Well it only took 28 years but I finally got a BETA fighter to add to my Robotech collection and I am happy to report it is as awesome as you we have been led to believe.

Robotech was a multi-generational animated saga that documented the “Robotech Wars” and originally aired in 1985. Robotech used three different and un-related Japanese animated series re-edited and re-purposed for American audiences at the time. The Beta Fighter shown here is from the final arc, The New Generation, also known as Mospeada in Japan.

From Robotech.com:

“The Veritech Beta Fighter was developed as a heavily armed and armored booster system for the Alpha fighter to extend its range in space, as well providing the ability to reach orbit from the surface. The fighter can operate from the Horizon dropship when joined with an Alpha fighter. Besides operating as a large fuel tank for the space Alpha-Beta combination, it allows for high thrust capabilities for an Alpha Battloid for high maneuverability in close combat, in addition to augmenting the Alpha's missile load, and carrying a formidable weapons capability when operating independently.

Without the attached Alpha fighter, the Beta fighter relies on its excessive thrust to overcome its non-aerodynamic shape in an atmosphere. Its true power comes in Battloid mode, where an impressive amount of firepower is available for heavy assault.”

Robotech and Mospeada fans have been wanting a Beta fighter for a very, very long time. Matchbox imported many of the original Japanese toys from the various shows (as well as producing original pieces) under the Robotech banner and the Gakeen-made Alpha fighters where released stateside. Disappointingly no Beta ever showed up on shelves in 1985/1986. I found out years later as an Adult collector Gakeen designed a BETA fighter and even produced a handful of test pieces but they went belly-up before they could produce it.

Flash forward to now and Toynami has made our fan-boy dreams come true with a 1/55 scale Beta to attach their previously released 1/55 scale Alpha fighters. The Blue and Red have already been reviewed by Dan and Josh and now I finally get my hands on one.

The Beta fighter or the VFB-91 (in nerdspeak) is the third release in the Beta Masterpiece Collection. Which means it comes in Toynami's book-style packaging. This allows you to take the piece out and keep the Mint-In-Box look when you store it. Just like the toy the box is huge!

The first thing you notice when you get it out of the box is the sheer size and weight of the piece. It's enormous. In Battloid mode it stands over 12 inches tall and weighs over 2 pounds.

All the arm and leg joints are ratcheted and so "click" when moved. Us toy-nerds do love us some "clickity-click."

Since the red and green Beta fighters never transformed into Battloid mode in the show, Toynami had to design original heads for these releases and they opted to design them to match their Alpha counterpart. The shape of the Alpha's 'eye" is retained but there is no head fin.

Paint detail is fantastic with no under or over-spray anywhere and the chest compartments open to reveal banks of missiles. It doesn't do much else but with a piece like this, it's more about the sheer size and presence on the shelf than gimmicks.

Guardian Mode is probably my least favorite on the Beta fighter. See the Beta fighter was not part of the original design and was thought up as an afterthought and kind of mashed together late in the design stages. And so, while it looks good in Fighter and Battloid mode, Guardian just seems a bit of an afterthought.

But with that said it holds this form just fine on the shelf. However if you pick it up and try to fly it around the room (Don't roll your eyes- we know you do it...) the weight of the lower legs makes the legs droop down as these are die cast metal where the rest is plastic.

It is not a big deal as I really won't be displaying it in this mode. Plus it's more of a nitpick then a genuine complaint.

Fighter mode is where it looks best in my opinion. I don't know why but I really like the flying brick aesthetic of the fighter. Everything locks in and sits where it is supposed too. No loose, dangling or floppy parts here.

My one complaint about Toynami's release is the landing gear. Instead of the landing ear folding into the fighter when not used you have to remove them. Yep the landing gear just plugs into the fighter when you need it. It's not a big deal but I am finding that having to keep track of parts keeps me from wanting to pick it up and fiddle with it more.

It's not a huge deal but if Toynami where taking a pole I would have voted for gear that folds into the fighter instead of part swapping.

Toynami also includes a removable pilot figure but like many tiny pilot figures the paint and sculpt detail doesn't really hold up to close inspection. It's all a bit “soft' and sloppy. From a distance it's not a problem.

So as huge and impressive the stand alone Beta fighter is, we as fans of Robotech are more interested in how well it docks to the Alpha fighter. Well I'm happy to report, it's all good.

While again this involves part swapping, it doesn't bother me as much as swapping out the landing gear. There is a white arm that cups the fighter and then slides into the beta fighter. Once in you can attach the combined form to the provided stand.

