Takatoku 1/55 was one of the original line of toys created by Takatoku Toys made to promote the Super Dimension Fortress Macross television series and later The Super Dimension Fortress Macross: Do You Remember Love? movie. Bandai currently makes reissues.
VF-S1 FIGHTER MODE
VF-S1
Shōji Kawamori and Kazutaka Miyatake pitched their ideas to Takatoku Toys. One major obstacle during the designing of the transforming toys was a way to swing the two rear fuselage pieces to the front to become the legs. Eventually, the legs were hinged onto the cockpit by two metal parts, although this cut down show-accuracy, it made them the a pinnacle of toy engineering in that era, the kind of toy engineering that wouldn't be seen until the late 80s and early 90s. To this day, a lot of VF-1 Valkyrie toys use the same technique to bring the legs to the front. A notable gimmick of these toys are the spring-loaded landing gear. In the wake of Takatoku’s collapse, Matsushiro, the company that had been originally contracted to design the 1/55 VF-1, acquired the rights to the mold. Hasbro contracted Matsushiro to manufacture the 1/55 toy as part of The Transformers toyline, and re-branded the toy as "Jetfire". Shortly thereafter Matsushiro also hit financial hard times and Bandai acquired many of Takatoku’s assets from Matsushiro including the 1/55 VF-1 mold.
GUARDIAN MODE
BATTLOID MODE
Kawamori told Takatoku to time their releases in accordance to the anime's release. The first toy to be released was the VF-1J in the November of 1982, this was because the VF-1J was the protagonist's main mecha for the first arc of the series. By the December of that year, they had already sold around 20 0000 1/55 scale VF-1 Valkyrie toys.
Robotech was one of my all time favourites cartoons when I was a kid. The Story line was very unique for me compared to other cartoons at the time. Unlike Transformers that are sentient beings, these mecha you can fly and transform. What was even more cool for me is that they could even transform in three modes (Fighter, Guardian,Battloid). It was like you can be a Transformer yourself.
I guess what attracted Robotech to me was the battle seance, the love story and it was a first time for me to see a cartoon character to die. that was really shocking for me.
I bought the Matchbox VF/S1 from a local guy on Craigslist. He was selling his whole collection of Robotech figures. I was so shocked when I saw his collection. I knew most of these figures were never sold in my area. He later told me he bought them on ebay and other sites.
The Veritech Fighter was released by Matchbox (1985), Harmony Gold (1992) and Playmates (1994). The accessories were the same with every release. It came with twelve missiles, 4, missile racks, a booster rocket pack and a gun (which was connected to the bottom). Some of the missle were missing when I bought th VF-S1 but it was something I had to have in my collection.
The skull and crossbones tail fins and the stickers depicting shot down Zentraedi (visible below the cockpit) are all from the Matchbox version. The Playmates version of the Veritech had a blue tinted cockpit window, blue boosters and no skull and crossbones on the tail fins.
Unfortunately
this toy is not transformable, It looks as though Matchbox had
tried to make it transform. The rear jets (feet) can open, and the arms
actually have hinges visible underneath the body. They are rendered
completely useless by screws. Another clue might be that it came with a
removable gun. Too bad It can't transform that would be really sweet
The Veritech Fighters were piloted by Rick Hunter, Roy Fokker, Max Sterling or Miriya action figures.
VF-S1 NO ARMOUR
The Veritech VF-1
Earth's first transformable fighter. Powered by fusion engines, the VF-1 is fully
space-capable, and is carried in great numbers on the SDF-1 as well as
the armor series of carriers. The VF-1 supports 3 modes of operation:
fighter mode for aerospace superiority missions, guardian mode for close
air support missions, and battloid mode for ground combat missions.
ARMAMENT AND WEAPONS
*1 x 3-barreled 55mm gatling cannon in a gun pod
*4 light laser cannons, mounted on the head/turret
*2 x light lasers in the nose (upgrade from sensors, only for Veritech fighters aboard the SDF-1) *4 wing hardpoints (2 per wing) *3 x 300mm medium range missiles
*1 (inner) or 2 (outer) x 533mm long range missiles
*1 x short-range multiple ejection 150mm missile launcher containing 15 missiles
The VF-1S "Skull Leader" is a unique fighter based on a prototype platform of the VF-1 specially designed for commanding officers of Veritech squadrons. Only a dozen of these units had been produced by the time the Zentraedi attacked Macross Island in 2009. The prototype number 001 (AKA Skull One) was the last known surviving VF-1S aboard the SDF-1. It marvelously survived through several years of battle and was never destroyed, making it a symbol of the people of Earth's fearlessness and determination.
RICK HUNTER / LISA HAYES
Rick and Lisa, finally together Despite the long and rocky start, Rick and Lisa form a strong and lasting romance that lasts for the rest of the Robotech Saga.They spent the next eight years overseeing the rebuilding of Earth and the construction of the SDF-3. In Robotech: Prelude to the Shadow Chronicles, (set in 2043-2044) the two are still in love, despite all the challenges they have faced during the last three decades.
RICK HUNTER VF/S1 Super Valkyrie
BIO AS LISTED BEHIND CARD OF ACTION FIGURE
RICK HUNTER
Age: 19
Rank: Lieutenant An amateur pilot
and close friend of Roy Fokker, Rick unwittingly becomes one of the
major players in an inter-galactic war which could determine the ultimate
fate of the human race.
Although he does not approve of violence, Rick ultimately accepts the
mantle of responsibility that falls on his shoulders and becomes an
ace pilot in the RDF's famous "Skull Squadron."
