The Energon Pub

Hey, I'm trying to find a really nice toy of the Macross VF-1S Valkyrie to display as Jetfire on the same scale as Masterpiece Grimlock and Skywarp. Is there a particular manufacturer or scale size I should look for? So far the Yamato 1/60 VF-1S Skull fighter looks like a likely candidate, but I'd like to see it next to an MP seeker to be sure.

Note - I'm assuming that Jetfire in this case is F-14 sized, and not giant-sized as in G1. This would make Jetfire roughly the same size as Skywarp, since the F-14 and F-15 are about the same length, give or take a couple of feet.

It depends on what MP Grimlock's dimensions are and how Grimlock and Jetfire should compare in height(Is there an official set of dimensions for the characters?).

The VF-1S' basic dimensions are 12.68 meters for height in Battroid mode and 14.23 meters for length in fighter mode. If you go by 1/60 scale then the height of Yamato's VF-1S figure should be 8.32 inches(21.13cm) in Battroid mode and length of 9.34 inches(23.72cm) in fighter mode. Now this is assuming Yamato's 1/60 scale VF-1S is properly scaled. I think it should be properly scaled because Yamato is the most accurate producer of high end Macross figures I know of.

I don't have any Macross figures(yet) but figures and plastic models(Plamo) produced by leading companies in Japan like Yamato and Bandai in the last several years are quite accurate in scale. I have some 1/144 and 1/100 scale Gundam models that are very accurate for their scale when I calculate their fictional heights and compare to how tall the models are.

I use the original Robotech Materpiece (I forgot the name} that I use for a standalone Jetfire. It isn't perfect but it works. Considering the cost of Macross/Robotech figuress, having a little bit of patience, and a ittle luck you could find an original jetfire on Ebay.

But to give you a size comparison, I hope this helps...

That looks like the Toynami Masterpiece VF-1J Rick Hunter deco. I think the Masterpiece line uses 1/55 for its scale.

Yeah, I know it isn't as great as the Yamato ones and the scale is probably off , but it's the only stand in for Jetfire I own.

The Yamato figures are great and definitely very accurate to the anime designs but they're also quite expensive. I think any serious Macross fan should pick up a Yamato figure at some point. I've yet to invest in a Yamato figure but when I do, I'd like to get one of the 1/60 figures.

The Rick Hunter/Hikaru Ichijo deco is a good stand-in for Jetfire due to the similar colour schemes, though the VF-1S' head is more accurate to the G1 Jetfire toy.

So IF they made it in such a scale, the best scale for Jetfire would be about 1/45, depending on if you're scaling it to its approximate F-14 alt mode, or to its robot mode (i.e., about as tall as Prime and Megs, which themselves are on a different scale than Grimmy and the Seekers)

Grahf wrote:But to give you a size comparison, I hope this helps...

Great! That's just what I was looking for - thanks!

It looks like the Toynami Valkyrie (which is a VF-1J, I see) and the MP Starscream/seeker are about on the same scale. Again, this is based on the assumption that the alt modes are about the same length, as the jets would be in real life.

Grimlock being on scale with Starscream could be a bit questionable, depending if one were to assume his dino mode was the size of an actual large adult T-rex (about 42 feet long and 18 feet tall at the shoulder if assuming the modern horizontal posture of Tyrannosaurs, as opposed to the outdated upright "Godzilla" posture). However, Grimlock can get a bit of allowance as an oversized robot T-Rex so he could be 50 feet or longer in dino mode without too much concern.

BTW, here's the Yamato 1/60 VF-1S Hikaru version without its Super-Valkyrie armor.



Pretty close to Jetfire colors as is. Maybe just replace the skull on the cockpit shield with the Autobot symbol and we're probably good to go.

Of course the bigger 1/48 scale Yamato Valkries have even more crazy awesome detail too, but it's a little too big and expensive, methinks.

To be honest, I've noticed over the years that the scale listed with Japanese robot toys is sometimes all over the board and not quite accurate when compared with the stats listed in the anime technical manuals.

Try looking for the Bandai Valkyrie re-issue 1/55 scale. The actual mold used by Hasbro for the original Jetfire.

If you had your heart set on getting a Macross model, great. As someone stated before, you could probably go on ebay and get yourself an actual vintage Jetfire for not-too-much money. I think I paid less than 40 for mine and he was only missing the little gun clip.

Just a thought.

I think that going for a Yamato figure, whether 1/60 or 1/48, is quite an investment if you mainly want a G1 Jetfire or equivalent in your collection. As already suggested, a vintage G1 Jetfire toy or Bandai's re-issue of the 1/55 toy may be best.

If you have the money to spare and if you want to get a figure that can serve as a Jetfire stand-in in your TF collection and as a Macross figure separately, I say go for Yamato. If you're going to spend a significant sum of money, you might as well get something that will be worth every penny.

