Medicom RAH Star Wars Jango Fett 2nd Jet Pack Version

Boba Fett (see previous post) was created by Kaminoans as an unaltered clone, at the request of his "father," Jango Fett, before the start of the Clone Wars. He was intended to be both Jango's heir and "Jaster's legacy."

Jango Fett was the original. He was a renowned human Mandalorian bounty hunter, assassin and mercenary. Jango also served as the genetic template for the clones that would form the bulk of the Grand Army of the Republic during the Clone Wars.

Having previewed Medicom's soon to be released RAH Star Wars Boba Fett ROTJ (Return of the Jedi) version, now let's take a look at the upcoming Medicom RAH (Real Action Heroes) Star Wars 1:6 scale Jango Fett 2nd Jet Pack version.

"Let's Ride!" - Hot Toys 1/6 Ghost Rider Figure with Bike PREVIEW

Hot Toys is proud to present their MMS133 (Movie Masterpiece Series) 1/6th scale Ghost Rider Limited Edition Collectible Figurine with Bike Set from the Ghost Rider movie. The highly detailed Ghost Rider collectible is specially crafted based on the image of Nicolas Cage in the movie, highlighting the newly sculpted head and skull, light-up functions on skull and detailed weapons. The set also comes with a motor bike with light-up functions in front blinkers and wheels.

Medicom RAH Star Wars Boba Fett ROTJ Version Preview

Medicom has released pictures of their next Star Wars RAH (Real Action Heroes) 1:6 scale 12-inch figure and it's the ROTJ (Return of the Jedi) Boba Fett. What is the difference between the ESB (Empire Strikes Back) Boba Fett and ROTJ Boba Fett? Apparently the obvious differences are the gun and the gauntlets as well as the Jetpack. ESB jetpack is green and ROTJ is multicolored. ROTJ is the same color scheme, though more weathered, as Jango's Kamino pack in AOTC. The gauntlets also changed from green to red.

VeryHot 1:6 US Army MP (Military Police) uniform set Preview

Another military figure PREVIEW (see the last post) but this one's by Very Hot and it's a 1:6 scale US Army modern MP (Military Police) uniform set. The MP comes with a K-9 (canine / dog). I like this loadout more than the Wild Work set. Note: No head nor figure will be provided for this UNIFORM set.

Hot Toys DX05 is Christopher Reeve Superman!

"I'm here to fight for truth, and justice, and the American way"

Those were some of the words spoken by Christopher Reeve as Superman in the 1978 superhero film. And some of us have been waiting for a 1:6 scale Christopher Reeve Superman 12-inch figure ever since.

This Winter Hot Toys will be bringing us a surprise from the highly anticipated "SUPERMAN (1978)" movie license! They'll be launching their 1/6th scale collectible figure of this American superhero acted by notable actor Christopher Reeve and he'll be sculpted by none other than their new Korean extraordinary artist Mr Arnie Kim!

Get ready to be blown away!

ToysCity 1:6 Classic 90s US Navy SEAL (Jungle Ops) Preview

This is Toys City next release - a 1:6 scale 90s era Jungle Ops US Navy SEAL 12-inch military figure. We haven't seen a classic USN SEAL like this in a long time (this year being 2010 means that this look is almost twenty years old) and this really is a CLASSIC. Like the saying goes: "There's no school like the old school".

Meet "The Ex-Wife"

A reader of this blog (Doug from UK) wrote to me via e-mail: "As a big Hot Toys fan I have been reading your rather excellent blog for a while now. Whilst waiting impatiently for my war machine, I found this pic on a forum confirming HT have tweaked it to add 'the ex wife'. I had no idea they had done so until just now and I thought you might be interested too :) Cheers, Doug."

THANKS Doug for sharing this picture. We cannot wait for Hot Toys War Machine to be released.

What is "The Ex-Wife"?
Justin Hammer: It's capable of busting a bunker under the bunker you just busted. If it were any smarter, it'd write a book, a book that would make Ulysses look like it was written in crayon. It would read it to you. This is my Eiffel Tower. This is my Rachmaninoff's Third. My Pieta. It's completely elegant, it's bafflingly beautiful, and it's capable of reducing the population of any standing structure to zero. I call it "The Ex-Wife".

Related post: Hot Toys 1/6th scale War Machine collectible figure from the "Iron Man 2" movie PREVIEW pictures posted HERE.

