reattached). One neat trick was added though to keep the fastpacks positioned in battloid mode. Through moderate pressure application the arm attaching the backpack slides within the backpack and locks into place. Users who haven’t figured this out (and it’s not really intuitive so I don’t blame them) will swear it’s the floppiest toy ever. One thing that really makes me wonder about this toy is why the wings have attachment points for missiles? These wings are special molds for just the VE-1 and VT-1 and neither of those toys are supplied with missiles. If Yamato thought some users would want to apply missiles than why didn’t they include missiles in the gigantic box? The version 2 Yamato released of this toy in 2009 is significant better in both design and application featuring perfect transformation and other gimmicks without sacrificing looks.
Durability & Build (6.5/10)
This toy is no more or less durable than the super 1/60 releases. The fastpacks here are much easier to knock loose but it’s a simple matter to reapply them and they tend to stay fit as long as the valk itself is being handled. Obviously extra concern should be taken with the long thin antenna that protrudes from the fastpacks. Some may note that this toy has a more detailed antenna than the later improved version 2. The reason for this is that the version 2’s antenna is made of very strong POM plastic which is difficult to paint.
Articulation (8/10)
The problem with the fastpacks compromising leg mobility could not be resolved and so it has not been. The toy is still very poseable, especially when compared to the original 1/55 releases, but still not quite perfect. As you would expect, the toy is more poseable with the fast packs removed. Yamato’s version 2 toys do not suffer from the poor leg design and articulation that plagued their version 1 toys equipped with super armor.
Total Score (34/50)
The 1/60 line still has its flaws but this is definitely one of the better efforts. It’s a bit depressing that more wasn’t put into the giant box it comes in but the valk itself looks good and poses well. One thing that kind of bugs me is the fact the canopy and the heatshield don’t appear to be the same shape (heatshield is slimmed down to accomodate the sliding chest). I would have preferred the original canopy to have had a sleeker appearance so it wasn’t such a jump when it was swapped out. You can now find these at bargain basement prices as people upgrade to the newer version 2. You might be tempted to pick one of these up but do remember, there’s a reason people are upgrading.
NOTE: This review has been updated 11/12/2007. More pictures were added and existing pictures were cleaned up.
NOTE: This review has been updated 12/7/2007. More pictures were added content about the version 2 release was included.
Original Post Date: June 12, 2006
Kyp Durron said,
December 23, 2007 at 10:25 pm
“11/12/2007, still not even the briskest rumor of a 1/48 Yamato SuperOstrich so it seems these toys may eventually be come quite collectible.”
LMMFAO….with the news of the NEW perfect 1/60 VF-1 line designed from the get go to incorporate dual seats, I’m so freaking glad I sold mine and got back what I paid for it.