Bandai HG 1/144 Dreissen (Unicorn Ver.) English Manual & Color Guide

Was excited to see the 1/144 High Grade AMX-009 Dreissen come out as I am a fan of mobile suits patterned after the MS-09 Dom design. This variant of the Dreissen was seen in the ongoing Gundam UC OVA as part of the mobile suit force of the Neo Zeon.

Bandai MG 1/100 00 Raiser English Manual & Color Guide

Finally released this month by Bandai was the 1/100 MG 00 Raiser (Double O Raiser) flown by Setsuna F. Seie in Gundam 00 Season 2. This mobile suit is comprised of the Double O Gundam mecha and the O Raiser support craft.

Cars 2

Marking June 24 on my calendar!, because that's the day that Pixar's Cars 2 gets shown. Probably the greatest continuity question in a cartoon movie will be in Cars 2. Because I'd really like to know how they're going to handle the death of Paul Newman (1925~2008), who played Doc Hudson in the original Cars. I hope they do some sort of tribute for him because he was a great guy as well as a great actor.

GI Joe Crimson Guard Figure

3.75 inch Crimson Guard figure from GI Joe Real American Hero made by Hasbro. This figure came out in 1985 and was officially called as the Crimson Guard: Cobra Elite Trooper.

Miniatur Wunderland: Knuffingen Airport

Just saw this interesting post at Doug Drexler's blog on the recently opened Knuffingen Airport diorama at Miniatur Wunderland in Hamburg Germany. Twin brothers Frederik and Gerrit Braun were the moving force for making this truly amazing interactive diorama display possible.

Photofly: Free Software to Transform Photos into 3-D Models

Just saw this article at Technology Review. In a nutshell, it says that Autodesk will release free software next week, called Photofly, that can convert a set of overlapping photos into its 3D counterpart that can then be outputted to a 3-D printer for printing.

Autodesk says that the Windows based software will upload the photos to a cloud server for processing and then downloads the results. The finished product can then be seen as a wire-frame model or one with a realistic surface color and texture.

Steve Neill's Blog

One of the blogs I like to frequent right now is Steve Neill's blog. Steve Neill is a veteran prop maker and effects artist and I first came to know about him through his postings in therpf forum.

Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides

Just watched Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides today with my wife and I have to say that it was truly entertaining. I was expecting an Orlando Bloom and the Flying Dutchman cameo but sadly that didn't materialize *snicker*

GI Joe Cobra Night Landing

Cobra Night Landing Craft that was released by Hasbro as part of their GI Joe Real American Hero toy line up in 1985. Purpose of the craft was for night time stealth insertions.

GI Joe Vipers Figure

I guess its safe to assume that the Vipers that came out in 1986 from GI Joe Real American hero 3.75 inch action figure was the upgrade to the Cobra: The Enemy action figure. This was the "new" cannon fodder Cobra trooper that GI Joe trained their sights on during battle.

Coincidence or According to Plan?

I'm currently reading the Dirty Little Secrets of World War II: (Military Information No One Told You) when I ran into this interesting factoid in the book.

1/144 Tomica Komatsu Articulated Dump Truck

Bought this for my son today, a 1/144 Tomica Komatsu Articulated Dump Truck. Since on the ride home he fell asleep I was able to get my dirty little hands on it in order to snap some pictures for a review *snicker* I used to think that all diecast cars of the Tomica line from Takara Tomy were in the 1/67 scale. Turns out that its not after seeing this.

GI Joe Snow Serpent Figure

In a nutshell the Snow Serpent (Cobra Polar Assault) from GI Joe Real American Hero toy line are Cobra EELS that have arctic training to allow them to survive and fight in the harsh arctic climate. This figure, that came out in 1985, is probably one of my most favorite Cobra Trooper figure based on the large amount of option parts that come with it. Included with the kit are snow shoes, an AK-47 rifle (foldable stock variant), back pack, parachute wrapped that can be worn around the waist and an anti-tank rocket with stand that can be attached to the backpack.

MG Figurerise Kamen Rider OOO Tatoba Combo English Manual & Color Guide

Last April Bandai released a 1/8 MG Figurerise rendition of the Kamen Rider OOO Tatoba Combo from the very long running Kamen Rider Franchise. Kamen Rider 000 Tatoba Combo is the latest offering of this glorious franchise.

The rise of 3-D printers

Interesting article here at CNNMoney with regards to the increasing popularity of 3D printers and the plans of HP and Google to make it available to the common household.

