Green Hornet Movie 2011

Update: Watched it already, the action sequence was good but the story was kinda weak.

Been reading a lot of chatter on the web about how good the Green Hornet movie is. To be honest I had my doubts with Seth Rogen being cast in the lead role because of his comedic reputation. Turns out that it was one of the main things that made the movie great. Still saw it being played in the local movie house so hopefully I can still catch it.

Scratch Built Megatron Figure

Ran into this gem of a video at youtube. Its a year or more old but still very relevant. The video shows how to make a non transforming Megatron figure.

Bandai HG 1/144 GM Custom English Manual & Color Guide

RGM-79N GM Custom from Gundam 0083 Stardust Memory. This is a souped up GM characterised by having Gundam grade agility with the presence of more than usual vernier thrusters. The GM Custom in Gundam 0083 were part of the mobile suit complement of the spaceship Albion tasked to go after the hijacked Gundam GP02. Pilots who flew the GM Custom where veterans of the One Year War and therefore could pilot it expertly to take full advantage of its enhancements.

Yamato 1/60 Perfect Transformation YF-19 English Manual

Recently reviewed the Yamato 1/60 Perfect Transformation YF-19 of Isamu Dyson from Macross Plus OVA/Movie. I just love the design of the YF-19 and consider it a worthy successor to continue the mission of the venerable VF-1 Valkyrie as the premier fighter of the Earth Forces in the Macross Universe.

Yamato 1/60 Super and Strike Parts for VF-1 English Manual

One of the great add-ons for the 1/60 scale VF-1 kits of Yamato is the 1/60 Super & Strike Parts for VF-1. Featured in the latter parts of the Macross SDF1 anime series, the Super Parts vastly increase the capabilities of the VF-1 Valkyrie by adding more range, speed and firepower to the basic frame.

Qui Gon Jinn makes appearance in Star Wars: The Clone Wars SE3

Update: darn, the episode where Qui Gon Jinn makes an appearance wasn't any good.

For those who are following Star Wars: The Clone Wars CGI series at the Cartoon network, there is some surprising news. Qui Gon Jinn (voiced by Liam Neeson) will make an appearance in the January 28, 2011 and the February 11, 2011 episodes.

Bandai MG 1/100 ReZEL Commander Type English Manual, Paint Conversion Chart & Color Guide

Recently released 1/100 Master Grade RGZ-95C ReZEL Commander Type from the Gundam Unicorn OVA. This mobile suit is used by squadron leaders of Londo Bell and is slightly different from the regular RGZ-95 ReZEL version by the presence of the mega beam cannon, a slightly different backpack design and with green clear parts.

Gundam Scratch Build English Manual

I just finished skimming through this book, Gundam Scratch Build Manual, that originally came out in 2003. I have to say that it is a very good book for those who want to learn how to modify and scratch build mobile suits. When I say scratch build I mean building it from the ground up with minimum existing model kit parts. The ball cap joints for the arms and legs is something you'll probably want to get from off the shelf parts though.

Bandai HG 1/144 Forever Gundam English Manual & Color Guide

Boris Schauer's GPB-X78-30 Forever Gundam from the Gunpla Builders anime. Basically a souped up RX-78-2 with additional armor modifications, remotely piloted funnels and an independent shield system. That's on top of the usual arsenal that the RX-78-2 carries.

Turned 2

Found out today that this site had turned 2 years old already a few days back. January 11, 2009 was the day I posted my first post on this site. To celebrate this milestone, albeit 11 days late, I'm having flapjacks for breakfast. Yippee!

And least I forget, the success of this blog in these past two years I attribute all to God. Who else could give me the time, resources and strength to continue with this endeavour?

Bandai HG 1/144 Nobell Gundam English Manual & Color Guide

Allenby Beardsley's Nobell Gundam from G Gundam anime series. Quite a unique design for a Gundam really, being in a figure of a girl that is. Still the designer of this Gundam had instilled a sense of logic in its design. What I thought to be hair was actually cooling fins to help cool down the mobile suit when it goes into berserker mode. The beam ribbon in its arsenal seems to be modelled after the ribbon used in rhythmic gymnastics

1/60 Perfect Transformation YF-19 by Yamato Toys

Update: Translated Manual for the 1/60 Perfect Transformation YF-19 can be found here.

