Thanks for making this video Ben. I'm a massive Macross fan and keep an eye on all of the official releases however I hadn't heard of the Valkyrie Factory KO's until now. I'm definitely picking this up and crossing my fingers for the Armoured Valkyrie or an armour set that can be added to this. After a bit of research I've found they are supposed to be releasing KO's of Max and Millia's Valkyries as well as a Regult Battle Pod.
Hi Ben, Great review. I purchased the same figure from Show.zstore and encountered the same issues including the breakage of the same piece. I emailed Show Store Z and they got in touch with the factory who sent a replacement part. It took a while but all is sorted and the new part fitted.
Remove the Beam Cannon and peg in the other part that's identical to the other booster and get the Super Valkyrie. This set is actually a Super/strike Valkyrie set.
Fantastic but just to be clear it doesn't have a valkyrie mode.thats what the mech is called (or veritech from robotech).the 3 modes are fighter, gerwalk and battroid (or from robotech fighter, guardian and battloid)
Found this on wish, still available and goes for over 400€. I mean, great toy, but I'm not a collector and as much as I've been wanting one for the past 35 years I'm guessing it will be a few more before my priorities allow me to but it.. 😢
A shame you broke that piece. I just got mine today also. I knew you have to be extremely gentle with these. Even back to the original Yamato these have always been fragile. I guess that’s the price you pay for a figure that is highly articulated, highly detailed, (almost) no Parts forming, at such a small scale. I am a huge robotech macross fan and I was very excited to finally get one of these. Even though transforming it always feels like something is going to break, it’s still worth it. For me anyway. I just take extra time and care with it.
That is why I like the old Bandai type ones they might not be as articulated and the shoulders are a bit iffy but they are a little less fragile than the Yamato type ones. To be honest the shoulders and hips really do need a complete redesign and perhaps they need to be made out of a strong metal in those areas too. a completely new design would also allow to get rid of some of the parts forming gap fillers by integrating them into the back plate or the back of the chest area instead. as well as address some of the dafter design choices in the details - like that hinge Ben broke or the silly little retaining clip on the back pack. The new Gigantic Playmax one would likely NEED to have metal hips to not immediately break simply by picking it up in gerwalk mode.
I bought some Yamato ones back in the day - the more exotic ones were more interesting toys - but I kinda just lost interest in them after a while I put them all back in their boxes and have not given them a second thought in more than a decade. I'm very curious to see what the Lewin Resources "Roy Fokker" one is going to be like - if it can support it's own weight due to the lousy design of the hips then it might be worth considering. These actually cost more than something like a Generation toy 3rd party toy of a similar size and considering they are basically all just glorified repaints the only "premium" thing about them is the paint and tampographs. If they were a bit cheaper I'd at least thing about them in passing - and I'd certain consider a Jetfire colour version if they are ballsy enough to make one (which is pretty low effort as it's only a parts mash up a repaint of existing moulds). I have always wanted a pink/magenta one too - I don't have that colour I also have always wanted a AWACs style one with a sensor dish on it - that would interest me too. But the price is a little off putting. So in the medium term I'd want to make more of a dent in my 3rd party collection before buying these in volume - I'd consider designs I like as "robots" though. There is certainly lots of potential for them but I can think of a few things that are not much more money that are a lot more exciting in terms of Japanese mech toys. As I already have a fair few Yamato ones I don't feel the need to buy the same essential thing twice. I'll keep a look out for a sale though - perhaps if there is an unpopular colour made that might be worth a buy as an example. But $165.00 is pretty much Masterpiece Dinobot Money or the best part of a Dozen MFT Legends + toys and the price of 2 or 3 of them would pay for the Gigantic Lewin Resources one - in that light and considering how titchy they are - I have to glance at my 12" Black Mamba Optimus Prime that was well under $100 - and think - yeah he's better value for money. [edit] I miss read a source the overscale Valkyrie isn't made by Lewin Resources it's made by Playmax "sorry"
@@priesttd Sure I got it wrong before though the new big one is made by Playmax not Lewin Resources. (There is a giant Movie Masterpiece Optimus in the works as well - not sure who is making that one yet though). www.tfw2005.com/boards/threads/over-oversized-mpp10.1152610/page-44#post-16216586
This needs to happen. G1 Jetfire is basically the design that got me into Transformers in the first place. The Classics figure was cool but is noticeably outdated and I love Valkyries but they don't really fit in with a TF collection as they are normally. If a 3rd party/KO company would either make a straight up VF-1 repaint or am MP-style figure based on his Classics design I'd be all over that.