GI Joe Tele-Viper Figure

Tele-Viper figure from GI Joe Real American Hero. This particular dude was one of many that formed the Radio Telecommunications corps of the Cobra forces. They are part of the expansion of the "cannon fodder" units of the GI Joe series that came out in the 1985 GI Joe toy line up that included the snow serpents, eels, etc.

GI Joe Recondo Figure

This was my brother's favorite GI Joe Figure from the Real American Hero series. Code name Recondo with the designation of being a Jungle Trooper. According to Wikipedia *cough* *cough*, Recondo stands for RECONnaissance and DOughboy. Sculptor Bill Merklein mentioned in this interview that he was the one who designed Recondo as well some other GI Joe figures.

GI Joe Falcon Figure

Hasbro GI Joe Real American Hero Figure, Falcon, that came out in 1987. Lt. Falcon was designated as being a Green Beret. Definitely one of my most favorite figures because of the beret and the cammo pattern uniform. More information on Lt. Falcon can be found at the file card found after the jump.

Raven Corvette from MASK

I wrote a couple days back of the Raven toy that came with the MASK Kenner Catalog that I posted. Well here's the review of that toy. The toy came out in 1986 and was part of the good guys, or the guys from MASK. The Raven was a corvette that could transform to a seaplane.

GI Joe Leatherneck Figure

First issue of the Leatherneck figure from the GI Joe Real American Hero line of 3.75 inch figures by Hasbro. Leatherneck was the Marine of the GI Joes and was one of the few GI Joe figures that came in a full cammo pattern. Which was very appealing to me at that time because the previous issue of toys didn't come in a full camouflage pattern. If I remember correctly it was the GI Joe figure Ripcord and the Cobra Figure Firefly that came in a full cammo pattern.

How To Fix Loose GI Joe Back Packs

If you've played with GI Joe Real American Hero 3.75 inch action figures then you probably know what I'm talking about. Often times the GI Joe figure you bought has a back pack accessory that can be connected to the hole at the back of the figure.

1/35 Dual Model Kit Optimus Prime & Bumble Bee Pre-Order

Update: Manual and Color Guide for the DMK-01 Optimus Prime was translated to English.

Saw that the very impressive 1/35 Dual Model Kit (DMK) Optimus Prime & Bumble Bee from Takara Tomy was up for pre-order already at some Japan based Online Hobby Shops and is scheduled to be released by June (next month).

GI Joe Beach Head Figure

One of my most favorite figures from the G.I. Joe Real American hero line of 3.75 inch figures. Beach Head was a US Ranger before he became part of the G.I. Joe team. You can read more on his history from here.

A day repairing GI Joe Figures

Spent some time fixing up the rubber bands of my old GI Joe toys so that I could eventually put them up for display.

Diaclone Catalog

Found an old Diaclone Catalog that came with the Lancia Stratos toy I bought. The Lancia Stratos was "Wheel Jack" in the American Transformers equivalent. Picture above was that of the front page. Click the images to enlarge.

Mask Toy Catalog

Found this along with the stuff my wife sent me, a 1986 Fold out Catalog for the Mask toys from the cartoon series of the same name. This Catalog came with the Raven toy that I bought. Click the image to enlarge. Was thinking of cutting the image up, but then I realized that it would be prettier to see it in its complete form.

ThunderCats LJN Catalogue

Found this in some of my stuff that was sent over from my parents house. Its a fold out catalog that came with some ThunderCat toys released by LJN during the mid 80's. I loved the ThunderCats, when I was young I had Lion-O then my mother bought me the Thunder Tank and Panthro for my birthday. I don't know why, but whenever I see Lion-O in the cartoon, it reminds me of the young David Hasselhoff during his Knight Rider days *snicker*

MG Figurerise Kamen Rider W Heat Metal English Manual & Color Guide

Kamen Rider W Heat Metal Color from the Kamen Rider W series, this time made into a 1/8 MG Figurerise model kit by Bandai. Distinct weapon in this figure is the metal shaft that hangs on the back.

The Trip

I have no idea what this is but it has Steve Coogan and Rob Brydon in it. This trailer had me laughing, especially the part where they were doing impressions.

Update: Wow, so The Trip is actually a TV series from the BBC that was shown last year.

1/35 Dual Model Kit Optimus Prime & Bumble Bee

Update: Manual and Color Guide for the DMK Optimus Prime and DMK Bumblebee was translated to English.

Update: Found out that these are up for pre-order already

Well this is definitely the show stealer for me at the 50th Shizuoka Hobby Show, the 1/35 Dual Model Kit Optimus Prime & Bumble Bee from the Transformers: Dark of the Moon movie. I don't even care anymore on whether the movie is going to suck or not because I have proof already that the merchandise is going to rock!

