Transformation Manual for the 1/60 VF-11B was translated to English and can be found here.
Got this last month from HobbyLink Japan, the 2009 released 1/60 VF-11B with Super Pack from Yamato Toys. The VF-11B Thunderbolt was first seen in the opening segment of the first episode of the Macross Plus OVA. Macross Plus is considered as the successor to the original Super Dimension Fortress Macross anime that came out in the early 80's.
In the anime the VF-11B was the premier frontline fighter of UN Spacy Earth Government but was already due for replacement. Macross Plus protagonist, Isamu Dyson was flying the VF-11B in deep space as one of the pilots of a battle fleet. From there he was transferred to planet New Eden to serve as a test pilot for the YF-19 prototype that was pitted against the YF-21 and the winner of which would replace the VF-11B in the front.
The VF-11B seems to borrow from the simple design of the original Macross Variable Fighter (VF), the VF-1A Valkyrie. The transformation is mostly similar with the front fuselage and nose folding down to form the chest of the battroid and with the arms being tucked at the center of the underside of the fuselage. This is of course unlike the more complex and transformation sequence of the VF's that succeeded the VF-11. The VF-11B is also a swing wing type, this is used for uniform performance during various speed levels in atmospheric flight.
As a toy made by Yamato Toys however, the improvements in the quality of the 1/60 VF-11B is definitely glaring as compared to the 1/60 YF-19 and 1/60 YF-21 that was released prior to the VF-11B. The quality of the VF-11B stacks right up there with the Version 2 of the 1/60 VF-1 Valkyrie series released by Yamato Toys. They really were able to perfectly recreate the VF-11B from its line drawings.
As a Variable Fighter, the 1/60 VF-11B can seemlessly transform to the 3 modes of Fighter, Gerwalk and Battroid without need of removing any parts from the stand alone toy. This is one thing that has always made me admire the craftmanship of Macross related products of Yamato Toys.
There is a little caveat however that I always like to say to the first time purchaser when it comes to the 1/60 Macross line of Yamato Toys. And that is that these are display toys. These aren't toys that you can spend hours transforming back and forth from its different modes as well as play with so recklessly. A lot of strength and sturdiness had to be sacrificed in order to create a toy that perfectly matches its line drawings. Of course with its more than $200+ price tag I don't think this is a toy that you should play with so roughly. This is a toy that one should appreciate most of the time by means of his eyes.
Aside from the base toy, this product comes with some accessories. Most notable of which is the Super Pack that comprises two boosters mounted on the back. Then it also comes with two propellant tanks that are attached via magnets to the legs. The kit comes with a Gunpod, Transformation Manual, Isamu Dyson pilot figure and two stand attachments that will allow the toy to be attached to the Macross Stands of Yamato.
Now lets go to the problem areas I found with this toy. One is that the detachable Gunpod cover can easily be removed. The rubber of the tires in the landing gears can also be easily removed from the wheels. Then I noticed that the shield can be easily popped off the arm. With the super packs on, the toy in robot mode has a tendency to lean to the back. Factory defect wise on my particular toy, I noticed a scratch on the windshield and on one canard. Like most Macross line toys of Yamato this one is composed mainly of plastic making it seem flimsy and light weight.
Despite those problem areas, I found this to be an actually great toy. Mainly because its a very accurate copy of the VF-11B Thunderbolt from Macross Plus along with the gimmicks it incorporated in order to reproduce an accurate toy. Continue to the next pages to see more of this review.
Box Shots & Unboxing
Compared to the size of the boxes of the 1/60 YF-19 and 1/60 YF-21 that preceeded it the box of the VF-11B is of an acceptable size. This box is roughly the size of you average 1/60 VF-1 box from Yamato Toys. Here's a shot of the front of the box next to a 12 inch ruler for comparison.
A shot of the side of the box. Pay no attention to the ruler on the size, as the height difference between the top of the box and the ruler at the bottom skews your perspective of the size of the box.
