News:

January 26, 2001

Asia Pacific has received in the new anime guns shown in this site's update from January 18.

Asia Pacific is now taking pre-orders for the new Tokyo Marui FN P-90. Pre-order price is $350. MFI and 747 Imports have both stated that they will begin taking preorders when they receive a confirmed price and release date. More info as it becomes available.

January 22, 2001

The long overdue images of Dean Overaker's M40 Pulse Rifle Grenades are now posted in the Projects section. As I have said before, I am a lousy photographer, and I don't know how many times I took pictures that didn't come out right, so I finally broke down and got a digital camera. The image on the left was provided by Dean Overaker, and shows a close-up of the optional engraving that is available. The image on the right shows a size comparison of a grenade with the cap on and one with the cap off next to a Tokyo Marui SPAS-12 shell. I have purchased some of these myself, and highly recommend them whether you want to make a working Pulse Rifle replica, or just like to collect high-quality ALIENS prop replicas.

Dragon Models has announced some more new 1/6 scale releases due out any day.
71048 M82A1 .50 Cal Semi-Automatic Rifle "Urban"
This set includes the Barrett M82A1 with "v" flash supressor (as seen in Robocop), as well as a revolver and a shoulder holster.
71049 M82A1 .50 Cal Semi-Automatic Rifle "Camo"
This set includes the Barrett M82A1 with standard flash supressor (as seen in Navy SEALs), as well as a semi-auto and a drop-down holster.

For those of you who may have missed the original special issues when they were released, Cinefex has released a special reprint of the ALIEN, ALIENS, and ALIEN³ issues in a 144 page limited-edition book for $35 including shipping. There is also an 80 page limited edition book version of the Blade Runner issue available for $30 including shipping. If you don't get the magazine on a regular basis, it comes out quarterly at $9.50 per issue. This is a great resource for articles on how special effects are done, as well as ads for the companies that do special effects and the products they use.

January 18, 2001

Asia Pacific has a ton of new AirSoft items in stock or coming soon.
First up is a RIS for the Glock 18. It allows the mounting of a laser or light as well as a spare clip to be used as a foregrip. Cost is $55usd.
Next is a LAM unit for the Beretta 92F. This is a shell casting to let you have the appearance of a piece most people can't affort.
Finally are some wicked-looking new anime gun kits for which they are now taking reservations. Left to right are the Alucard (yes, that's Dracula backward), the Saiyuuki, and the Raisen.

In case you can't wait for the Tokyo Marui version later this year, or you're just a collector of all things Fabrique Nationale, Miltech has the thing for you. They have one used ToyTec P90 avaialble for purchase. Purchase price is $1200usd. These are extremely rare and the price is not bad, so get it quick.

Just as a note, I am updating the various pages of the Links section almost constantly, sometimes without any other updates. This being the case, I will no longer announce that there have been additions. Just check them out every so often to see what's new.

Just for kicks, check this out. I found the link on ALIENS Collection, and thought it worth sharing.

January 10, 2001

Ever wanted to have a 12" version of Arnold, Jesse, or Mel in their most famous roles? In Toyz and 21st Century Toys are conspiring to make this come true (Not really, but they have made it a lot easier). In Toyz has announced an upcoming release addition to their 1/6 scale weapons sets. The M134 Vulcan Minigun (shown at right) will include an ammo belt and ammo box. The trigger can be clicked, and the barrels will spin. Look for it soon. 21st Century Toys has released a new weapon set themselves. The new Villains Shotgun Set includes a replica of Mad Max's side-by-side shotgun (If anyone knows what gun this actually is, please let me know.), Terminator's lever-action shotgun (model 1887 Winchester) and tear-gas launcher (Manville Riot Gun), among others. Look for this at stores now, including Voyager Toys.

January 9, 2001

On March 1, 2001, the VirtuArms URL will cease to function. This site will still be accessible through it's new name Sci-Firearms. If you have a link to the old URL, or know someone who does, please let me know, so I can get them to update it.

I have added a new section to the website called Reviews. This section will be my own opinions of products you might be interested in. There are currently several reviews available, and there will be more as I have time to add them. Please feel free to check them out, and let me know what you think. I will add other people's reviews of the products or comments about the reviews at the bottom of each page.

Reveiws already online include Tokyo Marui's AirSoft AEG Thompson M1A1, Endless Horizons' Stark Raven 9" Figures, ReSaurus' Special Forces 6" Figures, N2 Toys' The Matrix 6" Figures, and N2 Toys' The Matrix 12" Figures.

From Redwolf AirSoft:

Happy New Year. We would like to extend our appreciation for your patronage in the past year and will hope to continue serving your airsoft needs even better in the coming year!

