VF-4A of the VAT-127 aggressor squadron (Macross)

[Dizzyfugu]

Well, this build has been lingering for almost 25 years in the back of my mind. It just took so long that a suitable IP kit (with a reasonable price tag) would materialize!

The original inspiration struck me with a VF-4 profile in the source book "This is animation special: Macross PLUS" from 1994, which accidently fell into my hands in a local Japanese book store. Among others, a side and top view profile of an aggressor VF-4 in an all-brown, Soviet-style paint scheme was featured:




At that time I found the idea and the scheme pretty cool, so much that I even built a modified 1:100 VF-1 as a ground attack aircraft in this paint scheme. 


1:100 Macross VFA-1J "CAS Valkyrie" '36 red' (Arii kit conversion) by dizzyfugu, on Flickr


However, the original VF-4 profile from the source book had always been present, but for years there had been no affordable kit. There have been garage/resin kits, but prices would start at EUR 250,-, and these things were and are extraordinarily rare.  Things changed for the better when WAVE announced an 1:72 VF-4 kit in late 2016, and it eventually materialized in late 2017. I immediately pre-ordered one from Japan (in a smart move, this even saved money) and it eventually turned up here in Germany in early 2018. Patience pays out, it seems... I had preferred a 1:100 kit, though, due to space issues and since almost any other Macross variable fighter model in my collection is in this small scale, but I am happy that a decent VF-4 kit at all appeared after so many years!

More to come soon.

[Dizzyfugu]

Well, I'll start with some WiP impressions and a kit review, since the mold is brand new.




Concerning the WAVE kit, there's light and shadow. First of all, you have to know that you get a VF-4A. This is mentioned nowhere on the box, but might be a vital information for hardcore modelers. The  early VF-4A is a rather different aircraft than the later VF-4G, with so fundamental differences that it would warrant a completely new kit! On the other side, with a look at the kit's parts, I could imagine that a VF-4B two-seater could be easily realized in the future, too.

The kit is a solid construction, a snap-fit kit molded in different colors so that it can be built without painting. This sounds toy-like, but - like many small scale Bandai Valkyrie kits - anything you ask for is actually there. When you use glue and put some effort into the kit and some donor parts, you can make a very good model from it.

A good look at the sprues can be found here, externally:

https://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10486903

https://stevethefishdotnet.tumblr.com/post/172394935419/wave-172-vf-4-lightning-iii-from-macross


The kit's box is pretty oversized, though (any sprue is shrink-wrapped, horrendous garbage pile and wasted space!), and the kit offers just a single decal (water-slide decals, not stickers) option for a Skull Squadron VF-4A – AFAIK it's Hikaru Ichijoe's machine that appears in one of the Macross Flash Back 2012 music videos, as it escorts the SDF-02 Megaroad colonial ship after launch from Earth towards the center of our Galaxy.
The parts are crisply molded, and I actually like the fact that the kit is not as uber-engineered as the Hasegawa Valkyries. You can actually call the WAVE kit simple - but in a positive sense, because the parts number is reduced to a minimum, material strength is solid and the kit's construction is straightforward. Fit is excellent – I just used some putty along the engine gondolas due to their complex shape, but almost anything else would either fit almost perfectly or just call for some sanding. Impressive!

Surface details etc. are rather basic, but very crisp and emphasized enough that anything remains visible after adding some paint. However, after all, this aircraft is just a fictional animation mecha, and from this perspective the kit is really O.K..

After building the kit I most say that it's nothing that leaves you in awe, and for a retail price of currently roundabout EUR 50-70,- (I was lucky to get it for an early bird deal at EUR 40,-, but still pricey for what I got) the kit is pretty expensive and has some weaknesses:

The model comes with a decent (= simple) cockpit and a very nice and large pilot figure, but with no ordnance except for the semi-recessed long-range missiles (see below). The cockpit lacks any side consoles, floor or side wall details. If you put the pilot into the cockpit as intended, this is not a big issue, since the figure blocks any sight into the cockpit's lower regions. However, the side sticks are molded into the pilot's hands, so that you have to scratch a lot if you want to present the cockpit open and with an empty seat.
The landing gear is simple, too, and the wells are very shallow (even though they feature interior details). As a special feature, you can switch with some extra parts between an extended or retracted landing gear, and there are extra parts that allow the air intakes and some vectoring nozzles to be closed/extended for orbital operations. However, detail fetishists might replace the OOB parts with the landing gear from an 1:72 F-18 for an overall better look.