It sound like it wouldn't work it does. The fighter sits nice and tight but I wouldn't recommend doing barrel rolls with it.

You can do the same with the Alpha fighter in Battloid mode. Toynami includes a second arm to attach it int his mode. The arm cups the bottom of the crotch and leaves a hole for the nosecone to fit in. Once again you can attach this combined form to the provided stand

Again, it hold the Alpha part in well but I wouldn't recommend doing a barrel role with it.

Despite a couple of nitpicks it is a really nice piece and a fan boy's dream made real. While many know the Alpha fighters where plagued with QC issues the Beta makes it all worth while. The fit and finish is fantastic and the materials all feel top notch. Toynami has done a real nice job delivering a solid, long-desired collectible.

Get one while you still can because when these are gone they are GONE. If you where ever a Robotech or Mospeada fan you will kick yourself for missing out.

Arii’s 1/100 scale Regult Battle Pod from the Super Dimensional Fortress Macross TV Series is a great example. Manufactured and designed in 1982 this kit is one of the better kits from the line that builds up to a great representation of our favorite two-legged cannon fodder monster, although not without some minor faults.

Regult Arii 1/100

Model kits have an unusual connection with toy collectors. Usually, they are bypassed and forgotten by toy collectors, as most do not have the skill to build the kits leaving some great subjects that have been represented in sprue sadly left behind and under represented.

Arii’s 1980’s Macross line is a perfect example. Some great subjects were injected into plastic model kits but because many of the kits in the line that were produced were less than satisfactory the entire line has had a bad reputation over the years, even though there are few well done gems in the line.

Arii’s 1/100 scale Regult Battle Pod from the Super Dimensional Fortress Macross TV Series is a great example. Manufactured and designed in 1982 this kit is one of the better kits from the line that builds up to a great representation of our favorite two-legged cannon fodder monster, although not without some minor faults.

Arii’s Regult kit includes: 2x off white sprue, 1x black rubber polycaps, 1x instruction, 1x promotional flyer, 1x sheet of decals, 1x Glue. No options are supplied. The skill level is moderate to advanced due to the fragility of the legs and paint masking.

According to Macross World this kit is a rare kit due to some quality issues with the upper leg joints. I picked up this kit about 7 years ago at an antique store in New Mexico for $14.00. I just happen to luck out when I saw it at a vendor booth with an “all items 50% off“ sign. This was good as the original $28.00 asking price was a bit overpriced. Today, expect to pay from $8.00 to $18.00 for these kits.

As with many of the early 1980’s Macross oil painted toy and model kit box art, this Regult box art is fantastic and first rate and really captures the spirit, realism and mystery of what I love about Macross to this day. The downside, and typical of the era, is that the model kit itself is not represented on the box top or sides, but in this case you are getting a decent kit.

The kit itself is a straightforward build, but there are some things you should be aware of. I was surprised to see so much flash on this kit but considering that these Macross kits out produced even the landmark Gundam 0079 from three years earlier shows the popularity of these kits and I am sure that the molds were run down. Some parts clean up are necessary for the parts to fit correctly, especially the rear facing cannons array on the top of the Regult.

Great care is needed when building up the upper leg area. Very much if you accidently drop even one tiny drop of glue in the wrong area forget it, it’s over. Make sure all the seams are filled properly before gluing those upper leg parts together. But if you take your time you should have no problem. I have read that the upper legs were redesigned in Arii’s later Regult kits, but as I do not own any of these later kits, I cannot comment on how they were redesigned.

Also the designers of these kits were more focused on playability of the kit after it is finished. They designed it so moveable joint parts are permanently joined together and cannot be taken apart. Since this kit was for display only I opted to leave those parts off for ease of painting at a later stage. Keep in mind this does not affect the pose ability of the kit after one is finished with the kit.

The six-gun cannons present a few problems, the major one being that two larger cannons are a bit awkward and thick for the scale, as the cannon barrel holes should be filed down to look more scaled. If you have the skill, new cannons could be lathed out of aluminum for a better look. The heels were also open so I boxed them so they can look solid. You might want to box in the toes as well which was something I was planning to do but I thought I did not have the right resources. It was not until I was nearly finished when I realized I did have the right book with the proper info. I will build up these details on the next Regult I build.

The body is three parts, the front, back and the bottom cap. I purposely left the bottom cap off until final assembly so I can put all the cannon parts in after I was through painting and decaling. My biggest complaint is how the jet nozzles are designed to be assembled together. Instead of having a bottom and top half the parts are split down the middle leaving a near impossible seam to fill. Filling the deep seam not only destroys the detail around it, but also destroys the shape of the nozzle in general and demands a lot of reshaping for the part to look right.