Sideshow Star Wars 1:6 Commander Cody figure Preview

Clone Commander Cody, also known as unit CC-2224, was a loyal clone trooper serving the Galactic Republic during the Clone Wars. Cody was often under the command of General Obi-Wan Kenobi, and served with him and Anakin Skywalker during a nearly disastrous campaign on Cato Neimoidia.

Now from Sideshow Collectibles comes this stunning Star Wars 1:6 Commander Cody 12-inch figure. This isn't just another repainted Clone Trooper; this is an ALL NEW figure with many new features.

Hot Toys Inglourious Basterds: Col. Hans Landa Preview

UPDATE November 20, 2010: REVIEW of actual in-hand product - pictures of Hot Toys Col. Hans Landa figure

Hot Toys is proud to present their MMS134 (Movie Masterpiece Series) – Inglourious Basterds: 1/6th scale Col. Hans Landa Collectible Figure from the Inglourious Basterds movie. The highly detailed Col. Hans Landa collectible is specially crafted based on the image of Christoph Waltz in the movie, highlighting the newly sculpted head, movie-accurate facial expression, Germany army uniform and detailed accessories.

"Batman: Black and White" Mignola inspired statue

"Batman Black and White" refers both to a four-issue comic book anthology limited series published in 1996 by DC Comics, and three collections of 8-page black and white Batman stories, comprising the limited series and backup features from the "Batman: Gotham Knights" comic.

Several "Batman: Black and White" statues have been released by DC Direct based on the Batman designs by various artists for their contributions to the three volumes of "Black & White" stories.

Being a BIG fan of Mike Mignola, I couldn't resist this Batman Black & White Mike Mignola statue sculpted by Jonathan Matthews. Painted in monochromatic tones, this limited-edition statue reflects the mood of Batman Black & White.

This is where 2D art takes on a 3D form and the sculptor Jonathan Matthews certainly interpreted Mike Mignola's inspiration of the Dark Knight very well. I don't collect statues because of their HIGH prices and complete lack of articulation (lack? I meant ZERO, zilch, nada articulation whatsoever) plus non-fabric costume / outfit and accessories which meant paying for a piece of rock / paper weight BUT I just got hooked to this piece as in hook, line and sinker!

Double Trouble

Having just posted pictures of a kitbashed 1:6 scale Jason Statham as Frank Martin from "The Transporter" movie series 12-inch figure (see my earlier post HERE), I thought it'll be nice to see TWO 1/6 scale figures of Jason Statham lookalikes, hence the entry title "Double Trouble".

Reload Action Italian Special Forces Sneak Peeks

Reload Action has released teaser images of their upcoming Italian Special Forces Set. No mention on price but word is they hope to have these out by September.

I was really hoping for something along these lines (see photos below): the uniform and load-out looks so much more interesting

Hot Toys Platoon: 1/6 Chris Taylor Collectible Figure PREVIEW

Hot Toys is proud to present their MMS135 (Movie Masterpiece Series) 1/6th scale Chris Taylor Collectible Figure from the 1986 Vietnam War movie "Platoon". The highly detailed Chris Taylor collectible is specially crafted based on the image of Charlie Sheen in the movie, highlighting the newly sculpted head, military costume, gear and weapons.

Goodbye Iraq, Hello USA

More than seven years after the US-led invasion toppled Saddam Hussein in Iraq, US combat troops are finally leaving for home.

August 19, 2010: A line of heavily armored American military vehicles, their headlights twinkling in the predawn desert, lumbered past the barbed wire and metal gates marking the border between Iraq and Kuwait early Thursday and rolled into history.

For the troops of the 4th Stryker Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division, it was a moment of relief fraught with symbolism but lightened by the whoops and cheers of soldiers one step closer to going home. Seven years and five months after the US-led invasion, the last American combat brigade was leaving Iraq, well ahead of President Barack Obama's August 31 deadline for ending US combat operations there.

When 18-year-old Spc. Luke Dill first rolled into Iraq as part of the US invasion, his Humvee was so vulnerable to bombs that the troops lined its floor with flak jackets.

Now 25 and a staff sergeant after two tours of duty, he rode out of Iraq this week in a Stryker, an eight-wheeled behemoth encrusted with armor and add-ons to ward off grenades and other projectiles.

"It's something I'm going to be proud of for the rest of my life — the fact that I came in on the initial push and now I'm leaving with the last of the combat units," he said.

