DESIGNER ADDS A CRUTCHBOT TO THE ROBOT HORDES

Science fiction fans generally have something of a love affair with robots. Whether they are small and helpful (R2D2), tall and shiny (C3PO), or deadly enemies (Transformer Decepticons), there seems to be just ‘something’ about a mechanical man that appeals, even more so if it’s a dangerous clockwork killer. And in Texas, designer-photographer Adam Voorhes has joined in robomania with the damaged machine-man shown above (top), its mobility-aid an old-fashioned wooden crutch under the arm. Adam’s even given a title to his creation: ‘Something seems to be missing’...

Japan is ground-zero for robotics, both real and fictional, and robo-culture there is sometimes obsessed with them. Magazines such as the excellent Hobby Japan run big features, and Euro-comics such as the UK’s 2000AD run strips based on robo-themes. The diorama here shows an excellent ABC Warrior from the strip of the same name, wreaking havoc while on display at a model show.

We recently reported on the T700 robot to 1:18 scale which came with the Terminator Hunter-Killer robo-flyer. But of course the small-scale T700 is just one of a seemingly endless horde of robots on sale, any of which would look great in a sci-fi based diorama. Some of the bigger ones are on offer at massive post-Christmas discounts, so it’s worth hunting around to see what’s available, meantime the T800 endoskeleton (bottom pic) is generally available in stores and online.

Visit Adam Voorhes here.

Terminator robots are available here.

And you can see more robots here.

IS IT A TOY? IS IT A MODEL? - SCI-FI HUNTER-KILLER FROM ‘TERMINATOR SALVATION’

SMN reports
If you’re a sci-fi buff, then the ranks of the mainstream kit manufacturers present fairly thin pickings. Apart from Revell’s Easykit range of Star Wars machinery, there’s not a lot out there.

However, if you widen your horizons a bit and graze the shelves of toyshops, supermarkets and newsagents, then things get a whole lot more interesting. The SMN crew regularly trawls big chains like Toy ‘R’ Us and Tesco, as well as local stores, and what’s on offer can be tasty indeed, especially as these retailers often have deals or special lines to tempt us.

The Hunter-Killer from the movie Terminator Salvation is a case in point. Aimed at the children’s market by Playmates Toys (who launched Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles back in 1988), it was on offer locally at less than half-price - what a bargain! And even better, it came complete with a 102 mm (4 in) tall T700 robotic figure, making it about 1:18 scale, just right for causing mechanized mayhem to any spare large-scale diecast vehicle you may have parked in your collection. The Hunter-Killer measures a chunky 307 mm (12 in) long, and is a pretty nifty design, waiting for conversion to another futuristic occupation - maybe an autonomous SAR (search and rescue) craft - or maybe we’re just peace-lovers here at SMN.

We’ve a short unboxing video to show you at the weekend; meantime here are pix of what comes out of the box, and very nice they are too. The main drawback from a scale perspective is that much of the detailing is rather heavy-handed, so what we plan to do is give this ‘toy’ a going-over, and see if you agree with the results. Either way, if you’re into science fiction in a big way, then items like this are a win-win buy.

The Hunter-Killer is available at the standard price from various suppliers, including Amazon here.

You can visit Playmates Toys here.