Kit Review

Straight build + Panel lining + Seals

Size comparison with a cigarette pack

1. Batroid mode

1/72 VF-27γ Lucifer Valkyrie Brera Sterne Custom (1/7)

1/72 VF-27γ Lucifer Valkyrie Brera Sterne Custom (2/7)

1/72 VF-27γ Lucifer Valkyrie Brera Sterne Custom (3/7)

1/72 VF-27γ Lucifer Valkyrie Brera Sterne Custom (4/7)

1/72 VF-27γ Lucifer Valkyrie Brera Sterne Custom (5/7)

1/72 VF-27γ Lucifer Valkyrie Brera Sterne Custom (6/7)

1/72 VF-27γ Lucifer Valkyrie Brera Sterne Custom (7/7)

Upper body

Head

Detail on the back of the head too..

Lower body section

1/72 VF-27γ Lucifer Valkyrie Brera Sterne Custom - The massively enlarged wings (1/3)

The massively enlarged wings

1/72 VF-27γ Lucifer Valkyrie Brera Sterne Custom - Viewed from above, you can see it's folded in two stages like that. T

Viewed from above, you can see it's folded in two stages like that.
The hinge section holds really firmly, so the angle stays put nicely.

Arms

Legs

Intake detail located on the upper thigh

1/72 VF-27γ Lucifer Valkyrie Brera Sterne Custom - The inner leg frame and pretty much everything else about the exterio

The inner leg frame and pretty much everything else about the exterior has been changed.

The three-pronged feet

Sole detail

1/72 VF-27γ Lucifer Valkyrie Brera Sterne Custom - In Battroid mode, you spread the front and back of the crotch apart a

In Battroid mode, you spread the front and back of the crotch apart
and insert the stand mounting part by default.
Without it, it's really hard to get the legs to hold their angle.

1/72 VF-27γ Lucifer Valkyrie Brera Sterne Custom - In Battroid mode, the front of the neck is bare in its default state,

In Battroid mode, the front of the neck is bare in its default state,
so there's a separate part you attach to the front of the neck.
Somehow this gives me an uneasy feeling that it's not a true full-transformation -.-

1/72 VF-27γ Lucifer Valkyrie Brera Sterne Custom - Unlike the VF-25, the wings are extremely large and heavy, but there'

Unlike the VF-25, the wings are extremely large and heavy,
but there's an internal skeleton installed inside the wings, so they're actually quite sturdy — more than you'd expect.

1/72 VF-27γ Lucifer Valkyrie Brera Sterne Custom - One thing to watch out for.. The center section of the nose — the par

One thing to watch out for..
The center section of the nose — the part where the hip joint connects — folds and clips into the body,
and unlike the VF-25 where you just plug in a peg, the VF-27 uses an L-shaped hook that catches into a hole.
Probably to prevent that section from coming loose due to the heavy rear wings..

1/72 VF-27γ Lucifer Valkyrie Brera Sterne Custom - The problem is that the L-shaped hook part is made quite weak and can

The problem is that the L-shaped hook part is made quite weak and can break easily T_T
I had a bad feeling about it the first time I saw it, and sure enough, after transforming it once or twice — snap — it broke..

1/72 VF-27γ Lucifer Valkyrie Brera Sterne Custom - The problem is that once the L-shaped hook breaks, you can't secure t

The problem is that once the L-shaped hook breaks, you can't secure the lower body at all,
making it completely impossible to stand the model in Battroid mode..

1/72 VF-27γ Lucifer Valkyrie Brera Sterne Custom - So in my case, I had no choice but to do a bit of modding (?) to forc

So in my case, I had no choice but to do a bit of modding (?) to force-make a hook T_T
Channeling my inner engineer..
I cut a piece of sheet metal, bent it into a hook shape with needle-nose pliers, and fixed it inside.

The interior of the new shield. You can plug a blade into the tip.

The VF-27's weapon: the beam gunpod.

You can spread it open on both sides and attach effect parts.

Leftover parts. These are VF-25 parts.

