Dragon to re-release NASA Astronauts and Kerberos Panzer Cop

[El Skutto]

is the kerberos cop a re-release or a re-engineered new one? The original was pretty aweful even then. Hands falls off all the time, ill fitting, oversized armor and outfit, giant head, crap plastic tube, and takes a dive off the shelf even when its sat down... (how it manage that is completely beyond me)

The head sculpt is definitely new, but the armour appears the same as the earlier Dragon release, judging by the picture. Can't say anything about the underlying body.

Mind you, I never had any problems with the hands falling off. Are you sure you're talking about the earliest Dragon version, or the Medicom Jin-Roh figure?

 

[wookster]

The head sculpt is definitely new, but the armour appears the same as the earlier Dragon release, judging by the picture. Can't say anything about the underlying body.

Mind you, I never had any problems with the hands falling off. Are you sure you're talking about the earliest Dragon version, or the Medicom Jin-Roh figure?

I never bought the Medi version, often thought about it though.
I have the old Dragon one, which you can see in this review here-

https://www.mwctoys.com/REVIEW_090505b.htm

I never had any probs with him either, it's of it's time but I love it.

I also covered the first Takara one, he was very cool-
https://www.mwctoys.com/REVIEW_042307b.htm

 

[El Skutto]

I never bought the Medi version, often thought about it though.
I have the old Dragon one, which you can see in this review here-

https://www.mwctoys.com/REVIEW_090505b.htm

I never had any probs with him either, it's of it's time but I love it.

I also covered the first Takara one, he was very cool-
https://www.mwctoys.com/REVIEW_042307b.htm

Okay, we're talking about the same figure. You've gotta love the real metal bullets in the ammo bandolier. I also have the battle-damaged version, but never got around to buying the exclusive with the light-up eyes.

I have two of the Cy-Girls versions - black and grey, as well as the three newer Takara releases, the Medicom Jin-Roh, the Hot Toys Jin-Roh and the Medicom Kerberos Panzer Cop. I have yet to buy the latest "re-imagining" of the armour, the Kai Tetsurou version:

https://www.hlj.com/product/TKT78392

Needless to say, I'm on this new Dragon version like a fat kid on cupcakes.

 

[minivader]

The head sculpt is definitely new, but the armour appears the same as the earlier Dragon release, judging by the picture. Can't say anything about the underlying body.

Mind you, I never had any problems with the hands falling off. Are you sure you're talking about the earliest Dragon version, or the Medicom Jin-Roh figure?

yeah, its the dragon version. I had tons of problem with it. The heavy metal helmet makes it top heavy and topples over all the time. The same with the machine gun and the bullet belt. Too heavy for the hands to stay in place. not to mention the hands were too soft and open to hold the weapons properly. I liked the figure a lot when I first open it. All the gears and stuff were cool, but after awhile it just frustrates the hell outta me. Still, I figure a body swap would solve a lot of the problems.

 

[wookster]

Okay, we're talking about the same figure. You've gotta love the real metal bullets in the ammo bandolier. I also have the battle-damaged version, but never got around to buying the exclusive with the light-up eyes.

I have two of the Cy-Girls versions - black and grey, as well as the three newer Takara releases, the Medicom Jin-Roh, the Hot Toys Jin-Roh and the Medicom Kerberos Panzer Cop. I have yet to buy the latest "re-imagining" of the armour, the Kai Tetsurou version:

https://www.hlj.com/product/TKT78392

Needless to say, I'm on this new Dragon version like a fat kid on cupcakes.

WOW, that's quite a collection!
I didn't know HT did a version, do you have pics of the figures, I'd love to see them.

 

[El Skutto]

WOW, that's quite a collection!
I didn't know HT did a version, do you have pics of the figures, I'd love to see them.

