Kit review: HG 1/100 YF-29 Durandal Valkyrie Full Set Pack (Maximilian Jenius Use)
How do you improve a perfect machine? Give it to the perfect pilot of course! The YF-29 Durandal is a top-tier Variable Fighter with a wide range of weaponries and exceptional performance. In the Delta movie Zettai Live, one Durandal was piloted by none other than the “jenius” pilot – Maximillian Jenius. Despite pushing 70s, he still show the Delta Flight how the absolute ace fight.
After Alto’s HG 1/100 YF-29 Durandal, Max’s version is the 3rd HG model of this series with some structural changes along with the Super Pack Set included in this kit. Bandai didn’t went with the Percival or any of the other anniversary color, but they went with Max’s Jenius Blue instead, to create a perfect red vs blue pair for this amazing kit.
After Alto’s HG 1/100 YF-29 Durandal, Max’s version is the 3rd HG model of this series with some structural changes along with the Super Pack Set included in this kit. Bandai didn’t went with the Percival or any of the other anniversary color, but they went with Max’s Jenius Blue instead, to create a perfect red vs blue pair for this amazing kit.
– Info:
HG 1/100 YF-29 Durandal Valkyrie Full Set Pack (Maximilian Jenius Use)
Series: Macross Delta: Zettai Live!!!
Price: 5610 yen
Release date: 07 Oct, 2023
HG 1/100 YF-29 Durandal Valkyrie Full Set Pack (Maximilian Jenius Use)
Series: Macross Delta: Zettai Live!!!
Price: 5610 yen
Release date: 07 Oct, 2023
– Design: The YF-29 is one of the best fighter designs of designer Kawamori Shōji, with the base being the VF-25. This 1/100 HG model kit version is scaled quite closely to the CG model in the anime in all 3 forms. Using the part-form mechanism, its proportions are almost perfect in all forms.
The primary colour tones of this Max version of YF-29 are blue and white with his family’s emblem. Its machine structure is similar to VF-25 and VF-27. The most obvious difference is that the wings are in forward-swept style (similar to the YF-19), and there is an additional twin MDE beam cannon under the fuselage. In addition, it is equipped with 4 fold quartz on the fuselage (a unique feature only found in the YF-29).
Compared to Alto’s HG YF-29 version, this version is supplemented with a Super Pack consisting of 5 parts mounted mainly on the wings and tail of the aircraft. In addition to making the YF-29’s wings larger, they do not affect its appearance too much like the VF-25 or VF-31.
The primary colour tones of this Max version of YF-29 are blue and white with his family’s emblem. Its machine structure is similar to VF-25 and VF-27. The most obvious difference is that the wings are in forward-swept style (similar to the YF-19), and there is an additional twin MDE beam cannon under the fuselage. In addition, it is equipped with 4 fold quartz on the fuselage (a unique feature only found in the YF-29).
Compared to Alto’s HG YF-29 version, this version is supplemented with a Super Pack consisting of 5 parts mounted mainly on the wings and tail of the aircraft. In addition to making the YF-29’s wings larger, they do not affect its appearance too much like the VF-25 or VF-31.
Build quality: HG YF-29 uses Ecopla plastic material (Bandai’s new recycled plastic). All parts are easy to handle nubs, even the exposed blue parts. This kit has relatively good parts separation. In particular, the head and upper body of Battroid Mode have had some structural changes to the parts compared to the Alto version, helping it separate colours more accurately because the two machines have different colour patches. The clear parts in the position of sensor eyes, cockpit, and 4-fold quartz on the fuselage are metallic clear parts. In particular, the 2 fold quartz parts on the upper body have all the details visible inside. In addition, because an additional part was added to match Max’s colour scheme, we will have some spare parts from the previous version of Alto.
However, this kit still needs many decals to perfect the details, especially in Fighter mode. I highly recommend using water decals for this kit because there are a lot of details that can be peeled off when using the provided decals, especially for the Max emblem in the middle of the fuselage where the twin MDE beam cannons are mounted.
However, this kit still needs many decals to perfect the details, especially in Fighter mode. I highly recommend using water decals for this kit because there are a lot of details that can be peeled off when using the provided decals, especially for the Max emblem in the middle of the fuselage where the twin MDE beam cannons are mounted.
– Articulation: The flexibility of the HG YF-29’s articulation is most clearly shown in Battroid Mode. It’s a lot better than the DX Chogokin version. The head has a card that rotates and folds quite well. The shoulder joint uses a double joint mechanism, allowing the arm to move up to 90 degrees. It can be pushed forward and back to help create more accurate gun pod positions (They still work well even in Gerwalk mode). The joint between the upper body, cockpit, and groin can rotate and fold quite well, which is also an advantage to help it pose better.
The hip joints are two flexed joints that can be pushed out to increase the range of leg extension. The knee joint can rotate and move side to side to help it stand better (this is also the support point to expand the leg range of Gerwalk mode). The feet are the two main thrusters of the aircraft that can open and close at will. The articulation in Gerwalk mode is the arms and legs, which is the same as Battroid. The articulation of the YF-29 is quite good. HG YF-29 can replicate all poses from the anime, but at the same time, it cannot create any crazy poses. Since it is a plastic model kit, the Durandal can hold those poses without drooping like the DX Chogokin.
