[Damtoys x Kow Yokoyama] 1/12 scale Gans Boy U-2 16cm tall action figure (inspired by Ma.K)

Kow Yokoyama: Famous Japanese Illustrator & Toy Designer. He is exceptional at mechanical sci-fi settings, and has the title of "Father of Science Fiction Military" in Japan. His work "Maschinen Krieger ZbV 3000" (Ma.K) is loved by sci-fi enthusiasts all over the world. Check out the Maschinen Krieger ZbV 3000 Chapter 1 mini figures by Kubrick, Medicom (posted on my toy blog HERE), followed by Chapter 2, Chapter 3.1 and  Chapter 3.2

This will be the First 1/12 Action Figure designed by Dam Toys in collaboration with Mr. Kow Yokoyama, the father of Japanese Science Fiction Military: Pre-order Opens!

Through joint efforts with Mr. Yokoyama, the classic Ma.K Gans has finally been combined with the classic Damtoys U-2 Pilot, designed as an Action Figure with high play value.

The rich brushstrokes and color changes are faithful to the elaborate hand-painting technique advocated by Mr. Yokoyama, instead of traditional machine painting. Exploring based on the original design, a more detailed adjustment has made this Gans Boy even cuter & more well-proportionate. We use soft PVC material for details such as the antenna, which greatly improves both safety and play value.

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Alert Line 1/6th WWII Royal Air Force Fighter Pilot 12-inch figure aka Tom Hardy in Dunkirk

Dunkirk is a 2017 war film written, directed, and co-produced by Christopher Nolan that depicts the Dunkirk evacuation of World War II. Dunkirk portrays the evacuation from three perspectives: land, sea, and air. It has little dialogue, as Nolan sought instead to create suspense from cinematography and music. It is the highest-grossing World War II film of all time, taking $525 million worldwide. Dunkirk received praise for its screenplay, direction, musical score, and cinematography; some critics called it Nolan's best work, and one of the greatest ever war films.

Tom Hardy portrays Farrier, a Royal Air Force Spitfire pilot who assumes command after their leader is shot down. The remaining two aircraft then save a minesweeper from a German bomber, but the other Spitfire is hit and ditches. Its pilot, Collins, is rescued by Moonstone. Farrier reaches Dunkirk, his fuel exhausted. Gliding over the beach, he shoots down a dive-bomber.

Alert Line 1/6th scale WWII Royal Air Force Fighter Pilot 12-inch figure features: Head sculpt, DAM Action Body, Hands x2, RAF Visor Cap, RAF Uniform, RAF Trousers, Shirt, Necktie, High Collar Sweater, leather Shoes, RAF B-Type Flying Helmet, RAF D-Type Oxygen Mask, RAF Mk.VII Flying Goggles, RAF Irvin Leather Flying jacket, RAF 1936 Pattern Flying Leather Boots, RAF 1933 Pattern Flying Gauntlets, RAF Working Dress Belt, RAF Pistol Holster, Life Jacket, Revolver, Signal Gun, Signal Gun Ammo x4, Air Ministry Pilots Wristwatch, Map, Military Rank Cuff Title x2

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Finally! We will be getting a Hot Toys 1/6th scale Oscar Isaac as Poe Dameron collectible figure

"That's one hell of a pilot!" - Finn

Poe Dameron is a commander in the Resistance's Starfighter Corps and one of Leia Organa's most-trusted operatives. The son of a rebel fighter pilot and a rebel commando, Poe grew up on stories of Alliance campaigns. A decorated X-wing pilot, he can fly anything – which is fortunate given how often his headstrong nature leads him into trouble.

This collectible figure of the amazing Resistance pilot who can "fly anything" will soon join the ranks of Hot Toys' Star Wars collectible series! Stay on the lookout, Star Wars fans!

