Today I saw that Yamato is releasing some "25th Anniversary" Valkyries, including the 1/48 VF-1S and the 1/60 YF-19. I liked (most) of what I saw...I like the black...and that was about it. Their faces are so plain (unpainted visors), the black is so monotonous, and the usually-welcomed Tampo printings are too excessive. The many "25n Anniversary" logos really gave this toy a showy quality that I think hurts the overall aesthetic. In case anyone wants a look: http://www.macrossworld.com/macross/toys/25thyf-19/25thyf19.htm

It took only about 5 seconds before I thought that one can easily fix this toy with a few quick paint apps. I used Photoshop and made some paint jobs that ought to be easily done once someone gets the toy. I removed the Tampo printings, changed the gold to purple, gave him a gold canopy, and a red visor, and that's it. I think the difference is like night and day. Even better is that (in my opinion) a skilled painter can get this done in maybe half an hour. It's not as hard as (for example) turning Classics Prime into Nemesis Prime. And, whether or not this is a satisfactory Skywarp repaint, I have to say that I think it looks better without the gold or the printings. In any case, this toy seems pretty rife with repaint possibilities.




I tried adding Decepticon logos onto it, but I couldn't make it look right. Here's some examples of what I tried:
1. Putting the logo on the chest seemed like a good idea, but that would mean the logo ends up on the tip of the nosecone in jet mode. Didn't like it.
2. Putting the logos on the shoulders seemed like an even better idea. All the better that the shoulders end up facing outwards in jet mode. However, the shoulders have such small real estate that the logos would have to be tiny logos. Didn't like it.
3. I actually really liked how it looked to have the logo on the wings (upside down!   ) but the wings transform in such a way that any printings on it aren't visible in jet mode.
4. My best bet seemed to put it on the shield, but the shield becomes the jet mode's rear end, between the engines. It seemed like a strange place to put the logo, so I didn't do that either.

 

I don't like the head, but everything else is money.

 

Yeah, I agree that the head isn't the most attractive Skywarp head, but I had to make do with the source picture, you know? At the very least, I'm pretty confident that the red visor breaks up the monotony of the (official version) all-black head.

 

New head sculpt and a purple paint job and that would make an awesome Cyclonus!

 

looks pretty sweet! and it would make a really good cyclonus too.

 

This would definitley make for a better Cyclonus.

 

What if you put the logo on the spot in front of the head so that way is shows up in both modes?

 

If it wasn't for the logos on the actual toy I'd probably pick that up as I think it looks great (love the black and overall design), and other than from a few posts I have seen on here I have no idea what the hell Macross is.

 

Ditto. The gold logos saying "25th Anniversary" and "VF-19 Excalivur" (NOT a typo) are everywhere. It's overkill, and it's uglifying the otherwise sleek colors. It's also limited edition, so even if people wanted one, it'll be difficult to get.

And about the head...I did another Digibash with MP Skywarp's head in place. Well, my photoshop skills aren't as good as you guys, and it looked really ridiculous and out of place. That, and the YF-19's head factors in the transformation, so it'd be difficult to change its head into a different design.

 

That would actually be impossible. In Jet mode, the back of the head is the part that's visible, not the front.

If you really had to defile a macross jet with decepticon logos, the only real place would be on the wings, I think.

On the subject of the 25th anniversary figs... the tampo printings were SUCH a huge disappointing. Not only are they excessive, but they're in an absolutely goofy font, too. The really ruin an otherwise stellar looking black deco.  

 

NO this is what I ment.

 

I agree. It's a great project regardless of which way you go, however.

 

Thats the best repaint ever sweet

 

Looks cool.

Not to be contrary, but I think the real potential lies in what a great Cyclonus it could be. Upper arms and upper legs silver, the rest purple. Remold/replace the head with a sort of Cyclonus "Transtech" head, and it would be damn sexy.

Either way, Cyclonus or Skywarp, it's a cool project.

 

And to really put the cherry on the cake... Put a tiny Galvatron in the cockpit!

 

cyclonus!

 

The jet scheme has more of a Cyclonus feel. Still pretty cool.

 

Yeah, I tried to make a Cyclonus Digibash too, but my Photoshop skills aren't all that great. My attempts all looked really silly. Anyone else want to try?  

 

Edit:

The one thing I'm not horribly fond of is the head. Something a little more Transformers would be nice, sort of a Transtech like design. I drew this on my computer, but it's a very rough sketch of what I have in my head. It's the best I could I do drawing with a mouse; I'd appreciate it if someone could redraw it for me, and feel free to make changes, add on, whatever:

 

How about using the head from Energon Dreadwing? It has a transtech feel.