Tag: Robot

Macross VF-1S Armored Valkyrie with GBP-1S 1/55 scale Roy Fokker – Takatoku Toys 1983 from Super Dimension Fortress Macross

This is the VF-1S Armored Valkyrie and I thought I got this as a set but looking at my old handwritten notes, I got the armor for 25 dollars in Japan in 1985 and the VF1S in Hong Kong in the same year. During my last trip Japan trip 2013, I saw this in a 2nd hand store for about 140-150 (I think) and I was thinking of getting this for my cousin but I noticed that the plastic was starting to yellow and I so, I ended up getting him the Orguss. In the Macross cartoon, you see the armor is on the VF-1J as showing in the cartoon still (and not the VF-1S as shown below).

Macross VF-1J Armored Valkyrie

Here’s another robot from the Orguss series – the “Gerwalk Nikick.” I didn’t really do too much with him as a kid as it really only looks good as a robot. Still, I’m glad to have him as I have the two main robots from the Orguss series.

Gerwalk-Nikick MBG-24C 1983 Takatoku Toys 1/40

Gerwalk-Nikick in action from Super Dimension Century Orguss from 1983-1984

Here’s the original “Heavy Metal L-Gaim” that I purchased in Japan, 1985. I never saw the cartoon but I liked him nonetheless.  I actually saw this again in a 2nd hand store and was going to get it for my cousin as it was reasonably priced at 30 dollars.  Good thing I didn’t as he already has this.  Anyway,  I bought a later version under the “HCM – Hi Complete Model” series in 2004 but that one is much smaller than this one. I have customized my toy, however, by painting the leg flaps silver with black trim and the waist armor, black.

L-Gaim DX Hi Metal 1/100 scale 1984 Popy Chogokin from Heavy Metal L Gaim

L-Gaim from the anime Heavy Metal L Gaim(重戦機エルガイム) 1984-1985

Macross SDF-1 DX 1/3000 scale 12″ Battle Fortress- Takatoku Toys 1984 Storm Attacker Construction from Super Dimension Fortress Macross

Here’s probably the holy grail of the Macross collection – the original Takatoku SDF-1.  Actually, I do not think they have re-issued this toy under the Bandai or Yamato line (unlike the various VF jets).  I bought this in Hong Kong in 1983 and I was very, very happy to have purchased him. When I look back at that trip to HK, I really remember there were more toy stores.  When I went again in 2011, I didn’t see anywhere near the volume that I recalled as a child.  I do remember though, that HK used to be a big maker of toys but not so much anymore and perhaps, that has something to do it.

SDF-1 in action from Super Dimension Fortress Macross

Below are the two variants of the VF-1S – the “Strike Valkyrie” and the “Roy Fokker” model from the Macross series.  The Roy Fokker model skull and crossbones insignia is actually modeled from an actual U.S. Navy squadron – VFA-103 “The Jolly Rogers.” The VF-1S “Strike Valkyrie” is from Bandai while the VF-1S “Roy Fokker” is from Takatoku Toys.  I believe I purchased the “Roy Fokker” model in Hong Kong in 1983.  During my last trip to Hong Kong in 2011, I tried to look for toy stores in the malls but there just didn’t seem to be same amount of volume that I remembered.  It’s also possible that these stores are now for adults like me and maybe in less traveled/less touristy areas. Both VF-1S and the Strike Valkyrie, I purchased in Japan 1985 for 20 dollars each.

Variable Fighter VF-1S Valkyrie 1/55 scale – Strike Valkyrie Hi Metal Hikaru Type 1984 With Fast Pack Bandai & Roy Fokker Takatoku Toys 1983 from Super Dimension Fortress Macross

Here’s the VE-1 Elint (Electronic Intelligence) Seeker model from the “Do You Remember Love?” Macross movie of 1985.  This model is designed to find and gather signals intelligence from the enemy. This robot had a limited release in Japan and they are relatively rare and really expensive!

As mentioned in the previous post, I purchased this from a small, mom and pop toy store in Kyoto Japan.  I really had a lot of fun on my trips because my parents gave me so much leeway to explore and do things on my own (most likely because Japan is so safe).  Anyway, I stumbled upon this little toy store and I saw this one, the VF-1T and the VF-1S Strike Valkyrie.  I purchased all three at the same time because I wasn’t sure if I would ever see them again and as well, I wasn’t sure if I might make it back to that toy store.

Macross VE-1 Elintseeker Hi-Metal Variable Electric DX 1/55 scale Bandai 1985 Super Real Model-S – Heavy Version Japan

VE-1J Elintseeker in action from “Do You Remember Love?” Macross movie 1984

I’ve finally gotten around to my Macross box and I took a group picture.  Pictured is the entire collection from the Macross series (except for the few Destroid Defenders that I wasn’t particularly in to).  These are probably my most favorite of all my entire collection.  I don’t think I could ever part with these as these were such a big part of my child hood.  I grew up with the cartoons and I purchased the toys while on various trips to Japan.  I also received the brown VF-1A from my mom for Christmas in 1983.  I remember it was almost a hundred dollars back then and I was VERY surprised she went all the way to Japantown to get it for me.  I’ll never forget that.

Macross Collection includes the VF-1A, VF-1J, VF-1S, VT-1, VE-1, SDF-1, GBP-1S Fast Pack 1/55 Takatoku Toys and Bandai releases