12.29.09
Yamato 1/48 VF-1J Super Stealth (Strike Deluxe Set)
Observations & Critique(Updated): Now in the biggest box ever
Okay Yamato, we get it, it’s your perogative to package toys as inefficiently as possible. The Strike Stealth comes in a box so big a homeless child could use it as shelter. While excessive/gratuitous it is not completely unfounded when one considers the amount of goods this package comes with. If you own a 1/48 VF-1 and you own Strike Parts that were sold separately, place those boxes next to each other and you’ll get a feel for how big the Special Edition box is. In fact, when you open the box it reveals exactly that: a separately packaged 1/48 VF-1 Valkyrie and, in another box, 1/48 Strike Parts. I would have thought they would have opted for something more akin to what the TV VF-1Js did… and I would have preferred that. Both items come in stark white boxes that feature the same lid and display window that normal 1/48 items do (as well as a spacer box to accomodate the smaller size of the 1/48 Strike parts in relation to the Valk box). The extras, obviously, are top notch. You get to choose whether or not your valk is a strike, super, or unmodified Valk. If you want to apply the Strike/Super parts to another vehicle it seems like any of the plain white DYRL valks would match these parts relatively well. As per the usual you’ll get a pilot (it’s the “LowVis” pilot, see pic, he’s gummy and cool), two sets of fixed pose hands, missiles galore, a gun with strap, and micro missiles to fill the super parts. Niiice. I haven’t checked out the stock stickers or manual that comes with the toy but they’re there. I have seen versions of this toy with aftermarket stickers and they did look truly impressive.
I will say this, I find it highly unlikely that Yamato will ever re-release this deluxe set. Now that both parts are available individually it seems a far more intelligent scenario for Yamato now to re-release either more Stealth Super/Strike parts or more Stealth Valks individually as demand warrants. Of course, there’s nothing on the box that says this toy is a Limited Edition (although it is a “special” edition). Potentially harming the collectibility of this toy is the fact it is a non-canon Valk. Yes, it is non-canon. No, it is not the valk you see for a split second in episode XXXXXXX. It’s interesting that Yamato did not label this toy as a “Low Vis” scheme (like the Limited LV1 and the Wood Land LV2) as it comes with the LV pilot and color matched missiles and gun. Being a 1/48 scale Yamato means it’s one of the best VF-1 Valks ever produced so that alone will always ensure it’s collectible in some degree. December 2009 update – the Stealth sold without strike parts has proven to be a bit of a shelf warmer but the super/strike packs had demand SOAR. The release of the V2 has diminished this demand slightly, and should Yamato release a 1/60V2 version of this toy it’s very likely demand will diminish further.
The sculpt and details present on this valk are primarily the same as on the previous 1/48 releases (and there’s certainly nothing wrong with that). That paint job’s application is top notch featuring different shades of gray over the predominantly black Valk. I did have a couple problems with some elements specific to this version of the VF-1. First, I honestly don’t like the jet’s turbines being painted black. Second, while I do like the replacement of all the colored plastic bits (typically indicating lights) with clear plastic panels it ends up looking really bad on the head visor. Even on the dark green visor of the TV VF-1J releases the center peg Yamato uses to glue the visor in place is slightly detrimental to the overall look… on the Stealth the clear visor doesn’t conceal this circular peg at all. Beyond that, some people will find this valk downright sexy, others will be turned off by the non-canon portrayal of a valk in not particularly photo-genic hues. After looking at pictures online I felt this toy was a bit on the ugly side, when I opened it up and put it on my desk I began feeling differently immediately. I’ve taken some quick pics of areas I felt could have used a little paint application below.
Nothing new here at all. This valk is only slightly more than a simple paint variation, it certainly does not appear that anything was retooled. For more info on the strengths and weaknesses of the 1/48’s design please see my review for the second releases.
I love Yamato but I’m am still amazed that they haven’t figured out a way to make reflex missiles that actually stay attached to the wing. The attachments are so precarious that leaning the Valk causes the missiles to lean independently of the wing. God forbid you should actually try to move the Valk while the missiles are attached, that will cause them to fall off and roll like a meatball from a mountain of spaghetti. The missile booms that contain the micro missiles are better… but they still are loose enough where they should be removed before transformation is attempted (they almost always pop off during transformation). I found the Valk itself to be extremely tight and well-constructed. One of the shoulder joints did seem less than ideal but it hasn’t proven to be a problem. Overall the durability of this toy is very respectable with only some minor fit issues being apparent in the Strike/Super Parts. I believe I made very similar comments in my review of the 1/48 TV Super VF-1J releases.
As there has been no change to the design of this toy there has also been no change in the articulation. For more comments on articulation, please refer to my review of the Yamato 1/48 VF-1 either first or second releases.
This valk may not be for everyone but I like it. I’m providing plenty of pics but please keep in mind my comments about this valk looking better in person. All black items, be they cars or toys, are inherently difficult to photograph well. Also like cars, black is quick to expose dust or imperfections so keep that in mind when handling or storing the toy. If I had to give this a score, I would give it a half point more than the normal 1/48 2nd edition releases for the charm & collectability section.
NOTE: This review has been updated for content and picture quality, original post date October 10, 2006.
Deadeye said,
April 3, 2007 at 8:10 pm
The owner of this site wasn’t kidding about the size of the packing box…it’s about the size of a small filing cabinet. That aside, at least this box is sturdier than the typical Yamato featherweight boxes you’re probably used to getting.
As for this particular Valkyrie, I have to say that in person, it is probably one of the nicest VF-1J paint variants out there, next to say, the grey low-vis 1/48. The triple shaded black, dark and light grey color scheme flows extremely well. I would have preferred a green visor for the battroid head, but the clear visor that comes attached seems well suited too. Do yourself a favor though and minimize the decals you put on, at least for me, I found that they only detracted from the stealth theme.
As far as the color scheme cons go, the only thing that I didn’t appreciate was that damned UN Spacey kite (painted on the port wing in bright red) and accompanying kite stickers (also in bright red). Seems to me that these crests should have been painted a dark or light grey like on the grey low-vis valk, again keeping with the stealth theme.
I personally love the new ‘rubbery’ pilot; very very military looking (kinda reminds me of the Apache pilots in Kandahar) and is ultimately way more detailed than the ‘pretty boy’ DYRL pilots.
As for the fast packs…they’re also painted in the above noted triple-dark color scheme and look fantastic once mounted on the valk. Slap on those awesome black and white jolly rogers on the upper boosters, step back, and you’ll probably have a new fave in your 1/48 lineup.
The one thing that I didn’t like about this valk, were the stickers that came with it (aside from the booster jolly rogers). They were absolutely NOT cut properly to fit into detailed areas like the cockpit…good luck with those 2 particular stickers.
As for fit and finish, this valk lives up to the excellent 1/48 benchmark, with solid joints in all 3 modes, with or without the additional armor…a moment of silence for anyone (including me) with a VF-0S. The words ‘floppy’ and ‘loose’ just don’t apply to the stealth. Small victories.
For what it’s worth, the stealth is worth the money…U-haul sized packing box and all.
Victor Gopar said,
May 19, 2008 at 5:25 am
What i really love about this particular release is that the color and shades actually do look like the color scheme of the N.U.N.S VF-171. Also as of today May 19th at hlj.com you can get it at 50% off of the retail price, which for this kind of item is a real deal (only the non-FAST pack version).
Skeptical said,
June 7, 2010 at 3:02 pm
I kinda like Yamato’s humongous boxes. Can anyone say what the exact dimensions of this particular box are?