Painting this kit is where one needs to deliver, as all the painting details are no joke and quite intricate. This is not like your current Systeminjection multi-color sprue Bandai kit, this kit is molded in one color, off white and every detail needs to be masked and painted. I painted the kit with Tamiya and other than the light blue, which needed to be mixed, all the other colors were straight out of the bottle. Honestly, give yourself about a week to paint this little monster as there are so many small details involved and they just don’t paint themselves!

I sprayed a Testor’s gloss coat and applied the decals. I accidently dropped the entire sheet into water bowl so I had a limited time to quickly apply all the decals. Of what I can see the decals went on well but typical of the Arii decals, the instructions only tell you where to about six of the 25 decals provided. Thankfully Macross World saved me again and I was able to use their resources to place the other decals on the kit.

After a spraying a Testor’s flat coat, I applied a mix of black and burnt sienna oil paints for the weathering and finished it off with a silver color pencil to represent chips in the paint.

My other main issue with this kit is the scale. Since we here at CollectionDX already discussed scaling issues with some of the Macross vehicles here, there is no need to open a sore wound. But I am going to say its too small especially if you compare it to Imai’s 1/100 scale of Captain Kamujin Zentradi Armored Space suit, which I feel, is scaled correctly. I know the pilot has a snug fit in the Regult but there is no way the Kamujin kit would fit inside this Regult kit or fit through the hatch in the back. Also viewing the kit from the back, the Regult body looks squashed especially compared to Revoltech’s Regult.

Besides the jet nozzles parts and some scaling issues this kit builds up into an impressive model kit and stands out from the self amongst my other Macross toys and models. The best part about this kit is that it is one of the few representations of the Regult in any form and accordingly it is great to have an item few people have in their collections to display. The pose ability of the kit is quite good, with upper leg and waist pivot and bendable knees and toes and positional jet nozzles.

Again I suggest this kit to moderate to advanced builders due to the paint masking and upper leg fragility but if you take your time with the finish and parts you will be rewarded with a beautiful representation of a classic Macross vehicle.

©2009 Article and pictures Leonardo Flores and CollectionDX.

This set is bittersweet. The scene where Michel's valk arrives and Ranka starts singing is one of my favorite scenes in all of Macross Frontier. It sends chills down my spine. The set itself is great, but the fact that it only gets used in gerwalk mode really bumms me out.

The Galia 4 Fold set is a Tamashii Web exclusive. Collectors could mail away for the set, which is only available to Japanese residents. However, with the help of shops like Anime-Export, you can order them and have them shipped to the states.

The set is named after the Planet Galia 4, from Macross Frontier. In episode 12, singer Sheryl Nome is sent to the largely Zentradi military base on the planet Galia 4 to perform a concert. When she is stricken ill, a Zentradi uprising occurs. The SMS sends ace pilot and sniper Michel out with Ranka Lee to sing in her absence and quell the riot.

Unfortunately, the planet is too far away, but there has been work on an experimental Super Fold Booster that can get there quickly. This is the booster included in this set.

Once Michel and Ranka arrive, the fold booster is jettisoned and Michel's valk is equipped with sonic boosters that amplify Ranka's song, disrupting the renegade Zentradi attack.

As I said before, this is a mail-away set. While the parts are used with Michel's VF-25 Messiah valkyrie, they can be used with any DX Chogokin Messiah Valkyrie.

This is a small set. You don't get a lot. Included in the set is:

• Super Fold Booster x1
• Fold Speaker x4
• 1/60 Ranka Lee figure x1

The Fold Booster is plastic with clear dome parts. Unlike the Yamato fold boosters, nothing lights up. It can be attached with one of two different connectors, depending on if the toy has its armor parts on or not.

The Fold speakers clip onto the wings of the toy in either fighter or gerwalk mode. Unfortunately, the appearance in the anime is in gerwalk mode, and we all know how much the gerwalk mode on these toys sucks. Each booster is decorated with different colors on the points where they should be lit up, but these don't light up.

Also included is a tiny 1/60 scale Ranka Lee figurine.

This set is bittersweet. The scene where Michel's valk arrives and Ranka starts singing is one of my favorite scenes in all of Macross Frontier. It sends chills down my spine. The set itself is great, but the fact that it only gets used in gerwalk mode really bumms me out. And there is the price. The original Japanese retail is around $50 bucks, which is already too much. Add on the fact that you have to import it, and pay a markup due to the rarity... well, lets just say you need to be hardcore to get this set. Maybe if the fold booster or speakers lit up?

