The Gundam Review: Toy Review : Perfect Transformation Valkyrie VF-1S, Skull Leader

Hello faithful followers, today is a great day for another review! This time round, I will be doing a toy review on the toy VF-1S, 1/100 Scale, from Bandai's Macross Valkyrie toyline. This model came out in 2002, and is the world's smallest perfect transformation valkyrie. The toy can be considered as an 'antique' in the world of macross valkyrie toys, due to its transformation frame and joints. In the anime, this plane is also known as the 'Skull Leader' and is piloted by ace pilot 'Roy Focker'.

The above image shows the product itself, still in its box, unopened. =D

The package straight out of the box. Say...the extra amount of space...either is they are too lazy to come up with a mold for this version, and just take it straight from the version with the super parts, or they just want to get more sales. =D Was quite disappointed with that amount of space though. This toy is too old to track if it was really meant for the super parts version or just there. =D

These are all the contents in the box. Not much though, I would frankly say. Two other inter-changeable heads, the standard issue 'UN SPACY' beam rifle, and two other swappable hands (One for holding pistol, one for posing) for good measure. =D

Heres the beam rifle. =D It feels soft and light, like cheap plastic somehow. = 0 But overall, I love the design! Especially the trademark upside down 'UN SPACY' letters (For plane mode).

Another cool thing that I like about this rifle is, its ability to extend (Only when its stored in plane mode is it capable of being extended =D). It gives a 'classic' fuel cell feel to it.

Not much to say here, just that the rifle feels very loose on the hand (Don't forget that at the time of the production, its the year 2002! Considered early for such an advanced toy that time! =D) when attached to the battroid.

Swappable head part no.1. Design of Max Sterling's Valkyrie, only painted in yellow.

With the twin vulcan cannons down. =D Looks rather cool, I must admit. =D Though I needed to loosen it with a penknife first. I simply love the details given to such a small thing! =D

Heres a size comparison with a Gundam Marker, just to show you how small the head really is.

Heres swappable head part 2. Rick Hunter styled head, custom painted yellow. Rick Hunter is the main protagonist of the Macross story, and pilots a red macross fighter, as everyone knows. My job of panel-lining the head failed, as you can see. The lines are too small, and the plastic is the very old type where the paint isn't erasable. =(

More boasting on how great the head looks in vulcan cannon shooting mode. XD You guys know my lines lol.

Panel-lining on hand - failed as well. Too small!

To prove to you how small it really is, it is standing beside an unpainted 1/100 figure from MG Gundam Aile Strike. For those of you who owns gundams, you can make a comparison yourself and see how small the hand really is.

Here are all the armaments, with a comparison to 1/100 Kira Yamato. =D

Finally! The long awaited review, on the figure! The above is an overall shot of the figure, straight out of the box, no coloring! =D

Overall comments at first sight :

- Scrawny stick vegetable figure

- Doesn't look good proportionately

- Loose joints

- Nice paint job

- Nice emblems

- =D

Bad things first, lol. Numerous amount of seams that I can't even remove, due to the fact that its made of soft plastic, seriously pisses me off. =D

Close-up on the body - Quite detailed, I would say, for such a small figure and from 2002. Must have been worth a lot then. The paint work looks alright.

When the wings are fully closed, this is what it looks like from the side. The vents (Storing the tail stabilizers) will protrude out.

You can also opt to open it at an angle, to let the vent be placed flat against the body. This is what it looks like with everything flat lol. =D

This is one of the most attractive parts of the figure. The classic leg and fuel tank combination, with the 'UN SPACY' markings! You can even see the fuel cap, when its gonna be refueled in the anime show. =D I simply love the amazing paint job here!