1/72 VF-27γ Lucifer Valkyrie Brera Sterne Custom - The VF-27 comes with a significantly increased number of stand suppor

The VF-27 comes with a significantly increased number of stand support parts, improving stability.

Articulation seems a bit worse than the VF-25..

The rear leg structure sticks out, so the knee can't bend all the way.

1/72 VF-27γ Lucifer Valkyrie Brera Sterne Custom - Shooting pose using the beam effect parts (1/5)

1/72 VF-27γ Lucifer Valkyrie Brera Sterne Custom - Shooting pose using the beam effect parts (2/5)

1/72 VF-27γ Lucifer Valkyrie Brera Sterne Custom - Shooting pose using the beam effect parts (3/5)

Shooting pose using the beam effect parts

1/72 VF-27γ Lucifer Valkyrie Brera Sterne Custom - Action with the blade attached to the shield (1/6)

1/72 VF-27γ Lucifer Valkyrie Brera Sterne Custom - Action with the blade attached to the shield (2/6)

1/72 VF-27γ Lucifer Valkyrie Brera Sterne Custom - Action with the blade attached to the shield (3/6)

1/72 VF-27γ Lucifer Valkyrie Brera Sterne Custom - Action with the blade attached to the shield (4/6)

Action with the blade attached to the shield

2. Gerwalk mode

1/72 VF-27γ Lucifer Valkyrie Brera Sterne Custom - The cover on the left center body used in Battroid mode needs to be s

The cover on the left center body used in Battroid mode needs to be swapped out for the smaller one on the right during transformation.
The transformation process for the nose and torso is the same as the VF-25, so I'll only explain the parts that are different.

Detail on the inside of the back cover. Pretty densely packed.

1/72 VF-27γ Lucifer Valkyrie Brera Sterne Custom - The Gerwalk mode stand mount on the VF-25 was really flimsy.. But on

The Gerwalk mode stand mount on the VF-25 was really flimsy..
But on the VF-27, three locking points firmly secure the back, body, and legs,
so the Gerwalk mode stability has improved dramatically.
I was worried the heavy wings would sag like a Super Pack, but the locking points support the back panel
so it holds just fine.

Then you unfold the wings that were folded in two stages.

1/72 VF-27γ Lucifer Valkyrie Brera Sterne Custom - When you unfold the two-stage folding wings and press them flat, the

When you unfold the two-stage folding wings and press them flat, the hinge tucks neatly inside.
Quite a well-designed gimmick.

1/72 VF-27γ Lucifer Valkyrie Brera Sterne Custom - Then you unfold the tail fins that were folded up, and press them dow

Then you unfold the tail fins that were folded up, and press them downward to lock the angle.

1/72 VF-27γ Lucifer Valkyrie Brera Sterne Custom - Gerwalk mode complete! Stability is clearly improved compared to the

Gerwalk mode complete!
Stability is clearly improved compared to the VF-25.

1/72 VF-27γ Lucifer Valkyrie Brera Sterne Custom - Various angles (1/4)

1/72 VF-27γ Lucifer Valkyrie Brera Sterne Custom - Various angles (2/4)

Various angles

Mounted on the Macross-exclusive Action Base.

1/72 VF-27γ Lucifer Valkyrie Brera Sterne Custom - With the improved locking points, you can display it safely. The VF-2

With the improved locking points, you can display it safely.
The VF-25 was nearly impossible to put on one T_T

Insert the two dedicated beam gunpod mounting parts in the middle..

1/72 VF-27γ Lucifer Valkyrie Brera Sterne Custom - Now fold the arms inward. The difference from the VF-25 is that you n

Now fold the arms inward.
The difference from the VF-25 is that you need to rotate the shoulder armor 90 degrees and fold it downward.

1/72 VF-27γ Lucifer Valkyrie Brera Sterne Custom - Gerwalk with the arms stowed. The sturdy locking points are great her

Gerwalk with the arms stowed. The sturdy locking points are great here too.

3. Fighter mode

Fold the three-pronged feet inward and tuck them in.

