Maruzen M870 gas cannisters:
Evans Pang (aka EarthAngel) has informed me that he has a number of spare detachable gas cannisters for the Maruzen gas-powered M870. They are $20 shipped, or $15 if you send a SASE.

ALIENS: Colonial Marines screenshots:
ALIENS Vs. Predator News has several screenshots from the upcoming Fox Interactive/Check Six Studios release for the Playstation 2.

New links:
Several new links have been added to the Links section.

US resource for Maruzen M870:
Valkyrie Air has informed me that they will be keeping the Maruzen M870s in stock on a regular basis. They also have sets of extra shells in stock. Contact Michael Ladd for more information.

US resource for Maruzen M870:
Megalomaniacal Productions has informed me that they will be able to special order the Maruzen M870s on a prepay basis. Contact Cris for more information.

New photos in How To:
Kip Hart has contributed some more photos of the new Maruzen M870 Grip Versions for the How To section. These photos focus even more on the loading and ejection ports.

Fan-made props:
Mat Clayson, of Hi-Impact Props and Costumes, has informed me of a pair of M240-A1 flamethrowers that he and Robert Mannion have built. Be sure to check out their Photo Gallery to see some impressive images.

Pulse Rifle blueprints:
A few months ago, I mentioned a site where you could locate a fan-made set of M41-A Pulse Rifle Blueprints. That site, Wan-Obi Jedi's Amateur Prop Workshop, had disappeared for a while, but it is now back, along with the blueprints.

Upcoming gun show in Houston:
There will be a gun show in Houston June 2 - 3. Put on by the Houston Gun Collectors Association, it's billed as Texas' Largest Gun Show, and, from my experience, they aren't exaggerating. It will be held at the Astrohall (aka Reliant Hall).

New links:
Several new links have been added to the Links section.

Additions to Accessories:
Shawn Morgan (aka Morganthirteen) has contributed an article about a replica of the M42A Scope Rifle from the ALIENS: Colonial Marines Technical Manual that he is crafting. He has also contributed photos of an early flamethrower, M240 Incinerator, and a M56 Smartgun that he is working on. One thing that makes Shawn's work unique is his use of wood in the construction rather than the traditional resin, plastic, and metal. The article and images are now available in the Accessories section.

New illustration in Reference:
For those of you interested in the M41-A Pulse Rifle "Sniper Variant" illustration, contributed by Miren Ashkar and mentioned on this news page in the 5/1/01 update, from an early issue of Hobby Japan, I have added a larger version to the Media page of the Reference section.

New photos in How To:
Evans Pang (aka EarthAngel) has contributed some photos of the new Maruzen M870 Grip Versions for the How To section. For those of you who are building an AirSoft AEG Pulse Rifle with a "working" grenade launcher, but, like me, have not been able to get the M870 yet, these photos are a must see.

Upcoming 1/6 scale weapons: Dragon Models has announced a new soon to be released weapons set. Item 71071 is a AK47 Viet Cong Weapons Set which will include the AK47, AKS47, Tokarev TT1933, Thompson M1A1, canteen, and two stick grenades. Interestingly enough, this is the first time they have offered their version of the M1A1 separate from a figure. If you are looking to put a set of original weapons to put with your EVA Models Pulse Rifle, this is the best quality 1/6 Thompson available.

Upcoming Sci-Fi con in Houston:
There will be a Sci-Fi convention in Houston from June 29 - July 1st. Named Con-Sortium, it will be held at the Hobby Airport Radisson Hotel. Among scheduled guests is Babylon 5's Susan Ivanova, Claudia Christian.

New links:
Several new links have been added to the Links section.

T3 in hardback?: There is a new harback novel out, titled T2: Infiltrator by S.M. Stirling (ISBN: 0380977915). The dustjacket synopsis seems to correspond to early rumors that T3 will star Arnold Schwarzenegger and introduce a new female terminator. It is available now at bookstores everywhere.

New tutorial in How To:
I have added a new tutorial on a how to disassemble the Tokyo Marui AirSoft AEG Thompson M1A1. It is in the How To section

Updated Accessories and Replicas:
I have made some additions to the Replicas and Accessories sections.

New links:
Several new links have been added to the Links section.

Motion Tracker replica: Deck36 is now taking orders for their new Motion Tacker. It is available as a kit for $278 or as a finished piece for $540. Prices are slightly cheaper in the UK. You can order now, and expect delivery about 4 weeks after they receive payment.

1/6 scale replicas: Voyager Toys has received in the new 1/6 scale shotgun sets from Dragon Models. Both sets (71060 & 71061) include versions of the Remington M870 shotgun which was used in the original Pulse Rifle prop.

New links:
Several new links have been added to the Links section.

M41-A Pulse rifle "variant": Miren Ashkar was kind enough to provide this image of a M41-A Pulse Rifle "variation". It is reported to be a sniper/long rifle version, and was featured in an early issue of Hobby Japan.

Pulse Rifle picture added:
Golden Armor has sent me information about their Stunt Pulse Rifle Kit. The info and a picture are now posted in the Replicas section.

New links:
Several new links have been added to the Links section.

Old news:
To see news from previous months, please visit the Archives.