Macross +++ 1:72 Stonewell/Belcom VF-4A "Lightning III" of the U.N. Spacy VAT-127 aggressor squadron (WAVE kit) - WiP by dizzyfugu, on Flickr


Macross +++ 1:72 Stonewell/Belcom VF-4A "Lightning III" of the U.N. Spacy VAT-127 aggressor squadron (WAVE kit) - WiP by dizzyfugu, on Flickr


Macross +++ 1:72 Stonewell/Belcom VF-4A "Lightning III" of the U.N. Spacy VAT-127 aggressor squadron (WAVE kit) - WiP by dizzyfugu, on Flickr


Provisions for underwing hardpoints are actually molded into the lower fuselage part (and could be punched/drilled open - another indication that more VF-4 boxings with extra sprues might follow?), but the kit does not come with any pylons or other ordnance than the dozen fuselage-mounted AAMs. Furthermore, the semi-recessed missiles are just that: you only get the visible halves of the only provided ordnance, which are simply stuck into slits on the model's surface. As a consequence, you have to mount them at any rate – building a VF-4 for a diorama in which the missiles are about to be loaded would require massive scratch-building efforts and modifications.


Macross +++ 1:72 Stonewell/Belcom VF-4A "Lightning III" of the U.N. Spacy VAT-127 aggressor squadron (WAVE kit) - WiP by dizzyfugu, on Flickr


Macross +++ 1:72 Stonewell/Belcom VF-4A "Lightning III" of the U.N. Spacy VAT-127 aggressor squadron (WAVE kit) - WiP by dizzyfugu, on Flickr


In parallel to the fuselage section, the engine pods were built; the movable exhaust petals and the hidden nozzles called for pre-painting:


Macross +++ 1:72 Stonewell/Belcom VF-4A "Lightning III" of the U.N. Spacy VAT-127 aggressor squadron (WAVE kit) - WiP by dizzyfugu, on Flickr


Macross +++ 1:72 Stonewell/Belcom VF-4A "Lightning III" of the U.N. Spacy VAT-127 aggressor squadron (WAVE kit) - WiP by dizzyfugu, on Flickr


Macross +++ 1:72 Stonewell/Belcom VF-4A "Lightning III" of the U.N. Spacy VAT-127 aggressor squadron (WAVE kit) - WiP by dizzyfugu, on Flickr


Macross +++ 1:72 Stonewell/Belcom VF-4A "Lightning III" of the U.N. Spacy VAT-127 aggressor squadron (WAVE kit) - WiP by dizzyfugu, on Flickr


Macross +++ 1:72 Stonewell/Belcom VF-4A "Lightning III" of the U.N. Spacy VAT-127 aggressor squadron (WAVE kit) - WiP by dizzyfugu, on Flickr



Another problem indirectly arises when you put some effort into the kit and want to clean and pre-paint the missiles before assembly: every missile is different and has its allocated place on the VF-4 hull. The missiles are numbered – but only on the sprue! Once you cut them out, you either have to keep them painstakingly in order, or you will spend a long evening figuring out where which missile belongs! This could be easily avoided if the part number would be engraved on the missiles' back sides – and that's what I actually did (with a water-proof pen, though) in order to avoid trouble.


Macross +++ 1:72 Stonewell/Belcom VF-4A "Lightning III" of the U.N. Spacy VAT-127 aggressor squadron (WAVE kit) - WiP by dizzyfugu, on Flickr


The clear canopy is another issue. The two parts are crystal-clear, but, being a snap-fit kit, the canopy parts have to be clipped into the fuselage (rear part) and onto a separate canopy frame (front part). In order to fit, the clear parts have cramps molded into their bases – and due to the excellent transparency and a magnifier effect, you can see them easily from the outside – and on the inside, when you leave the cockpit open. It's not a pretty solution, despite the perfect fit of the parts.
One option I can think of is to carefully sand the cramps and the attachment points away, but I deem this a hazardous stunt. I eventually hid the cramps behind a thin line of paint, which simulates a yellow-ish canopy seal. The extra windscreen framing is not accurate, but the simplest solution that hides this weak point.


Macross +++ 1:72 Stonewell/Belcom VF-4A "Lightning III" of the U.N. Spacy VAT-127 aggressor squadron (WAVE kit) - WiP by dizzyfugu, on Flickr


The kit itself was built OOB, because it goes together so well. I also refrained from adding pylons and ordnance – even though you can easily hang anything from Hasegawa's VF-1 weapon set under the VF-4's wings and fuselage. A final, small addition was a scratched, ventral adapter for a 3.5 mm steel rod, as a display for the flight scene beauty pic.


