Status: Not sold, but gone nonetheless, 07/2014
Last Modified: 2015-02-10
First Posted: 2008-05-14
This was an unnamed mailaway figure that I believe came out before the official release. It’s like a recolor of Terrared (OER), which itself was a version of Glidoler (OJR) with a “clamshell” head. There’s been a fella on ebay selling these—one at a time—for the past few years.
The first “Holotech” version of a Zoid, from Hasbro. Awesome, but for some reason it was nearly impossible to find. I’m planning to use this one in a custom, so I wanted to get some pictures of it all pristine. Unfortunately I already started masking before I got out the camera, so one piece of leg armor doesn’t match. Think of it as a compare/contrast with the standard NAR Zaber Fang!
For the longest time I’d been sitting on a MIB one of these, but recently I stole its wonderful clear saws, for a custom weapon for Hammer Rock. Then, someone on Pheno’s forum was selling a built one for dirt cheap. Hooray!
Also: Orange! Transparent! Chainsaws!
In all my years of scanning and photo-ing, I’ve never been able to get accurate purples without hella color correcting. Even still, I can’t get these to look good. Anyway, the Gravity Zoids (named for the “gravity wheel” powered walking mechanism) were a Hasbro exclusive, until early 2005, when they resurfaced in Japan’s Fuzors release. I think this guy’s pretty cute.
Since the crystal horn dye went so well, I thought I’d do my Molga (I went with the Genesis color scheme). It did not go as well. The body halves warped a little, and the greys are darker than I wanted, but it still looks kind of cool. Last three pics were taken on a light table.
I did this one by using fabric dye. Mix a box of dye in a medium saucepan, bring to a simmer, throw the pieces in, and stir.
Note: If you have a gas range, I would avoid this technique like the plague. You can’t get an even and predictable heating area and run the risk of melting pieces beyond repair!
I started this in the fall of 2005, then set it aside because I didn’t think I could paint during the winter. Turns out I could have, but then I got massively sidetracked. Now I can’t paint in the summer (too humid!), so I’m putting this up “in progress”. I gave him all new weapons (the CP-01s required hell of cutting to work), new hands, and added some details here and there. I am also trying something new with the photos, because it was too hot to shoot outside, and I was too lazy to set up my backdrop, but I didn’t want anyone seeing how bad I need to clean up my living room. Now taking bets on whether I ever finish this or any other customs…
In celebration of Toys R Us Japan’s 15th anniversary (October 2006), Tomy released an entirely clear Gojulas! The gearbox, battery covers and even the light are all clear. Best of all, I get another clear pilot, which means another mini-micronaut! I wish the original Z-point giveaways (don’t call ’em crystal!) were this complete in their clearness. Proper pics to come (someday) are finally here. Last three are keychain LED-enhanced!
Recently I discovered a set of stickers for giving Zakus shiny mono eyes. Turns out they also make good raptor eyes. To add to the effect, I drilled a hole in the head, and put a piece of fiber optic inside, so light could shine through. Another quick and dirty mod is to use the tip of a mechanical pencil for the gun barrel in the mouth.
Bear Fighter was previously a “white box” limited (the crappier the box, the rarer the prize), until this surprise Hasbro release. They assigned an arbitrary number, so as not to interfere with future NJR kits’ numbers. Apart from the orange canopy, the colors are identical to the (hella rare) OJR version. After noticing all the detail on the parts, I decided to panel-line and detail this one into next week. Gold marker + humidity = PAIN.
Other fun facts! Bear Fighter has two modes, and can walk in both: lumbering, four legged mode, and upright, amorous camper-mauling mode! Also, thanks to Hasbro’s font choice, this guy often shows up in auctions listed as “Gear Fighter”.
This is the limited “Commander” version of the Bio Raptor, which was easier to obtain than the regular version, and only slightly different in color (WORST LIMITED EVAR). As you can see by the comparison pics, this is a wee fella. I kind of want a whole army of them.
These were originally part of Buster Eagle before being sold separately here. I got a few, because Toy-Wave had them for 50 cents each, and one day I hope to articulate something.
I don’t know much about these. I think they came out late 2004. I ended up using some on my Decalto Dragon. Toy-Wave still has them for pretty cheap, so I got a ton.
Dear Hasbro: Worst Name Ever. The Fuzors line got a limited version called Ray Kong, which is a bit better, yes? I think he looks like a football player, which has made him grow on me. Consider these pics the “BEFORE” set, because I want to mod the shoulder gun things to look like the spikes shown on the box. I think some wider shoulders would help too, but I haven’t figured out what to do about that yet.