Scatterings of troops still await departure, and some 50,000 will stay another year in what is designated as a noncombat role. They will carry weapons to defend themselves and accompany Iraqi troops on missions (but only if asked). Special forces will continue to help Iraqis hunt for terrorists. [source: jpost]

1:6 Jason Statham as Frank Martin in Transporter 3

This is my kitbash of a 1:6 scale Jason Statham as Frank Martin from "The Transporter" movie series. In the 2002 film, Frank Martin (Jason Statham) is a highly regarded "transporter" in the underworld. He will transport anything, anywhere – no questions asked – for the right price.

Frank does everything with style, and is almost always dressed in a black suit with white shirt. Jason Statham's background in martial arts enabled him to do most of his own stunts, and the fight scenes were a delight to watch, all thanks to director Corey Yuen, a Hong Kong action veteran whose talent for hand-to-hand mayhem is truly something to see.

Soldier Story Expandable 1:6 Weapons Racks! PREVIEW

This is for both ethan and Wee Loong (WL) - your search is over :)

Soldier Story will be releasing these expandable 1:6 scale weapon racks in due course and man, they certainly look good. This after I'd posted earlier on 1:6 weapon racks. Soldier Story's 1:6 Weapon Racks seem to be one the most versatile small arms storage rack available on the market today. The back panel allows for multiple weapon systems to be stored on the same rack independent from each other.

Pre-order Toymaster War Journalist (Version 2.0)

Remember the sneak peeks I posted about the Toymaster 1:6 Reporter (v 2.0)?

No? Not to worry :) You can now pre-order the new Toymaster 1:6 scale War Journalist (Version 2.0). This set includes a figure who bears some resemblance to Matt Damon (lots of customizing possibilities there - for one: think "Green Zone", the 2010 action thriller war film starring Matt Damon as Chief Warrant Officer Roy Miller on the hunt for WMDs (Weapons of Mass Destruction) in Iraq, March 2003)

Will the real Bruce please stand up?

The name Bruce seems to be a favorite among many writers. There's "Bruce Almighty (2003)", "My Name is Bruce (2007)", Bruce Wayne who is Batman, Bruce Banner who is the Hulk, Bruce Lee who was Kato and all KUNG FU, Bruce "The Boss" Springsteen the singer and then there's Bruce Willis. It was Bruce Willis' then-unexpected turn in the film "Die Hard" that catapulted him to fame. He performed most of his own stunts in the 1998 film (the film grossed $138,708,852 worldwide) and he has never looked back since.

There have been many 1:6 head sculpts done of Bruce Willis since the year 2000. I should say attempted head sculpts done since not all of them resembled nor looked like Bruce Willis at all which begs the question, "Will the true 1:6 Bruce Willis please stand up?"

Here are just some of them, all unofficial of course, except for "Tears of the Sun" Bruce which was released in connection with the film's release in Hong Kong.

Mattel Samurai Slash Batman

From the ShadowTek line comes Samurai Slash Batman! He comes with royal blue gear, attaches saw-shaped blades to his back that shoot like projectiles, and carries a translucent blue sword that’s bigger than his entire upper torso. What attracted me to this figure was the combination of Batman with Samurai and how the Samurai's armor is adapted to his costume.

I usually only collect the basic Batman and not the variations of his costume but I couldn't resist Samurai Slash Batman because of the combi ;p

Mattel Batgirl

continuing from where I left off last...

Finally, we have Batgirl! In "The Batman" animated series, a young Barbara Gordon is introduced in Season 3, who becomes Batgirl. Barbara tries to be Batman's sidekick, but he refuses to accept the need for a partner until the end of the Season. This differed from the comics, in which Robin was Batman's sidekick. This was due to Teen Titans animated series having the character in that show, and was off limits in appearing in other shows.

Between a rock and a hard place

Meaning: In difficulty, faced with a choice between two unsatisfactory options.

In the 1996 action film "The Rock" which primarily takes place on Alcatraz Island, disenchanted Brigadier General Francis Hummel (Ed Harris) and his men (a group of rogue Force Reconnaissance Marines) seize control of Alcatraz Island during a guided tour and takes 81 tourists hostage in the prison cells, threatening the Pentagon with launching the VX gas-armed rockets they had seized against the population of San Francisco unless the government pays ransom and reparations to the families of Marines who died on illegal, clandestine missions under his command and who's deaths weren't even honored.

The Pentagon and FBI develop a plan to retake the island with a U.S. Navy SEAL Team (presumably SEAL Team 6), enlisting chemical weapons expert Stanley Goodspeed (Nicolas Cage) and John Mason (Sean Connery), a former British Army Special Air Service operator illegally detained for years in the U.S., and the only inmate of Alcatraz to have ever successfully escaped from "The Rock".