Well its finally here, the Yamato 1/60 Perfect Transformation YF-19 from Macross Plus that I got from HobbyLink Japan. According to the literature at the site, this is a re-release of the original 2006 1/60 YF-19 by Yamato Toys. The difference between this and the original 1/60 YF-19 is the box packaging.

AirBrush Hose 1/8" to 1/4"

Update:This hose actually disintegrated due to the heat, was able to fix it with aquarium hose.

Bought a 1/8" to 1/4" hose from Roy Airbrush(ebay seller). According to the shop literature they are a seller based in Taiwan. I'm going to use this for the Double Action Airtex Beauti Airbrush that I got last year. The hose is supposed to be 10 ft in length uncoiled but i haven't really checked whether it goes that long or not, I wouldn't really care if it didn't go that far either *snicker*

Winsor & Newton Series 7 Kolinsky Sable Brush Short Brush No.00 (0.4mm)

This arrived for me today from HobbyLink Japan, a Winsor & Newton Series 7 Kolinsky Sable Brush Short Brush No.00 (0.4mm). Been looking for a very good, fine brush to paint small detailed parts with. Previous fine brushes I've used (of the cheap $1.00 kind) don't fair well for me, after a while of use they lose their "pointiness." Lesson learned, if you want quality, you better pay for quality.

Bandai 1/48 MegaSize Zaku II of Char Aznable English Manual

Probably one of the best ways to cap off the end of the 30th anniversay of Gunpla, with the release of the 1/48 scale MegaSize Zaku II of Char Aznable by Bandai in December of last year. Then again, the release of this massive kit was probably overshadowed with the surprise release of the PG Strike Freedom. Released even earlier was the 1/48 Mega Size RX-78-2 Gundam of Amuro Ray.

Mechas out of Lego's

I really admire those guys who create mecha's out of Lego's in Flickr. What they create is truly amazing. One other famous designer who uses Lego blocks to build mecha is Shoji Kawamori of Macross fame.

Kotobukiya 1/72 HMM RZ-041 Liger Zero English Manual & Color Guide

It's Surprising

...the amount of books you can read once you take away your cable tv subscription...

Kotobukiya HMM 1/72 RPZ-03 Shield Liger English Manual & Color Guide

The iconic blue Shield Liger from the Zoids anime series. Where all through out the franchise it appears sometimes as a protagonist and sometimes as only a supporting cast member. This was made into a beautiful 1/72 model kit by Kotobukiya in the Highend Master Model (HMM) line. This kit isn't new though as it came out a few years back.

Kotobukiya 1/72 HMM RZ-030 Gun Sniper Naomi Special w/ Wild Weasel Unit English Color Guide

Naomi Fluegel's Gun Sniper Naomi from Zoids New Century Zero made into a 1/72 Highend Master Model by Kotobukiya. First time I saw Zoids New Century Zero was in Animax, I immediately fell in love with the series. One of my favorite characters of course was Naomi Fluegel and her Gunsniper. Then again, I've always had an affinity for sniping mecha's, as evidenced by the kits that I have in my model gallery.

Kotobukiya 1/72 Interior Union Y01-Tellus English Manual and Color Guide

The Interior Union Y01-Tellus from the Armored Core game made into a 1/72 model kit by Kotobukiya. I remember the first time I saw an Armored Core game, and this was in 2000 when the PS2 first came out.

Farewell Major Richard Winters

Found out today via reddit that Major Richard Winters died last January 2, 2011.

To those who don't know, Maj. Richard Winters was the commanding officer of Easy Company of the 506st PIR from the 101st Airborne Div where it saw action in the European Theatre of World War II.

The exploits of Easy Company was made into a book: Band of Brothers that was written by Stephen Ambrose. It was then made into a 10 episode tv series with the same title in 2001. I count this book and this television series one of my most favorite. The irony of this is that I am currently watching episode 3 of Band of Brothers. Major Richard Winters even wrote a book that details further his exploits.

