i hope they're doing this and the battlepod out of the same fabrication plant where they did the beta fighters...

Couldn't agree more. Seriously.

I've heard SO many horror stories about the Toynami- and Aoshima-released Alphas/Legioss', that I won't go near any existing ones. But the Beta/TREAD is such a joy, it would be a shame not to have a matching Alpha...

I'm really hoping this turns out nice so I can finally have a solid, matching Alpha-Beta set. Hey, does anyone out there frequent the boards on Robotech.com or any other Robotech fan sites? Anything to report there about the robustness of the new Alpha? Or, more to the point, what factory Toynami's using to fabricate it??

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Sanjeev

I got into collecting after the Scott Bernard MPC's were already long since sold-out, so I picked up an Aoshima blue Legioss via Robotech.com's store...

Once, in my mid 20's, I helped a friend move, and THEN got entirely obliterated-drunk (like you do at that age). My feet and knees literally would not work. Between being physically exhausted and seriously inebriated, I simply couldn't stand. This is exactly what it's like with the blue Aoshima Legioss - it looks great, but the joints are so fantastically floppy that it falls over like the village drunkard if I walk past it. I finally ended up hanging it in Battloid mode on my blue MPC Beta, and it looks fine. To add insult to injury though, the missile hatch covers are just as stiff and breakage prone as their Toynami MPC counterparts.

I've said it elsewhere and I'll say it again here: If this was actually representative of the quality of mecha the REF used against the Invid, they'd only have to turn on a strong desk fan to repel all attacks.

I've had the brass around here beg George Sohn to use the same factory that produced the Beta either to release an all-new, all-plastic 1/55 Alpha-Beta boxed set or just re-tool the diecast Alpha from the ground up. It kinda sounds like the latter might be happening with this new Alpha...

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Sanjeev

Honestly, with the QC issues that culminated in the leper-like solidity of the Maia, I hope they *DID* get it rolling out of the same plant that did the Beta's... not only because it's been awhile, but if these have QC issues too, the outcry against Toynami will jump tenfold. They've got to know what's on the line here...

As far as re-issues go, George, are you listening? I will wash your car. I will do your laundry. I will personally cook and cater a party for you. Just... please... I'll pony up the cash, but some better quality re-issues would be "teh aw3some" as the kids say....

Got mine today, and all I can say is "ugh".

I never dealt with the recalled version, so I can't say if this re-issue is better or worse than what it's "replacing", but the quality is about the same or worse than other MPC Alphas that I've purchased (3 total), and definitely worse (quality wise) than my blue Aoshima Alpha.

It was packed poorly, the knee covers had snapped off, and the gold hinge for one of them had clearly cracked and been mended. The gun appears to have no way to fit in the hand. And other than the shoulder missile pods, every other missile pod is stiff, won't actually open, or won't open all the way.

I saw a video of Tommy Yune at Animation On Display claiming that there were big improvements to the design, and everyone would be pleased. I'm not, and from the other people just unboxing theirs, I'm not the only one.

I put up pictures here: http://pics.livejournal.com/sushispook/gallery/0008q7wa?.view=grid

My "live" unboxing review is here: http://www.robotechx.com/forums/38-robotech-toys-and-collectibles/9782-qlivebloggingq-my-unpacking-of-maia-sterling-alpha.html

To quote my favorite comedian, "it's a failure pile in a sadness bowl".

Thanks for sharing. Coincidentally we will be meeting with Toynami this weekend. I'll be sure to bring this up.

On a separate not you should review it proper here at CDX. ;)

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CollectionDX - Assistant Editor - Writer

Believe me when I tell you that I would well and truly like to do so - But right now I barely have time to go to the bathroom these days. But I took a look at the review guidelines, and if I get time this weekend, and a review isn't posted by then/in the works, I'll happily do so. :)