I am able to get this one specifically very easily. I want to get this and repaint it so it doesn't look like plastic with mild weathering. Bandai macross transforming kits are cheaper, sure. But still quite expensive for a model kit AND no where near as tough. They're quite flimsy. Amazing details though.
Thank you for the review, I bought one and I love it. I had the same issue with the chest but ultimately got it loose. Also the gun is tight. Other than that, I love it
Im curious too, these are 165 bucks, how expensive is the real deal? do those cost even more? are they better? This figure only seems like a slight improvement over the official valkiery I have and that thing was only 45 bucks..this was around 2002-2004 though, no idea what the current situation is..
Not gonna happen, this is from Macross not Robothech, the other series aren't nearly as popular. But i think there is a nice model of the cyclone bike from Mosperada coming out soon, the images of it seems amazing
Yes theybare the same.I have a yamato release and an arcadia release and they ARE the same.im not sure what exactly happened but the macross designers left 1 of the companies and then set up their own and took all the macross designs with them so while yamato and arcadia might not be the same company from the piont of view of their macross products are concerned they are the same company
I noticed the 2 I got at tfn were going for £120 on the saturday but held off until sunday as I knew they would be cheaper and saved myself £40 in the process
@@michaelblanc9778 I'm keeping a close eye on the Playmax one - but I'll need to see some reviews before I jump in on that - as I'm a little sceptical as to how the Yamato design will stand to being blown up that big. (it might need a lot of tweaks to work at all I feel) and I'm sceptical of the hips and shoulders for that size not exploding on touch unless they are made out of the best ABS you can get or are decent metal or metal reinforced internally.
hi ben! this is my first time commenting on your video... just a correction to the 3 modes that you mentioned; the correct modes that are called in all the Macross series are Valkyrie/Barukiri (Jet Mode), Gerwalk/Gawoku mode is correct and Battroid/Battoroido (Robot mode)... i think when you mentioned valkyrie, i think you wanted to say Battroid, was it? correct me if i'm wrong...
It looks great but a bit pricey for a k.o..I got a yamato 1/60 VF-A in the colours of svf 26 and the 1/60 arcadia 30th anniversary vF-1Jj for £100 each at tf nation this year from space bridge toys.
What's insane is until a few years ago, you could still pick up the unbuilt/unpainted Yamato versions for £40.00! (you needed to know where, but stocks were still available). Pretty sure this K.O is from those 'old' Yamato kits as it makes more sense to 'duplicate' parts already on sprues. Personally, I'd rather they gave you the option to buy them unbuilt at a fraction of the price. Considering how old this mold is, and being a K.O, it shouldn't be that expensive, it's not like they are paying for the Macross licensing fees now is it?😏. Even the latest official Arcadia (35th Anniversary version ) was 'only' about $125. (Shows you how much Arcadia are taking the piss when pricing 'hero' Valks, they automatically slap another $100 or more on top). These K.Os are overpriced for sure. Especially when you consider the 1/60 V2 molds are nearly 10 years old now. Arcadia knows this, most likely why they let that bottlegg get released (who knows they might've even sold the mold for all we know!). Maybe it's time for a Version 3...Anyway, if the new DX Bandai 1/48 is any good, (I've yet to receive mine, but early reviews are promising) we might be in for a new generation of VF-1s. I'm rambling too much....😔
I feel sorry for collectors in America as they most likely won't be able to get it due to the whole controversy with harmony gold placing a ban on macross items being sold there (at least through official channels) because of 'robotech'
@@KibbloMkII I mean through official channels...there is a lot of animosity between Bandai (macross) and harmony gold (robotech) and they do NOT play nicely.
