Sunday, September 28, 2008

Chinese Astronauts in space walk

Congrats to China on their giant leap into space exploration. After sending its first astronaut into space in 2003, Chinese astronauts walked in space yesterday, 27 September 2008. Beijing is attempting a lunar landing in 2020. By then we'll know if the Apollo Moon landings were all a conspiracy or a true event.

The papers published a picture of the China-made spacesuit aptly named "Feitian", weighing a whopping 120kg and takes 15 hours to put on. Unfortunately, the suit doesn't look very flattering from the pictures taken. The "cool" factor is somewhat missing IMHO.

Comparison with the first American astronauts from Project Mercury

USAF U-2 pilot - not exactly an astronaut but dressed like one to fly the Lockheed U-2 spy plane, nicknamed the "Dragon Lady". The U-2 is a single-seat, single-engine, high-altitude, reconnaissance aircraft with super long (103 feet) wings which gave it glider-like characteristics. It can carry a variety of sensors and cameras for its spy missions.

Obi-Wan Kenobi from Star Wars Episode IV

The Obi-Wan Kenobi that I first knew was played by Sir Alec Guinness in 1977's "Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope". He was known to the inhabitants of Tatooine as Ben Kenobi or old Ben, an eccentric hermit who lives in the Jundland Wastes in a rustic hovel. Not content with giving us Episode III Obi-Wan Kenobi, Sideshow releases Obi-Wan Kenobi from Episode IV as well.


When Luke is ambushed by a group of Tusken Raiders while searching for R2-D2, Obi-Wan Kenobi comes to his rescue, gesturing and making noises to scare off the Sandpeople.

Obi-Wan Kenobi would take Luke Skywalker under his wing, arm him with a Anakin's lightsaber, and together with the two droids, find Han Solo and Chewbacca, board the Millennium Falcon to go to Alderaan. But the ride will take them elsewhere and what a ride it has been!

The head sculpt of Sir Alec Guinness is AMAZINGLY good!


Obi-Wan's lightsaber, still good for one last duel with Darth Vader on the Death Star.




Included with Obi-Wan is the Jedi training remote, the small electronic ball that Obi-Wan used to train Luke in the ways of the Force.

Kubrick's old Ben



Saturday, September 27, 2008

Obi-Wan Kenobi from Star Wars Episode III

In "Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith (2005)", Obi-Wan Kenobi is now a Jedi Master on the Jedi High Council and a General in the Army of the Republic with Anakin Skywalker whom he trained as his Padawan, now a full-fledged Jedi Knight as his partner.

Sideshow released this beautiful piece of work and gave us the Obi-Wan Kenobi we've been clamoring for.

There's no mistaking Ewan McGregor's likeness with such a superb head sculpt!

Obi-Wan accessories - Electrobinoculars, Jedi Holoprojector, Jedi Comlink, A99 Aquata Breather and his lightsaber

Sideshow Obi-Wan Kenobi's utility belt with opening pouches


Obi-Wan's food and energy capsules

Obi-Wan's hooded jedi robe, part of the basic Jedi clothing which includes the belted tunic and boots. Jedi robes are virtually indistinguishable from the simple robes worn by many species throughout the galaxy. This signifies the Jedi pledge to the service and protection of even the most humble galactic citizen.

Ewan McGregor as Obi-Wan Kenobi with his lightsaber


Star Wars Episode III will be the only time two blue lightsabers duel. This happens when Obi-Wan confronts Anakin who has turned to the Dark Side on the volcanic planet Mustafar. The next time they meet again will be in Episode IV: A New Hope when Anakin has become Darth Vader!





"You were the chosen one! It was said that you would destroy the Sith, not join them. You were to bring balance to the force, not leave it in darkness. "
Obi-Wan Kenobi by Kubrick



Next up: Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope Obi-Wan Kenobi or old Ben
There's also General Obi-Wan Kenobi from the Clone Wars
Comparison of the two Kenobis

Obi-Wan Kenobi from Star Wars Episode I

Obi-Wan Kenobi, along with Anakin Skywalker, R2-D2, and C-3PO is one of the few major characters to appear (in some form or another) in each of the six Star Wars films. In "Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace (1999)" Obi-Wan is a Jedi Padawan and accompanies his master Qui-Gon Jinn on a mission to Naboo to assist Queen Amidala in negotiations with the Trade Federation.

In Episodes I to III, Obi-Wan is portrayed by Ewan McGregor and Episode I is the only Star Wars film where Obi-Wan is without a beard. However, Hasbro's Obi-Wan is not only a youngling, he has a chubby face - LOL!!



OMG!! What's that sticking out of his head? It's "hair"-rendous!


Four of the major characters from Episode I sans Jar Jar Binks - what a joke he was!!