Space Battleship Yamato 2199; Cosmo Reverse Version - Bandai 1/1000 Scale Model Kit [Unboxing and Review]

It has been a long time coming, this project on anime's most iconic space-faring vehicle - the Space Battleship Yamato. Specifically, the version that I plan to assemble and paint as my first attempt at modelling the United Nations Cosmo Navy's most formidable warship in the year 2199 is the one on its way back to Earth from planet Iscandar, which is the destination of its maiden voyage. At this stage of its journey, the Yamato's most potent weapon - the wave motion gun - has been sealed up. As to why the Yamato would take the perilous trip back home with her hands tied behind her back, you will have to watch the first season of the science fiction anime series to find out.  

Bandai 1/1000 scale Space Battleship Yamato 2199, Cosmo Reverse Version

Side box art showing detailed closeups of a completed model of the Yamato, Cosmo Reverse version

More side box art but this time showcasing the miniature fighters that accompany the Yamato

Due to the combination of a reasonably high sprue count for a ship of this scale and a fairly small box packaging, the sprues are packed very tightly together. This is evident from the get-go as you first unbox the 1/1000 scale model kit of the Yamato. You instantly feel you're getting your money's worth with a box chock-full of sprues almost spilling out of it. It makes perfect sense that Bandai would do justice to the Yamato. After all, this famous ship was evidently the scale model kit that launched Bandai into the big time in the scale model kit hobby industry way back in the 1970s.  

Narrower side of box displays the Yamato with its wave motion gun sealed up

Moderately sized scale model kit box for the Yamato (Cosmo Reverse) is chock-full of sprues

Equally impressive, the slightly bigger than B5-sized instructions was a landscape-orientated booklet with four full-colored spreads - on the front and back covers as well as the centerfold. Other than providing useful image references of a completed model and screenshots from the anime, the color pages also included a complete color scheme for the Yamato and its various fighters based on Mr.Hobby paints. While the paints being references are from its acrylic line, in most cases it's still possible to find their lacquer-based equivalents in the company's Mr.Color product line.

Front cover of instruction booklet showcases a completed model kit superimposed over scenery from the anime

Instructions are mainly diagrammatic with Japanese language directions where required

First half of the all color centerfold within the instruction booklet

Second half of the all color centerfold within the instruction booklet

Back cover of the instruction booklet recommends color schemes based on Mr.Hobby paints

Sprue-wise the parts come mostly molded in the necessary colors except perhaps for the ship deck. Most importantly, the two main colors of the Yamato namely the blue grey upper hull and bright red lower hull is accounted for. This will be helpful to modelers who intend to just assemble the scale model kit without painting it. And even though I will paint and weather the kit, the molded hues are still useful as a visual reference for comparison with future paint mixtures I attempt. Priming and painting the Yamato is an important prerequisite to the extensive weathering I've planned for the kit.   

Sprue A1: Upper hull pieces, rear main nozzle, rear deck, etc. 

Sprue A2: Main deck of the upper hull

Sprue B: Lower hull pieces, etc.

Sprue C: Display stands and base, internal flight hanger pieces, rear engine, etc.

Sprue D: Main bridge pieces, etc.

At 1/1000 scale, the Yamato isn't really that big. And this makes the fighter ships accompanying the warship that much smaller. Too small, in fact, for my taste. But the fighters do provide a sense of scale to the piece and in doing so actually make the Yamato look bigger. So it's all good I guess.

Sprue E: Forward and rear gun batteries, etc.

2X Sprue F: Fighters, main bridge components, etc.

2X Sprue G: Anti-aircraft guns, etc.

Sprue H: Clear parts for the wave motion gun, main bridge and rear engine nozzle

Sprue I1: Upper hull parts, etc. and Sprue I2: Seal for wave motion gun

Also included in the kit are two sticker options for the base display and water slide decals for the ship itself. The metallic sheen on the stickers is a nice touch and it gives the base display a classy look. Meanwhile, the decals aren't much to shout about but enough is provided to add noteworthy details

Metallic stickers for the display base; two different color options provided

Water slide decals for the Space Battleship Yamato

This is my first Space Battleship Yamato project but as I've alluded to earlier, it definitely won't be my last. Of all the scale model kits I own, I believe the Yamato is the one which I've the most variants of. To date, I've two additional 1/1000 scale variants and an impressive 1/500 scale version of this warship. And I wouldn't put it pass myself to purchase even more variants and yet another 1/500 scale kit if they are ever reissued. With quite a few ways to paint the Yamato, the existing variety of kits present enormous potential for a skilled modeler to work with. For now, I'll start with the Cosmo Reverse version and work my way to more complicated ones in the future.