The hip joints are two flexed joints that can be pushed out to increase the range of leg extension. The knee joint can rotate and move side to side to help it stand better (this is also the support point to expand the leg range of Gerwalk mode). The feet are the two main thrusters of the aircraft that can open and close at will. The articulation in Gerwalk mode is the arms and legs, which is the same as Battroid. The articulation of the YF-29 is quite good. HG YF-29 can replicate all poses from the anime, but at the same time, it cannot create any crazy poses. Since it is a plastic model kit, the Durandal can hold those poses without drooping like the DX Chogokin.
– Gimmicks:
1. Similar to the model kit of the previous Macross series – HG YF-19, HG YF-29 also has 3 modes: Fighter Mode, Gerwalk Mode, and Fighter Mode that can be transformed by a part-forming mechanism with separating and changing parts. YF-29 is split into the following parts: upper body (cockpit and head), arms, wings, and lower body with two legs. Additional features include the top of the fuselage and core fuselage.
1. Similar to the model kit of the previous Macross series – HG YF-19, HG YF-29 also has 3 modes: Fighter Mode, Gerwalk Mode, and Fighter Mode that can be transformed by a part-forming mechanism with separating and changing parts. YF-29 is split into the following parts: upper body (cockpit and head), arms, wings, and lower body with two legs. Additional features include the top of the fuselage and core fuselage.
2. A special feature of the YF-29 is that the twin MDE beam cannon in the lower fuselage can be pulled up, and the hidden gun barrel can be opened in all three modes. In addition, it can also rotate comfortably, even backward.
3. The 2 shoulder armour and 2 leg side armour parts have an open hatch mechanism that can open up and reveal missile details inside. However, to be able to see these details clearly, you need to paint them.
4. The 2 auxiliary thrusters on both sides of the wings can be swivelled to many angles. The stabilizers are on the main thruster side and both sides of the secondary thruster, and they can move up and down.
5. Bandai gives us two types of cockpit covers, a closed type and an open type, that can open the cover to reveal the cockpit and pilot figure inside.
6. There are 2 Missile launchers and 2 Fold Wave Projectors on both wing pods. They do not have a mechanism to open but instead use replacement parts.
5. Bandai gives us two types of cockpit covers, a closed type and an open type, that can open the cover to reveal the cockpit and pilot figure inside.
6. There are 2 Missile launchers and 2 Fold Wave Projectors on both wing pods. They do not have a mechanism to open but instead use replacement parts.
– Accessories: Since this is a state-of-the-art VF machine, the YF-29 has many equipment and weapons mounted all over the body:
+ X1 Heavy Quantum Beam Gunpod: Mounted on the bottom of the aircraft in Fighter Mode and a handheld weapon in Gerwalk Mode and Fighter Mode. When holding the hand, the gun barrel can be expanded and lengthened.
+ X2 High-speed Machine Gun: Mounted on both sides of the head. However, they cannot be rotated due to the fixed mounting pin.
+ X1 Twin MDE Beam Cannon: mounted on the lower fuselage. It can be used in all modes.
+ X1 Heavy Armored Shield: In Fighter form, it is mounted on the tail of the fuselage. In Gerwalk Mode and Fighter Mode, it is mounted on the left arm. Especially in this Max version, it has an additional layer of armour from the Super pack part
+ X1 Assault Knife: When not in use, it is mounted on the inside of the Armored Shield.
+ X12 Micro-missile Launcher: stored in pods on the shoulders and legs.
+ X2 Missile launchers: Mounted on outer wing pods (Super pack)
+ X2 Fold Wave Projector: Mounted on outer wing pods (Super pack)
We also get a small Max pilot figure, 3 aircraft landing gear parts, and 3 pairs of replacement hands (Including a hand in a greeting pose similar to the Alto version and a hand in the shape of a Macross series’ trademark aeroplane). In addition, the Super Pack Set includes 2 wing pods, 2 additional thrusters, and 1 shield armour part, which is the most different from the previous Alto version.
+ X1 Heavy Quantum Beam Gunpod: Mounted on the bottom of the aircraft in Fighter Mode and a handheld weapon in Gerwalk Mode and Fighter Mode. When holding the hand, the gun barrel can be expanded and lengthened.
+ X2 High-speed Machine Gun: Mounted on both sides of the head. However, they cannot be rotated due to the fixed mounting pin.
+ X1 Twin MDE Beam Cannon: mounted on the lower fuselage. It can be used in all modes.
+ X1 Heavy Armored Shield: In Fighter form, it is mounted on the tail of the fuselage. In Gerwalk Mode and Fighter Mode, it is mounted on the left arm. Especially in this Max version, it has an additional layer of armour from the Super pack part
+ X1 Assault Knife: When not in use, it is mounted on the inside of the Armored Shield.
+ X12 Micro-missile Launcher: stored in pods on the shoulders and legs.
+ X2 Missile launchers: Mounted on outer wing pods (Super pack)
+ X2 Fold Wave Projector: Mounted on outer wing pods (Super pack)
We also get a small Max pilot figure, 3 aircraft landing gear parts, and 3 pairs of replacement hands (Including a hand in a greeting pose similar to the Alto version and a hand in the shape of a Macross series’ trademark aeroplane). In addition, the Super Pack Set includes 2 wing pods, 2 additional thrusters, and 1 shield armour part, which is the most different from the previous Alto version.
–> Overall: with a super cool design from designer Kawamori Shōji, interesting gimmicks, and the “Shortcut Change” transformation mechanism, the HG 1/100 YF-29 Max version can be the perfect model kit for the YF-29. If you are a fan of the Macross series, especially the genius Max Oji-san, this will be an indispensable kit in your collection. We can hope that other versions of the YF-29 may also be made or the other Max’s fighters like the VF-22 Sturmvogel II from Macross 7.
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