MIB for now. I built one a long time ago, but ended up breaking one of the legs trying to take it out of the socket (this is very easy to do), so I’m not in much of a hurry to build this one.
Demantis is incredibly fragile, and I finally got tired of pieces falling off every time I looked at it, so I glued the “fins” and clear red bits on. I like the little binocular mans. He sees what you did there.
Just making this post to show that I have two of these MIB, if anyone’s interested. I think they were the Pacific release, because they have a Tomy logo instead of Hasbro, and there is a sticker with Chinese writing on the back.
I was interested in Bio Ptera since it came out (clear blue!), but didn’t want to pay $20 (plus shipping!) for such a tiny model. Enter ebay user akitoys, with their $6.50 buy it now. Last four pics show the display stand I stole from a Marvel Legends figure, because it allows for much better flight poses.
Geno Breaker, in mini form! I don’t normally get into the action figures Hasbro made, but I got this one accidentally, plus I’m on a Geno kick, so here he is. I actually like him better without all the extra equipment, and the head spear reminds me of a cockatiel. Pics 1–4 are right out of the package. Pics 5–8 are after a much needed touchup paint job. #9 is of the whole “family”!
Sword Wolf is one of the hero zoids of the anime. It’s a recolor of Whitz Wolf, with added swords and such. I had W.W. back when it came out, and wasn’t impressed, so I ignored this release until I saw a photo at the right angle and realized it was cool. The swords really complete the kit. I’m going to repaint this one–some day. (Thanks to Alteka for the “SHAWINGUUUU” text in the last pic.)
Containing over 400 pieces, this is one hell of a build. Took me a couple evenings to build, several hours to detail (with gundam markers, half the time was spent wiping off mistakes), and another evening to sticker. The stickers are even fussier than NJR ones, but at least they’re thinner. I still need to panel line, but that will have to wait.
Well, Irvine’s gun has never looked better. Empire Command Wolf LC was the second limited kit from the HMM line, released summer 2007. It is a recolor of the regular Command Wolf, but it also includes a new weapon—the long range cannon (like Irvine’s variant in the NJR). It sold out quickly, teaching a valuable lesson: if something’s limited, don’t hesitate! I hesitated, so I had to pay a lot more on the secondary market.
OK I’m completely in love with this kit, and I never used to even care about Shieldies. Thanks, Kotobukiya! The first HMM Shieldy was nice enough, but the color scheme on this one brings out a lot more detail, and has nicer contrast. Plus, gigantic cannons—always a plus! I think this one took about 16-18 hours to do, but that was spread out over a couple months, so I wouldn’t get burned out.
This kit was actually a two-fer, coming with a regular Molga, and one in Genesis colors with the Canory Unit. The HMM-ified Molga loses the secret missile compartment in the back, but gains a TON of flexibility, plus little grub-legs. I’d say it’s a fair trade.
Since there weren’t enough pitfalls to warrant a full build review, I’ll just say it here: the brown plastic pieces that make up the wheel retracting mechanism are very fragile, and a tight fit. Trim the pegs a bit, to ease stress!
Aaaand here’s the other half of the HMM Molga two-fer. The Canory unit has a lot of detail and looks great, but a lot of it is made from the semi-fragile brown plastic. Mine is showing stress lines where the arms mount to the gun, and also where the “jewel” under the barrel goes. Also because of that plastic, I’m keeping this one’s wheels permanently in anchor mode, since the mechanism for them is extra fragile.
A wee fella. I lost the original pilot in a shelving accident, so I’m borrowing one from Guntiger.
MIB for now. For some reason, this one’s box art (like the box art for Gorhecks) shows an opaque canopy. This filled my heart with fear when they came out, but rest assured the canopy inside the box is clear.
My Tarantulon was missing the fangly guns, so I used the leftover Shield Liger guns from Blade Liger BI. Phenotype sent me an extra set along with an auction I won, so I didn’t have to worry about hacking up my set. Hoo-ah! I think I like these guns better, but I’d still like to get some originals (for completeness’ sake).
I bet that dude on ebay who’s been trying to sell a case of OJR Twinhorns for so long is pist now! I panel-lined it, because otherwise the details on the red parts would be totally lost. The “present” for Vol. 5 is… a square. Specifically, one of the plates from the Diorama base sets, or Gustav’s trailers. Color me “meh”.
You wouldn’t think these colors would work, but they do! I thought the enormous cannons (CP-10) were kind of silly, so I tried some alternatives (the original Saly missile launchers, and CP-09).