Question is: Which John Mason do they pick, now that there's two of them (in 1:6 scale LOL)?

1:6 Sean Connery as John Mason in The Rock

"Welcome to the Rock"

Alcatraz. Only one man has ever broken out. Now five million lives depend on two men breaking in. A group of U.S. marines, under command of a renegade general, take over Alcatraz and threaten San Francisco Bay with biological weapons. A chemical weapons specialist and the only man to have ever escaped from the Rock are the only ones who can prevent chaos.

In "The Rock (1996)", Sean Connery is John Mason, a former British Army Special Air Service operator illegally detained in the United States, and the only inmate to have ever successfully escaped Alcatraz.

Loading Toys SEAL Team set REVIEW

This is the Loading Toys "Set of Seal Team" box packaging. The box cover is an obvious reference to the 1996 action film "The Rock", which was directed by Michael Bay and starred Sean Connery, Nicolas Cage and Ed Harris.

This is the scene where chemical weapons expert Stanley Goodspeed (Nicolas Cage) lights green flares to signal that the threat is over as an air strike by armed F/A-18s flies towards the Alcatraz Island a.k.a The Rock.

Hot Toys 1/6 Falconer Predator PREVIEW

Hot Toys is proud to present the MMS137 (Movie Masterpiece Series) 1/6th scale Predators: Falconer Predator Collectible Figure from the "Predators (2010)" movie. The movie-accurate Falconer Predator collectible is specially crafted based on his image in the movie, highlighting the highly detailed head and body armory, undetachable face mask, armor and weapons.

Hot Toys 1/6 Royce Collectible Figure PREVIEW

UPDATE  November 7, 2010: Hot Toys Royce in-hand pictures! and MORE!!

Hot Toys is proud to present their MMS131 (Movie Masterpiece Series) – Predators: 1/6th scale Royce Collectible Figure from the "Predators (2010)" movie. The movie-accurate Royce collectible is specially crafted based on the image of Adrien Brody in the movie, highlighting the newly sculpted head, detailed costume and weapons.

1:6 Weapon Racks

Since my last post on 1:6 Kitbashing and how I organize the stuff I have for bashing, I thought perhaps I could show some 1:6 scale weapon racks I have. There are the standard wooden type weapon racks where the weapons are displayed in a standing i.e. vertical or upright position and then there are these racks that allow you to display the weapon in a horizontal position.

These were given to me by a good pal and I have no idea where they are from (although logically speaking, almost every toy comes from China) or which company made them. Came with a base with slit, a backer with holes and two pegs / hooks

Brother Production 1/6 Zombie Huntress PREVIEW

Brother Production Presents 兄弟工作室 Zombie Huntress 喪屍獵人

Product Description: 1:6 scale Heroine Headsculpt ONLY, G36 Rifle with Grenade Launcher, M9 Pistol, Plain Hands, Gloved Hands, Gloved Fists, Wristband, Leather-like Biker Jacket, Red Dress with Wire for posing, Black Underwear and Leather-like Boots. Female Body NOT included. Suitable for CY, HT and TTL female body

1:6 Bruce Willis as Tom Greer in Surrogates

Having reviewed the Virtual Toys VTS VM002 1/6 scale City Detective boxed set in my earlier post with 1:6 Bruce Willis look-alike head sculpt (some say it's Steve Austin - NOT Steve Austin The Six Million Dollar Man but "Stone Cold" Steve Austin the wrestler), it's time to see how the figure looks with all his clothes on.

In the 2009 science fiction film "Surrogates", Bruce Willis is FBI special agent Tom Greer, sent to investigate how two people are killed when their surrogates were destroyed.

When Tom Greer's surrogate is also destroyed, he is forced to come out into the real world and confront the killer, only everyone else he sees on the streets are also surrogates as humans have chosen to live their lives through their surrogates while they stay hooked to their machines.

Maximal Lio Convoy OR Leo Prime

Lio helped me celebrate our nation's birthday (see my post HERE) so he gets to have his own entry :)

Lio Convoy is a Maximal from the Beast Era portion of the Generation 1 continuity family. He is also known as Leo Prime.

Taking place in "the seventh month of Space Year 1999", we learn that while Optimus Primal and Megatron fight their Beast War on planet Energoa, another Beast War has erupted on a strange planet, where a Maximal space patrol has had a run-in with platoon of Predacons who are in search of "The King of Angolmois". Leo Prime is a Maximal commander, who leads The Pack.

