Orlando, FL Collecting Contingent

Very glad to hear that. I'd not checked till now. Is that where you're going to get it? I'm going to do a little price comparing, but I like the idea of getting it from there.

 

Ditto for me!

 

I don't care where I get it from as long as I get it. However, getting it at the lowest price is always better-for me.

 

I'm getting one, too. My very own not-to-scale sandcrawler.

Brandon

 

It's only out of scale if you're under the impression that Jawas were somehow shorter than the treads on a sandcrawler. I'd prefer a bit better to scale, but the design looks good and this is a toy I've wanted for a long time. Up there with the Shuttle Tydirium to me. -CE

 

Anyone ever deal with New Force Comics? Here's a link to a place selling the 'Crawler for $50 with possible quantity discounts. We might want to work together on this one folks. http://newforcecomics.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=NFCC&Product_Code=DIASC&Category_Code=SWPV

Also, how about the Gentle Giant Bust-Ups? They'll be sold in comic shops and, like the sandcrawler, can be had on StarWarsShop.com. They won't make it into the discount chains so they're going to cost us some pretty pennies. Anyone else coveting these things? -Campbell

 

I finally finished putting together my LEGO star destroyer. It is absolutely beautiful. (Tear of joy falls from my cheek.)

I'm thinking of taking it to the meeting, but I cringe on the thought of it falling apart...not too sturdy.

 

You hold my envy.
Congratulations, when did you get that beast? I've wanted one since I heard it was being developed.

Except for the fact that I'd love to see it in person, I'd suggest not bringing it to the meeting. It's huge and not meant for too much suborbital flight. And there was a lot of talk on collecting sites saying that it tends to sag over a few months so I'd suggest trying to support it with something in addition to the included stands. -Campbell

 

Hell, it's already sagging, and its been together for like 2 days. There is barely ANY support so it kinda sucks...

 

I just wanted to make sure everyone knew about this, especially Dale:

www.starwars.com/collecting/news/2004/06/news20040616.html

Brandon

 

I went to the Sanford Flea market 50 Million toys, but didnt find much. About to head over to target.

 

There's been rumblings there might be a variation that's Clean, as opposed to dirty (battle worn). I never picked one of those up during POTJ so I'd buy it (from TOS, individually pkgd.) if it came out that way. Otherwise, this'll be a pass for me.

Anybody see that nifty Mexico exclusive Dagobah pkg. with Luke and Yoda? Mmm.

 

NewForceComics is a reliable source if you need a reference.
http://www.newforcecomics.com/



Many folks at Tradefederation.net have been ordering from NewForce for years. Some of these "exclusives" will probably show up at Once Upon a Toy as well, just in case you miss the pre order.


Anyone see the 12" Gi Joe Indiana Jones Disney exclusive?

http://www.theindyexperience.com/image/indiana_jones_12_inch.jpg

 

That's all very good information- thanks, Sharon. I may just jump for NewForce, but I'd forgotten OUaT gets some weird exclusives supposedly nowhere else.

That Indy peice is odd, but I'll definitely bite if it gets released at Disney. The Indy Experience site also seems worth some study.

Susan, thanks for bringing the big Lego Vader to lunch. I bought one the other day after finally seeing it in person. -Campbell

I'm now on the verge of getting the 3rd set of Japanese dioramas. They're a bit high for what they are, but I have the first two sets and these things are virtually non-existant on Ebay. Anyone else have any of these?

Lastly, madman with not-the-budget, me, is seriously considering ordering the Master Replicas Stormtrooper rifle. Thoughts? This baby weighs in at nearly 3 lbs, is a little short of 2 feet long, and costs a whopping $500. -still Campbell

 

Heres a little bit of info on your blaster Campbell. As on the BSN:

The BlasTech E-11 Blaster Rifle was chosen to be the standard sidearm of the Imperial Stormtrooper for its great range and power as well as its compact size. However, I?m getting ahead of myself. Before we can talk about blasters, we need to know all about the concept that drives them, the laser. Now if you already know how a laser works, or simply don?t want to be bothered by the technical stuff, just skip ahead.
Laser is an acronym for Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation (sometimes I think scientists just like to give things complex names for no reason). A laser beam is a coherent shaft of light. Now I?m not saying that the light is fully awake and alert or anything. When referring to light (or any other wave pattern for that matter), coherence is the sameness in multiple waves. In other words, each light wave emitted from the laser device has the same wavelength and amplitude as all the other waves emitted from the same device. To give an example, take an ordinary flashlight. It emits white light, a mixture of all seven visible colors. Because each color has its own distinct wavelength, the light spreads out in a cone-like fashion. A laser beam will not spread, the coherence ensures a straight, cylindrical shaft of light that does not spread out.
Lasers are generated by introducing energy to the lasing medium (hence the stimulated emission of radiation part). The lasing medium is, quite simply, the substance used to generate the laser beams. In the early days of lasers, solid-state mediums were used (i.e. ruby, emerald, etc.); today gases such as neon, argon, and krypton are used. In the Star Wars universe, Tibanna gas is a common medium. When an atom of the medium is excited by energy, one or more of its electrons will ?jump? to a higher energy level. When the atom stabilizes again, meaning that the electron(s) have returned to their original energy levels, a photon is released. A photon is a ?packet? of light and the reason that light travels in both a wavelike and a particulate manner.
In the Star Wars universe, the laser fired from a gun is not just light. Some of the gas used to generate the beam is energized to a plasma-state and is fired with the highly energized light at supra-light velocities. This combination of light and plasma forms the deadly bolt fired from a blaster. Because the bolt travels at faster-than-light speeds, targets may show signs of damage before the visible portion of the bolt hits. This is because the visible portion, as well as most of the heat, is a waste product of the actual, lethal bolt.
All right, now back to the E-11. The E-11 is well balanced, allowing accurate one-handed firing. Its light, compact design allows it to be operated just as easily in close-quarters as when used for picking off targets from long range. The rifle has an extendible ?3-fold? stock for reliable ranged targeting. The weapon has a maximum range of 300 meters (approx. 984.5 feet), nearly three times that of most blaster pistols. This incredible range is due to the fact that the barrel runs most of the length of the gun, with many other components beneath or to the side of the barrel. To prevent excess heat buildup, a liquid coolant (freelol), is force-fed through a complex capillary system leading to the vents on the front.
The E-11 carries enough blaster gas for 500 shots while the power pack supplies energy for only 100 shots. This weapon is also equipped with four primary settings: stun, semiautomatic, pulse-fire, and full automatic. Though the semiautomatic setting provides greater accuracy and power, pulse-fire and full auto settings are great for providing suppressing fire. However, extended use of fully automatic fire may throw the barrel out of alignment.
Though the E-11?s technological clone, the Stormtrooper One (manufactured by SoroSuub, later renamed the Freedom One for the New Republic), is also used by the Empire, the E-11 remains a favorite among officers and soldiers alike. I guess it?s kind

 

And it's got a blaze orange plug set inside the barrel. Still thinking.

Also thinking about skipping the Sandcrawler if I do this. Have to set some priorities. Part of me knows that we collectors need to send a message to Hasbro in support of big, funky vehicles and playsets, and I do indeed like the design and the included figures, but I'm still a little burnt by pre-ordering an FAO exclusive (uh huh) Shuttle and paying their price. A price double that which I've seen on multiple occasions since FAO released it. And I think there's a fair chance we'll see this piece as many places as the Shuttle despite the Diamond one-year exclusivity.

Perhaps I should skip the blaster and get 9 or 10 Sandcrawlers for the money. Perhaps I should skip both and get well over 1000 hot, fresh donuts from Krispy Kreme. Still thinking.

 

New Disney 12" Indy pics:

http://www.tradefederation.net/

I have my MR Stormtrooper blaster pre ordered, it will be my first.


Still some SWW merchandise at the Studios. Cute Mickey Indiana Jones pin, Campell. Thanks for the tip!

 

Glad you liked it too. Did you choose the installment plan? I'm considering that, but noticed that it costs an extra $25 and leaves you out of getting a low number. Then I thought I shouild just relax about the low number- I don't really care about that. I'm going to watch the availability very closely till I decide.

One reason I need to lean toward getting one is that I still regret passing on the Han Solo one. -Campbell

 

Three more questions, Sharon. How much is shipping? Do you pay in full right now, even though shipping is not till October? and Lastly, they list a REFER-A-Collector program. Do you have a code I could put in to say you referred me, if I decide to leap? -Campbell

 

Campell,

I am getting my blaster through a dealer friend on trade, so uncertain how those programs work. Not paying for shipping either.


If the installment plan is available for the blaster, take it! It is better than missing that fantastic piece!

 

Has anyone found any Target cups/figures other than Maul and Ben?

The Animated Clone Wars figures are being clearanced out at Target for about a dollar off at the moment. Hard to believe I only found one Clonetrooper out of all the times I've checked. Hard to believe how few Clonetroopers (like the super-articulated ones, and the CW variations) seem to be easily found in a collections from the CLONE Wars and Attack of the CLONES.

 

I went in Once Upon a Toy in Downtown Disney and even though this is non-Star Wars related, they have the Indy/GI Joe figures. The packages weren't perfect but what ya goin' to do?
So no need to trek in to MGM when you have this wonderful place to visit.
Melanie

 

That is very good news, and thanks for posting it.

 

I think I'm close to forgoing the blaster. Realizing how many other things I can get for $500. E.g. Did you see that beautiful 3PO mini-bust coming from Gentle Giant. Yowsa.

store report:
The Target south of 417 on OBT had the Luke X-Wing and the Anakin Figure/Collector Cups. After snagging a set for myself, and another for Dale, there were two sets left as of noon.

TRU at FL Mall has OTC Vader's TIE, the X-Wing, and the TIE Fighter. While the packaging is just gorgeous, I don't need these ships again.

 

The OTC is truly upon us. This weekend at Wal-mart on John Young many new figures passed through the doors. I found about 20 around midnight Sunday which were probably the worst-bent cards I've ever seen. Even passing them, these things are beautiful. This is the card we've been waiting for. -c