Regardless, good luck finding a set. We got ours at Anime-Export, and if you want one, maybe you should too.

Raramia's Queadluun-Rea done all cute and cuddly from Macross Frontier.

Raramia's Queadluun-Rea is from the Banpresto produced prize items for Macross Frontier. Ichiban KUJI Premium Macross Frontier is sold in convenience stores across Japan as a lottery. Customers buy a 800 YEN ticket you pull from a blind box with a letter on it telling you which item you have won. It's completely random on what your end up with for your hard earned YEN. Available in the set of Premium goods are...

• A. Klan Klang (Melatrandi Pilot) 25cm tall
• B. Sheryl Nome (Finale Concert Dress) 22cm tall
• C. Ranka Lee (Kira Pose) 20cm tall
• D. Nyan Nyan Bowl
• E. Sport Towel Set (Monster Girl, VF-25, Kabuki Alto)
• F. Super Deformed Character Figure Set (Ranka, Sheryl, Klan, Alto)
• G. Super Deformed Mecha Set (VF-25F Alto Battroid, VF-25S Ozma Armored Gerwalk, VF-27 Brera Battroid, Klan Queadluun-Ray, Raramia Queadluun Ray)

I got a complete set thanks to Angolz. They do also offer smaller sets and individual pieces as well for those on a more discerning budget. This review we take a look at the Super Deformed/Chibi style of Raramia's Queadluun-Rea. Raramia was Klan's sister and a pilot for Pixie Squad.

The figure is non pose-able but is featured in a striking action pose that still makes it look fairly bad-ass even being a super cute version of the mecha.

The figure stands 3 and a 1/2 inches tall. The included mini Vajra is approximately 1 inch tall.

Paint detail is neat and clean and I must say for a “prize item” I am impressed. The figure feels like a nice solid, well made piece not a cheaper lottery/prize item.

The Raramia's Queadluun-Rea is suitably cute and adorable and while I normally don't collect the chibi/super deformed/nederoid style of figures but I got the entire Banpresto Prize set as a package (I was after the bigger, fixed pose ladies – to be reviewed soon) so I am happy to add it to the growing display of Macross in my collection. Fans of the cute/super deformed style who like Macross F are sure to enjoy it as it is a top quality collectible.

Macross Frontier Ichiban KUJI Premium goods can be gotten at Angolz.

Not a lot of essential parts in this set, so maybe I can understand why this was a mail-away, but still, the whole concept leaves a sour taste in my mouth.

Now that Bandai is finally harnessing the power of the web, and the power of the Japanese Collecting community, they have begun offering exclusives through their "Tamashii Web Shop". The exclusives are usually add-ons to already released toys, are sold at a premium and are next to impossible to get in the States.

I don't know about the Japanese market, but it is causing quite a stir among the foreign collecting community. Most of these items require that you have a Japanese address, meaning that you have to go through a middleman to acquire them at a premium.

One could argue that if you don't like the price, don't buy them. But to me the issue is that by doing this Bandai is actually giving you less for your money. In the past, SOC and other collectors items were simply packed with every item that ever appeared in the show. Take for example, the giant cannon with Ideon, or the hover vehicle with the Walker Machine Galliar. These days though, those items would have been offered as web exclusives and tack another $100 onto the price. Now Bandai can charge more for the same items, and pack less into the toy. An upcoming example is the upcoming Big O Soul of Chogokin. Key gimmicks and accessories are not packed in with the toy, rather they are being offered as a mail-away. That $100 SOC just became $200.

Bandai knows this. They have tested the market in the past to see what we will bear. For example, the Soul of Chogokin Raideen set. You could buy the regular set, or the DX set with the giant stone head. This was a great approach because both sets were available at mass market retail. But maybe the market couldn't support both releases? Who knows? Why not do the same with Valkyries? Saint Cloth Myth? Perhaps it is Bandai's way of giving something unique to their core market in an increasingly international market. Some food for thought.

This set here is the Tamashii Web Exclusive Ghost & Weapons set for the Macross Frontier DX Chogokin RVF-25. These parts can be used with any VF-25, but they are specifically geared for Luca's RVF-25 Messiah. To order the set you had to place an order on the Tamashii Web site by a certain date and fork over 5,200 yen. However, if you bought the RVF-25 DF Chogokin Luca Custom, you could send in a coupon that allowed you to purchase the set at a reduced rate. Oh yeah, it's all in Japanese, and they only ship to Japan.