HLJ has the Yamato 1/60 VF-1S Hikaru Ichijo version for just over $100 USD right now. The same figure but with the Super and Strike parts(FAST pack) for just under $140 USD is scheduled for release this month. If you wait a few weeks, HLJ may hold a post holiday sale, which may include the Yamato figures.

Kaijutron wrote:To be honest, I've noticed over the years that the scale listed with Japanese robot toys is sometimes all over the board and not quite accurate when compared with the stats listed in the anime technical manuals.

I've noticed this mainly with older toys and models. I have the RX-79(G) Gundam from the 08th MS Team model kit, which was made in 1996. Comparing that RX-79(G) to the more recently produced RX-79(G) standalone model, which was produced in 2007, the more recent version is slightly shorter and more scale accurate.

Can someone answer some simple questions for me?

The G1 Jetfire toy is which scale?

If I wanted to buy the same exact mold toy today, which one would I get?

I think I remember hearing that that mold is released frequently, true?

Are there problems with it?

A modernized remake of the figure can be found in what type? by which manufacturer? and for what cost?

Thanks, I know that info is around, but I just want to get the answers in a straight, clear fashion.

As an Avid macross collector I can help you out I hope.

Old bandai Valks and the reissue ones are 1/55

New er Yamatos are either 1/48 or 1/60...

There are 2 versions of the 1/60. The old one was a parts former, which may not bother you, but I had to through it out there.

The new 1/60 s are based ofrf of what they learned with the totally awesome 1/48s. They are perfect transfomrming.

You need to look for a VF-1S with super parts (often it is called a super/strike part) Super parts are jetfire's armor, Strike parts are jetfire armor with a big honkin cannon. Most of Yamoto's packs have parts for both. Yamato puts out a Hikaru VF-1S that is very close to the jetfire color (red and black stipe is reversed) But the super parts will need to be painted as they only come in light blue/gray.

Unless you want to get really nuts and buy a red Miria valk, but thats a whole 'nother investment


Bandai (and KO companies) put out the old jetfire VF-1s mold all the time, and its great for a vintage reissue, but it's going to have limited articulation and such, and will go with your G1 collection, not your MP collection.


Toynami is generally considered crap as far as quality and line art accuracy by most Macross collectors. YMMV

As far as which would go with the seekers, well there is the rub.

1/48s are about as tall as MP prime and megs. 1/60s are a bit smaller than MP seekers...a little taller than a classics jetfire really.

the 1/55 s are closer in size to Mp seekers, but they really are not going to blend very well, especially if your seekers are in dynamic poses.

Yamatos are expensive, but are MP quality Items. I have 5 1/48 Vf-1 yammies, and 2 1/60 yammies, have had no complaints about them at all.

I also have 2 old jetfires, and I love him for what he is, but he is strictly on my G1 self.

Hope this helps. You can also check out the forums at macrossworld, though lots of topics there involve the newer Macross frontier series (Vf-25s and Vf-27s are the shiznit:P)

Warning! Buying a 1/48 Yamato may open up a whole new world of toys to waste money on... lol

Oh and price... VF-1S yamato will run from 100-250 US each maybe a little more depending on scale, and Super parts. Yamato sells vlaks with and without the Super parts, and super parts seperately. It is not always cheaper to buy a combo pack, sometimes you can find super parts pretty cheap by themselves.

As far as toynami valks and bandai reissue vlaks... I really don't know because I have never bought them. I know you can get a cheap KO of the mold for less than 20 bucks, but it is a KO with Ko quality.

Bottom line Jetfire was a VF-1S with Super Parts. (there are VF-1J, Vf-1A, etc so make sure its VF-1S) 1/55 is the old bandai version, 1/60 and 148 are the newer Yamato versions.

Counterpunch wrote:Can someone answer some simple questions for me?

The G1 Jetfire toy is which scale?

If I wanted to buy the same exact mold toy today, which one would I get?

I think I remember hearing that that mold is released frequently, true?

Are there problems with it?

A modernized remake of the figure can be found in what type? by which manufacturer? and for what cost?

Thanks, I know that info is around, but I just want to get the answers in a straight, clear fashion.

The G1 Jetfire toy is 1/55 scale. If you want to get the same mold, originally made by Takatoku Toys, you'd want to get the VF-1S with the Super pack/FAST pack parts from the "Origin of Valkyrie" line by Bandai as it's the most recent re-issue of the mold. I believe the line was in production in 2008. It's sold out at a lot of online stores. It was going for around $100, I think. These days, the price will probably pretty high on the aftermarket.

The mold is definitely re-used/re-issued a lot. The "Origin of Valkyrie" line was produced for Macross' 25th anniversary and the mold will be revisited again in the future for sure.

Yamato is recognized by many(perhaps most) reviewers, collectors, and Fans of Macross to be the premiere Macross toy manufacturer. They're who you'll probably want to go to for a modern remake of the figure. The cost, though, can be high. If we're talking a standard VF-1S(without the Super and Strike parts), it's about $100 USD, if you get the figure with Super and Strike parts, it's about $140 USD. It's a high price but it's MP level in design and construction.