Yamato Toys 1/60 VF-17 Nightmare, Brittai Figure, VF-19 Sound Booster

Hellooooo Christmas!, just saw this post at Hobby Stock Blog's coverage of the 50th Shizuoka Hobby Show. Its the booth of Yamato Toys where they announced the development of the Diamond Force's VF-17 Nightmare that operated off Macross 7.

Pictures of the 50th Shizuoka Hobby Show

Had fun looking at pictures from the 50th Shizuoka Hobby Show which was held of course at the mecca of Japanese model kit manufacturers, Shizuoka Japan. That's because most of the major manufacturers are located there (Tamiya, Hasegawa, Bandai, Aoshima etc) and through their innovation, built up the model kit industry in Japan.

MG Figurerise Kamen Rider W Lunatrigger English Manual & Color Guide

Another great MG Figurerise kit from Bandai, this time more of Kamen Rider W (Double) in the form of the Luna Trigger. Kamen literally means "mask" in Japanese, so putting it together you get Masked Rider and not Giant Grasshopper Rider because the creator based his mask on a grasshopper *snicker*

MG Figurerise Kamen Rider W Cyclone Joker English Manual & Color Guide

Kamen Rider W (Kamen Rider Double) is the latest reincarnation of the Kamen Rider Franchise. What makes it unique from the different Kamen Riders is that he is formed by the merging of two individuals. Well that's the boiler plate explanation of the figure *snicker*

Bandai MG Figurerise Son Gokou English Manual & Color Guide

Dragon Ball Z protagonist, Son Gokou. One of the first MG Figurerise characters made by Bandai, owing most likely to the world wide popularity of the Dragon Ball Z Franchise. I got to watch the first few episodes of DragonBall Z. Sadly I don't remember which episode it was because from what my friend told me there were a lot of series' made by the franchise.

Bandai MG Figurerise Monkey D. Luffy English Manual & Color Guide

Monkey D. Luffy, protagonist of the One Piece anime series, was recently made into a 1/8 MG Figurerise model kit by Bandai. Characteristic of Bandai, this model figure kit is highly detailed and with impressive articulation. Monkey D. Luffy has the power of elastic arms, so the kit comes with spare hands in "extended mode"

4th Attempt at making a base Part II

Trying out a modification of a technique I learned at therpf forum, wherein scratch build model builders use tape and primer to make panel lines. What they do is they overspray the primer on the surface creating a thick layer, once you remove the tape then you are left with the recessed panel lines.

1/60 DX Chogokin VF-25F Messiah Valkyrie Alto English Manual

Translated the manual of the recently arrived 1/60 DX Chogokin VF-25F Messiah Valkyrie Alto Custom. Review of this awesome toy can be found here.

Kotobukiya 1/72 HMM EZ-035 Lightning Saix English Manual & Color Guide

If ever there was a need for an apt description of the hounds of hell, then the Lightning Saix would probably fit that requirement to a "T". Lightning fast on land and lethally furious as shown by how it performed in the tournament battles of Zoids New Century Zero. Pilots of this Zoid type usually have the land speed advantage over opponents. But aside from its swiftness it also packs quite an arsenal, not limited to just melee type combat but also for ranged sorties.

Bandai RG 1/144 Aile Strike Gundam English Manual, Paint Conversion & Color Guide

I was surprised when Bandai released for its 3rd model of the Real Grade line the Aile Strike Gundam of Kira Yamato from Gundam Seed. I was expecting the green cannon fodder Zaku II to be next in the real grade line after the release of the release of Char's Zaku II.

Kung Fu Panda 2

Looking forward to watching Kung Fu Panda 2 when it comes out on May 26. Jack Black was really fantastic in the first one. Adding his personality and unique humor to the role of Po was what made the movie downright funny. Plus of course there's the dialogue that bumped up the humor in the movie to a whole other level. Kinda makes you forget that its a violent movie.

Kotobukiya HMM 1/72 RZ-042 Command Wolf LC & AC Barad Version English Manual & Color Guide

Kotobukiya 1/72 HMM RZ-030 Gun Sniper Leena Special English Manual & Color Guide

The fiery Leena Toros' Gun Sniper from Zoids New Century Zero made into a beautiful 1/72 HMM kit by Kotobukiya. I have to say that this Zoid definitely captured the spirit of Leena Toros. Which is a fun loving, hard hitting zoid pilot. And the reason she needs that much fire power is because she couldn't hit the broadside of a barn at point black range LOL.

4th Attempt at making a base

I was looking at this stack of blank DVD discs that had to be discarded because they were already damaged during the burn process and I hit upon the idea to make another base to be used by a still undetermined model kit in my display case.