Bad Times Create Inspiring Mind......

is something I believe in and I am that kind of person (not very humble about it). Well, I may just have the right to feel a little proud about myself after 1 hour of work on my latest purchase.

Actually, it's not exactly anything new. Found a good deal for a Yamato 1/48 Roy Focker VF-1S online and naturally, I bought it.

When I opened it up, it was as white as snow. Then, a thought struck me....."Let's do a weathered version!" The idea is not original though. The weathered version of the VF-1S is a limited edition collectible that was available only during an Annual Japan Toy Festival known as Wonderfest in 2008.

The price of the weathered version is anything above $400 and so I decided that I create my own weathered version.....nothing a pencil and finger can't achieve. So, after a few many minutes.....here it is. My very own WEATHERED Roy Focker VF-1S!

The real mccoy is the one in the background....

Top view. I think I have done a decent job in giving it a really weathered look.

So good, it deserves another shot

Having fun...

with some of the clone troopers which I decided to set them free from their packaging to save some space for future purchases.

These are the 'dirty' version as they looked more seasoned from battles. I have replaced one of the trooper's helmet with Obi Wan's Clone helmet. A little sculpting was required but the final product is an eye candy.

General Kenobi with the troopers flanking on both sides


Trooper mind trick

Obession......

is a very dangerous thing and it sure cost a lot of money. Given the current economy, I should really think about saving instead of spending but the urge to "Collect them all" is too strong to resist.

Anyway, I do not advocate any behaviour of being a spendthrift but this blog is simply to share my passion in collecting COLLECTIBLES

After the collection for Star Wars trooper kick started last month, it has been buying and buying .

So here they are, loose and MOSC (Mint on Sealed Card)

Here we have 5th Fleet Security Trooper and Utapau Trooper from Revenge of the Sith


From left, we have ARC (Advance Recon Commandos) Trooper, 327th Star Corps Trooper and Airborne Trooper from Revenge of the Sith

From The Clone Wars, the animated series, Commander Cody, Speeder Recon Trooper and Clone Trooper Officer

Here's everybody

Never wanted to get any vehicle but again......whatever. This is a Jedi used Starfighter from episode I-III. Specifically, this belongs to Aayla Secura. This picture features it in landed mode.

This picture here shows it in the flight mode. See the resemblance of a Tie Fighter from A New Hope? Not surprising as it's a Republic developed ship.

This Starfighter belongs to Obi Wan Kenobi from the animated series of The Clone Wars. Very aerodynamic and it closely resembles the Star Destroyers from Episode IV onwards.

There's a little gimmick here that allows the starfighter to be split into 2 but I rather not do that as it's not anime correct.

The above shows all the carded clones and 1 Darth Vadar which I have not opened. If you noticed, you would see Han Solo and Luke Skywalker in Stormtrooper uniform from The New Hope. Ironically, I had them and sold them away years ago when I decided to stop Star Wars.

Back to Basics......

of my toy collecting roots; Stormtroopers from Star Wars. I have always like those super soldiers with their white armoured plated suits. However, it was also the reason why I gave up the whole trooper collection as it was so exclusive back then that I could not afford to buy them from specialty shops.

A Decade and a half later, watching 'The Clone Wars' with my son rekindled my feelings towards the troopers. It started with him asking me to get him toys from the series and I of course did not let go of the opportunities to grab a couple of them.

Here are the first 4 of my new troopers collection. Personally, I prefer the clone troopers more as compared to Stormtroopers. Perhaps, it's because I understand them better as the series made the clones more human while Stormtrooper from the original Star Wars trilogy is more of a killing machine.
Saleucami Trooper were featured in 'Revenge of the Sith' where Order 66 was given from the Republic to treat all Jedi as a threat.

Commander Gree was also featured in 'Revenge of the Sith' who was actually under the command of Jedi master, Yoda. However, upon receiving Order 66, he attempted to eliminate Yoda.
This is a Space Gear Clone Trooper which is basically a regular Clone with space gear for outer space missions. Finally, a Stormtrooper; the difference between a clone and storm is in the helmet. Evo Troopers are the stormtroopers equipped with enhanced armour to withstand treacherous conditions in the unknown planets of the galaxy.

I have yet again recycled the air refresher containers to create display cases for each of the troopers. I think I'm not going to stop at 4. More if I can afford it.

Macross Frontier

Finally, gave in to Bandai's call and purchase my first mecha from the latest Macross saga - Macross Frontier in celebration of 25 years of Macross.

I initially wanted to wait for Yamato's version which all my Macross collection came under that brand. However, pictures of this toy; Michael colour and its sniper rifle was too much a temptation to resist.


The size of the box is about half the size of a Yamato's and is more storage friendly.

Hopefully, I can find some time to open it up to evaluate and compare its quality against the Yamato's Macross Valks.

To Infinity and Beyond.....

was the phrase that got me to like Buzz Lightyear from Toy Story. Had always wanted to own 1 but I have never found a piece that is priced at a reasonable price; at least to me.

However, I would never have guessed that I found 2 at Disneyland.

Transformable Buzz - who would have thought

Glad to have waited till now as I get the Buzz I want and better still, it transforms......although, I will never transform it.

The second piece which I picked up is the Space Rescue version. The Buzz that I used to see of this size never did come with visor and that was one of the reasons why I did not own a Buzz Lightyear.

Gundam OO

Was on an official trip to Hong Kong last week and had the opportunity to drop by my favourite toy haunt. I was there hoping to pick up Hot Toy's Batmobile but it was not due for release yet. However, my nature of not having to leave there empty handed landed me the complete set of Gundam OO.

However, getting the complete set wasn't an easy task as they were not located at the same store.

OO-Raiser Trans-AM Set was my first purchase after deciding that I would like to complete the whole Gundam OO set. It was found at 'Animate'; a new store which I had not visited before but was glad that I made the trip as I found some very cheap Revoltechs on sale too. Got myself Rodimus and Starscream at a very very cheap bargain.

So, the hunt begun after the first purchase. Headed down to CTMA building opposite and got Arios Gundam with GN-Archer set for a steal.

Then it was to another shop to pick up Saravee and Seraphim Gundam set. Now with 3 of 5 GN Gundams in hand, I was hoping I could pick up OO and Cherudim back in Singapore.

Luck was on my side when I chanced upon OO Gundam and Cherudim at the airport just 1 hour before departure. However, I had to pay the 'airport price' for not purchasing this earlier when they were released.

I was really contemplating on getting the Gundams under this new release by Bandai as I felt that they have overpriced the items. Nonetheless, like most of my purchases, the anime just made it easier to make the decision to purchase.

Someone asked why am I obessed with these toys? My answer is that I want to own a piece of what I saw in the animation.

Just did a calculation and I actually spent $250 on them!! Ok, now that is expensive.