Introduced in the 2015 film Star Wars: The Force Awakens, he is portrayed by Oscar Isaac. Poe is an X-wing fighter pilot for the Resistance who inadvertently brings renegade stormtrooper Finn (John Boyega) and Jakku scavenger Rey (Daisy Ridley) into the fight against—and eventually a victory over—the sinister First Order. He is featured in The Force Awakens media and merchandising as well as an eponymous comic book series, and will appear in the film's forthcoming sequel, Star Wars: The Last Jedi. Isaac and the character have received positive reviews, with Poe being compared to the characterization of Han Solo (Harrison Ford) in the original Star Wars film trilogy.

Related posts:
Sideshow Collectibles "Star Wars" 1:6 scale Luke Skywalker Red Five X-Wing Pilot 12-inch collectible figure review posted on my toy blog HERE and HERE
Review of Hot Toys Star Wars: The Force Awakens 1/6th First Order TIE Pilot collectible figure posted HERE and HERE
Customised 1:1 scale Star Wars Jedi pilot helmet (pics HERE)

Customised 1:1 scale Star Wars Jedi pilot helmet

Most recently I was commissioned to design and paint an actual size (1:1 scale) helicopter pilot's helmet as a gift to someone important who was leaving his place of work and the people there felt that he deserved to be sent off with something meaningful, something to remind him of the many years of dedication and service he had given to his organisation. When the helmet was first handed to me, it was as plain and green as it could be (see pics in the post), totally nondescript as was the original intent. My job was to turn it around and make it stand out and carry the right message, to honor the person who once went by the callsign "Jedi". So I did and added a nice display case to showcase the helmet too.

I don't think the Jedi ever wore helmets when they flew their ships so I had to ask myself the question: what if the Jedi did wear helmets, how would the helmets look like in terms of design? There was a restriction in terms of colors because the actual helicopter that callsign "Jedi" flew were red and white so we kept to the color scheme which was also very similar to the helmets the X-Wing pilots wore in Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope. Check out the action figure review of Sideshow Collectibles "Star Wars" 1:6 scale Luke Skywalker Red Five X-Wing Pilot figure posted on my toy blog HERE.

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The sky's the limit: FLAGSET 1/6th scale Chinese PLA Airforce Female Aviator 12" figure

Pre-order from BBTS (link HERE)

The People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) is the aerial warfare service branch of the Chinese armed forces, responsible for defending the country’s airspace, supporting ground and naval forces, air interdiction, and aerial transport and reconnaissance. The air force currently consists of approximately 330,000 personnel and over 2,500 aircraft, including 1,500 combat aircraft. This makes the PLAAF the largest air force in size in Asia, and the third largest in the world, after the United States Air Force and Russian Air Force.

This is an upcoming release: FLAGSET (FS-73006) 1/6th scale Chinese PLA Airforce Female Aviator 12-inch figure. We don't see a lot of pilot figures, let alone a female pilot figure. This set certainly looks interesting and might appeal a lot to collectors of pilot figures.

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VOR Toys 1/6th scale WWII Allied Flying Officer Uniform for 12-inch Brad Pitt as Max Vatan figure

Allied is a 2016 romantic thriller film set in 1942 during World War II, directed by Robert Zemeckis and written by Steven Knight. It stars Brad Pitt as Wing Commander Max Vatan, a Royal Canadian Air Force pilot serving on intelligence duties, and Marion Cotillard as Marianne Beauséjour, a French Resistance fighter and collaborator, who fall in love during a mission in Casablanca.

VOR Toys GIVOR-V1008 WWII Allied Flying Officer Uniform Set Features: Jacket with belt, Pants, Tie, Dress shirt, Trench coat with belt, Officer's cap, Briefcase. Any World War II Allied 1:6 scale figure will look pretty neat indeed in both the officer's uniform and the trench coat. This uniform set even includes a briefcase. NOTE: Uniform set does not come with figure.

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R.I.P. Stan Weston - G.I. Joe action figurines entertained generations / Scramble Pilot Review

This article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on May 13, 2017, with the headline 'G.I. Joe action figurines entertained generations'.

NEW YORK • Stan Weston, whose concept for a military action figurine became the heroic G.I. Joe, one of the most popular toys produced, died on May 1 at his home in Santa Monica, California. He was 84.

His daughter, Ms Cindy Winebaum, said the cause was complications from surgery.