I do this yearly around Christmas and Winter season not because I love war. But rather to remind me how awful war is. My generation never got to experience the horror and fear of living in an age where nations are at war with one another. Thanks in part to people like Maj. Richard Winters, men of Easy Company and the soldiers of the allied forces. They were the people who took the cudgels and answered the call to uplift freedom and fight off tyranny and oppression that was engulfing the world at that time. And the price most often paid was their sacrifice.

Bandai HG 1/144 Geara Zulu English Manual & Color Guide

AMS-129 Geara Zulu that appeared in the very first episode of the Gundam Unicorn OVA. Too bad that it got blown to bits so easily. Then again, I shouldn't be surprised, because this is the cannon fodder variant. Stick a commander antenna on this one and its guaranteed to have a longer life span, and probably a few more lines in the script *snicker*

Bandai MG 1/100 RGM-79 GM v2.0 English Manual & Color Guide

The venerable RGM-79 GM from Mobile Suit Gundam with a design that reflects the era it came from. Basically the late 70's when disco was still in, along with platform shoes, polyester and every conceivable piece of clothing was flared (pants to colars, etc). I remember the first time seeing this and wondering why it had the same green shade as a bathroom tile *snicker*

Drum Set

My wife and I bought our son a set of play drums for Christmas (cost about $40). You're probably wondering what were we thinking buying something that would definitely disturb the inner tranquility of our house, but hey that's just our way of helping him find out whether he is musically inclined or not.

1/100 YF-29 Alto version Fighter mode display model

Update: Saw this made available already for pre-order at HobbyLink Japan: here, here and here

Saw this today while trolling across the Bandai Macross Frontier site. Its an announcement for the 1/100 YF-29 (fighter mode) Alto version model kit. Haven't read it fully but at first pass it seems to say that its based off the 1/72 molds of the VF-25. There seems to be 3 version available, Fighter Mode Alto then 1 with Ranka markings and another with Sheryl rankings. Looks like this will just be in fighter mode and not gerwalk and battroid.

Bandai MG 1/100 MSN-06S Sinanju Ver. Ka English Manual, Color Guide & Paint Conversion Chart

Full Frontal's MSN-06S Sinanju from Gundam Unicorn which I finally was able to see in action Thanks to the Gundam Unicorn OVA. Compared to the design of the Gundam Unicorn, I have to say that I am more partial to the design of the Sinanju.

Bandai HG 1/144 Acguy English Manual & Color Guide

MSM-04 Acguy from Mobile Suit Gundam. Probably one of the most popular mobile suit kits in the Gundam Universe right now, because I see a lot of model kit builders build this and add their own interpretation.

Bandai MG 1/100 Force Impulse Gundam English Manual & Color Guide

Shinn Asuka's Force Impulse Gundam from Gundam Seed Destiny. After Shinn Asuka transitioned to the Destiny Gundam, the Force Impulse Gundam was taken over by Luna Maria Hawke.

Bandai MG 1/100 MS-06K Zaku Cannon English Manual & Color Guide

MS-06K Zakucannon from Mobile Suit Variations that was made into a Master Grade kit by Bandai in 2008. The Zaku Cannon is a heavy weapons type. Aside from the usual fare of a Zaku Machine Gun and Zaku Bazooka, this mobile suit sports a shoulder cannon and a pair of "big guns" on its waist area.

Bandai HG 1/144 MS-05L Zaku I Sniper Type English Manual & Color Guide

Hajime Katoki's MS-05L Zaku I Sniper Type from Harmony of Gundam. This time made into a 1/144 High Grade kit by Bandai for the Universal Century line of model kits.

Bandai HG 1/144 Gelgoog (Char Aznable) English Manual & Color Guide

The MS-14S Gelgoog of Char Aznable from Mobile Suit Gundam made into a 1/144 High Grade kit by Bandai. This mobile suit takes over from the iconic Zaku II of Zeon Ace, Char Aznable. If you are looking for something bigger, there was a 1/100 master grade version made of this. And just about now I will make my reference as to how this mobile suit reminds me of a lizard *snicker*

Interview with GI Joe Hasbro Sculptor Bill Merklein

Talk about a Jewel of a find that was posted at therpf forum. It was link to an interview of professional sculptor Bill Merklein talking about his experience at Hasbro. Bill Merklein was responsible for sculpting a lot of the GI Joe Real American Heroes figures.