Macross +++ 1:72 Stonewell/Belcom VF-4A "Lightning III" of the U.N. Spacy VAT-127 aggressor squadron (WAVE kit) - WiP by dizzyfugu, on Flickr


Macross +++ 1:72 Stonewell/Belcom VF-4A "Lightning III" of the U.N. Spacy VAT-127 aggressor squadron (WAVE kit) - WiP by dizzyfugu, on Flickr


Macross +++ 1:72 Stonewell/Belcom VF-4A "Lightning III" of the U.N. Spacy VAT-127 aggressor squadron (WAVE kit) - WiP by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

[sykotik]

I like the design of this fighter but I don't like those exhaust nozzles. I think they'd look so much better with almost conventional exhausts as opposed to the robot feet like look. But that's just my opinion
Looking forward to seeing what you do with it Dizzy. You're off to a good start 

[Dizzyfugu]

Personally, I do not like the small fin under the nose - but I'll run with it "as is".

[zenrat]

Looking good Dizz.

[silverwindblade]

I've always loved the design of the VF-4, and it's good to see a kit of it. I'm especially looking forward to seeing what your model turns out like.
Kind of a shame you're not hanging anything off of it, as I'd love to see one loaded up for bear - but, your idea doesn't call for it, so I look forward to seeing the results all the same.

I love Macross, but I was always disappointed there aren't more kits in my favoured scale of 1/48. The hasegawa ones that are look wonderful and I fully intend to get hold of at least one of each one day, but it seems the VF-1 and -19 are the only two there were.

[Dizzyfugu]

Thank you. I considered exteral ordnance, but I saw the VF-4's profile while mounted on its steel rod display - and it is utterly beautiful, at least from certain angles. It would be a shame to hang boxy stuff onto it, but, since you can build the kit in orbital flight mode, where extra missilles do not matter much, it's a potential option. And the Hasegawa weapon set for the VF-1 offers lots of authentic parts. 

[Dizzyfugu]

As mentioned above, the livery is based on an official source book profile which I deem authentic and canonical. My aircraft depicts a different machine from VFT-127, though, since I could not 100% replicate the profile's machine, "13 Red". Especially the squadron's emblem on the fin would create massive problems.

For the two-tone wrap-around scheme I used Humbrol 72 (Khaki Drill) and 98 (Chocolate Brown), based on the printed colors in the source book where I found the scheme. The pattern is kept close to the benchmark profile, and, lacking an underside view, I just mirrored the upper scheme. The starboard side pattern was guesstimated. In order to add some color to the overall brown aircraft I decided to paint the missiles all around the hull in white with tan tips – in the profile, the appear to be integrated into the camouflage, what I found dubious.


Macross +++ 1:72 Stonewell/Belcom VF-4A "Lightning III" of the U.N. Spacy VAT-127 aggressor squadron (WAVE kit) - WiP by dizzyfugu, on Flickr


Macross +++ 1:72 Stonewell/Belcom VF-4A "Lightning III" of the U.N. Spacy VAT-127 aggressor squadron (WAVE kit) - WiP by dizzyfugu, on Flickr


Macross +++ 1:72 Stonewell/Belcom VF-4A "Lightning III" of the U.N. Spacy VAT-127 aggressor squadron (WAVE kit) - WiP by dizzyfugu, on Flickr


Macross +++ 1:72 Stonewell/Belcom VF-4A "Lightning III" of the U.N. Spacy VAT-127 aggressor squadron (WAVE kit) - WiP by dizzyfugu, on Flickr


Macross +++ 1:72 Stonewell/Belcom VF-4A "Lightning III" of the U.N. Spacy VAT-127 aggressor squadron (WAVE kit) - WiP by dizzyfugu, on Flickr


Macross +++ 1:72 Stonewell/Belcom VF-4A "Lightning III" of the U.N. Spacy VAT-127 aggressor squadron (WAVE kit) - WiP by dizzyfugu, on Flickr


Macross +++ 1:72 Stonewell/Belcom VF-4A "Lightning III" of the U.N. Spacy VAT-127 aggressor squadron (WAVE kit) - WiP by dizzyfugu, on Flickr


Macross +++ 1:72 Stonewell/Belcom VF-4A "Lightning III" of the U.N. Spacy VAT-127 aggressor squadron (WAVE kit) - WiP by dizzyfugu, on Flickr


As a second-line aggressor aircraft, I weathered the VF-4 with a black ink wash, some post-shading with various lighter tones (including Humbrol 160, 168, 170 and 187) and did some wet-sanding treatment for an uneven look.