Slight goof on my part - it wasn't Hot Toys, it was a more modern Medicom RAH version that Sideshow was selling:

https://www.sideshowtoy.com/?page_id=4489&sku=4355&ref=listing-page

It's clearly based on the Jin-Roh armour design, despite the Red Spectacles name.

So that's two versions of the Jin-Roh armour by Medicom, including this earlier version. Body proportions are all out of whack, and both of his soft rubber gloves are completely hollow, meaning he can barely hold his weapon.

https://dwtoyspot.blogspot.com/2009/02/medicom-jin-roh-wolf-brigade-1999.html

 

[FlyAndFight]

Time to stock up on the patches from Monkey Depot.

Does anyone have shots of that old EVA Models Alan Shepherd conversion?

I hope one of these comes with the moon base as well.

That patch set is indispensable if you plan on modeling any of the astronauts, particularly if you want to convert "Buck" to Armstrong and have him paired up with the Aldrin figure.

I've got the EVA Models Alan Shepherd conversion kit at home and I'll post some pics later tonight, if possible. It's an excellent set and I highly recommend it.

The moon base that originally only came with the "Buck" figure was a vacuum-formed piece of crap that I gave away as soon as I took it out. I'm using one of the BBi stands to display both of my astronauts.

Here's a crappy pic of the pair:



When compared to the Hot Toys Alien "Dallas" and "Kane" figures, the Dragon astronauts hold their own rather well.

The suit itself is a work of art, as is the back pack. Compare that to the rubber suits from HT and Dragon wins big-time. The only negatives are the rubber boots, which bring the figure down a tiny notch, and the gold tinted visor, which doesn't look too good. (But I can understand how difficult it is to recreate in 1/6th scale.) I keep the visor slid up, out of sight because of this.

One important note: Only the Aldrin figure originally came with the Hasselblad camera. The Buck figure did not bring it. Ironically, it was Armstrong and not Aldrin that wore the camera while on the moon, so most of the great photos of an Apollo 11 astronaut that you've seen were of Aldrin.

 

[minivader]

Slight goof on my part - it wasn't Hot Toys, it was a more modern Medicom RAH version that Sideshow was selling:

https://www.sideshowtoy.com/?page_id=4489&sku=4355&ref=listing-page

It's clearly based on the Jin-Roh armour design, despite the Red Spectacles name.

So that's two versions of the Jin-Roh armour by Medicom, including this earlier version. Body proportions are all out of whack, and both of his soft rubber gloves are completely hollow, meaning he can barely hold his weapon.

https://dwtoyspot.blogspot.com/2009/02/medicom-jin-roh-wolf-brigade-1999.html

its called the red spectacles because its based on the movie red spectacles.

 

[El Skutto]

its called the red spectacles because its based on the movie red spectacles.

No, that particular armour design, with the calculator-like mechanism on the breastplate, multi-hosed facemask and spiked shoulder pad, is from Jin-Roh, which is an anime based on Red Spectacles and Stray Dogs.

The Dragon version more closely resembles the Red Spectacles and Stray Dogs version of the Kerberos armour.

 

[DeltaForceChung]

Of all things . . . an informative discussion of 1:6 Asian figures wearing German/Nazi inspired/themed battle armor.

 

[minivader]

No, that particular armour design, with the calculator-like mechanism on the breastplate, multi-hosed facemask and spiked shoulder pad, is from Jin-Roh, which is an anime based on Red Spectacles and Stray Dogs.

The Dragon version more closely resembles the Red Spectacles and Stray Dogs version of the Kerberos armour.

I don't know, it looks pretty dead on from the movie, not to mention the cover on the box is a reuse of the movie still.......

The dragon version is based on the stray dog film.

 

[wookster]

Slight goof on my part - it wasn't Hot Toys, it was a more modern Medicom RAH version that Sideshow was selling:

https://www.sideshowtoy.com/?page_id=4489&sku=4355&ref=listing-page

It's clearly based on the Jin-Roh armour design, despite the Red Spectacles name.