As a non-Japanese resident, you have a few options. One of course is to pick one up on the secondary market, another to use a middleman to place an order on your behalf. Few web stores accepted pre-orders for the sets such as Anime-Export. You can expect to pay about double the retail price for this set through these channels. Such is the price we pay.

The set arrives in a cardboard mailer, inside that is a plain looking monochrome outer box. The parts are organized neatly in a tray.

So what do you get for your hundred bucks? Not a whole lot. This set is for die-hards. You get the Ghost fighter, stand, 2 antennae, and three pairs of wing missiles as well as four large white missiles.

The ghost is the best part of the set. Ghost fighters are unmanned drones that can be sent out in lieu of manned fighters. In Luca's case, he has three identical drones that he has named Simon, John and Peter. This set only comes with one Ghost Fighter, so I don't know which this is.

The Ghost is all plastic but solid. It comes with a removable bottom plate so that you can attach the stand connector. The stand is clear plastic in two parts. There is also a spot on the nose that is for an optional antenna.

All of the other accessories are for the RVF-25, in fighter mode only.

Each of the weapon pods attaches to the wings in any number of configurations. Each has the same connection method, but are keyed to fit on either the left or right wing. None of the missiles can separate from their connectors.

Finally there are two antenna that can be attached to the tips of the boosters. Not sure what their purpose is, but they look like parts that really should have been packaged with the core valkyrie. You can also take one of these antenna and attach it to the ghost booster, but that leaves one empty spot on the booster. Why not give you three?

So there you have it. Not a lot of essential parts in this set, so maybe I can understand why this was a mail-away, but still, the whole concept leaves a sour taste in my mouth.

Definitely for the diehards, available from Anime-Export.com

Let's be fair, the toy is not terrible, it just has one terrible mode.

I'm not going to go over the pros and cons of the Messiah Valkyrie again, we all know its a mixed bag. Good fighter mode, good battroid mode, absolutely horrible gerwalk mode.

The RVF-25 Messiah Valkyrie Luca Custom is a special-use valkyrie used in the series Macross Frontier. Luca Angelloni is a meek, bookish member of the S.M.S. Skull Squadron who pilots the special Reconnaissance Version Messiah Valkyrie.

The toy is essentially the same as the other Macross F DX Chogokin toys, with some paint and mold changes. Each of the Skull Squadron members have a custom VF-25, different from the mass production version. You can get your RVF-25 Messiah Valkyrie at Anime-Export.com

Luca's RVF-25 features a unique head sculpt as well as a large radar dish on the back. Like the Michael Custom, Luca's valkyrie comes with super armor parts and a custom display stand.

In fighter mode, the main fighter is tight and looks great.

Adding on the super parts makes for a frustrating experience. Most of the armor parts fit ok, specifically the leg and chest armor, but the armor that covers the intakes falls off at the drop of a hat.

As far as gerwalk mode goes, its absolutely fu*kin terrible. Without the armor its a mess, add in the armor you just want to smash it with a hammer. Nothing stays on at all, and the armor on the back and wings just makes the whole rear sag. The stand is supposed to make it displayable, but fails miserably. I was too kind about it in my Ozma review - but after handling a few of these it really becomes apparent.

But lets not dwell on the misery of gerwalk form.

Battroid mode is really nice, much better than Gerwalk, but still you end up with too many armor pieces that don't fit well. Expect a waterfall of parts when trying to transform it. Best not to bother with them and just wait till you have the whole thing transformed.

The real weak point again is the armor over the hips, or the intake manifolds. There just isn't enough plastic on the clips to give them a secure connection.

There are some pluses to the armor though. I like the shoulder armor that has concealed missile pods, I like the leg and chest armor, and I like the big boosters. You can still have the radar dish attached on the back in this mode as well, but it dislodges easily.

The figure also comes with all the armaments of the other valks - the large gun, the two blades, and several interchangeable hands.

The stand that the figure comes with has a few issues. The main point of connection to the stand in fighter and gerwalk mode is a black tab that fits under the nose. Under the bottom of the nose is a tab that pulls out to connect to the waist in battroid mode. The black tip of the stand fits into the hole left by this piece when it is flipped out. This anchors the nose, but the rest of the toy simply "rests" on the rear plate. This would not be a bad idea if it were not for the fact that the front part can easily separate from the rest of the stand, causing the valk to come crashing to the floor. In battroid mode there is a separate stand part that attaches under the waist, but the figure stands fine without it.

So yeah, lots of complaints. So why did I get it? Well, I needed something to display my Tamashii Web Exclusive Ghost and Weapons Set. That review is coming up next.

