|
|
Post by SJNeal on Mar 16, 2016 0:33:29 GMT -5
I've had a wave of Colorform's nostalgia wash over me lately. I used to love these things as a kid, particularly any featuring Marvel and DC characters.   Wow, same here! I had a ton as a kid, and after stumbling across some on eBay, was bitten by the bug again. Many are going for outrageous prices, but I'm determined to find some good deals! |
|
shaxper
CCF Site Custodian
Posts: 22,865
|
Post by shaxper on Mar 16, 2016 8:30:21 GMT -5
If you like VF-1 toys, you really owe it to yourself to look into the 1/60 scale toys from Yamato/Arcadia. Sadly, they are out of print now but they are considered pretty much the best versions of the toys out there. A close second might be 1/100 scale Hi-Metal R toys from Bandai. The Bandai 1/55s have always been enough for me. What am I missing that these other versions do better? Really the only feature that I feel is lacking in the classic 1/55s is the revolving cockpit shield feature that the really small scale pre-super deformed versions of the 1980s had. I used to own one, but have no recollection of who the manufacturer was. |
|
|
|
Post by tingramretro on Mar 16, 2016 9:01:07 GMT -5
I really wish I still had my old 1970s Stretch Armstrongs. Supposedly, there are less than sixty of them believed to be still in existence, and they now fetch hundreds on ebay. I owned two, at various times.  |
|
shaxper
CCF Site Custodian
Posts: 22,865
|
Post by shaxper on Mar 16, 2016 10:08:21 GMT -5
I really wish I still had my old 1970s Stretch Armstrongs. Supposedly, there are less than sixty of them believed to be still in existence How did they calculate that?? |
|
|
|
Post by tingramretro on Mar 16, 2016 10:42:22 GMT -5
I really wish I still had my old 1970s Stretch Armstrongs. Supposedly, there are less than sixty of them believed to be still in existence How did they calculate that?? The arcane ways of the toy dealers are not for mere mortals to know... |
|
|
|
Post by Randle-El on Mar 16, 2016 22:00:53 GMT -5
If you like VF-1 toys, you really owe it to yourself to look into the 1/60 scale toys from Yamato/Arcadia. Sadly, they are out of print now but they are considered pretty much the best versions of the toys out there. A close second might be 1/100 scale Hi-Metal R toys from Bandai. The Bandai 1/55s have always been enough for me. What am I missing that these other versions do better? Really the only feature that I feel is lacking in the classic 1/55s is the revolving cockpit shield feature that the really small scale pre-super deformed versions of the 1980s had. I used to own one, but have no recollection of who the manufacturer was. In other posts you've indicated that you're more of a vintage guy and aren't a fan of modern, Masterpiece-style transforming toys, so these might not really be your cup of tea. This video review covers things pretty well. If you don't feel like sitting through the video -- basically, the Yamato/Arcadia VF-1 has more anime-accurate proportions and much better articulation (the hip ball joints and knee twist are a HUGE improvement, and let you achieve those low, crouching stances in Gerwalk/Guardian mode from the show that the old 1/55s never could). It also has a bunch of little touches that let you do things to make it look more like the cartoon, but that older toys never managed to pull off -- a little pilot figure that sits in the cockpit, missiles you can attach to the wings, an integrated cockpit cover, a gun that collapses and stows underneath the vehicle between the arms, etc. It even has a gimmick where you can pull out and remove the entire fuselage and attach to the arm of another fighter, as an homage to the scene in the third episode where Roy rescues Rick/Hikaru. It also does this with perfect transformation, so that's pretty impressive. Within the Macross community, it is pretty much considered the pinnacle in terms of VF-1 toy designs -- and there have been a lot of takes on this toy, so that's saying something. The Bandai 1/55s are definitely a classic -- I have a couple of them myself. The 1/60 toys will never replace those, but at the same time, the 1/55s also left a lot to be desired. Even as a kid, I remembered thinking that it was a bit disappointing that the toy couldn't do some of things you saw in the TV show. The 1/60 pretty much solve all those complaints. Oh, by the way -- the Super Deformed VF-1 toys were also made by Bandai, same as the 1/55s. |
|
|
|
Post by Bronze Age Brian on Mar 17, 2016 19:40:11 GMT -5
There are a couple I would reacquire if I had the chance and the circumstances were right (price, budget available, etc.). First among them would be the Mighty Men and Monster Maker set...  I remember creating these combos (and many others) fondly -M Wow mrp, you've belatedly just tapped into my earliest (and forgotten) memories with this post. I had this at a very early age, I want to say 4 or 5. Good times were had. My pick is Manglor Mountain. It was basically a monster torture chamber for kids. They don't make 'em like this anymore.  And the greatest lie ever told:  See where the box says you can tear him apart? Yeah, that didn't work. At all. Once his limbs were pulled off that was that. |
|
|
|
Post by String on Mar 20, 2016 19:05:19 GMT -5
Ok, two questions about the VFs.
1) What's the average price range for these items? Limited production, out-of-print, differing specs and designs, I get this may affect the pricing but is there a typical range?
