Macross VF -1 Valkyrie / G1 Transformer Jetfire using LEGO Creator 31129: Majestic Tiger

 

This tiger set seldom dissapoints!

RECAP

About two months ago, I published a VF-1  Valkyrie creation using LEGO set 31152: Space Astronaut. And oh boy oh boy.... the support was phenomenal!! (video below)

And so, I've decided to build another VF-1  using LEGO set. I put my best bet on set 31129; Majestic Tiger and   here's the payback!!

ABOUT THIS CREATION

This creation was inspired by VF-1 Valkyrie fighter jet from Macross anime series.    It has multiple names (like Variable fighter),  many variants  too.... VF-1A, VF-1S,VF-1D and the sorts.  I'm not a fan of this anime so I'm totally clueless about them..

The mould for VF-1 toy  also was used  to become  Jetfire, a character from G1 Transformers cartoon series back in the 1980s (below,left). The cartoon version of Jetfire (right) is vastly different , though.

 

My perfectionist nature always led me to performing last minute tweaks  before starting photoshoot. you guess what final modifications I made for this project?

It's the windshield!!! Initially the dark tan cheese slopes  were applied at the front of the windshield. Then I decided to use pink rounded tiles instead, and delegate the cheese slopes to the back .

 

One of the biggest challenge is actually designing the legs and arms so that they are tabbed to each other in jet plane mode, strengthening the build.

And oh yes... there are extra ball joints for me to apply landing gears too!

 

WINGS FOLDED!

 

CANNON MOUNTED

TRANSFORM  TO GERWALK MODE

 

Noticed how the dark gray ball joints are swivelled over to lock the feet from being bent too far up. This is crucial in stabilizing the gerwalk mode. And 

 

Another satisfying design was assymetrical arms with zigzag patterns  that blend in together in jet mode 

GERWALK MODE

  

 

 

TRANSFORM TO ROBOT MODE

 

 

The concealed head orientation is truly an eureka moment!  I was having problem tucking in the head in jet mode due to its size.  Suddenly out of nowhere I experimented around , swiveling his head in all possible directions  before transforming to jet mode successfully. 

ROBOT MODE

 

 

ACTION POSES

 

 

WITH CANNON / GUN

 

WITH VF-1 USING LEGO 31152

There are distinct /opposing limbs aesthetics between  31129 VF-1 (orange) and 31152 VF-1 (white) robot modes.   

The 31129  has exposed shoulder  joints, but I make it up by having a spur on his thighs (just like in actual VF-1 toy).  Opposingly,  the shoulders in 31152 VF-1 has panels similar to the actual VF-1 toy,  but it lack details on the thighs, with exposed ball joints. 

VIDEO

PURCHASE BUILDING INSTRUCTIONS >>

WILL THERE BE MORE VF-1 CREATIONS ?

Yep!! I will try to build more VF-1's   using the big LEGO sets  I owned.