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Bandai's 1/72 VF-25F Messiah
Valkyrie (Alto Custom) ~ In-box preview
Macross Frontier is an anime science
fiction space drama that recently finished airing in Japan (last episode
aired on September 25, 2008). It is the story of three young adults and
the events that occur around them as a space colony fleet, trying to
find a habitable planet near the center of the Milky Way Galaxy, faces a
crisis of alien origin.
The new show celebrates the 25th anniversary of the original Super
Dimension Fortress Macross TV series (1982 - 1983), and is
chronologically subsequent to Macross 7 (1994 - 1996). This series
introduces Earth's latest main variable fighter, the VF-25 Messiah.
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Box Art
The VF-25 Messiah is a single-seater,
twin-engine variable fighter capable of both space and atmospheric
flight, developed onboard the space colonization fleet Macross Frontier
around 2059.
In fighter mode, it's main weapon is a gatling gun gun pod, mounted
underneath, between the fighter's two intakes. In addition to the
external gun pod, built-in weapons include beam weaponry, head-mounted
lasers and a large knife (for use in Gerwalk or Battroid modes) that can
be enforced by the fighter's own pin-point barrier system.
External equipment like FAST Packs can be added on to improve craft
capabilities, and unlike previous variable fighters, the FAST Packs do
not need to be ejected before transformation into Gerwalk or Battroid.
The deployed variants of the VF-25 that appear in the anime are:
* VF-25F: Baseline model. Can be equipped with either a Super pack
or an Armored pack.
* VF-25G: Sniper variant, with different head design. Gatling gun
replaced with a sniper rifle-like weapon. Harpoon system present for
latching onto suitable surfaces. Can be equipped with a Super pack.
* VF-25S: Commander variant, with upgraded systems across the board.
Can be equipped with an Armored pack.
* RVF-25: Electronic warfare variant, with such systems found
onboard including a rotating radome. Head design also
differs from standard. This fighter can be used to control Ghost
drone fighters. Can be equipped with a Super pack.
What You Get
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Parts
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More parts
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Even more parts
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Instructions - front
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Instructions - middle
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Instructions - color guide
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Instructions - assembly
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Decals & stickers
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This snap-fit model depicts the VF-25F
Messiah Valkyrie that Alto Saotome uses in the anime, thus the "Alto
Custom" name. Molded in color, it shows all its intricate mechanical
parts, cockpit, and panel lines reproduced in sharp detail.
Bandai was definitely thinking about both newbie and pro modelers by
including stickers AND water-slide decals with this kit. The quality of
the parts and its fit is typical Bandai, and should make for a smooth
build.
The model is fully transformable between its Fighter, Gerwalk, and
Battroid modes, via the use of metal shafts in the wings and nose. Its
signature gunpod can slide open, and its knife can be stored in its
shield. Also includes a unpainted "Alto" pilot figure for the cockpit,
and a base attachment that can be used in conjuction with Bandai Action
Bases (sold separately) for an in-flight pose.
As usual, glue and paint will go a long way to increase the look of the
finished model. 
I can't wait for the other VF-24 variants to be released, specially the
AWACS type. Scale: 1/72
Manufacturer: Bandai
What you get: 250 styrene parts, 5 small metal rods, instructions,
stickers and decal sheets
Price: ¥4,500 (about $47.76) plus overseas
shipping, available from HLJ.com
Molding Quality: typical of Bandai models, no flash with crisp
detail and excellent parts fit
Detail: 9 out of 10
Accuracy: looks almost dead-on to the anime version
Pros: excellent parts fit & detail, water-slide decals,
transformable
Cons: price, available only (so far) from overseas
hobby stores
Final comments: Excellent kit from this awesome series. Gets
9-out-of-10 in my book. Highly recommended.
 
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