Robotech Tactics: Valkyrie Fighter

Since Robotech Tactics began shipping, countless international backers are waiting for their products. It sometimes is a downer (for lack of a polite word) if you are not in the US. I could not wait to get my hands my pledge so I did the next best thing, purchase off another backer. A shout out to Josh who was selling his over at the Robotech Tactics group on Facebook. If you are a fan or a backer, I do suggest joining this group as they have plenty of informative stuff you need to know prior to assembling these models, especially if you made loose purchases like me without any guides. https://www.facebook.com/groups/1440349382851175/

Some key things notes from my observation and probably bias comments (based on my experience with Bandai and GW models).
- The models are very small! While there are many size comparison shots take on the group, it did not hit me until I started assembling the Guardian and Battloid mode.
- Details on the models are no doubt very detailed. However, some of the details, in my opinion may be unnecessary, such as the grip of the GU-11 gunpod for the Veritech mode. It is going into the slot if you are assembling it, hence I do not think the details of the handle on it is required. It is like the each parts are modeled separately prior to the final sculpture.
- Assembling can be a pain for the Battloid and Guardian mode especially the arms. The arm assembly for my Guardian mode is a little odd. Probably because of my order of assembly.
- Check out Peter Nolan's image file in the group for exact arm-hand-gun joint combination to use. Very important if you are going 2 handed on the gunpod.
- Veritech Mode: Easy assembly and very straight forward. A little attention need to be given to the tail fins since the tabs and groove for them are very small.
- Guardian Mode: Made a mistake of assembling the body and wings first. Wings, for this mode, should be the last thing to go in. Which probably resulted in the very odd angle of my arms. Some cutting of the stub will be required to put the arms at a better angle in future builds.
- Battloid Mode: Body and torso comes in 3 separate pieces: front, back and lower. This gives the ability for the model to turn. However, I find it a waste that the canopy of the model is a separate piece to assemble. I do not see any reason for that. Legs are joined via ball-socket method. Arms, like the Battloid mode, via stubs.
- GU-11 gunpod alignment. I am not sure of many are having this problem as I do where the hand does not go well with the arm as the fin of the gun is somehow preventing the hands to be pieced correctly. However, I found that the GU-11 on my Guardian have a groove, which I assume is how they intend to GU-11 to rest on the arm as pictured below.

Arm stub clearly visible. Not sure how deep it should be going in.

- Tweezers are your best friend here.
- I might just ditch the provided stand. It is too think for my liking, especially for the guardian. A third leg anyone?
- It would have been great if there is a consistency on the sprue design. The sprues I got consist of 7 sprues. 2 each for both Veritech and Guardian Mode. 1 for both Battloids. I will need to wait and see if the expansion will be having 2 separate sprue for each Battloid in the box. (check out the sprues itself in the page link above!)

At the end of the day, I am glad that I got my hands on these. Now to wait for my actual package to arrive in.