1/60 Perfect Transformation VF-22S Sturmvogel II Max version by Yamato Toys

Transformation Manual of the 1/60 VF-22S Sturmvogel II Max ver was translated to English and can be found here.

This arrived a couple of weeks ago from HobbyLink Japan, the 1/60 Perfect Transformation VF-22S Sturmvogel II Max by Yamato Toys. Originally released in 2009, this mecha was from the Macross 7 anime series that came out in the 90's and was piloted by Adm. Maximilian Jenius. There is also a red version that was released by Yamato Toys. Thats the one that was piloted by his wife, Milia Jenius.

The VF-22S Sturmvogel II was based off the failed YF-21 from the Super Nova project. It differs from the YF-21 by having the Brain Direct Image system removed from the mecha's avionics. The Brain Direct Image system allowed the pilot to control the craft by thought alone. Problems however developed as prolonged use of the system could cause adverse problems with the mental health of the pilot.

The toy itself is based off the 1/60 Perfect Transformation YF-21 of Yamato Toys but there are slight differences. The head sculpt is different along with having a bubble top see-through canopy. The side armor of the legs also have a different design from that of the YF-21.

Lets proceed with the problem areas that I've found with the toy that I got. First problem I had was that the head turret/antenna kept falling off.

Next one was that one of the landing lights on the wing kept falling off. But worse was when one of the tail rudders popped off when I was transforming it to Gerwalk mode from Fighter mode. Never had that happen to me when I was transforming the 1/60 YF-21 of Yamato Toys.

Luckily all those problems could be easily fixed by adding some glue after popping them back in to prevent them from falling off so easily. The good thing with my house is that I don't have any carpeting, because of which I could easily tell when the parts fell off by the sound they made upon hitting the ground.

Another problem that plagues the VF-22S is actually an aircraft design problem that all the YF-21/VF-22 designs have. And that is that it has a hard time standing up in Battroid mode. The cause behind that is the top and back heavy design of the mecha and the thin legs and small feet that have to support it. I can't fault Yamato Toys on that since that was born out of the designs approved by producers of the Macross Plus/Macross 7 anime.

Aside from those minor inconvenience this is actually a great toy that faithfully reproduces the VF-22S Sturmvogel II. But like all of the toys made by Yamato Toys for their 1/60 Perfect Transformation series, these are display toys and not toys that are to be played with. These are toys that should be left in a display case or shelf and should be enjoyed by ones eyes and not to be roughly played with by ones hands.

More of the review found at the succeeding pages

Unboxing

After owning a few 1/60 Perfect Transformation Toys in my collection I've realized that Yamato Toys doesn't have a standard box size for the toys that they release. I think it's something that they should definitely look into in order to reduce cost of shipping on their part as the number of a particular toy type that can be fit into a shipping box is different each time. Alas I digress, I've pointed that out because the box size of the VF-22S is different from that of the YF-21.

Shot of the front of the box next to a 12 inch ruler for comparison.

Top of the box

Back of the box

Side of the box

Pulling out the box you will see an inner box where the toy is housed in a vacuum formed thin plastic case that will protect the toys from being crushed

At the back of the inner box is a plastic bag where the manual and stickers are housed

The VF-22S is kept in place in its vacuum container by means of these two plastic protrusions. Pressing one of them in allows the VF-22S to be released from its housing.

Here's a shot of the VF-22S out of its container and next to a 6 inch ruler for comparison.

The VF-22S toy has some plastic wrapped around its wing area in order to protect it from damage

Aside from the wing area, the two tail rudders are also wrapped in a plastic cover.

The main rear landing gears are also wrapped in protective plastic

And like with the 1/60 YF-21 that I have, only one of the legs are wrapped in protective plastic.

Accessories

Aside from the VF-22S Sturmvogel II itself, the toy also comes with 2 gunpods, Maximilian Jenius pilot figure, a sticker sheet, transformation manual, stand attachments and fold generator stand attachments.

The toy comes with a 28 page manual in Japanese that details how to transform the toy from Fighter to Gerwalk to Battroid mode. It also shows how the options are to be used. What is lacking from this version of the manual as against the YF-21's manual is the information on how to do limiter release mode. That's because this was never done by Maximilian Jenius in Macross 7. Limiter release mode is basically the removal of the legs and arms of the mecha during fighter mode, which was done by Guld Goa Bowman in Macross Plus in the YF-21 in order to beat the Ghost X-9 fighter. In the anime, Limiter Release mode is actually more than just ejecting the arms and legs in fighter mode, its the release of the limiters from the control system that prevents the craft from going beyond certain performance limits pre-programmed that could either destroy the plane or kill the pilot.

Shot of the manual next to a 6 inch ruler for comparison.

Shot of the sticker sheet that comes with the toy

Shot of the sticker sheet next to a 6 inch ruler for comparison

Manual and Sticker set inside the plastic bag that houses it when it was taped to the underneath of the inner box

1/60 scale Maximilian Jenius pilot figure

Shot of the back of the Maximilian Jenius pilot figure

From different angle this time, the back of the Maximilian Jenius pilot figure

In case you still haven't gotten enough of the Maximilian Jenius pilot figure, here's another shot of it *snicker*

Maximilian Jenius Pilot figure inside the cockpit during Fighter mode.

