Kit Review

Straight build

Super parts full photo

1/72 VF-1 Super Set - The equipment that attaches to the body is identical to the Strike pack, except for the backpack con

The equipment that attaches to the body is identical to the Strike pack, except for the backpack configuration,
with only the molded color shifted to a slightly stronger blue-green tint.

On the large anti-ship reaction warhead, only the missile nose has changed from yellow to red.

The anti-air/anti-ground missiles and micro missile pod are 100% identical to the Strike pack.

Weapons laid out alongside the VF-1 Roy Focker custom in Fighter mode.

1/72 VF-1 Super Set - Super Valkyrie Fighter mode. (1/4)

1/72 VF-1 Super Set - Super Valkyrie Fighter mode. (2/4)

Super Valkyrie Fighter mode.

1/72 VF-1 Super Set - Together with the Strike Valkyrie. As you can see, only the right backpack shape differs — the Super

Together with the Strike Valkyrie.
As you can see, only the right backpack shape differs,
and the Super pack uses the same design on both left and right sides.

1/72 VF-1 Super Set - Mounted on a stand with the large anti-ship reaction warhead attached. (1/3)

Mounted on a stand with the large anti-ship reaction warhead attached.

1/72 VF-1 Super Set - With the anti-air/anti-ground missiles attached. (1/3)

With the anti-air/anti-ground missiles attached.

With the micro missile pod attached.

1/72 VF-1 Super Set - Super Valkyrie GERWALK mode. (1/4)

1/72 VF-1 Super Set - Super Valkyrie GERWALK mode. (2/4)

Super Valkyrie GERWALK mode.

Together with the Strike Valkyrie in GERWALK mode.

Mounted on a stand.

Super Valkyrie Battroid mode.

Together with the Strike Valkyrie in Battroid mode.

1/72 VF-1 Super Set - Battroid shooting pose. (1/3)

Battroid shooting pose.

Straight build

Following the Strike parts set released with the Hikaru custom, the Super parts have now been released alongside the Roy Focker custom. As you can see in the photos, the only difference in the design specs is the right backpack — unlike the Strike backpack which has different left and right sides, the Super parts are symmetrical.

At the same time, the body weapons have been re-molded in a deeper teal color, and among the weapons, only the nose of the large anti-ship reaction warhead has changed from yellow to red — everything else shares the same molded colors and configuration as the Strike pack. Since the differences are really minor like that, all other characteristics are identical to the Strike parts set, including the same old problem of the backpack parts not holding on securely.

Fortunately, the Roy Focker custom released alongside this set has somewhat improved body attachment, so it's at least relatively manageable to put together — but the fit still can't be called good by any stretch, and the slightest touch sends bits and pieces popping off, which makes handling it a frustrating experience as ever. And if you're trying to attach it to the first-edition Hikaru custom with its notoriously terrible fit, you'll need an almost superhuman level of patience...

Honestly, among all the review photos above, the ones comparing the Strike parts attached to the first-edition Hikaru custom were by far the hardest to shoot. I had to grit my teeth hundreds of times over and slap double-sided tape all over the place just to barely get it to stand up — and even then it wasn't easy. Combining the already-flimsy first-edition VF-1 with the weapons set is something I absolutely cannot recommend. It's the most poorly-fitting combination I've ever encountered in all my years of building plastic models — unless you're planning to glue every single part in place, it's a nightmare I wouldn't wish on anyone.

Anyway, for the revised VF-1 releases that came after the Roy Focker custom, it's a weapons set that fits well enough, and in a way the backpack is slightly lighter than the Strike pack, so the strain of attaching it is a little less. That said, the vertical tail fin section that locks the backpack in place still doesn't sit flush against the body, so getting a solid fit remains a persistent issue.

In the end, this is really a kit whose main value is simply that it exists — the poor fit means it's still not a weapons set I can wholeheartedly recommend. For a true Macross fan, though, just having it released might be satisfaction enough, I suppose. :-)

1/72 VF-1 Super Set | 2013.9 | ¥2,000

AIThis page was translated by Claude Sonnet.