So that's two versions of the Jin-Roh armour by Medicom, including this earlier version. Body proportions are all out of whack, and both of his soft rubber gloves are completely hollow, meaning he can barely hold his weapon.

https://dwtoyspot.blogspot.com/2009/02/medicom-jin-roh-wolf-brigade-1999.html

Cheers, yeah I've seen all the Medi's, and I was even offered a light-up eyes Dragon one a few years back, but decided to just stick with the regular issue. But I didn't know there was a HT one, do you have any links to that one?

 

[swo77]

I've got the EVA Models Alan Shepherd conversion kit at home and I'll post some pics later tonight, if possible. It's an excellent set and I highly recommend it.

That would be great. I know Chris Chulamanis (EVA proprietor) passed away in 2008 and the EVA line is no longer available, but I never saw the Shepard conversion. If you can post pics, it would be appreciated.

The moon base that originally only came with the "Buck" figure was a vacuum-formed piece of crap that I gave away as soon as I took it out. I'm using one of the BBi stands to display both of my astronauts.

Good to know. Perhaps a scratchbuilt alternative is in order (something with a flag and footprints in the moondust). Do the rubber dragon boots have accurate treads?

and the gold tinted visor, which doesn't look too good. (But I can understand how difficult it is to recreate in 1/6th scale.) I keep the visor slid up, out of sight because of this.

Is it a shoddy vacuum metalizing job? Maybe an aftermarket hobby chrome specialist could get a better look, like these guys.

Regardless, thanks for the information.

 

[Lejuan]

As abake said, the quality isn't quite HT, esp on head sculpting and paint, but the outfit is amazing. I used him in these pics with the HT/Winsom Ma- Space Adam and it still stands up really well!

swo77:
Quote:
and the gold tinted visor, which doesn't look too good. (But I can understand how difficult it is to recreate in 1/6th scale.) I keep the visor slid up, out of sight because of this.
Is it a shoddy vacuum metalizing job? Maybe an aftermarket hobby chrome specialist could get a better look, like these guys.

Regardless, thanks for the information.

I don't get it... I've seen heaps of pics of these figures with a sweet reflective mirror finish on the visor. Wookster's looks great from where I sit. So is it or is it not a mirror finish? This probably won't be a deal breaker for me, but I have little interest in displaying this figure with the visor up unless the HS is fantastic. For me it's all about the suit (Sorry Neil and Buzz).

Check out Alex's review and pics of the last Apollo figure here:

https://toyhaven.blogspot.com/2008/06/nasa-apollo-astronaut-by-dragon.html

 

[El Skutto]

I don't know, it looks pretty dead on from the movie, not to mention the cover on the box is a reuse of the movie still.......

The dragon version is based on the stray dog film.

You could very well be right. I haven't looked at the movies in years, so what do I know? I absolutely love the few short action scenes, but the rest of those movies bore me to tears.

Cheers, yeah I've seen all the Medi's, and I was even offered a light-up eyes Dragon one a few years back, but decided to just stick with the regular issue. But I didn't know there was a HT one, do you have any links to that one?

Nah, I made a mistake; I was referring to the newer Medicom version. As far as I know, Hot Toys has never produced a Kerberos Panzer Cop figure. But man, that would rule!

 

[Kelrek]

Looking forward to picking up the kerberos panzer cop. I've been looking for one for awhile, wanted the Takara version, but this will have to do.

 

[FlyAndFight]

That would be great. I know Chris Chulamanis (EVA proprietor) passed away in 2008 and the EVA line is no longer available, but I never saw the Shepard conversion. If you can post pics, it would be appreciated.

Here you go (the decal set was purchased separately):

Good to know. Perhaps a scratchbuilt alternative is in order (something with a flag and footprints in the moondust). Do the rubber dragon boots have accurate treads?