In 1963, Weston was a successful licensing agent. When he approached the Hasbro toy company, he believed he might be able to replicate the success of the Barbie doll, the plastic fashionista that had been introduced by Mattel in 1959 and was followed two years later by her boyfriend, Ken. From Mr Elliott Handler, a founder of Mattel, he had learnt that a popular product could spawn a big, continuous business, such as Barbie's outfits and accessories.

After trolling Encyclopaedia Britannica for a subject that might yield Barbie-esque success, he alighted on the men of the United States military, who wore many uniforms, wielded numerous weapons and drove various vehicles (read: accessories). For his pitch to Hasbro, he mounted paraphernalia from military branches and flags on yellow cardboard, according to a 2012 article by his brother, Jay, in The Huffington Post.

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Hot Toys F-18 Hornet Pilot "Alan J Nance" looks a lot like Will Smith as CPT Steven Hiller in ID4

continued from previous toy blog post...

Hot Toys released this F-18 Hornet Pilot "Alan J Nance" (the head sculpt bears a resemblance to Will Smith who acted as F/A-18 pilot CPT Steven Hiller in the movie "Independence Day or ID4") together with an F-14 Tomcat "Jack Carter" pilot figure (Tom Cruise in "Top Gun" - action figure review posted HERE) way back in the year 2000. These two figures were Hot Toys' first 12-inch figures to be released into the market. Hot Toys has certainly come a long way since.

Will Smith went from The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air to F-18 Hornet Pilot in 1996 with the release of Independence Day. The film was a massive blockbuster, becoming the second highest grossing film in history at the time and establishing Smith as a prime box office draw. This 1/6th scale F-18 pilot figure, though released in 2000, seems to have withstood the test of time. The 12-inch figure still looks as good now and has all the nice details one would expect from a combat pilot figure.

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DAM TOYS 1/6th scale SR-71 ”Black Bird” test pilot and SR-71 ”Black bird” flight test engineer

Space Cowboys is a 2000 American space disaster drama film directed and produced by Clint Eastwood. It stars Eastwood as Colonel Francis D. "Frank" Corvin, Tommy Lee Jones as Colonel William "Hawk" Hawkins, Donald Sutherland as Captain Jerry O'Neill, and James Garner as Captain the Reverend "Tank" Sullivan. They are four older "ex-test pilots" who are sent into space to repair an old Soviet satellite.

Dam Toys seems to be bringing these old timers to "life" in 1:6 scale with the release of their Elite Series 12-inch pilot figures. DAM TOYS first previewed the Elite Series 1/6th scale Lockheed U-2 "Dragon Lady" Pilot 12-inch figure back in December 2015 with the figure bearing a head sculpt with Clint Eastwood's likeness and the name tag that read "Capt Frank Corvin" - see my toy blog post HERE. Well, now Dam Toys are following up with not one but two previews of their next two figures in the series: DAM TOYS 1/6th scale SR-71 ”Black Bird” test pilot and SR-71 ”Black bird” flight test engineer 12-inch figures.

DAM TOYS 1/6th scale SR-71 ”Black bird” test pilot LT COL "Hawk" Hawkins will come with head sculpt, Dam 2.0 narrow shoulders body, hand palms x 2, long underwear, S901J full-pressure suit (white), full-pressure suit helmet, full-pressure suit gloves, flight boots, full-pressure suit ventilating unit, ventilating unit air tube, ventilating unit oxygen hose, checklist, pen x 2, flag patch with name, food tube x 2, drinking bottle, figure stand, 1/1th scale full size SR-71 test patch

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Preview Sideshow Collectibles 1/6th scale Luke Skywalker Rogue Group Snowspeeder Pilot

“Echo Station Five-Seven. We’re On Our Way!”

From "Star Wars: Episode V The Empire Strikes Back", Sideshow is proud to present the Luke Skywalker Rogue Group Snowspeeder Pilot Sixth Scale Figure. An intergalactic battle is raging, and the Imperial troops have pursued the Rebel forces across the far reaches of the galaxy, to the remote ice world of Hoth. Featuring a newly crafted portrait of Mark Hamill as the Rebel hero, Luke Skywalker is geared up and ready for action in his flight suit, cold-weather jacket, and helmet with comlink.