Honestly, I liked Macross and Robotech just the same, but Harmony Gold are being real jerks with the whole "rights to sell" thing. It's just embarassing.
This seems very similar in engineering to the offcial valkyrie from around 2003 that I have. except the legs on it become fully detached during transformation so its more of a partsformer. Also the legs are diecast and the connection to the body is very loose so they constantly fall off during manipulation. This knockoff seems waaaaaay more stable haha. Seems very nice, though it also costs more than a hundred bucks than I paid for my official one back in 2003!
@@wk5199 Yep, the V1 has diecast legs and a lot heavier than the v2... I love both ver. but the ver1 is a lot sturdier than the v2 especially the shoulder hinge.
@@stephaniemckeever2827 United Nations Space Navy isn't it ? Do they have an SDF 1 toy they can copy too then I wonder ? That is something that Lewin Resources could make that would get them a tone of sales I expect.
only 7&1/2" ? are you sure these are 1/60? Sounds more like 1/72. Glad they're bringing these out but they are really dated compared to the more recent figures with awesome articulation and details but of course the prices and availability are a big problem. I try to get mine 2nd hand usually from Japan, even so the import taxes here in the UK are nuts since most Japanese declare full value etc..
Ha ha..yes the flights are expensive...at least £1000/€1000 and a LONG flight...12 1/2 hours from the uk and 13 1/2 hours from ireland and thats if you go direct but it would be so worth it...there is a great many videos about buying this sort of thing in youtube...a great place to vist is an area of tokyo called akihabara where nearly all the shops (well a LOT of them) sell these kinds of toys and models....I will be going but not for quite a while as I need to save the money but everything is dirt cheap over there when compared to here...
Thanks for the video, I found the real one while I was in Japan and had no idea how to work it. I paid about $350 AUD for it.
Thanks for making this video Ben. I'm a massive Macross fan and keep an eye on all of the official releases however I hadn't heard of the Valkyrie Factory KO's until now. I'm definitely picking this up and crossing my fingers for the Armoured Valkyrie or an armour set that can be added to this. After a bit of research I've found they are supposed to be releasing KO's of Max and Millia's Valkyries as well as a Regult Battle Pod.
I really hope these guys do their YF-19 Excalibur and her variations.
The guy who designed this (the original) also worked on takaras diaclone line
Hi Ben, Great review. I purchased the same figure from Show.zstore and encountered the same issues including the breakage of the same piece. I emailed Show Store Z and they got in touch with the factory who sent a replacement part. It took a while but all is sorted and the new part fitted.
I was looking these up and they are really expensive shelling out $400-$600 a piece. Right when you said that piece snapped. I was like damn!!!
Remove the Beam Cannon and peg in the other part that's identical to the other booster and get the Super Valkyrie. This set is actually a Super/strike Valkyrie set.
Thank you for the review, long wanted to, looked the review and ordered)
Hello where can I buy it, because ShowZ doesn't have in stock anymore. Thanks!!
Have you tried the Chogokin Macross line, just might be down youre avenue if you're a die hard robotech fan.
Fantastic but just to be clear it doesn't have a valkyrie mode.thats what the mech is called (or veritech from robotech).the 3 modes are fighter, gerwalk and battroid (or from robotech fighter, guardian and battloid)
Found this on wish, still available and goes for over 400€. I mean, great toy, but I'm not a collector and as much as I've been wanting one for the past 35 years I'm guessing it will be a few more before my priorities allow me to but it.. 😢
A shame you broke that piece. I just got mine today also. I knew you have to be extremely gentle with these. Even back to the original Yamato these have always been fragile. I guess that’s the price you pay for a figure that is highly articulated, highly detailed, (almost) no
Parts forming, at such a small scale. I am a huge robotech macross fan and I was very excited to finally get one of these. Even though transforming it always feels like something is going to break, it’s still worth it. For me anyway. I just take extra time and care with it.