To kick off 2001, we have just posted an in-depth comparative review of Tokyo Marui's Glock 26 versus Western Arm's Beretta M84F Cheetah. Read the review.

As part of our post-Christmas clearance, we are extending our 5% discount on all orders through January 31, 2001. Special discount does not apply to shipping fees and other promotion packages.

Fandom Shop has received the new 6" Mad Max: The Road Warrior figures from N2 Toys. The figures currently available are Wez, Humongous, Warrior Woman, Gyro Captain, Max and his dog, and Max and the Feral Kid. You can purchase the set from Fandom Shop (SKU: TYMMRWSTB) for $52.95 plus shipping. These figures look to be every bit as high of quality as N2 Toys' 6" The Matrix figures. This is a long overdue and very popular subject matter, so expect them to go quick. Can vehicles and diorama/playsets to go with them be far behind? Let's hope not. I would love to have Max and his interceptor from the first movie.

McFarlane Toys has announced their new 19th Spawn figure assortment, Dark Ages Spawn: The Samurai Wars. As the name implies, this series will be themed toward feudal Japan. Look for them later this year.

And, of course, more links.

January 4, 2001

Redwolf AirSoft has received in the new Maruzen P99 with Silencer. This is a gas-blowback model with a metal outer barrel. The screw-on silencer is metal with foam inserts. Price is $180 USD plus shipping. Learn more about it here.

January 3, 2001

Curious Labs will be releasing the Poser 4 Pro Pack this month. This pack, among other things, will finally provide direct support for NewTek's LightWave 6 and Discreet's Max 3. You can now export models, and even entire scene files, in the native file formats of both programs. Suggested retail price is $149, and you will be able to purchase it directly from Curious Labs.

Pulse Rifle Sighting
While browsing the shelves at my local Bookstop, I came across a book that made me do a double take. On the cover appeared to be Fabio holding an ALIENS Pulse Rifle. On closer inspection, sure enough, it was an unmodified Pulse Rifle. Since there was no attempt to change the look of the gun at all, I figured there must be a new ALIENS novel out. Even with the romance novel style cover, I was willing to give it a chance, but alas, it was not to be. It was just someone using a prop they felt no one would recognize. If you want to check it out, the book is Jettison by Donnamaie E. White. The ISBN is 0967782805.

As usual, several more links have been added throughout the Links section.

January 2, 2001

Fandom Shop has received the new 12" Matrix figures from N2 Toys. The figures currently available are Neo and Trinity as they appeared in the unforgettable Lobby Shoot out scene. Each figure has the appropriate detailed clothing and a coat They also each come with an array of weaponry. You can purchase the pair from Fandom Shop (SKU: TYMATXTST) for $45.95 plus shipping. The next scheduled release, which is available for pre-order now at $46.95 for the set, is comprised of Neo and Morpheus (SKU: TYMATXMST) dressed as they appeared during the I Know Kung Fu scene.

Some of you have reported having problems joining the Mailing List. The problem should be corrected now. Please visit the Mailing List section, and follow the steps to join. If you have any further problems, please let me know.

Finally, many of you have asked as to the status of the AirSoft ALIENS Pulse Rifle project. Well, it is not gone or forgotten, but the last two months have been a blur. I hope to get back on it again this weekend.

I have decided to go with the Maruzen gas-powered M870 Shorty for the grenade launcher portion of the Pulse Rifle. As soon as I can get with a US AirSoft dealer, that has one in stock, I will get it ordered and on the way. I have received several offers for help, and will be contacting you shortly.

Please keep checking the page in the Projects section and the Mailing List for further developments.

January 1, 2001

There are a couple of changes to the site itself today.

First, you will notice a new navigation button, to the left, called Archives. This button will lead you to a new section where you can pull up the old news pages and reference their stories.

Also, there are two new pages in the Links section. These two new pages, Games and 3D Computer Generated Imagery, reflect some of my other interests, and, from what I've heard, yours.

Art Asylum has produced a new series of figures based on a comic called Stark Raven. These are extremely well done figures, and stand about 10 inches tall. The real standout though is Stark Raven himself. The character, which appears to be a cross between Batman and Hawkman, has tons of articulation and accessories including 10 weapons, wings, and a base. Look for them at Spencer Gifts.

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ReSaurus has released a new series of figures based on American special operations groups. The current series consists of MAC Advisor, CQB, Combat Diver, Fire Team, Recon Officer, and Urban Sniper. The figures are extremely well done, although the weapons appear a bit small. There are also plans to release weapons and accessory packs in the future. Voyager Toys already has them in stock.