The boots do have the treads. I haven't checked for accuracy, though. The vacuum-formed base had the foot prints marked on the gray moon dust, but it was so cheap and flimsy, that personally, I didn't like it and detracted from the display of the figure. I highly recommend a nice wooden base with the moon's surface recreated via Celuclay or another medium of choice.

Is it a shoddy vacuum metalizing job? Maybe an aftermarket hobby chrome specialist could get a better look, like these guys.

Regardless, thanks for the information.

Personally, I wasn't happy with the way the gold visor was modeled. I've tried lowering the visor several times, in order to recreate the photos of the actual astronauts on the moon but just wasn't fully satisfied with how it looked. Perhaps it's just me. It's definitely chrome plating on the plastic visor and to be honest, it's probably as best as it can be done, though I've found imperfections underneath the plating (on the plastic itself) which get highlighted with the gold chrome.

I don't get it... I've seen heaps of pics of these figures with a sweet reflective mirror finish on the visor. Wookster's looks great from where I sit. So is it or is it not a mirror finish? This probably won't be a deal breaker for me, but I have little interest in displaying this figure with the visor up unless the HS is fantastic. For me it's all about the suit (Sorry Neil and Buzz).

The reflective finish is not as smooth or "glass-like" as I would like it to be. I think that is the key. I can see micro-scratches on the surface which I find distracting. I've purchased some very thin chrome metal sheeting used for embossing art projects, with the plan of refinishing the visor. I just haven't gotten around to doing it yet. (can be found at Michael's art supply.) I think it will greatly enhance the look of the visor.

I just took the following photos and noticed that in my normal room lighting, which is from track lights, the chrome doesn't look bad. but in bright light, it just looks "plasticy", for lack of a better word. I'm sure most don't have a problem with it, but I'm probably just too picky.






And by the way, another MUST-GET figure, if you collect these type of life support suited figs, is the U2 pilot from BBi. It's truly a work of art. My pic does not do it justice:

 

[chamildav]

The Takara are the nicest Jin Roh figures, both the male and female versions. They are just very high quality pieces of work.
The Dragon is the best representation of the live action version and looks pretty accurate to me.
I've been pretty satisfied with all of them that I've owned. I would have like to have had the whole squad Takara offered but didn't quite mange that.
And I'm very sorry I missed the astronauts. It's nice that a second chance on those is coming. I have seen them and they are pretty darned nice. Pretty near museum quality with some work. It's all good news.
By the by, I know a lot of us here aren't military figure collectors and may not be very familiar with their products, but I have to tell you, the Dragon uniforms and weapons for the WWII German as well as some of the US and British gear is as good as anything produced. Where they lag is in some of the high dollar add ons, like fabric caps, leather belts and boots and those type of items. They don't use wood and metal for weapons, but the plastic weapons they produce are significantly more accurate in scale and design than DiD and generally as good or better than Hot Toys. Dragon stuff isn't junk. It is sold at a lower price point and doesn't have all the bells and whistles that the much more expensive figures people here collect. But when they produce a more expensive figure like the astronauts, they are of excellent quality and high value.

 

[ArmoredFoe]

Yeah I have the Medicom Red Spectacles version. The Red Spectacles Version is based on the actual Live action movie not the actual Jin-Roh anime/movie. While Jin-Roh is part of the Kerberos Saga its 2 different stories.

I will be picking this Panzer Cop up and probably as stated swapping out the body and modding the armor if I have to. I really wanted a Takara version, but never got around to picking one up.

 

[minivader]

Yeah I have the Medicom Red Spectacles version. The Red Spectacles Version is based on the actual Live action movie not the actual Jin-Roh anime/movie. While Jin-Roh is part of the Kerberos Saga its 2 different stories.

I will be picking this Panzer Cop up and probably as stated swapping out the body and modding the armor if I have to. I really wanted a Takara version, but never got around to picking one up.

Yeah, at the very least the dragon panzer cop is priced right. The takara, though pricier, is worth every penny.