Commander McBride

I just did a mission in which I had to rescue a hostage and kill his captor, in the game Soldner: Secret Wars. Anyone notice something odd about the hostage's name?

Looks like a cross between Strike and F91. I rather like the design, actually, but I think it needs a repaint.

So that's what happenned to Red Comet!!!

Damn, you both beat me. The words that popped into my mond were "Oh god, it's man-faye!"

That Astray really kicked ass. I've been planning something similar for a few years, I think I'll do it for next AX. I'd been thinking a Dom, but now I think something more impressive looking would be better. How's Providence Gundam sound?

You talked to him? I don't know you. This was last year. He was dressed in normal clothes, and I didn't even know it was him until he mentioned it.

Man Faye isn't an exhibitionist. He's a joke. He did it on a bet, originally, and got so famous that he did it again so as not to disappoint his "fans". By the way, that page isn't the full story. The ACC banned him from entering the convention center, and AX pulled his badge after he protested by mooning someone. Note that this is just the rumor that was circulating, and not solid info. (The second part, the first part I found out by actually asking him.)

GFFs are not 1/144 Despite the fact that they claim to be, if you compare them to an HGUC, you'll see that they're substantially smaller. They're closer to 1/155. Also, MSiAs, I wouldn't call them a child's plaything. They were originally designed for the collectors' market. Take a look at the boxes they come in, and how elaborate the detailing and accessories have become on recent releases, well beyond the level of what most children could appreciate. Anyway, if you want huge, PG are the way to go, but the price matches the size. There are also Strike and Freedom gundams in the same scale, they're much less expensive, about 30-40 US, but they lack all the gimmicks, internal detail, etc, of the PGs. And, yes, that Wing Zero is one of the Big Badasses in the gundam lineup. It's got crazy features like "feathers" made of metal with a flexible coating, so you can pose the individual wing feathers however you want. By the way, here's a pic I just snapped showing several of the model lines. On the left, smallest to largest, are HG Strike Gundam, MG Strike Gundam, and 1/60 Strike Gundam Heading toward the right, we have HGUC Rick Dias, Fix Gundam MkII, and MSiA Char's Zaku II. In the back is a 1/60 Yamato Hikaru, for size reference.

I only likened the Fix series to the MSiA for purposes of reference. They are similar in size and design, (especially the Advanced MSiA) and are both a form of action figure. And I have about 50 MSiA and around six Fix, so I know what I'm talking about. And, yes, HG is still around, in the form of the SEED (and not too long ago, Wing) kits. Also, the HG 0080 and 08th kits are still in production. (Or at least, were until quite recently). Oh, just noticed, by the way, I should have put the GP03D in the HGUC listing, not the HG.

Here's a quick summary of the model lines: MG (Master Grade) - Nicely detailed 1/100 scale kits, with adaquate to great poseability, depending on design and age. Common features include openable cockpits, removable, transformable, core fighters (for the first gundam trio and the GP series), poseable hands, moveable monoeyes (for Zeon suits), and good selection of weapons. Most are UC kits, although some Alternate Universe kits are now being produced. (Strike Gundam, Wing Gundam ver. Ka) They range between about $25-$50 for most kits, and as much as $60-$80 for the very large or elaborate kits. They stand from about 8 to 10 inches tall. Molded in color, and snap together. HGUG - High Grade, Universal Century. 1/144 kits, with good poseability and surface detailing, but few features. All HGUC designs are based on Universal Century MS. Cost from $10-$25, and stand about 4-6 inches tall. Molded in color, and snap together. HG - High Grade. Possibly the largest model line. They range from simple, badly proportioned, kits from the early '90s, to kits on par with the HGUC line, but based on other universes, such as gundam SEED. Available in both 1/144 and 1/100. The kits range between $10 and $25. Notable exceptions include the 1/144 GP03D, which is a meter long, and goes for about 150 USD. Molded in color, and snap together. PG (Perfect Grade) - The top of the Gundam model kit line. 1/60 scale, and stand about a foot tall. They feature such gimmicks as LED eyes, illuminated cockpits, fully poseable fingers, removable armor with full internal skeletons, and much more. They sell for $100 - $200, depending on age and complexity. Molded in color, and snap together. Ms In Action - Inexpensive action figures, about 1/170 scale. Made of soft PVC plastic. Their main benefit is their high poseability, low cost, and huge range of available models. Fix Gundam - Similar to MS in Action. They are slightly bigger, and have higher detail. They are made of a more rigid plastic. They include features such as transformations, swappable armor, or huge assortments of accessories and weapons. Most sell for $40-$50. They are all based on the designs of Hajime Katoki. A new line, Zeonography, is the companion to the FIX series, but is composed of Zeon MS. SD Gundam (Super Deformed) - A series of very inexpensive kits with an parodied shape, with a large head, a wide but short body, and small arms and legs. MSIA - another name for MS in Action. Low Grade / No Grade - Simple kits, low quality, very cheap. Often require painting of details. First Grade - Glue-together kits based on the original kits released in the early 80s, but with updated proportions and details. Require full painting. Hyper Hybrid Model Series (HY2M) - A wide variety of kits, ranging from replacement heads with LED lighting for the MG series, to 1/60 models with extensive poseability and lighting, to a $1500, 5 foot tall, Zaku.

