Misc Acquisitions

[bertie]

mmmmm, new bottom bracket, chainset, cranks and sexy white hydraulic brakes for my Kona bike. The mountain bike is far lighter now and all kinds of awsome.

xxx

[legios]

Technically I suppose that this is an acquisition that I made previously. But as it is only now complete and functional I consider today the day that I "acquired" My VF-2SS Valkyrie II transformable model kit.

The Kit on HLJ

Suprisingly clever for a transformable model kit from the a couple of decades ago. There is only one place that parts-swapping is needed to carry out the transformation - it has separate mounting bars for the legs for each of the three modes - which is quite good going.

For a fairly small kit (in 1/100th scale it comes out to slightly shorter (at the head) than a classics Deluxe) it is a very good rendition of the design. (In fact, putting the kit together taught me some things that I had been singularly unable to puzzle out from the line-art - like where on earth the fin on the forward dorsal surface of the fighter mode goes in Battroid mode, and where the wings go when the Super-armoured Pack is attached).
Not that it has a lot of competition, seeing as it is the sole and solitary model kit or toy mass-released from Macross II in the two decades since the series.

Like all these sorts of kits I won't be transforming it particularly often. They don't have the durability of toys so they tend to react well to the stresses. I suspect it will spend much of its life in fighter or battroid mode, upholding the honour of Macross II on my display shelf.

All things considered it is a fairly simple build up as well. The whole thing could probably have been assembled in half a day, if I'd wanted to do it in a single long sitting (and if I hadn't have had to partially dissassemble it due to a failure at reading instructions....).

The only real problem with it is the hip joints. Being polycaps they don't hold particularly strongly, which makes the hips very floppy. So floppy in fact that the battroid mode won't actually stand up without being propped against something. It is a pity, because I think that if the hips did stay in place it would probably be able to balance its weight fine and stand upright. I might have to try a bit of nail varnish to see if I can get a better hold out of the poly-caps - or coax some blu-tac in there to hold things in place.

All told it is a rather nice kit though. If HLJ get it back in stock I might well be tempted to pick up another one. I could do with one in the briefly-glimpsed red-and-white air-show colours - I reckon that with the Super Armoured Pack painted up to match it would be quite a nice scheme.

Karl

[dyrl]

I sorta showed this guy off - in gerwalk mode at least - in the new acquisitions thread. But since then, I've done some more work on him - like panel lining the legs, finishing the gun and - most important - LEARNING HOW TO TRANSFORM HIM CORRECTLY (NOT easy!). All in all, I have to admit Bandai did a FANSTASTIC job with this. Not only does it LOOK great (which is to be expected from their models), but it is SOLID. It is realyl really stable - for something with a transformation that rivals Masterpieces in complexity, this thing - given that it is a snap-fit model kit - holds togetehr surprisingly well. You can - for example - hold it by one legs - you can maneuver the arms without fear that, as with most models, the arm will likely come out of its' socket. Of course - you CAN'T toss this thing around as if it were a Transformer. But it is lovely and very stable. I've heard bad things about the decals on this thing, but I used stickers anyways so...whatever






Pete

Next: Char's Zaku II version 2 in 1:100 scale and... another VF-25S - only this time...with Sheryl Nome Decals...

[Shockprowl]

I got the 7" V figure from V for Vendetta made by Neca the other day. Not great on articulation, but the design, paint and general quality are fantastic!

[Shockprowl]

AAARRRGH!!!!! Marvel Select Incredible Hulk is MAAASSSSIIIIIVVVVEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Hero]

I grabbed a couple of TMNT foot soldiers at a car boot for army building.

===KEN

[dyrl]

Ken you please put up some pics of your TMNT collection? I'm a big fan of the original Eastman/Laird comics and the cartoons - but have STILL not gotten around to building a collection.

All I've got is one Mirage Studios graphic novel (second one) and one BW compilation novel (with Michaelangelo imaging himself as a ronin) - both vintage from the 1980s ...

I think I even have the four turtles, Krang and Leatherneck lying around somewhere...

Pete

[Hero]

I could chuck up a few photos

[dyrl]

THE EPIC BATTLE BEGINS!!


Happy Pete

[Benn]

now I'm really scared

[dyrl]

now I'm really scared

Newest Transforming Super Robot picture to the rescue then! This is Dangaurd Ace! He's massive!




Pete

[dyrl]

More awesomeness added to the collection today! Titanium coating Unicorn Gundam rocks my world!



Now - the second picture is where he's completed but there's too much light and you don't get to see the coolness that is titanium coated armor... but the first picture, where he's half way done - does a great job showing it off!

Best Gundam model out there! The transformation is crazy - and it's awesome to actually build something this complex

Pete

[dyrl]

Yes. It's me again. Yes, there's more:



Pete

[Hero]

I got a plush Spiney from Super Mario Bros. He's awesome!




