Kit Building - 1/144 Fire Valkyrie (Part 2)

As mentioned before, this kit comes with 2 models. In part one, the Battleroid was built. In this part, the Fighter mode will be assembled.

First up is the main portion of the fighter.

So far, this kit is not looking too good. It's all red, except for the all yellow pilot and the clear canopy. There's a very noticeable seam line all the way around the kit too.

Time to build the landing gear.

I have no idea what these parts are yellow, but other than that, I have no complaints.

The next two steps are adding on the details.

Well that's all for the Fighter mode. Unfortunately, there isn't a 3rd kit for GERWALK mode. In the next part I'll discuss my thoughts on both models. So until then...

Kit Building - 1/144 Fire Valkyrie (Part 1)

Felt like snapping together and this guy seemed like quick vacation build.

First up is the right arm.

So the age of this kit is very obvious even at this early stage. Poly cap hand and elbow joint is not something you see any more. The seam line running down the middle of the forearm, upper arm, and shoulder is annoying and the reason why I stopped building 1/144 kits.

Next up is the left arm.

Exactly the same issues as the right arm.

Time for right leg.

Much like the arm, there's seam lines everywhere.

Now for the left leg.

Yeah this is the same as the right leg.

Time for the head and chest.

So the chest and head have seam lines. Kind of like how the face plate is separate. Not much articulation in the shoulders and waist.

Time for final assembly.

Obviously the gun has a seam line around the whole thing. The shield is pretty lame too. Single piece of plastic with nothing on the back but a whole to attach it to the arm. So I don't really care much for Macross kits and building a 1/144th kit is not really helping to change my opinion. On the plus side, there's two kits in this box. Next part will cover that kit.

What's in the box? - 1/144 Fire Valkyrie

Was given this kit as a gift a month or so ago. Feeling that snapping together another kit, so I figured work on this little kit. But before that, let's see what's in the box.

The box itself isn't very big. Somewhere between and SD and an HG. Considering the age, the box art is fairly nice.

Here's what's inside.

The manual is pretty basic. Color photo on the cover, 2 pages of black and white instructions, and a colored color guide on the back.

Time for the parts now. You can see the age in this kit. Not much detail, the basic looks and feels cheaper, and there's almost no color separation.

To help with the lack of colors, there's a ton of stickers.

Well that's all. Now to snap it together.

Kit Building - 1/100 MG Aile Strike (Part 6)

Time for final assembly.

Kit looks good. Obviously it's back heavy. I'm willing to bet that wont be fixed in the 2.0. Hand doesn't hold the gun well. I assume this will be fix and the hand will be fix posed. Not a fan of fixed posed hands, but I understand why they changed.

Also get a nice little bonus with this kit, a launch pad action base.

Base looks pretty amazing. Big fan of this. Seems unlikely that it will make the 2.0.

Putting the kit on the base...

Kit fits really good on the base. It's also very sturdy. If you've got the space, this is a great base. Wish Bandai would put this out as an Action Base 4.

Final Thoughts...
This kit is pretty solid. Articulation in the arms and legs are what you expect from an MG. Waist could use some help in the articulation department. I assume there will be so details added to the armor. Hopefully there will be backing parts to the skirt armor and the shield. Love the action base, but I don't think it will make the 2.0 upgrade. It's pretty obvious that the kit is outdated compared to the newest master grades, but I don't think it's so bad that it needs a 2.0. There are so many suits that don't have an MG (DOUBLE X!!!!!!) that I would rather have than a 2.0 Aile Strike. And I would be saying that even if I didn't have the 1.0. Hopefully there's something unexpected in the 2.0 that makes it worth getting for those that have the original.

Kit Building - 1/100 MG Aile Strike (Part 5)

Now for the Aile Strike pack.

First up are the wings.

The parts that hold the beam sabers look kind of lame, but other than that, this looks good.

Next are the thrusters.

Once again I think this looks pretty good. I assume on the 2.0 the thrusters will be gray and the red part will snap on over it.

Next up is the white part. I have no idea what this is for. Aesthetic appear I guess.

This thing is kind of weak. Just two parts snapped together. Nice seam line on the base part. Not sure it will show up on the final product though. The other end doesn't appear to hold together well. Hopefully Bandai will make this part more interesting.

Next are the beam sabers.

Other than some flash, these parts are good.

Time for final assembly.

This guy seems pretty sold. Looks pretty nice.

Next part will have the completed kit and my thoughts on the finished product. So until next time...