That is why I like the old Bandai type ones they might not be as articulated and the shoulders are a bit iffy but they are a little less fragile than the Yamato type ones.
To be honest the shoulders and hips really do need a complete redesign and perhaps they need to be made out of a strong metal in those areas too. a completely new design would also allow to get rid of some of the parts forming gap fillers by integrating them into the back plate or the back of the chest area instead. as well as address some of the dafter design choices in the details - like that hinge Ben broke or the silly little retaining clip on the back pack.
The new Gigantic Playmax one would likely NEED to have metal hips to not immediately break simply by picking it up in gerwalk mode.
Love how to see all the swivels of the transformation of the gerwalk mode...
These knockoffs are as expensive as the Arcadia ones, unbelievable!
I bought some Yamato ones back in the day - the more exotic ones were more interesting toys - but I kinda just lost interest in them after a while I put them all back in their boxes and have not given them a second thought in more than a decade. I'm very curious to see what the Lewin Resources "Roy Fokker" one is going to be like - if it can support it's own weight due to the lousy design of the hips then it might be worth considering. These actually cost more than something like a Generation toy 3rd party toy of a similar size and considering they are basically all just glorified repaints the only "premium" thing about them is the paint and tampographs.
If they were a bit cheaper I'd at least thing about them in passing - and I'd certain consider a Jetfire colour version if they are ballsy enough to make one (which is pretty low effort as it's only a parts mash up a repaint of existing moulds).
I have always wanted a pink/magenta one too - I don't have that colour I also have always wanted a AWACs style one with a sensor dish on it - that would interest me too. But the price is a little off putting.
So in the medium term I'd want to make more of a dent in my 3rd party collection before buying these in volume - I'd consider designs I like as "robots" though.
There is certainly lots of potential for them but I can think of a few things that are not much more money that are a lot more exciting in terms of Japanese mech toys. As I already have a fair few Yamato ones I don't feel the need to buy the same essential thing twice.
I'll keep a look out for a sale though - perhaps if there is an unpopular colour made that might be worth a buy as an example. But $165.00 is pretty much Masterpiece Dinobot Money or the best part of a Dozen MFT Legends + toys and the price of 2 or 3 of them would pay for the Gigantic Lewin Resources one - in that light and considering how titchy they are - I have to glance at my 12" Black Mamba Optimus Prime that was well under $100 - and think - yeah he's better value for money.
[edit] I miss read a source the overscale Valkyrie isn't made by Lewin Resources it's made by Playmax "sorry"
@@90lancaster Can you provide a source on that new Lewin Resources Roy Fokker.
@@priesttd Sure I got it wrong before though the new big one is made by Playmax not Lewin Resources. (There is a giant Movie Masterpiece Optimus in the works as well - not sure who is making that one yet though).
www.tfw2005.com/boards/threads/over-oversized-mpp10.1152610/page-44#post-16216586
Just got the Kitzconcept veritech. Same price but twice as nice.
v2 classic jetfire repaint when?
Yes please!
They'd sell 10x more than any of their KOs before. Maybe they're scared to double-dip the brands, but man...hurry up already.
This needs to happen. G1 Jetfire is basically the design that got me into Transformers in the first place. The Classics figure was cool but is noticeably outdated and I love Valkyries but they don't really fit in with a TF collection as they are normally. If a 3rd party/KO company would either make a straight up VF-1 repaint or am MP-style figure based on his Classics design I'd be all over that.
Aww man, I was hoping he was the same scale as the original Jetfire.
it´s so beatiful.
greetings from Puebla, México.
I am able to get this one specifically very easily. I want to get this and repaint it so it doesn't look like plastic with mild weathering. Bandai macross transforming kits are cheaper, sure. But still quite expensive for a model kit AND no where near as tough. They're quite flimsy. Amazing details though.