And let's be fair, the toy is not terrible, it just has one terrible mode. Most Macross collectors will likely just display it in one mode anyway, and it DOES look really good in fighter and battroid mode.

Should you want to get one for your collection, you can get one at Anime-Export.com

Alto'S VF-25F! (Now In Super Deformed Flavor...)

Alto's Battroid is from the Banpresto produced prize items for Macross Frontier. Ichiban KUJI Premium Macross Frontier is sold in convenience stores across Japan as a lottery. Customers buy a 800 YEN ticket you pull from a blind box with a letter on it telling you which item you have won. It's completely random on what your end up with for your hard earned YEN. Available in the set of Premium goods are...

• A. Klan Klang (Melatrandi Pilot) 25cm tall
• B. Sheryl Nome (Finale Concert Dress) 22cm tall
• C. Ranka Lee (Kira Pose) 20cm tall
• D. Nyan Nyan Bowl
• E. Sport Towel Set (Monster Girl, VF-25, Kabuki Alto)
• F. Super Deformed Character Figure Set (Ranka, Sheryl, Klan, Alto)
• G. Super Deformed Mecha Set (VF-25F Alto Battroid, VF-25S Ozma Armored Gerwalk, VF-27 Brera Battroid, Klan Queadluun-Ray, Raramia Queadluun Ray)

I got a complete set thanks to Angolz. They do also offer smaller sets and individual pieces as well for those on a more discerning budget.

This review we take a look at the Super Deformed/Chibi style VF-25F (Alto Type) comes in Battroid mode.

The figure is not very pose-able but with rotation in the waist and shoulders only. It is featured in a striking action pose that still makes it look fairly cool even being a super cute version of the mecha.

The figure stands 4 and a 1/2 inches tall.

Paint detail is neat and clean and I must say for a “prize item” I am impressed. The figure feels like a nice solid, well made piece not a cheaper lottery/prize item.

The VF-25F is suitably cute and adorable and while I normally don't collect the chibi/super deformed/nederoid style of figures but I got the entire Banpresto Prize set as a package (I was after the bigger, fixed pose ladies – to be reviewed soon) so I am happy to add it to the growing display of Macross in my collection. Fans of the cute/super deformed style who like Macross F are sure to enjoy it as it is a top quality collectible.

Macross Frontier Ichiban KUJI Premium goods can be gotten at Angolz.

Klan's Queadluun-Rea in Super Deformed Style.

Klan's Queadluun-Rea is from the Banpresto produced prize items for Macross Frontier. Ichiban KUJI Premium Macross Frontier is sold in convenience stores across Japan as a lottery. Customers buy a 800 YEN ticket you pull from a blind box with a letter on it telling you which item you have won. It's completely random on what your end up with for your hard earned YEN. Available in the set of Premium goods are...

• A. Klan Klang (Melatrandi Pilot) 25cm tall
• B. Sheryl Nome (Finale Concert Dress) 22cm tall
• C. Ranka Lee (Kira Pose) 20cm tall
• D. Nyan Nyan Bowl
• E. Sport Towel Set (Monster Girl, VF-25, Kabuki Alto)
• F. Super Deformed Character Figure Set (Ranka, Sheryl, Klan, Alto)
• G. Super Deformed Mecha Set (VF-25F Alto Battroid, VF-25S Ozma Armored Gerwalk, VF-27 Brera Battroid, Klan Queadluun-Ray, Raramia Queadluun Ray)

I got a complete set thanks to Angolz. They do also offer smaller sets and individual pieces as well for those on a more discerning budget.

This review we take a look at the Super Deformed/Chibi style of Klan's Queadluun-Rea.

The figure is fairly non pose-able with only the shoulders and hip joints rotating which is more than acceptable for the mecha design and price point.

The figure stands 4 and a 1/2 inches tall.

Paint detail is neat and clean and I must say for a “prize item” I am impressed. The figure feels like a nice solid, well made piece not a cheaper lottery/prize item.

Klan's Queadluun-Rea is suitably cute and adorable and while I normally don't collect the chibi/super deformed/nederoid style of figures but I got the entire Banpresto Prize set as a package (I was after the bigger, fixed pose ladies – to be reviewed soon) so I am happy to add it to the growing display of Macross in my collection. Fans of the cute/super deformed style who like Macross F are sure to enjoy it as it is a top quality collectible.

Macross Frontier Ichiban KUJI Premium goods can be gotten at Angolz.

Time to review Ran...er, I mean ... Ley (or is it Ray?!). Who knows, what I do know that it is more awesome goodness from Beagle and Toynami with the 2nd release in their Mospeada line. HD Video included!