Interior surfaces were painted according to visual references from various sources: the landing gear and the air intakes became white, while the cockpit was painted in RAF Dark Sea Grey.


Macross +++ 1:72 Stonewell/Belcom VF-4A "Lightning III" of the U.N. Spacy VAT-127 aggressor squadron (WAVE kit) - WiP by dizzyfugu, on Flickr


Macross +++ 1:72 Stonewell/Belcom VF-4A "Lightning III" of the U.N. Spacy VAT-127 aggressor squadron (WAVE kit) - WiP by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

[Dizzyfugu]

The letter from China arrived today! And things started moving again immediately, waiting for the Macross-F-14-sheet was worthwhile:


Macross +++ 1:72 Stonewell/Belcom VF-4A "Lightning III" of the U.N. Spacy VAT-127 aggressor squadron (WAVE kit) - WiP by dizzyfugu, on Flickr


And this is what the VF-4 looks like after initial decal application - a bit different from the benchmark profile, but still true to the original idea:.


Macross +++ 1:72 Stonewell/Belcom VF-4A "Lightning III" of the U.N. Spacy VAT-127 aggressor squadron (WAVE kit) - WiP by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

[Dizzyfugu]

After a long evening with a zillion of stencil decals ("No step", Beware of blast", etc.), the Lightning III starts looking like an aircraft:


Macross +++ 1:72 Stonewell/Belcom VF-4A "Lightning III" of the U.N. Spacy VAT-127 aggressor squadron (WAVE kit) - WiP by dizzyfugu, on Flickr


Concerning the OOB decal sheet, there's much light but also some deep shadow. While the register is excellent and the carrier film flexible enough to lay down smoothly, the instructions lack information where to place the zillion of stencils ("No step" and "Beware of Blast" stuff) are to be placed! You only get references for the major markings – the rest has either to be guessed, OR you are in possession of the VF-4 source book from Softbank Publishing which was (incidentally?) released in parallel with the WAVE kit. This mecha porn offers an overview of all(!) relevant stencils on the VF-4A's hull, and ONLY with this information the exhaustive decal sheet makes some sense... 

In parallel, the twelve AAMs and a bunch of single parts wait for the final assembly:


Macross +++ 1:72 Stonewell/Belcom VF-4A "Lightning III" of the U.N. Spacy VAT-127 aggressor squadron (WAVE kit) - WiP by dizzyfugu, on Flickr


Macross +++ 1:72 Stonewell/Belcom VF-4A "Lightning III" of the U.N. Spacy VAT-127 aggressor squadron (WAVE kit) - WiP by dizzyfugu, on Flickr


...and with the missiles in place (good move to numebr them, and mounting them to the hull was a fiddly affair!) and some dry brushing with light grey and silver on the leading edges the VF-4, as well as some graphite around the various jet nozzles, comes together nicely:


Macross +++ 1:72 Stonewell/Belcom VF-4A "Lightning III" of the U.N. Spacy VAT-127 aggressor squadron (WAVE kit) - WiP by dizzyfugu, on Flickr


Closing in on the home straight, now there's a coat of matt varnish (rattle can) to come, and the final assembly of the cockpit and landing gear, for the photo shooting session "in the desert". 

[zenrat]

 

[NARSES2]

I know now't about the genre, but can recognise a great model 

[Dizzyfugu]

I know now't about the genre, but can recognise a great model 

You do not have to. Macross is much about jet pilot romanticism, and it features some excellent (in my reading: realistic/plausible/thought-through) mecha designs, esp. the Valkyries. It's a huge family of designs, and all of them are transformable, but were conceived as fighter aircraft as primal role that can be turned into a humanoid form - and not vice versa, like the (later) Transformers franchise. The whole affair also has, as a so-called "real robot" series, a serious undertone - it's actually a serialized war drama. I saw accidently an episode when I was about 12 or so, at a friend with satellite TV, and I was stunned because it was an animation series so un-Disney-esque, never seen anything else before. Kind of Top Gun, mated with Star Wars, and with giant robots and aliens. Very impressive experience, and inspiring until today! 

[Dizzyfugu]

Almost there... 


Stonewell/Belcom VF-4A "Lightning III" of the U.N. Spacy VAT-127 aggressor squadron (from: This is animation special: Macross PLUS) by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

[Firefox]

Nicely done  I always like the old Macross design