Ready to lead Rogue Squadron in an assault on the Imperial forces making their way towards Echo Base, Skywalker is fully equipped with lit and unlit lightsabers, his trusty blaster, signal flares, and a plan to take down the mighty Imperial AT-AT walkers.

Sideshow Collectibles 1/6th scale Luke Skywalker Rogue Group Snowspeeder Pilot 12-inch Figure features: Fully articulated light body, Highly detailed Luke Skywalker portrait for helmet, Highly detailed Luke Skywalker portrait without helmet, Helmet with visor and comlink, Detailed flight suit, Cold weather flight jacket, Flak vest, Life support unit with chest pack straps, Detailed utility belt with holster and saber clip, DL-44 Luke blaster, Lightsaber hilt, Lightsaber hilt with blade, Gear harness, Two sculpted boots, Signal flares with belt, One (1) pair of glove gauntlets. Nine (9) interchangeable hands including: One (1) pair of gloved fists, One (1) pair of relaxed gloved hands, One (1) pair of trigger gloved hands, One (1) pair of lightsaber wielding gloved hands, One (1) Right force gesture gloved hand, Figure stand

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Review II: Hot Toys "Star Wars The Force Awakens" 1/6th First Order TIE Pilot action figure

continued from previous toy blog post...

The First Order TIE Pilot comes armed with a Sonn-Blas SE-44C officer's blaster pistol but there is no holster for said weapon, unlike the First Order Stormtroopers who holster their pistols on their right thighs - see my action figure review of the Hot Toys MMS317 Star Wars: The Force Awakens 1:6th scale First Order Stormtrooper Collectible Figure HERE. The officer's edition of the standard stormtrooper sidearm is cast in dark plasteel as opposed to the white body of the infantry version. It would certainly look odd for the all black clad TIE Pilot to be holding a black-and-white pistol.

Why a pistol? Taking a leaf from the current practise for fighter pilots who may get shot down in enemy territory or find themselves being stuck on the ground after ejecting from their aircraft or landing in unfamiliar and dangerous territory, it's good to be armed just in case. Of course pilots also have their survival kit which is designed to help them survive while waiting for rescue from hostile terrains. So I guess the same holds true for TIE Pilots.

Here's the Hot Toys Movie Masterpiece Series MMS324 Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens 1/6th scale The First Order TIE Pilot Collectible Figure armed with his Sonn-Blas SE-44C officer's blaster pistol, the only real accessory he comes with, not counting the extra gloved hands and the figure display stand. This figure has more articulation than Hot Toys First Order Stormtrooper which is limited in his poses because of the black leather suit he wears underneath his armor (see my review posted HERE). The TIE pilot's black suit (supposedly flexible vac-suit or vacuum g-suit - fancy names to make it sound sci-fi) is made of a softer material (almost like the material used to make windbreakers / raincoats). There are two ejection harnesses that run down each leg, stopping just at the knees. The helmet and armor are all very nicely done with a hose (gas transfer hose) connecting the helmet to his chest / life support pack.

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Hot Toys Star Wars: The Force Awakens 1/6th First Order TIE Pilot collectible figure review 1

The TIE/LN starfighter, commonly known as the TIE fighter, was the signature starfighter of the Galactic Empire, with a later model being used by the First Order. They were instantly recognizable from the roar of their engines and carried locator beacons enabling them to be found by the Empire.

First Order TIE Fighter Pilots were skilled pilots who served the First Order, hunting down enemy vessels and protecting space around installations and warships in their advanced TIE fighters. The new generation of TIE fighter pilots undergo rigorous training from childhood, and most grow up within the corridors of Star Destroyers, becoming intimately familiar with starship operations. The First Order maintains strict standards of reflexes, visual acuity and hand-eye coordination.