===KEN

[dyrl]

I love that [?] Super mario box pillow! That's cool!!

As for me, I just dressed up my RVF-25 in its' armor. Must say I've always been a fan of ELINT seekers. Also, Luca has the best taste in women.

even though he's...like...11.



Pete

[dyrl]

Yay! Today, I got two more figures of God, and one more version of a meek and humble time traveling cutie:


Pete

[Hero]

I grabbed TMNT Mutations (Turtle-Formers basically) Shredder and Splinter at a boot-sale. Shredder is a drill module and Splinter is the old-school Turtle van.

Also in the post I got a SMB Buzzy (see Super Mario Brothers 1) plush, and some Sentai Samurai Shinkenger gashapon.

===KEN

[legios]

Along with my own haul from Auto Assembly I came home, courtesy of certain scottish persons, with an early Birthday present - which has gone unopened until the fateful day itself.

I am therefore now the owner of one mid-1980's "Robotech" action figure manufactured by Matchbox on behalf of Harmony Gold - namely world (or medium-sized city) famous singer Lynn Minmay. I'd say that it was amusing that the face sculpt makes her look rather like he is sucking a lemon.....except for the fact that is a pretty fair description of the Robotechised Minmay....

What is amusing is that in true action figure style she comes with an accessory, and as she is strictly a non-combatant character in the show instead of a gun she comes with a chunky-1980's style microphone - which because of the way her hands are shaped she can't quite hold properly. That amuses me somewhat.

Anyway, Minmay has duly taken her place on the Macross shelf of the living room display, in amongst the various taxiing Valkyries. (Do beware of traffic on the flight line dear girl).

Karl

[bertie]

My new bike. Built from the frame. An '06 Marin Rocky Ridge. She rides very well.

[nick]

Hey Pete, what sort of size is that Unicorn Gundam? He looks gorgeous, and I think I'd like one! Never had a Gundam before, but he seems a joy to behold. Could you point me towards which version of the figure you own for potential purchasing possibilities?

Nick

[dyrl]

D'oh Next time PM me when I don't respond to posts like this right away. I'm usually buisy arguing with Martin or complaining about ROTF in the Toys and Merchandise thread and don't wander in here that much.

I have PMed you about a Titanium Unicorn Gundam that I have for sale with your name on it

Anyways - my latest acquisitions - I have not even had time to transform them or play with them yet, but...

First - Vermillion Team is complete thanks to the arrival of Max and Kakizake:



Next, my first Macross 7 valkyrie - the Sturmvogell VF-22S! Joy! And behind it, the VF-11B with legs that DON'T fall off as soon as you take it out of the box - only took them 10 more years of engineering to figure it out... yay.



Pete

[Shockprowl]

Legends Black Bolt is the coolest. The slightest whisper.....

[legios]

Sept 4, 2009 6:53:46 GMT dyrl said:

Anyways - my latest acquisitions - I have not even had time to transform them or play with them yet, but...

First - Vermillion Team is complete thanks to the arrival of Max and Kakizake:

They make a nice looking set. The new 1/60th Valks are most impressive. (Also, its only taken how many years for someone to motivate themselves to release a -1A Max-type...?)

Next, my first Macross 7 valkyrie - the Sturmvogell VF-22S! Joy! And behind it, the VF-11B with legs that DON'T fall off as soon as you take it out of the box - only took them 10 more years of engineering to figure it out... yay.

Hmmm. The -22S doesn't really do a lot for me. I think it is the colour scheme. I much prefer the scheme that was used on the -21. For some reason Gamlin's heraldry doesn't really do much for me.

And as the to original VF-11, not all of them have legs that explode away from the airframe. I've heard about this phenomenon but never witnessed it - I've had mine for a good many years and the legs are still securely attached to the fighter. (Where the hands are at this moment in time is something I am far less confident that I can speak to.....) Nevertheless, the 1/60th scale one looks like it is a rather nice piece.

Karl

[dyrl]

Well - that is very unique... I have never heard of a 1/72 VF-11B that didn't have its' legs fall off. Honestly. Everybody I know who had one has the legs coming off. And the legs come off at the plastic hinge too - it just ...it doesn't even crack...it kind of comes apart like putty...like it wasn't even ...I dunno...hardend up

But yeah - the 1/60 is heeps better. Particularly the canopy transformation with the heat shield, but also it's an all around excellent piece.

The Gamlin... I seem to be in the minority in liking both the character and this particular valkyrie, and it's color scheme. I prefer it to the 21 even.

I am not awaiting a VT-1 Super Ostrich which I shall soon happily boast about.

And an armored Ozma...

Also...must finally get around to building my 1/72 Alto. I have the super parts version, although I'm rather more keen on applying my Sheryl Nome water slide decals to him and leaving the super parts unbuilt... or maybe somehow intergrating the two? I dunno...

it'll be my winter project...

