Minimum Factory VF-1J From Robotech/Macross in 1/20 Scale!
Disclosure notice! I did not build this. A gentleman named Suichi Hayachi built it. I am merely sharing his incredible work. I have also invited him to join us at iModeler.
Since 1985 I have loved the show Robotech and have a collection of all transforming VF-1 Valkyries/Veritechs by both Tokatoku/Bandai and Toynami in 1/55 scale with a lone Yamato VF-1S in 1/48. I also have the 1/48 Hasegawa kit of the Veritech in plane form (along with other assorted Macross/Robotech models). Also, I think that even pushing 40 years old (Macross came out in Japan in 1982) the design by Shoji Kawamori still looks fantastic! The show Robotech was brought into the US by Harmony Gold but as the first part of the show which was Super Dimension Fortress Macross in Japan was too short for syndication they strung two more unrelated shows to come out with 85 episodes. Super Dimension Cavalry Southern Cross and Genesis Climber Mospeada being tied in as the second and third acts of the story. It was all edgy stuff to a fifth grader to have a show that had a good story line (the episodes are not stand alone) and that killed off main characters so you never knew who was safe. I still love it to this day (and have since seen the Japanese versions of all three shows). There are Macross purists, but I still prefer Robotech as I find the score written by Ulpio Minucci much better to listen to.
Anyway, on to the model itself! This kit blows the Hasegawa out of the water in both detail and size and is currently at the top of my want list! The plane itself is just slightly smaller than an F-14 but imagine a Tomcat in 1/20 and you'll have an idea how big it is. The color scheme is not one that appears in the show rather a what if had one served in the current low-vis scheme. The weathering is fantastic! Enjoy! (The pictures go fast so you may have to pause it.) He also has WIP videos of the construction. The work that went into the exhausts alone is amazing!
Thanks for sharing this nice video with the build of Mr Suichi Hayachi, Josh!
This is a wonderful model, different than the norm, but, nevertheless, great!
Weathering is, simply, superb!
Some strong work in the paint dept heavily influenced by looking at photos of F-14 Tomcats.
I like all of the little details in the weathering and the mottled paint. With lots of touch up from fresh paint from wear and tear while in the field. The right amount of grunge and all of the wording . . . no step, and so on. It makes for a interesting build.
That is an amazing weathering and paint job. I'm a Robotech fan, too.
We really need a "WOW!" button next to the "like" button.
As someone who'd built a lot of 1/20 race cars over the years, I immediately realized how huge that model must be when I read the title.
π ... Greetings ... π :
Superb work in every which way , thank you for sharing this build with us.
I await more from Mr. Suichi Hayachi.
Now I know what these are, Looks great, beautiful weathering!