M.O.S.P.E.A.D.A stands for - Military Operation Soldier Protect Emergency Aviation Dive Auto and is from the Japanese anime series Genesis Climber Mospeada which originally aired in Japan in 1983. While Mospeada has achived a bit of a cult-like status in Japan, most collectors stateside were first introduced to this saga and it's technology as the third generation of the Robotech Saga. Robotech really helped pave the way for Japanese anime here in the States and still holds a special place in old-school collectors' hearts to this day.

Today we are taking a look at the Beagle 1/10 scale Mospeada Armor Cycle VR-052T (Ley type) from Mospeada. This particular line is a collaborative effort between Japanese toy maker, Beagle, and American toymaker, Toynami. Beagle distributes under the Genesis Climber Mospeada brand in Asia and Toynami distributes it under the Robotech brand here in the States.

These two “different” lines are the exact same toy from the exact same manufacturing plant and from the exact same production runs. The only difference between them is: the language the manual comes in, the head sculpt used, and the box they are put in. That and if you're a stateside collector, you can get the “Rand”-named and Robotech-branded box and head-sculpt for an average of $50 less than the Mospeada counterpart because you don't have to pay the international shipping.

I had thrown my lot in on the Mospeada-branded Beagle-boxed version because having had seen photos in advance, I preferred the subtler line art style of the Beagle head-sculpt, so I will continue the tradition for the rest of the series.

The box for this is identical to the first: a window on the front with the name of the piece printed across in white and original artwork featured on the back. It's an interesting hybrid between the new-school “window-box” and old-school “sealed box/original art work”. The window lets you ohh and ahh at the craftsman ship, while the artwork is meant to inspire your imagination. That is a sign the toymaker knows what a toy collecting aficionado really appreciates.

This second release's box has been trimmed a bit and sits about an inch thinner. Inside all the parts and pieces are neatly arranged and entombed in clear, vacuum-formed trays. Besides the rider and the cycle you get in the box:

• Stand
• Galant Rifle
• Galant Pistol
• 3 spare hands (2 open hands and 1 gun holding hand
• Helmeted head (with working visor)
• HBT Canister

The Ley action figure itself is fantastic! The figure stands just shy of 8 inches tall and features more than 45 points of articulation. Now when I say action figure, I mean it. This isn't a “doll” or Real Action Hero style body. This is a very well constructed, highly pose-able, tightly-jointed figure. What's a nice touch is the cloth suit that covers the limbs of a hard plastic underneath.

It looks like they left a bit more room in the cloth on the Ley release than they did on the Stick, giving the suit a slightly less fitted look (almost baggy), which I think may be intentional – Ley wasn't military so the suit wouldn't have been fitted for him. The Mospeada armored cycle he uses was one he had claimed from a crashed supply ship from one of Mars Bases' failed assault attempts to reclaim Earth from the Inbit. It's a subtle nuance and not very noticeable unless you compare the releases.

The Armored Cycle Mode is equally as fantastic. Measuring 8 inches long and 5 inches high, it is the pinnacle of toy engineering, yet remains a solid, playable motorcycle. Rolling rubber wheels and all.

This bike is almost identical to the Stick release except the front housing on the right doesn't have holes to hold the Beam Cannon and new wheel guards/wrist guards. Ley features a beam cannon mounted to the right side and a blank shield on the left.

... and of course. The real test of a great motorcycle mode is whether or not the rider can properly “ride” the bike, and I am happy to say Ley can. You can get him posed on the bike and drop the diecast metal kickstand and let it sit there. Have a moment to play? Stow the kickstand and feel free to roll the bad boy across your desk (I know you want to...).

They even designed foot-pegs for the rider to place his feet on, something only one other manufacturer has tried (CM Corp) but the small tiny scale and fiddle bits made it impractical for all but the most patient of collectors. It's much more successful on this toy.

The bike is primarily high quality ABS plastic, with the engine block and joints being made of POM. Diecast metal is only used in the “arms” that hold the wheels in place, the collarbone hinge in the frame of the bike, and the kickstand.

Transformation seems a bit daunting the first few times you do it. However if you follow the clearly illustrated manual in the order it presents things it's not as fiddly as some have reported. Once you've done it a few times it's not bad. But it is a piece that requires attention to detail for everything to sit right, but the end results are fantastic!

The one thing I did notice that was different from the initial Stick release is some of the hinge joints are much tighter, allowing you to fold them out of the way and staying where you put them.