Shot of the two Gunpods in its stowed form next to a six inch ruler for comparison

The Two Gunpods now in its extended firing form next to a 6 inch ruler for comparison.

Underside of the Gunpod

Close up of the Barrel of the Gunpod. It's not hollow

Pistol grip of the Gunpod

Side view of the pistol grip of the gunpod

Rear stock of the gunpod

The toy comes with two stand attachments that allow it to be connected to a Yamato Toys type stand that isn't included with the kit.

Shot of the stand attachments next to a 6 inch ruler for comparison.

The toy comes with two fold booster attachments that attach to the back of the VF-22S. The fold booster doesn't come with the kit but come be bought separately as the optional 1/60 Fold Booster & Fast Pack for the YF-19 & YF-21 kit

Shot of the fold booster attachments next to a 6 inch ruler for comparison.

The Sturmvogell II has two intake covers mounted on the air intakes of the engine

Reverse side of the intake covers. It has markings "L" or "R" to easily determine whether it goes on the left or right intake. As you can also see, its painted on so take care in not scratching the paint when mounting the intake covers

Shot of the intake cover removed. There is a hole on the top left of this intake, that is where the peg of the intake covers locks into during attachment.

Shot of the air intake cover in place

Fighter mode

The VF-22S Sturmvogel II is configured in Fighter mode inside its box. In my opinion, the Fighter mode design of the VF-22S is the most appealing when compared to the other 2 modes that this mecha can be configured in.

View from the top of the VF-22S

Right rear view of the VF-22S

Left rear view of the VF-22S

Bottom view of the VF-22S

Nose of the plane

Bubbletop canopy of the VF-22S

Close up of the underside of the main fuselage of the VF-22S, notice the lack of holes where the gunpods could be mounted, like with the YF-21 version.

Vectored thrusters of the VF-22S

Vectored Thrusters of the VF-22S in the fully opened position

Close up of the right wing root of the VF-22S

Close up of the left front fuselage of the VF-22S

Rear facing vents at the top of the air intakes

Right wing of the VF-22S

Left wing tip of the VF-22S whose angular position can be changed

Left wing tip of the VF-22S with angular position changed

Top view of the rear thrusters

Bubble top canopy of the VF-22S with a yellowish tint

Gerwalk Mode

Gerwalk is an intermediate position for the mecha, inbetween Fighter mode and Battroid mode. It takes advantage of the capabilities of both modes in this mode. It is more agile than Fighter mode and quicker than Battroid mode. Because it is an intermediate position, it is capable of hover flight, as opposed to Fighter mode.

Top view of Gerwalk mode

Rear thrusters of the VF-22S in Gerwalk mode

Top view of the thrusters in Gerwalk mode

Left rear view of Gerwalk mode

Bottom view of the leg storage area in Gerwalk mode

Rear view of the legs

Shot of the arm in Gerwalk mode

In Gerwalk mode, the foot is only pulled out till this much from its storage area in the leg

Battroid Mode

Definitely one of the most beautiful designs in the Macrossverse when it comes to Battroid mode. I had a long standing paradigm that this was an ugly mecha, but after seeing the YF-21 up close and personal I finally got to appreciate the design homage. Succinctly, it resembles the battle armor of a Japanese samurai warrior. There is also the homage given by the designers to the Zentradi battle armor, the Queadluun-Rau, by incorporating the similar curves of its arms and legs to that with the VF-22S.

Maximilian Jenius Pilot figure at the chest area of the VF-22S in Battroid mode. The seat can be pushed back in for it to be in a sit up position during battroid mode. The Battroid mode lacks a blast shield that comes down to cover and protect the cockpit canopy.

Leg part cover during Fighter mode forms the side skirt of the leg

Forehand view of the hand

Backhand, peg can be found at the palm of the hand. This is where the hole of the rifle grip gets inserted to help keep it in place.

Rifle being gripped by the hand.

Both rifles carried by the VF-22S in Battroid mode

Gun barrel protruding from the forearm, similar to the design of the Queadluun-Rau

In Battroid mode, the foot is pulled out fully and locked into place via a hook found the rear of the lower leg

Rear view shot of the leg showing the hook pulled out fully to lock the foot and prevent it from going back in into its storage area in the leg.

Miscellaneous shots

Close up of the pilot seat in fighter mode. Wire coming out the back of the head rest were used to recreate the BDI interface in the YF-21

Another view of the cockpit. Cockpit display detail can be added by means of adding the cockpit monitor sticker from the included sticker sheet.

Maximilian Jenius inside the cockpit during Fighter mode

Yellow tinted canopy

Main landing gear with plastic cover and wheel is rotated to the position for storage

Main landing gear with plastic cover removed and rotated to the front direction. Compared to the YF-21, the tire on this doesn't have any excess rubber parts attached, indicating a bad rubber cast.