This is the recently released Hot Toys Movie Masterpiece Series MMS324 Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens 1/6th scale The First Order TIE Pilot Collectible Figure - see the haul posted on my toy blog HERE. This first-part action figure review covers the packaging and figure which features: Authentic and detailed likeness of First Order TIE Pilot in Star Wars: The Force Awakens with Approximately 30 cm tall Body with over 30 points of articulations; Eight (8) pieces of interchangeable gloved palms including: a pair of fists, a pair of relaxed palms, a pair of palms for holding weapons, a gripping right palm, a gesturing left palm.

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Executive Replicas "2001: A Space Odyssey" 1:6 scale Discovery Astronaut Blue Space Suit

continued from previous toy blog post...

From Cotswold Collectibles:
Academy award winning 2001: A Space Odyssey was the highest grossing North American film in 1968 due in large part to its pioneering special effects, imagery, and relevant themes. The film follows Dr. Dave Bowman (played by Keir Dullea) and other astronauts on a trip to Jupiter. Arguably one of the greatest and most influential films ever made, 2001: A Space Odyssey set the viewing public’s imagination ablaze with the possibility of what the future might hold.

Executive Replicas is proud to present the first ever Blue 1:6th scale Discovery Astronaut space suit. Executive Replicas "2001: A Space Odyssey" 1:6 scale Discovery Astronaut Blue Space Suit Features: Space helmet with connecting hoses, Oxygen tank, Front control unit, metal connector rings, interchangeable gloved hands, interchangeable regular hands, Removable astronaut suit, space boots, Stand with Printed Logo, Full Color Packaging. NOTE: figure not included with set.

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Executive Replicas "2001:A Space Odyssey" Gary Lockwood Discovery Astronaut 12" figure

From Cotswold Collectibles:
Gary Lockwood is a self-described cowboy-surfer, actor, rule-breaker, risk-taker, woodworker, and chef. Working in television, film, and even Broadway, Gary appeared in Tall Story with Jane Fonda, Splendor in the Grass with Natalie Wood and Warren Beatty and It Happened at the World’s Fair with Elvis Presley. Gene Roddenberry cast Gary to star in his TV series The Lieutenant, which led him to star in the Star Trek pilot “Where No Man Has Gone Before”. Soon after, he appeared as “Frank Poole” in Kubrick’s 2001:A Space Odyssey, today considered to be one of the finest films ever made.

Executive Replicas and Phicen Ltd. are proud to present Gary Lockwood’s first ever figure. Executive Replicas "2001:A Space Odyssey" Gary Lockwood Discovery Astronaut 12-inch figure features: 1960’s Likeness for head sculpt, Phicen Ltd. new jointed male body: 3D Cad Computer Designed, Over 40 Points of Articulation, Posing Hands, Carefully Painted Skin Texture, Made of Extremely Durable Plastic (PVC & ABS), Improved Leg & Ankle Joints for Extra Stability. Space helmet with connecting hoses, metal connector rings, Oxygen tank, Front control unit, interchangeable gloved hands, interchangeable regular hands, Removable astronaut suit, space boots, Stand with Printed Logo, Full Color Packaging

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Action Figure Review II: Sideshow "Star Wars" 1:6 scale Luke Skywalker Red Five X-Wing Pilot

continued from previous toy blog post...

Here's a look at the Sideshow Collectibles "Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope" 1:6 scale Luke Skywalker Red Five X-Wing Pilot 12-inch figure without his helmet, showing off the Mark Hamill as as Luke Skywalker head sculpt / portrait. In the first part action figure review posted on my toy blog HERE, I covered the box packaging and contents as well as the instructions on how to remove the helmet from Luke's head and how to switch hair pieces.

Sideshow Collectibles "Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope" 1/6th scale Luke Skywalker Red Five X-wing Pilot 12-inch figure comes with: Newly Designed and Fully Articulated Light Body, Highly Detailed Luke Skywalker Portrait, Helmet with Visor and Comlink, Detailed Flight Pressurized G-Suit, Flak Vest, Life Support Unit with Chest Pack Straps, Gear Harness with Belt Flares, Data Cylinders, Right and Left Relaxed Flight Gloved Hands, Right and Left Flight Gloved Fists, Right Force Gesture Flight Gloved Hand, Right and Left Flight Boots, Signal Flares, Support Stand with Yavin Base Flight Deck Graphic.