1/72 VF-27γ Lucifer Valkyrie Brera Sterne Custom - Open the inner locking pin and slide the foot in. Unlike the VF-25, t

Open the inner locking pin and slide the foot in.
Unlike the VF-25, the locking pin is fully exposed on the outside, so the hassle of opening and closing a cover is gone.

1/72 VF-27γ Lucifer Valkyrie Brera Sterne Custom - One more improvement on the VF-27. On the VF-25, it was tricky to get

One more improvement on the VF-27.
On the VF-25, it was tricky to get the legs to sit flush against the upper body,
but on the VF-27, the locking pin on the upper thigh plugs into a hole on the inside of the upper body,
so the legs naturally sit completely flush against the underside of the fuselage by default.

1/72 VF-27γ Lucifer Valkyrie Brera Sterne Custom - Also, on the VF-25 there was no connection point between the legs and

Also, on the VF-25 there was no connection point between the legs and wings, so they tended to move independently..
On the VF-27, like the Armored Pack, locking points have been added to secure the fuselage back panel to the legs, and the legs to the wings.

1/72 VF-27γ Lucifer Valkyrie Brera Sterne Custom - With a total of four locking points securing the legs and wings like

With a total of four locking points securing the legs and wings like this,
the angles hold firmly in place.

1/72 VF-27γ Lucifer Valkyrie Brera Sterne Custom - Finally, attach the beam gunpod to the underside. When the landing ge

Finally, attach the beam gunpod to the underside.
When the landing gear is attached, the beam gunpod is too long, so you need to spread open the tip of the beam gunpod.

1/72 VF-27γ Lucifer Valkyrie Brera Sterne Custom - VF-27 Fighter mode complete! The fit and connection is on a whole dif

VF-27 Fighter mode complete!
The fit and connection is on a whole different level compared to the VF-25.

1/72 VF-27γ Lucifer Valkyrie Brera Sterne Custom (1/3)

1/72 VF-27γ Lucifer Valkyrie Brera Sterne Custom (2/3)

1/72 VF-27γ Lucifer Valkyrie Brera Sterne Custom (3/3)

1/72 VF-27γ Lucifer Valkyrie Brera Sterne Custom - Detail shots of each section. (1/7)

1/72 VF-27γ Lucifer Valkyrie Brera Sterne Custom - Detail shots of each section. (2/7)

1/72 VF-27γ Lucifer Valkyrie Brera Sterne Custom - Detail shots of each section. (3/7)

1/72 VF-27γ Lucifer Valkyrie Brera Sterne Custom - Detail shots of each section. (4/7)

1/72 VF-27γ Lucifer Valkyrie Brera Sterne Custom - Detail shots of each section. (5/7)

Detail shots of each section.

The nozzle detail is far superior to the VF-25.

1/72 VF-27γ Lucifer Valkyrie Brera Sterne Custom - Close-up shots of the underside of the body (1/4)

1/72 VF-27γ Lucifer Valkyrie Brera Sterne Custom - Close-up shots of the underside of the body (2/4)

Close-up shots of the underside of the body

1/72 VF-27γ Lucifer Valkyrie Brera Sterne Custom - The beam gunpod is secured firmly, which also improves stability on t

The beam gunpod is secured firmly, which also improves stability on the Action Base.

1/72 VF-27γ Lucifer Valkyrie Brera Sterne Custom - Fighter mode shots on the stand (1/6)

1/72 VF-27γ Lucifer Valkyrie Brera Sterne Custom - Fighter mode shots on the stand (2/6)

1/72 VF-27γ Lucifer Valkyrie Brera Sterne Custom - Fighter mode shots on the stand (3/6)

1/72 VF-27γ Lucifer Valkyrie Brera Sterne Custom - Fighter mode shots on the stand (4/6)

Fighter mode shots on the stand

Storage mode with wings folded.

The wing sweep angle is just gorgeous.

1/72 VF-27γ Lucifer Valkyrie Brera Sterne Custom - Both an opaque part and a green clear part are included for the canop

Both an opaque part and a green clear part are included for the canopy.

Fighter mode with the green clear canopy.