Hello can you tell me the price you paid for that one ? Just to see the gap with the current price , thx.
Thank you for the review, I bought one and I love it. I had the same issue with the chest but ultimately got it loose. Also the gun is tight. Other than that, I love it
Hi i just want to know are these knockout macross figures more cheaper? Because japanese releases are too expensive.. thanks ben
Im curious too, these are 165 bucks, how expensive is the real deal? do those cost even more? are they better? This figure only seems like a slight improvement over the official valkiery I have and that thing was only 45 bucks..this was around 2002-2004 though, no idea what the current situation is..
@@ApenBaard Arcadia VF-1S MSRP was about 200 bucks+ shipping
Maybe when the come out with a Max version.
Hobby link Japan have that version. Ordered mine around mid February last year
Hope to see some alpha, beta and cyclones...maybe even a modern updated SDF-1...Robotech and Transformers...man, that and battleship Yamata...
Not gonna happen, this is from Macross not Robothech, the other series aren't nearly as popular. But i think there is a nice model of the cyclone bike from Mosperada coming out soon, the images of it seems amazing
@@davidez4640 they have made 2 versions of it already. and they are damn nice :D hlj.com/1-12-scale-riobot-vr-052f-mospeada-stick-reissue-set88719
hmm so the quality are lower than the Arcadia then, less sturdy plastic, and not a clean copy of the latest design? :)
1:02 I have an asymetrical unit.
Cuando saldrá a la venta?
Great video again Ben. I see you R not used to macros fighters.
Are the the same mold from Yamato, bought by Acadia? It seems that it's the same exact mold but under a new name.
Yes theybare the same.I have a yamato release and an arcadia release and they ARE the same.im not sure what exactly happened but the macross designers left 1 of the companies and then set up their own and took all the macross designs with them so while yamato and arcadia might not be the same company from the piont of view of their macross products are concerned they are the same company
Have you considered getting the Bandai 1/48 DX Chogokin coming out next year? It would make a great Masterpiece-scale figure.
If you can even get them. Even Japanese residents can't get them cuz of the limited runs.
Would love to if funds allowed
I
I noticed the 2 I got at tfn were going for £120 on the saturday but held off until sunday as I knew they would be cheaper and saved myself £40 in the process
"Sold Out" oh well...
Yeeeeesss!!! Finallly! But I hope they make more. Cause it's already sold out. :-(
Well I'm pleased those who wanted them - are enjoying them - I think personally I'd like something a little bigger.
@@90lancaster Well you can get the new 1:48 DX Chogokin VF-1J but it's costs twice as much. And doesn't come with the armor parts.
@@michaelblanc9778 I'm keeping a close eye on the Playmax one - but I'll need to see some reviews before I jump in on that - as I'm a little sceptical as to how the Yamato design will stand to being blown up that big. (it might need a lot of tweaks to work at all I feel) and I'm sceptical of the hips and shoulders for that size not exploding on touch unless they are made out of the best ABS you can get or are decent metal or metal reinforced internally.
@@90lancaster Whoa! Didn't know about that one. Thank's man.
hi ben! this is my first time commenting on your video... just a correction to the 3 modes that you mentioned; the correct modes that are called in all the Macross series are Valkyrie/Barukiri (Jet Mode), Gerwalk/Gawoku mode is correct and Battroid/Battoroido (Robot mode)... i think when you mentioned valkyrie, i think you wanted to say Battroid, was it? correct me if i'm wrong...