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Sideshow Collectibles "Star Wars" 1:6 scale Luke Skywalker Red Five X-Wing Pilot figure review 1

continued from previous toy blog post...

After rescuing Princess Leia from her prison cell 2187 on the Death Star with the help of Han and Chewbacca, Luke Skywalker and his new found friends flee to the rebels' hidden base on Yavin IV. Luke joins the rebel assault squadron as the rebels prepare to launch an attack on the Death Star after analyzing the Death Star plans and identifying a vulnerable exhaust port that connects to the station's main reactor.

This is Sideshow Collectibles "Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope" 1:6 scale Luke Skywalker Red Five X-Wing Pilot 12-inch figure which was released recently (see my December 2015 haul post HERE). It seems appropriate to feature this Luke Skywalker figure after having reviewed Hot Toys Luke figure in the previous action figure review posts on my toy blog.

Not wanting to wait for Hot Toys to release this figure (we don't know if they ever will, what with so many movie licenses and commitments on their hands, not forgetting the countless Iron Man armors they have yet to complete), I decided to place a preorder for this Sideshow Collectibles "Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope" 1:6 scale Luke Skywalker Red Five X-Wing Pilot 12-inch figure some time back and am quite pleased with the release of this figure. Luke and the X-Wing he flew in played a very big part in the climatic battle (like a David vs Goliath) so Luke in X-Wing pilot gear is a nice addition to any Star Wars figure collection.

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Preview DAM TOYS Elite Series 1/6th scale Lockheed U-2 "Dragon Lady" Pilot 12-inch figure

The Lockheed U-2, nicknamed "Dragon Lady", is a single-jet engine, ultra-high altitude reconnaissance aircraft operated by the United States Air Force (USAF) and previously flown by the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). It provides day and night, very high-altitude (70,000 feet; 21,000 m), all-weather intelligence gathering. The U-2 has also been used for electronic sensor research, satellite calibration, and communications purposes. The U-2 is one of a handful of aircraft types to have served the USAF for over 50 years. The newest models (TR-1, U-2R, U-2S) entered service in the 1980s. The current model, the U-2S, received its most recent technical upgrade in 2012. They have taken part in post-Cold War conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq, and supported several multinational NATO operations.

The U-2 pilot is integrated into a full pressure suit, similar to what an astronaut wears because of the hazardous physiological regime of the high altitude flight. The pilot must prebreathe 100% oxygen for 60 minutes prior to takeoff to avoid getting the bends. The pressure suit would be needed if the pilot were exposed to the atmosphere from a rapid decompression or having to eject from the aircraft. If the pilot were exposed to the environment at 70,000 feet, the gases in his body would rapidly expand causing a disastrous burst.

DAM TOYS Dam 78030 Elite Series 1/6th scale Lockheed U-2 "Dragon Lady" Pilot 12-inch figure will come with: 1/6th scale head sculpt, Dam 2.0 narrow shoulders body, hand palms x 2, long underwear, S1034 full-pressure suit, full-pressure suit helmet, full-pressure suit gloves, flight boots, full-pressure suit ventilating unit, ventilating unit air tube, ventilating unit oxygen hose, checklist, pen x 2, U-2 patch, flag patch with name, food tube x 2, drinking bottle, figure stand, 1:1 full size U-2 Dragon Lady Patch

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DID 1/6 'Miyazawa Kazuo' Imperial Japanese Navy Zero Fighter Pilot (International Version)

The Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service was the air arm of the Imperial Japanese Navy during World War II. The organization was responsible for the operation of naval aircraft and the conduct of aerial warfare in the Pacific War. Japanese navy aviators, like their Army counterparts, preferred maneuverable aircraft, leading to lightly built but extraordinarily agile types, most famously the A6M Zero, which achieved its feats by sacrificing armor and self-sealing fuel tanks.