I think I'll have mine in flight. Partially because I suck at painting landing gear and gear bays. But what do these babies weigh? A chunk of resin of that size has got to be quite heavy. What kind of stand would be appropriate? I'm thinking they'd be better suited to a more professional stand, like what's seen on large desk-display models, as opposed to the clear acrylic stands that MWers have been using for their valks. Also.....it was mentioned that extras might be available....when will we get to know what those are? Can we only dream of FPs and underwing pylons?...... I really need to find a job.........

Wow, this guy does some really incredible work. I think the best way to put it is to say that he's made some of these very old kits look new.

I have a no-name compressor, but I do know that it's essentially an Iwata without the Iwata name on it. (It's made by the same factory, with the same design, and the same quality, just minus the Iwata label and half the price. Kind of like the Gunze airbrushes. (Which, IIRC, are actually Iwatas.) Anyway, it's quite quiet. I'd say it's about as loud as an idling car. (At least as loud as my car, anyway) (To put it in focus, I can't mute a TV because the noise of the CRT pisses me off, and I can't sleep with my PC's fans on) It is well built, and provides a very smooth air supply. (My old one pulsated, you could feel it near the end of it's life like "pff pff pff" instead of "pffffffffffff".) Anyway, I can only imagine that the Iwatas are just about the same, so I'd recommend one. And if this one is still too loud, you could always get a tank and just use the compressor to fill it.

Side view... I know spending the money on a wing is a bit ricey, but I've always thought S14s really didn't look right without one, and this wing was a factory option (In Japan, at least) after all, plus it's actually properly engineered for high-speed stability, so it's worth it. Hopefully, I'll bring it to my shop tomorrow morning and it'll be painted and installed by the time I get her back on wednesday.

Sweet! How'd you get sponsored by them? Think they'll sponsor me too? I wish I had big brakes, the stock 240SX ones are pathetic. I'll probably get ones off of a 300ZX. In other news... here's my wing:

Well, my car's still in the shop. Just need a couple of sensors, which should be in wednesday, and I'll finally be driving it. I also picked up a JDM K's AERO NAVAN rear spoiler for my S14. I'll take some pics later.

I have an Iwata Eclipse Double Action Siphon Feed. Not sure of the exact model name. I think it's HP-BCS, or something like that. Anyway, it's a really nice airbrush, but I get consistently horrible results with it. I think that's due to the fact that I'm horrible at airbrushing, though, not to any fault of the airbrush.

Pretty cool. Still, I want to see a Valk with 5 gunpods! (4 in place of the missile pylons)

What the hell?

I wonder if the Land Warrior system could be set up to run off Fuel Cells. Not only are they lighter than normal batteries, but they could be refilled with a bit of gasoline, instead of having to be recharged with electrical power.

Just curious, got a pic of him in Helicopter mode without that "thing" on him? (The backpack or whatever?)

Strongbad cosplayers?? I've seen several, at least one at AX and one at Otakon, as well as other characters in various places.

Ayumi Kinoshita (Marika "Jasmine" Reimon/Deka Yellow in Tokusou Sentai Dekaranger) According to his sig, anyway.

Is that supposed to be GTA3? No, it's Nakazato from Initial D..... And it's...uhhhh...someone I know quite well.....

Well, for once, I was wrong in a good way! I took my car into the shop to have the 5spd put in! It should be out by Thursday!!