Back of the box
Top of the box. Once again pay no attention to the ruler at the bottom as the height difference between the top of the box and the ruler at the bottom skews your perspective of the size of the box
Opening the box and pulling out what's inside you can see a cardboard case and in it is the 2 piece vacuum formed container where the VF-11B and its accessories are placed at.
A more close up shot of that
At the undeside of the cardboard container is a plastic bag where the manual and stickers are housed. The plastic bag is taped to the bottom of the cardboard container.
Shot of the vacuum formed container removed from its cardboard container
Some close up shots of the parts housed in the vacuum formed container
Pulling out the VF-11B from its container, you will notice that the wings of the toy are wrapped in protective plastic
Shot of the toy in fighter mode next to a 6 inch ruler for comparison.
The wing tips have tape on them, most likely to protect the paint that denote the landing lights
The cockpit of the VF-11B is actually an ejection pod. There is some foam at the inside of the nose fuselage that houses the ejection pod, you'll have to remove this.
Parts & Accessories
The VF-11B comes with a black and white manual that details the transformation of the toy from Fighter mode to Gerwalk mode and Battroid. It also has a points of transformation section that gives emphasis on the things you should give importance to when transforming. It also has an options and gimmick section that shows how the various features of the toy should function. The manual is also in Japanese, but don't worry as I'll have a English translation up in a few days (or weeks *snicker*)
Sticker sheet also comes with the VF-11B, refer to the manual for the location of the stickers.
Kit also includes two stand attachments for the VF-11B that allow it to be installed into the Macross stand of Yamato Toys
The toy comes with a shield that also forms the back part of the VF-11B in fighter mode.
Shot of the underside of the shield, there are some pegs that help connect the shield to the VF-11B depending on its configuration. As always, the detail that Yamato Toys put into this is amazing.
It wasn't actually described in the manual how to stick the shield on the arm, so I just followed one of the pictures in the manual. The shield of the VF-11B can easily be popped out, so take extra care with this and keep close attention to it so that you won't lose it.
Isamu Dyson pilot figure comes with the kit. This is a remarkable improvement compared to the sculpt of Isamu Dyson in the 1/60 YF-19 by Yamato Toys. And unlike that one, this one can easily fit into the cockpit of the VF-11B
Here's a shot of the figure next to a ruler for comparison.
Photo of the underside of the figure
One thing I really like about this toy is the humongous Gunpod that comes with it.
Gunpod next to a 6 inch ruler for comparison
Other side of the Gunpod
Unique to the Gunpod of the VF-11B is the bayonet that folds for storage to the underside of the Gunpod
Gunpod with the bayonet extended next to a 6 inch ruler for comparison.
Business end of the Gunpod
The top of the Gunpod can be removed to expose the barrels. In the anime, Isamu Dyson can be seen swapping the covers of his Gunpod. This is actually how the Gunpod is reloaded.
Take care with the Gunpod cover as it can easily be detached or fall off. Take note of this always so that you won't lose it.
Two sets of Super Pack can be attached to the back of the VF-11B. Super Packs are used to increase the VF's performance in terms of range and speed
Shot of the VF-11B Super Pack next to a 6 inch ruler for comparison.
Shot of the underside of the VF-11B showing the 4 pegs that attach to the VF-11B
Back of the Super Pack showing the thrusters
Front of the Super Pack showing the 4 micro missile launchers and at the bottom of that is a vernier thruster for space manuevering.
Two sets of propellant tanks are included that attach to each leg. Propellant tanks house extra propellant that extend the range of the VF-11B. There are also vernier thrusters in them that improve the manueverability of the VF-11B in a space environment.
Shot of the propellant tank next to a 6 inch ruler for comparison
Opposite view of the propellant tank
Backside of the propellant tank showing the vernier thrusters
Close up of the vernier thrusters
Underside of the Propellant tank showing the magnet that facilitates the connection of the propellant tank to the leg of the VF-11B. Not sure if the ribbed underside is just an aesthetic, but in an engineering sense it helps give rigidity to the part and cuts down on the use of plastic by not having to fill the entire thing in.