The Japanese pilot training program was very selective and rigorous, producing a high-quality and long-serving pilot corps, who ruled the air in the Pacific during early World War II. However, the long duration of the training program, combined with a shortage of gasoline for training, did not allow the Navy to rapidly provide qualified replacements in sufficient numbers.

The Kamikaze ("divine" or "spirit wind"), officially Tokubetsu Kōgekitai ("Special Attack Unit"), abbreviated as Tokkō Tai, and used as a verb as Tokkō ("special attack"), were suicide attacks by military aviators from the Empire of Japan against Allied naval vessels in the closing stages of the Pacific campaign of World War II, designed to destroy warships more effectively than was possible with conventional attacks. Kamikaze aircraft were essentially pilot-guided explosive missiles, purpose-built or converted from conventional aircraft. Pilots would attempt to crash their aircraft into enemy ships in what was called a "body attack" in planes laden with some combination of explosives, bombs, torpedoes and full fuel tanks; accuracy was much better than a conventional attack, the payload and explosion larger.

Scroll down to see preview pictures of DID 1/6th scale 'Miyazawa Kazuo' Imperial Japanese Navy Zero Fighter Pilot 12-inch figure (International Version). Pictures of the Special Edition version are posted at the end of this post. Click on the pictures for bigger and better views.

Sideshow Collectibles Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope Imperial TIE Fighter Pilot Figure

"Look out!" - Preview pictures of the 1/6th scale Imperial TIE Fighter Pilot have been released by Sideshow.

Sideshow Collectibles is proud to present the Exclusive Imperial TIE Fighter Pilot Sixth Scale Figure from Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope. Dispatched under the direct command of Darth Vader during the Battle of Yavin IV, high-ranking and fearless Imperial TIE Fighter pilots swarmed the skies to defend the Death Star from Rebel assault.

Emblazoned with stark white Imperial insignia, the pilot wears his unmistakable streamlined helmet, and glossy black armor fitted over a pristine standard-issue flight suit. Interchangeable wrist gauntlets allow dexterity for handling TIE Fighter controls, and positive gravity pressure boots keep him grounded in all situations. Although typically found in the cockpit, Sideshow’s Exclusive TIE Fighter Pilot also comes armed with a ‘retro’ inspired blaster – a nostalgic feature Star Wars collectors are sure to enjoy.

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Incoming: Very Hot 1/6 scale United States Navy VFA-154 Black Knights 12-inch pilot action figure

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The first 12-inch fighter pilot figure Hot Toys (HT) ever released in 2000 was the 1/6th scale F-14 Tomcat aviator / pilot action figure "Jack Carter" who was a dead ringer for a 1:6 scale Tom Cruise as LT Pete "Maverick" Mitchell from the 1986 movie "Top Gun". Check out my post HERE. The second pilot figure Hot Toys released was a 12-inch F-18 Hornet Pilot "Alan J Nance" who looked a lot like Will Smith as CPT Steven Hiller in the 1996 movie "Independence Day" or ID4.

Now Very Hot Toys (VHT) has released preview pictures of their soon-to-be-released 1:6 scale U.S. Navy aviator / pilot figures and the first shown earlier HERE seems to be a 12-inch Tom Cruise look-alike. The second figure looks a lot like a 1:6 scale Will Smith in pilot uniform. VHT is following HT to a T, even releasing figures with the same likeness in the same order LOL You would think the owner of VHT has a thing for Howard Chan of Hot Toys and wants to show his admiration and affection in a way that Howard would understand hahaha

Most likely these two sets (this Black Knights piece and the earlier Black Aces pilot figure) will follow the trend of previously announced sets which means that they will be available with two options: as a fully boxed figure and a gear / uniform only set. Let's hope the price remains reasonable.

Strike Fighter Squadron 154 (VFA-154), also known as the "Black Knights", is a United States Navy strike fighter squadron stationed at Naval Air Station Lemoore. The Black Knights are an operational fleet squadron flying the F/A-18F Super Hornet. They are currently attached to Carrier Air Wing Eleven and deployed aboard the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN-68). Their tailcode is NH and their callsign is "Knight".

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