Unlike the VF-25, this has a two-seat cockpit.

1/72 VF-27γ Lucifer Valkyrie Brera Sterne Custom - Alongside the VF-25 Alto custom in Battroid mode. The VF-27 is notice

Alongside the VF-25 Alto custom in Battroid mode.
The VF-27 is noticeably more bulked out overall.

GERWALK mode comparison

Fighter mode comparison.
The VF-27 looks way more solid and imposing.

Battroid mode straight build photos

GERWALK mode straight build photos

Fighter mode straight build photos

After building more than ten of the same VF-25 series kits, I was starting to get a little tired of them — so I was really glad when the long-awaited VF-27 finally dropped. The first release is Brera Sterne's red custom, and since the design is completely different from the VF-25 from the ground up, there aren't that many shared parts between the two. It's basically a brand-new Macross transforming kit. Sure, the basic transformation scheme and the core frame parts are carried over from the VF-25, but quite a few of the frame parts have been newly designed to accommodate the updated look.

The VF-25's design was generally excellent, but being the first version, it had a number of issues. The biggest complaint was how well things held together after transformation — something that was largely addressed by the time the Armored Pack came out. The VF-27 clearly tried to fix as many of those problems as possible, and as a result, a whole bunch of locking parts that weren't on the VF-25 have been added. Thanks to these, the stability in GERWALK and Fighter modes has improved dramatically.

For starters, the VF-25's stand attachment for GERWALK mode was pretty much useless, but on the VF-27, three separate locking parts are assembled in between, which keeps the rear wings from drooping down, holds the body firmly in place, and gives it a nice stable feel on the stand. In Fighter mode, locking tabs have been added all over the wings, legs, and body, so everything snaps together cleanly and holds its shape. The VF-25 had a bad habit of the body, legs, and wings all going their own separate ways at the back, but on the VF-27, all three parts click together with their respective tabs and lock up perfectly. The other major headache with the VF-25 transformation — getting the body and legs to sit flush against each other — has also been solved with locking tabs, so the small upper body armor panel next to the hip joint now snaps into place properly. On the VF-25, that hip-side armor panel in front of the wings never lined up right in Fighter mode, making it look like a broken-off chunk just floating there on its own.

The two-stage folding wing gimmick is also really well done. The wings are normally tucked away inside, and when you pull them out, two internal folding hinges are exposed, allowing the wings to fold. The connection point between the body and wings also uses a multi-step ratchet joint, so instead of flopping around at some awkward angle, the wings snap precisely into position at roughly 45-degree increments. This means whether you fold them in or spread them out, both wings end up perfectly symmetrical every time.

So the stability issues during transformation have been essentially solved... but there's one surprisingly big stumbling block. It's the locking mechanism at the center of the fuselage where the hip joints connect in Battroid mode. Unlike the VF-25, the VF-27 uses an L-shaped hook that catches into a hole rather than a simple tab, presumably to improve stability given how large the back wings are on the VF-27. The problem is, this L-shaped locking pin is extremely fragile. T_T

In my case (as you can see in the photos above), I was transforming it nervously and carefully, and then... snap. It just quietly broke. If that L-shaped hook breaks, it becomes completely impossible to stand the kit up in Battroid mode. So what was meant to be an improvement ended up becoming a serious point of caution instead. You really need to be extremely careful not to break that L-shaped tab during transformation, and if it does break, you'll have no choice but to fix or reinforce the part somehow. This is a genuine critical flaw. -_-+

That one issue aside though, as a transforming kit, this is a more refined Valkyrie than the VF-25 in pretty much every way. It's bigger overall (hence the ¥1,000 price bump), has a richer sense of volume, the kit itself feels a bit more premium, and personally — though this is just my taste — I think the design itself looks cooler too. If you're a Macross fan who's gotten a bit burnt out on the VF-25, I'd definitely recommend giving the clearly different VF-27 a shot. :-)

1/72 VF-27γ Lucifer Valkyrie Brera Sterne Custom | 2009.11 | ¥5,500

AIThis page was translated by Claude Sonnet.