Pat S

I don't think I'll be getting the Yamato ones, they seem a little cheap, too small, and I'm not seeing any action poses. The A.Sai ones look great though they are still too small.

I've seen some close up pics of these figures, they're really impressive. I read that they are very limited in quantity.

I got the limited one on Saturday. I was really impressed. The thing weighs like a brick. Like all metal really. It's actually much nicer quality than I thought it would be, so yay!

Awesome article written before Columbia first flew, predicting it's demise, and explaining the history, and problems with the shuttles. http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/features/...k-fulltext.html

I thought about that, but even two artists looking at the same pictures are going to pick out different details, but everything is the same on these two. The hands have the same amount of like 20 degree movement side to side, the shoulderblades for no reason have springs on them that allow them to be pried out on the inside edge, then the spring snaps them back. They both have this. All the joints move in the same ways.

After playing around with this thing, and comparing, I'm absolutely sure they copied the Aoshima Endoskeleton. Certain things like the shoulder blades having springs are good indicators. Every single detail that's in the Aoshima is in the NECA, even the tiniest little marks and lines. They removed all the die cast, and added light up eyes, and moving hip joints. It is really pretty cool, it can stand on it's own, but only in a few poses, the non adjustable rear foot ball thing is to blame. For $40 though, this is quite a bargain.

Sorry about the Alien head pic. I was posting and talking on the phone at the same time. Also, goodbye Aoshima, it's going on eBay.

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Wow this topic is political! I never knew that the foam was changed for environmental concerns. It's funny how the media doesn't dig this stuff up, and raise any questions. I say put some safe foam on the thing, and seal it up or whatever. Keep the missions going until there is a replacement, but the replacement program needs priority and a budget allocation.

X-33 was cancelled supposedely due to the composite fuel tank not being up to the task. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/X-33

I don't say scrap NASA, just the Shuttle. We can come up with something better, it's been 30 years since it was designed. NASA would have no problem going with a new program if it had a decent budget, but taxpayers might flip out. You never see the price of war being touted on the media, but everytime NASA gets 5 minutes on TV, the budget is rolling along the bottom of the screen. Also, I believe the Shuttle was supposed to fly 100 missions or 10 years whichever comes first.

Yes, but that will add a lot of weight which will limit the types of missions the shuttle could perform.

Making a new Shuttle will not fix the problem of ice laden foam from damaging the tiles on the shuttle. How about a carbon fiber shield for the underside and wings of the orbiter. Anything that falls off the tank will hit the carbon shield. Then when seperating from the tank, the carbon shield can be jetisoned. Just a thought.

Seriously nice work! I didn't think that kit could look that good

I loved this anime (get the uncut version if you can), and have read the Manga up to Chapter 204 or so. Very adult in nature if you're into that. Quite a ride for the main character, Kei. Action, violence, aliens, psychic powers, sex, GANTZ RULES!

Good idea really. The ice has to come from somewhere, sealing the tank before filling it may at least help. From Widipedia entry on the Shuttles. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Space_Shuttle For STS-1 and STS-2 the external tank was painted white to protect the insulation that covers much of the tank, but improvements and testing showed that it was not required. This saved considerable weight, and thereby increases the payload the Orbiter can carry into orbit. 500 lbs according to this link... http://www.astronomycafe.net/qadir/ask/a11022.html

Wow those look good, even the character heads and faces look nice!

Just joking, not mine. I've seen these unpainted resin kits on ebay for like $1000. Assembly and painting would probably take a weekend at the most. That's what I'd do if I really wanted a full T-800.