In Armored mode, the Cyclo.... er I mean, the Mospeada looks magnificent and stands at 8 1/2 inches tall. The thigh armor connects the boots to the rest of the mecha and the shock absorbers act as pistons for the arm guards. Both actually have range of motion built into the joints to work like a “real” Mospeada.

However should you want to disconnect them to extend range of motion on the figure for posing, you can.

Last, they have included an incredibly well thought out stand. Not only does it allow you to display the piece in either Cycle mode or Armored Mode...

...they also have designed a "footlocker" into the base to store all the extra parts and pieces.

A clip is included to attach it in cycle mode, allowing for angled posing without falling off the shelves. An "arm" is included for Armored mode, allowing either standing poses or mid flight poses.

You can also forgo the stand and just use the extendable part of the arm to brace the figure in action poses without the entire base.

Which brings up a point I would like to clarify from the last review. Apparently I was not very clear when I said he can't stand by himself without the arm.

As you can see they can be posed in a neutral pose without the arm, but understand that it is very precarious. It's not that the joints can't hold it all up; they're fine. It's that the design is too back heavy.

So I do want it known they can be posed without any sort of support, but I wouldn't leave them on the shelf that way. They're guaranteed to take a header sooner or later. Besides, with the stand, it makes it easier to fly it around your office... (Don't lie, I know you do.)

So yeah, once again I am strongly praising the makers of this toy and suggesting you get one. QC gets even better (when I didn't think it was possible) and besides we all know Ley was the cooler one, he did actually “get” the girl after all... My only complaint is, again, the big screw hole in the neck. Come on Beagle, fix that in the next two releases and include a plug for the first two.

I got my Beagle 1/10th scale Mospeada Armor Cycle VR-052T - Ley Type (Damn. That's a mouthful.) from our advertiser Angolz.com and I love them for it. Be sure to check the Gallery for more pictures and I have made a shiny new HD video for your bemusement which is embedded below.

The Fold Booster & Fast Pack set completes the Yamato 1/60 YF-19

HD Video review included!

If you get the YF-19 Valkyrie, you kind of need to get the Fold Booster & Fast Pack, it just seems incomplete without it. Yamato sold the fold and fast set as a stand alone set (as reviewed here) or they also sold a combined set.

The set, which runs about $50, includes the fast packs, cockpit parts, an additional pilot, and of course the fold booster, with stand.

So lets start with the Fast packs. FAST is actually an acronym for Fuel and Sensor Tactical. These are add-on armor packs that can enhance the Valkyrie's range or firepower.

The YF-19 FAST packs consist of shoulder and leg armor. The shoulder armor (while small) act as supplemental fuel tanks. In fighter mode, the tanks are grey aerodynamic blocks behind the center section. The parts feature a flip out connector that connects to the back of the shoulder blocks, while a flip down spacer moves the legs lower.

The leg packs are supposed to feature extra banks of micro missiles but don't open. You just have to assume they do. Each large FAST pack adheres to the side of the fighter with MAGNETS! The magnets, while not super strong, are strong enough to stay attached.

Fighter mode with the YF-19 is already a tricky thing to manage, and with the addition of the FAST packs it just gets worse. You click one thing in and another pops out and after a few minutes of this you are ready to throw it against the wall. If you are anything like me, you will just lose your mind.

Fortunately, in Battroid and Gerwalk mode, the FAST packs stay on just fine, so its likely that this is the mode you will want to display the toy in.

The next addition is with the cockpit. Included in the set is an additional seat and co pilot, one scientist by the name of Yang Neumann. You must remove the existing cockpit and kibble around it to replace this seat.

While all these things are well and good, the real reason you want this set is the Fold Booster. The booster enables the YF-19 to do a space "fold" to cover long distances in a short amount of time.

The fold booster consists of the booster itself, 2 connector parts, and a base (for storage when not in use).

The beauty of the fold booster is that it lights up. Yep - electronics. 3 LR44 watch batteries (not included) are needed to power the lightshow. Once installed, turn on the switch and the lights pulse and dance in patterns replicating its fold journey. It's really quite stunning.

The Fold booster attaches to the YF-19 by its two connector parts which snap in the body and around the shield. The fold booster is unusable in the other modes, hence the stand. It is worth noting that the YF-21 comes with parts so it too can use the same fold booster.

Could this set have been done better? Sure. But the cool light up fast pack, the extra pilot, and even the packs themselves (when in Battroid mode) are worth the money. If you haven't gotten a YF-19, go for the combo pack, as I hear the Valkyrie has had small improvements. Otherwise, this pack is neat.