Pete

[legios]

Sept 13, 2009 20:30:41 GMT dyrl said:

Well - that is very unique... I have never heard of a 1/72 VF-11B that didn't have its' legs fall off. Honestly. Everybody I know who had one has the legs coming off. And the legs come off at the plastic hinge too - it just ...it doesn't even crack...it kind of comes apart like putty...like it wasn't even ...I dunno...hardend up

Yeah, I'd heard about that trend a lot over the years. But for some reason I seem to have one that was made with some sort of Overtechnology polymer... Actually the thing that always gives me hives is the way the arms fold out on the 1/72nd. They always feel like the pin is going to tear straight out of the shoulder. (Which is probably why I don't transform it as often as I otherwise would.

The Gamlin... I seem to be in the minority in liking both the character and this particular valkyrie, and it's color scheme. I prefer it to the 21 even.

Gamlin isn't a character I like or dislike. He seems to be just... undefined. A bit like Amuro Rey in some respects, as he too need other people around him to define him. That and I'm not fond of his choice of colour scheme for his 22. Never mind, there are Max and Millia versions to come at some point in the new year, so those might turn out to be of interest to me.

I am not awaiting a VT-1 Super Ostrich which I shall soon happily boast about.

Quite right too.

Karl

[Shockprowl]

Unmasked Captain America is a great figure. Which TF can he fight......

[Hero]

Lockdown.

[Hero]

I've acquired an old school TMNT Foot Soldier towards my army building for a display I'm working. If anyone has these or the 2k3 Foot Ninja versions that you want to move on let me know.

Also acquired Hurrikenger Blue (Ninja Storm to westerners) to help complete a set I have for passing on.

As well as that, I received a Dr Who Time Squad 10th Doctor VS Sontaran pack. Sadly, I forgot the Sontarans being the true warriors they are have thier gun moulded to thier hand. I had a custom Christmas project planned for some price-reduced army built sets (Remember the Christmas TMNT I did last year?). Looks like Project: Santa-Ha! is shelved for now.

===KEN

[dyrl]

Well... I have finally gone and gotten my new aquisitions !

Sadly, not one Transformer amongst them

Oh well.

here's the list (no pics yet..haven't had time to take any):

1. DX 1/60 VF-25S Ozma with Armored Parts. I'm going to put the Armor on my DX Alto, because honestly I think it'll look better on him... or maybe not? What do I know? There's lots of Armor. The box is ginormous, and that's mainly to fit all the armored parts. It's like the actual VF-25S is an afterthought.

But whatever - FINALLY I now have ALL the members of the SMS skull squadron. Yay. Too bad my Alto doesn't have a stand while the rest do. Guess I'll have to organize one for him at some future point...

2. VT-1 Trainser in 1/60 scale. Of course, nothing beats the awesomeness of a 1/60 scale Minmei figure in TV accurate 70s simple dress that came with the VF-1D. This VT-1 apparently also comes with Minmey - though you'll be hard pressed to find her, since she's in a space suit. Personally, I would rather have seen them give us Hikaru and Misa together in the VT-1... but oh well. I haven't even removed it from the box yet, so nothing much to say about it beyond "yay. It's mine."

I think I now have more versions of the VF-1 than...er...well...than anything really. I have to count my Macross collection because I suspect it's at least up to...well...I dunno...I just have to count. But there's a LOT of it. That's for sure.

3. 1/5 Scale Yoko from Gurren Lagann by Gift. This is the version where she's kneeling and tying up her hair.

I am well impressed with this figure. It is only my second statuette figure; the first being Gutto Kurro CMS Lyn Minmey, who is nice, but kind of small, and a bit cheap feeling for the price.

Yoko cost a lot, but dag is she worth it! This is an excellent sculpt and she's also huge (and no, I don't mean in one particular area, but as a whole). You definitely feel like you're getting your money's worth. The display stand has a mirror on th bottom for people who like looking at all the angles, and it would be great to put this in a mirror laden case. In any event - great great sculpt. Very cute. And very happy to have this.

4. SOS-DAN T-shirt! YAY! Now I can declare my membership in the Church of Haruhi Suzumiya with my very own SOS-dan T-shirt.

What more could a fellow want out of life?

It's my first COSPA item, and I'm happy to report that the material used to make the shirt is top notch, and the SOS emblem isn't made in the way that cheaper variety stuff is made where you can almost feel that it's going to peel off. This thing is there to stay - though this is one shirt I'll be hand washing. Can't take any risks that the SOS emblem will fade.

Pictures forthcoming!

Pete

[Hero]

I don't know any of these guys from Adam , but I'm guessing they're Gundam and Veritechs They always look great! You should take a wide shot of your display. Pete.

On thier way to me are some more TMNT Foot Soldiers. (old version). My Foot-Clan army is growing!

===KEN