MOHD SHAHREEZAL yes yes yes ... lol it’s been so so long since I’ve watched either show !! Battroid! Noted for future videos
It looks great but a bit pricey for a k.o..I got a yamato 1/60 VF-A in the colours of svf 26 and the 1/60 arcadia 30th anniversary vF-1Jj for £100 each at tf nation this year from space bridge toys.
stephanie mckeever I saw those as well but was on a spending ban by the wife lol
I
What's insane is until a few years ago, you could still pick up the unbuilt/unpainted Yamato versions for £40.00! (you needed to know where, but stocks were still available). Pretty sure this K.O is from those 'old' Yamato kits as it makes more sense to 'duplicate' parts already on sprues. Personally, I'd rather they gave you the option to buy them unbuilt at a fraction of the price. Considering how old this mold is, and being a K.O, it shouldn't be that expensive, it's not like they are paying for the Macross licensing fees now is it?😏. Even the latest official Arcadia (35th Anniversary version ) was 'only' about $125. (Shows you how much Arcadia are taking the piss when pricing 'hero' Valks, they automatically slap another $100 or more on top). These K.Os are overpriced for sure. Especially when you consider the 1/60 V2 molds are nearly 10 years old now. Arcadia knows this, most likely why they let that bottlegg get released (who knows they might've even sold the mold for all we know!). Maybe it's time for a Version 3...Anyway, if the new DX Bandai 1/48 is any good, (I've yet to receive mine, but early reviews are promising) we might be in for a new generation of VF-1s.
I'm rambling too much....😔
I just see Jetfire. 😆
looks like the yamato/arcadia 1/60 vf-1
Sold out. :(
I feel sorry for collectors in America as they most likely won't be able to get it due to the whole controversy with harmony gold placing a ban on macross items being sold there (at least through official channels) because of 'robotech'
it doesnt seem like they stop imports though
@@KibbloMkII I mean through official channels...there is a lot of animosity between Bandai (macross) and harmony gold (robotech) and they do NOT play nicely.
i know, ive seen all the bull hg has done, i wish theyd just go away
@@KibbloMkII same here.
Honestly, I liked Macross and Robotech just the same, but Harmony Gold are being real jerks with the whole "rights to sell" thing. It's just embarassing.
This seems very similar in engineering to the offcial valkyrie from around 2003 that I have. except the legs on it become fully detached during transformation so its more of a partsformer. Also the legs are diecast and the connection to the body is very loose so they constantly fall off during manipulation. This knockoff seems waaaaaay more stable haha.
Seems very nice, though it also costs more than a hundred bucks than I paid for my official one back in 2003!
You got the V1 version. This is a KO of the V2 version. Before Yamato went under you could buy these for cheap.
@@wk5199 Yep, the V1 has diecast legs and a lot heavier than the v2... I love both ver. but the ver1 is a lot sturdier than the v2 especially the shoulder hinge.
Maan I want this
SPACY? =)
Yes.its an abreviation for 'space navy"
@@stephaniemckeever2827 United Nations Space Navy isn't it ?
Do they have an SDF 1 toy they can copy too then I wonder ?
That is something that Lewin Resources could make that would get them a tone of sales I expect.
Notice me, senpai!!✨
only 7&1/2" ? are you sure these are 1/60? Sounds more like 1/72. Glad they're bringing these out but they are really dated compared to the more recent figures with awesome articulation and details but of course the prices and availability are a big problem. I try to get mine 2nd hand usually from Japan, even so the import taxes here in the UK are nuts since most Japanese declare full value etc..
Sounds like it.I will have to meaure my 1/72 scale hasegawa battroid models when I get home....im curious to know myself
Yeah seemed small to me as well :/
Ever considered going to japan to buy stuff like this?
Stephanie Mckeever if you pay for my flights and child care , sure :)
Ha ha..yes the flights are expensive...at least £1000/€1000 and a LONG flight...12 1/2 hours from the uk and 13 1/2 hours from ireland and thats if you go direct but it would be so worth it...there is a great many videos about buying this sort of thing in youtube...a great place to vist is an area of tokyo called akihabara where nearly all the shops (well a LOT of them) sell these kinds of toys and models....I will be going but not for quite a while as I need to save the money but everything is dirt cheap over there when compared to here...
don´t use de hock!!!!
The pilot is a power ranger xd
Y