Beast Wars II Lio Convoy (Leo Prime) toy produced by Takara Japan in 1998. Jared (my eldest son, now 16) had been collecting Beast Wars toys from a very young age when the animated TV series was being shown on the television and this is just one of those that he has outgrown. We still keep it for sentimental reasons.

Lio Convoy transforms into an organic white lion articulated at the legs and head. The button on top of his head opens his beast-mode jaw.

Red, White and WOW :)

Singapore celebrated its first National Day in 1966, one year after Singapore's independence from Malaysia on 9 August 1965. And every year since, the Parade has become the biggest national event in Singapore.

The National Day Parades are organised by the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF), with the involvement of a multitude of public and private organisations. Each year's parade will see the formation of an NDP EXCO which oversees various aspects of the parade, from the Parade & Ceremony to the Show, from SICUS (Seating, Invitation, Car parking, Ushering and Security) to Website & Publicity. The EXCO is formed by military personnel and is usually headed by the Commander of the organising division.

What is perhaps most memorable at each celebration is the fireworks display marking the climax of the parade. This year was no exception.

The picture above shows fireworks erupting over the Padang at the centre of Singapore's civic district, ringed by the sparkling skyscrapers of the business district and thee distinct shape of the Marina Bay Sands resort. (ST photo by Malcolm Koh)

Happy National Day!

Singapore turns 45 today (as will I in a few months time :]) and being our nation's National Day, I wanted to pay tribute to my country and let everyone know how proud I am to be a Singaporean.

One of the early history of Singapore tells the tale of a prince named Sang Nila Utama, who landed on the island during the 13th century. While hunting, he saw a strange animal which moved with great speed as it disappeared into the jungle. He asked his chief minister what animal it was, and was told that it probably was a lion. The prince took this as an auspicious sign and named this city "Singapura". "Singa" means lion and "pura" means city. The name thus means the Lion City. Sang Nila Utama ruled Singapura for 48 years and was buried on Bukit Larangan (present-day Fort Canning Hill).

So here's Leo Prime (he is often referred to by his Japanese name Lio Convoy because his English name Leo Prime wasn't coined by Hasbro until 2006) to represent the Lion that is "Lion City". Leo Prime is a Maximal commander, who leads The Pack. Leo Prime takes the form of a white lion in beast mode on the planet Gaia (in reality a future Earth).

Here's white lion Leo Prime in transformed Autobot mode, saluting with the Singapore flag. The Singapore Arms and Flag and National Anthem Rules define the flag's composition and the symbolism of its elements: red symbolises "universal brotherhood and equality of man", and white, "pervading and everlasting purity and virtue". The waxing crescent moon "represents a young nation on the ascendant". The five stars "stand for the nation's ideals of democracy, peace, progress, justice and equality".

So here's to Singapore and all Singaporeans, and wishing for many more good years to come!

Previous National Day post:
August 9, 2009: Salute and Mobile Column

VTS 1:6 City Detective Review

Here it is - the Virtual Toys VTS VM002 1/6 scale City Detective collectible figure. Actually there isn't a FIGURE per se as this boxed set comes with a 1:6 head, clothes, shoes and accessories BUT no 12-inch body is included. The box is similar to their first release, the VTS VM001 Stone Cold Killer (reviewed HERE).

This VTS 1:6 City Detective boxed set seems to be based on Bruce Willis' character in "Surrogates", a 2009 science fiction film, based on the 2005–2006 comic book series of the same name. In the future, use of remotely-controlled androids called "surrogates" allows everyone to live in idealized forms in the safety of their own homes. A surrogate's operator is protected from harm and does not feel any pain when their surrogate is damaged. However, when two people are killed when their surrogates were destroyed, FBI special agent Tom Greer (Bruce Willis) and his partner Jennifer Peters begin investigating into the reasons why.

DID Waffen SS 13th Handschar Division SS-Obersturmbannführer Preview

The 13th Waffen Mountain Division of the SS Handschar (1st Croatian) was one of the thirty-eight divisions fielded as part of the Waffen-SS during World War II. Its recruits were composed of Bosnian Muslims and Croats. The Handschar division was a mountain infantry formation, the equivalent of the German "Gebirgsjäger" (Mountain troops) units. It was used to conduct operations against Yugoslav Partisans in the Independent State of Croatia from February to September 1944.
[source: wiki]

Obersturmbannführer was a paramilitary Nazi Party rank used by both the SA and the SS. Translated as “Senior Assault (or Storm) Unit Leader”, Obersturmbannführer was junior to Standartenführer and was the equivalent to Oberstleutnant (Lieutenant Colonel) in the German Army.

