Hello Macross and Robotech fans! Here is a brief guide and a request from a special customer.  I have put together a brief guide to the origins of the Macross Robotech Valkyrie toys.  Back in the 1970 to 1980 years, there was a Japanese toy company called Takatoku Toys. They made many interesting toy lines and were responsible for the creation of the now popular 1/55 scale Valkyrie toys that were used in the Macross, Robotech and even Transformer toy lines.  Unfortunately, for Takatoku, the company folded in the early 1980 years and the Valkyrie mold was aquired by Bandai.  For the purposes of this guide, I will use the Robotech pilot's names.

Let us start by taking a look at the Takatoku cataloque:

The first Valkyrie that we will take a look at is the VF-1S Super Valkyrie.  This was the Valkyrie that was originally flown by Roy Folker and Rick Hunter flew Skull 1 later in the series.  The Valkyrie comes with the fast pack battle armor that attaches to the robot toy and allows for transfermation into the three modes.  This armor will work on all 1/55 scale valkyries:

They also offered the heavy battle armor with the VF-1S or by itself.  This armor set will also work on any 1/55 scale valkyrie, but it will not allow for transformation into the plane or gurdian modes:

If you did not want the fast pack armor or the heavy battle armor, you could get the VF-1S by itself.  Let us not forget the second Valkyrie that Rick Hunter piloted the VF-1J Valkyrie:

In the early stages, Takatoku was very focused on the VF-1S and the VF-1J versions, but who could have a toy line without the other key valkyries? Well, Takatoku did not forget three of the most sought after and poular Valkyries in the line.  The all red VF-1J Valkyrie and the all blue VF-1J Valkyrie that was piloted by Max Sterling and Myria Sterling.  Interestingly enough, the Myria Valkyrie was correct, however the Max Valkyrie was actually a VF-1A but it was never produced with the correct head.  The third very popular Valkyrie was known as the VF-1A, "Cannon Fodder," oops I mean production type Valkyrie. 

Here is the Max Stering VF-1J Blue Valkyrie, Myria VF-1J Red Valkyrie and the VF-1A Production:

One may ask, "What about the orange trainer Valkyrie that Rick Hunter flew in the first episode of Robotech?"  Well, Takatoku never produced that Valkyrie.  The good news is that Bandai produced two of the most rare Valkyries ever!! These two Valkyries were the VE-1 Elintseeker and the VT-01 Super Ostrich trainer.  These two Valkyries were seen in the Macross, "Do You Remember Love?" movie and are the, "Holy Grails" of any collection, even mine! Please see my guide on these to rare Valkiries.

WARNING: There was a company named JOONs that produced a knock-off Valkyrie that used the original artwork from the Takatoku boxes. You can easily tells these apart by the name, "JOONS" in the lower right corner and the plastic insert for the toy.  The genuine Takatoku toys have a styro insert.  Please be careful here!!!

I hope that this helps you in your quest for collecting the 1/55 scale Valkyries by Takatoku.  As always, I am not perfect and if there is any information that is incorrect or you would like added, please e-mail me. Don't forget to rate this guide!

THANK YOU And HAPPY COLLECTING!!!