Thanks guys

Rhapsodyred99 wrote:Bandai (and KO companies) put out the old jetfire VF-1s mold all the time, and its great for a vintage reissue, but it's going to have limited articulation and such, and will go with your G1 collection, not your MP collection.

Yes, articulation was my main reason for wanting a Yamato Valkyrie as opposed to an actual G1 Jetfire or some other reissue based on the classic 1982 Takatoku 1/55 VF-1S mold. Anything that gets displayed with the MPs has to have modern articulation options IMO.

Over the years, I've actually owned G1 Jetfire, as well as various Takatoku and Bandai 1/55 Valkyries. I just recently got into the Masterpiece stuff, so it's kind of new territory for me as far as finding the best detailed items in various scales. For example, I'm still trying to figure out the best toy version of the Mospeada Ride Armor (AKA Robotech 3rd Gen Cyclone Armor Bike).

1/48s are about as tall as MP prime and megs. 1/60s are a bit smaller than MP seekers...a little taller than a classics jetfire really.

Interesting. So I guess the Toynami Valks are a little bit taller than the Yamato 1/60 scales? The one in the comparison photo above looks a bit taller than MP Starscream. But regardless, you're right about Yamato being better than Toynami. I'd rather have a slightly smaller Yamato VF-1S "Jetfire" on the shelf with the MP TFs than a Toynami one. I'll just have to wait for a sale or a steal on eBay.

I think toynami valks are closer to the 1/55 or 1/50 scale mark, but the list of issues with them is long, and not just from a purists "thats not right" standpoint.

I'm at work so cannot be 100% certain my measures are right, but MP seekers are about 9 inches tall, 1/48 Valk about 12-14 inches tall, and a 160 somewhere in the 7-8 inch range.

You can always put the 1/60 on a stand to give him a few inches

Toynami's Masterpiece version sucks big time! Either go for Yamato or the Bandai/Takatoku version. Heck even the latter beats it hands down.Or unless you get a bone white vintage version

fenrir72 wrote:Toynami's Masterpiece version sucks big time! Either go for Yamato or the Bandai/Takatoku version. Heck even the latter beats it hands down.Or unless you get a bone white vintage version

Owning four out of the six original ot Toynami's masterpiece line, I wholeheartedly believe this. Back when I was buying these I wasn't back into tranformers at the time. If I were able to go back and do it again, I would have passed on the Toynami ones. I'm only using them as a standin until I can hunt down a complete Jetfire that doesn't have too much yellowing and all of the armor intact.

If I had a load of cash, I'd be picking up the Yamato Valkyries left and right. But for now, I have to do with what I have. In a way, the Toynami Masterpiece Valkyries kind of fit in with my Transformers display, but they stick out like a sore thumb if you know what you're looking for.

With the Toynami ones, half of the time they feel like they're going to break while transforming them (having very littke diecast parts). Their Gerwalk modes are spot on, but they take up a little too much space.

One of these days I'd love to get some of the Yamato line. I grew up with Transformers and Robotech (Macross, I know) and I'd love to expand my collection of Valkyries.

For anyone who wants to get Yamato or Bandai Valkyries, I recommend keeping an eye on HLJ during the next few weeks. They'll probably have a post holidays sale and may include some Macross products in the sale. They usually have at least one of the Yamato Valkyries in their sales.

The recent "Holiday Blowout" listed the 1/60 VF-1J and VF-1S Hikaru Ichijo figures at a discount, it was one of the holiday sale items that allowed free EMS shipping if you used Paypal's Billing Agreement option.

Right now, both figures are on sale at 30% discount at 6860 yen/$75 USD but the shipping is nearly $20 USD.

The 1/60 VF-1J Hikaru Ichijo version looks G1-ish Jetfire but doesn't include the Super and Strike parts. However, it has better proportions and articulation than the G1 toy and definitely better toy engineering.

The 1/60 VF-1J Hikaru Ichijo version looks G1-ish Jetfire but doesn't include the Super and Strike parts. However, it has better proportions and articulation than the G1 toy and definitely better toy engineering.

you mean VF-1S of course

Convotron wrote:
The 1/60 VF-1S Hikaru Ichijo version looks G1-ish Jetfire but doesn't include the Super and Strike parts. However, it has better proportions and articulation than the G1 toy and definitely better toy engineering.

Yeah, I think that's the one I'm going for when the price is right.
I see the separate "Super" armor set parts on eBay at times, so I'll get those later. A sale price that's a bit closer to $50 would be nice.

Thanks for the link.

Rhapsodyred99 wrote:

The 1/60 VF-1J Hikaru Ichijo version looks G1-ish Jetfire but doesn't include the Super and Strike parts. However, it has better proportions and articulation than the G1 toy and definitely better toy engineering.

you mean VF-1S of course

Oh, yes, hehe. The link goes to the 1S despite my typo.