The 'Nam

Continued from the previous post...

And then there was "The 'Nam", a war comic book series detailing the U.S. War in Vietnam from the perspective of active-duty soldiers involved in the conflict. It was written by Doug Murray, initially illustrated by Michael Golden, edited by Larry Hama and published by Marvel Comics for seven years beginning in 1986, which was originally intended to roughly parallel the analogous events of the period of major American military involvement in Vietnam from 1966 to 1972. [source: wiki]

The comic is structured as the narrative of a fictional soldier, Private First Class Edward Marks (but sometimes following other characters), as he experiences real events that occurred during the conflict. Each issue of the comic occurs one month after the previous issue, detailing events that occurred approximately 20 years prior to the publication date.

Sideshow 1:6 Pvt. Chris Taylor from Platoon

You cannot mention about the Vietnam War (see my previous post) and not think of "Platoon", the 1986 war film written and directed by Oliver Stone and starring Tom Berenger, Willem Dafoe, and Charlie Sheen, which won the Academy Award for best picture in 1986.

Sideshow released their 1:6 scale 12-inch "Platoon" figures in 2002, starting with the trio of Pvt. Chris Taylor, Sgt. Barnes and Sgt. Elias. They were sold as a set of three even though each figure was individually packaged. I missed out on these and only managed to pick up Pvt. Chris Taylor (with Charlie Sheen's likeness) much later on. Personally, I thought this was one of the better head sculpts produced by Sideshow Collectibles and felt that they managed to capture Charlie Sheen as Chris Taylor very well.

Here's the Sideshow 1:6 Pvt. Chris Taylor (Charlie Sheen) from Platoon in full getup (I'd posted this figure in a much earlier post on December 23, 2007 with interesting observation on Martin Sheen, Charlie's dad), consisting of M1 helmet, towel, dog tags, Tropical Combat Uniform of jacket, belt, pants and jungle boots with his web gear comprising H-harness with belt plus 2 canteens with carrier, 2 ammunition pouches, 1 Compass Case and a first-aid pouch, 3 fragmentation grenades, M7 Bayonet with M8A1 Sheath, M18A1 Claymore mine with plastic trigger and detonator wire carried in a bandolier, and M16 assault rifle with removable 20-round magazine.

A Case of Déjà vu

When I saw this picture on the front page of The Straits Times on Monday, especially when the newspaper was folded and only showing the two Bell Huey helicopters against the skyline, I thought it was 'Nam all over again.

Turned out they were actually Pakistani Army helicopters distributing relief supplies from the air to flood-affected residents of Nowshera in Pakistan's north-west Khyber-Pakhtoonkhwa province. The death toll from Pakistan's worst floods in living memory topped 1,100 as outbreaks and waterborne disease emerged and penniless survivors sought refuge from the raging torrents.

The Bell the UH-1 was the first turbine-powered helicopter to enter production for the United States military, and more than 16,000 have been produced worldwide. The first combat operation of the UH-1 was in the service of the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War. The original designation of HU-1 led to the helicopter's nickname of Huey. In September 1962, the designation was changed to UH-1, but Huey remained in common use. Approximately 7,000 UH-1 aircraft saw service in Vietnam. [source: wiki]

Asmus Toys 1:6 Miyamoto Musashi figure PREVIEW

Miyamoto Musashi was a Japanese swordsman and samurai famed for his duels and distinctive style. Musashi, as he was often simply known, became renowned through stories of his excellent swordsmanship in numerous duels, even from a very young age. He was the founder of the Hyoho Niten Ichi-ryu style of swordsmanship and the author of The Book of Five Rings, a book on strategy, tactics, and philosophy that is still studied today.

First there was the Crazy Owners Historical Series COF-011 - 宫本武藏 Miyamoto Musashi 1:6 scale 12-inch Samurai figure (previewed HERE). Now ASMUS TOYS (never heard of them until now) has released pictures of their interpretation of 宮本武藏 / Miyamoto Musashi rendered in 1/6 scale. Me thinks this one is way cooler than the Crazy Owners' version.

The 12-inch Miyamoto Musashi includes: a Fully articulated male body, Customed Base with dynamic interactive theme, A tree trunk, A pair of Die-Cast Metal samurai sword, A wooden sword, An Aged back-pack, 3 pairs of swapping hands, Full weathered traditional Japanese samurai clothing, A wide-brimmed rain hat with installed magnet and A wooden sculpted demon god scuplture.