The duct covers of the VF-11B can be removed to display that intake fans
The underside of the duct has either "L" or "R" imprinted on it so that you can easily tell which goes to the left or right thruster intake.
An amazing gimmick of the VF-11B is the detachable escape pod that wasn't actually seen in Macross Plus, but can be seen in the VF-11C's of the Macross 7 Anime.
Close up of the VF-11B escape pod
Another view of the escape pod, notice the fine detail put in the display of the cockpit
Underside of the escape pod
Fighter Mode
Shots of the VF-11B in Fighter mode without the super packs attached
Fighter Mode with Super Packs
Super packs are attached to the back of the Fighter and the respective Propellant tanks are attached to the legs. From my understanding, the super packs and propellant tanks are detached during atmospheric flight. Most likely because the thrusters aren't usable in a serviceable atmopshere or that the weight of them cannot be supported by the lifting surfaces of the VF-11B making it aerodynamically unflyable.
The direction of the feet thrusters can be changed to simulate the vectored thrust capability of the VF-11B
Intake fans can be clearly seen in this shot as the optional duct covers are removed
Gerwalk Mode (Arms Stowed)
Shots of the VF-11B in Gerwalk Mode with the arms stowed. This was never shown in the OVA but it is quite common for some VF pilots to fly their VF's in Gerwalk mode with the arms stowed in the fuselage.
Arms shown stored at the underside of the fuselage
Gerwalk Mode (Arms Out)
Photos of the 1/60 VF-11B by Yamato Toys with the Arms out in Gerwalk Mode.
This time with the Super Packs and Propellant Tanks on
Battroid Mode
Shots of the VF-11B in its Battroid (robot) mode
These shots are of the VF-11B with the Super Packs and Propellant Tanks attached
One point of the transformation sequence to Battroid mode that I found difficult was closing the cockpit canopy covers. Especially the small one at the front of the canopy. It first starts with lowering the escape pod/cockpit into the fuselage.
Then pulling out the front canopy cover, I did this with the use of a small "-" screw driver
The edges of the front and back canopy cover should connect to lock. In order to make it easier, I jammed the small "-" screw driver at the back of the front canopy to prevent it from sliding backwards due to the force of the back canopy trying to attach to it.
That small "-" screw driver I also found useful to push this peg that's part of the transformation sequence in Battroid mode.
Comparison of the VF-11B with some 1/60 VF's by Yamato Toys
Incase you are interested, just some comparison shots of the VF-11B with VF-1A Mass Production and YF-21.
This time with the YF-21
Misc Pictures of the VF-11B
Just some miscellaneous pictures of the VF-11B
Close up of the head of the VF-11B. As always, remarkable detail and reproduction of the VF-11B's head by Yamato Toys.
Maximum forward travel of the head laser. You can actually make it depress down further by moving the base of the canon backward.
Close up of the hand of the VF-11B. Its and improvement over the flimsy hand design of the 1/60 YF-19 by Yamato Toys. I wish Yamato Toys would make fixed hands like in their 1/60 VF-1 series
Peg at the palm of the hand should insert into the grip of the Gunpod. As always, never been able to do that with any of my 1/60 VF toys by Yamato Toys
Front landing gear of the VF-11B, detailing of this is impressive, especially the 3 door cover. Becareful however as I found the rubber of the tires could be easily removed from the wheels. The quality of the tire is similar to the 1/60 VF-1 ver 2 series of Yamato Toys, the YF-19 and YF-21 tires were ugly and had a lot of excess rubber left over from the casting
The rear landing gears tire pivots perpendicular to the centerline of the fuselage for storage. I always found this gimmick of Yamato toys to be superb and a testament to their skill in recreating the toy.
As with the front fuselage, the tires can be easily removed from the wheel, so take note of this when handling this toy.