2) Other than Amazon and eBay, are there any reputable companies/websites where I can also buy stock of these from?
|
|
shaxper
CCF Site Custodian
Posts: 22,865
|
Post by shaxper on Mar 20, 2016 19:53:06 GMT -5
|
|
shaxper
CCF Site Custodian
Posts: 22,865
|
Post by shaxper on Mar 20, 2016 20:14:26 GMT -5
Speaking of Robotech and Macross, here's how I spent some of my evening tonight:  Who says you can't mix and match toylines?  |
|
|
|
Post by String on Mar 21, 2016 20:55:31 GMT -5
Ah, okay thanks. I was also considering some of Hasegawa's model kits. My painting skills have atrophied over the years though since the last model I worked on, my 1/700th model of the Yamato. Did any of you have Power Records back in the day? A storybook accompanied with a vinyl recording or in this case, a comic book with a record. It was so awesome to hear some of these characters' voices back then and the music and effects were quite good. I still have these:    |
|
shaxper
CCF Site Custodian
Posts: 22,865
|
Post by shaxper on Mar 21, 2016 20:58:22 GMT -5
Did any of you have Power Records back in the day? A storybook accompanied with a vinyl recording or in this case, a comic book with a record. It was so awesome to hear some of these characters' voices back then and the music and effects were quite good. I own all the Planet of the Apes movie adaptations done by Power Records. It's really interesting how far off script some of those adaptations go, and you can tell a lot of the changes didn't come from the shooting scripts either. Honestly though, I've never actually listened to the records that came with the books. Funny, as I have two working turntables in my home that I use regularly. I really have no excuse. Speaking of which, I think I still have my Super Powers record that came with the mail away Steppenwolf figure back in the day. I really need to give that a listen! |
|
|
|
Post by Randle-El on Mar 23, 2016 1:12:56 GMT -5
Ok, two questions about the VFs. 1) What's the average price range for these items? Limited production, out-of-print, differing specs and designs, I get this may affect the pricing but is there a typical range? 2) Other than Amazon and eBay, are there any reputable companies/websites where I can also buy stock of these from? The original Yamato 1/60 VF-1 toys retailed for around $100, and the Arcadia versions retailed for closer to $150 (Arcadia is basically just a re-branding of the exact same toy design, like Bandai vs. Takatoku). Since they are all out of production, you're pretty much limited to secondhand market. Offhand, I'd say they would sell these days anywhere from $150 to $300, depending on the character and configuration. The VF-1A mass production model (the brown "cannon fodder" VFs) is on the low end, whereas a Roy VF-1S with full super/strike parts probably hovers close to $250 to $300. Yamato also had a habit of producing very limited run, obscure and/or special edition VFs. For example, like this one:  Or weathered version like this one:  which currently sell on the aftermarket for ridiculous prices. As for where you can pick up these items -- eBay is definitely one place, but don't expect to get a good deal unless you manage to win an auction with a low bid. Because of the whole legal situation regarding Harmony Gold and Macross merchandise effectively being embargoed in the states, most Macross collectors have to resort to making purchases via Japanese websites. I've made a bunch of purchases at a retailer called Mandarake, and even after factoring in overseas shipping I've gotten better deals there than from U.S. sellers on eBay. The other option is to check out online Macross forums. I read and post at MacrossWorld forums, and have made a number of purchases from forum members on their buy/sell area. Depending on the seller, you can get much better deals there than on places like eBay. |
|
shaxper
CCF Site Custodian
Posts: 22,865
|
Post by shaxper on Mar 23, 2016 5:01:44 GMT -5
Ok, two questions about the VFs. 1) What's the average price range for these items? Limited production, out-of-print, differing specs and designs, I get this may affect the pricing but is there a typical range? 2) Other than Amazon and eBay, are there any reputable companies/websites where I can also buy stock of these from? The original Yamato 1/60 VF-1 toys retailed for around $100, and the Arcadia versions retailed for closer to $150 (Arcadia is basically just a re-branding of the exact same toy design, like Bandai vs. Takatoku). Since they are all out of production, you're pretty much limited to secondhand market. Offhand, I'd say they would sell these days anywhere from $150 to $300, depending on the character and configuration. The VF-1A mass production model (the brown "cannon fodder" VFs) is on the low end, whereas a Roy VF-1S with full super/strike parts probably hovers close to $250 to $300. Yamato also had a habit of producing very limited run, obscure and/or special edition VFs. For example, like this one: Or weathered version like this one: which currently sell on the aftermarket for ridiculous prices. As for where you can pick up these items -- eBay is definitely one place, but don't expect to get a good deal unless you manage to win an auction with a low bid. Because of the whole legal situation regarding Harmony Gold and Macross merchandise effectively being embargoed in the states, most Macross collectors have to resort to making purchases via Japanese websites. I've made a bunch of purchases at a retailer called Mandarake, and even after factoring in overseas shipping I've gotten better deals there than from U.S. sellers on eBay. The other option is to check out online Macross forums. I read and post at MacrossWorld forums, and have made a number of purchases from forum members on their buy/sell area. Depending on the seller, you can get much better deals there than on places like eBay. You know, I can see one clear way in which those 1/60s are superior to the 1/55s -- look at those cockpits! Yes, I fully realize someone is going to quote that line out of context for future reference... |
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Mar 23, 2016 8:13:30 GMT -5
I had a bunch of the Power Record records! I remember a big Batman set that had a story about him and Sherlock Holmes and the other had Gorilla Grodd. It was a 33 1/3 record. Also had a couple of Batman 45 records that featured the Riddler and Catwoman. I had others that had Man-Bat and Joker. Had a couple of Wonder Woman too. Those were so much fun to listen to and I want to say many of them were illustrated by Neal Adams, I think?
|
|
