I'd go with that too Paul...  They could dish out the R5 head then, which is sorely behind in the astromech running.  I want that orange R5 from Mos Eisley dammit, and I REALLY want the red/white/black R5 Rebel Pilot astromech for Red Leader... 

I'd buy at least one more set if they included those.  The really complex and unique looking paintjobs are the best reason to get the sets, then all the other less complex or outstanding paintjobs are kind of just gravy. 

Just wanted to say Thanks for the pics.
I usually post on Rebelscum, and had heard there were loose pics of this figure here. A better Tusken has been at the top of my wish list for a while, so I was really happy to see these pics.

Thanks again for opening and for the pics.

Well get your ass over here and avoid the Jr. High lockeroom.

Seriously though Paul, very nice pics, thanks man.  The figure looks great to me...  The arms are definitely more poseable than the Tusken Sniper (and its other recard names), what with wrist joints and things...  The sniper's got (I'm going off the top of my head here) a left wrist and angle-cut right elbow and MAYBe right wrist?  It's pretty limited though, and this Tusken looks good with raised arms, or arms down too despite the baggy outfit.

The softgoods comparison shot you took with Obi-Wan is outstanding Paul...  It's like an ad for using cloth on action figures properly.   Very nice.

I don't mind the paintjob myself, though it's not fantastic.  The Sniper he's compared to is sort of too gold. 

Bummed to hear about the gummy weapons Paul but I figured that'd be the case.  I think Hasbro ran with cheap plastic on accessories in the VOTC line too (the Stormie blasters are noticeably more flimsy for instance).  Hasbro's probably cutting a corner with that to save $.  Yet they gave two accessories so that's weird, but whatever.  I can't wait to get this figure in droves.

Oh and thanks for the heads up on the Bandoleirs.  Definite customizing potential Paul...  A good part to reproduce for that hobby.

Great stuff man, I'm thinking I want about as many as you're looking to pick up.

I hate retail...

**** like this is just all the more reason to go to E-Tailers simply out of spite and anger.  Sucks for those of us who customize or army build though.   That's the only downside.

If I did one of every figure though, I'd hands down be ordering figures online exclusively and just completely avoiding the big retailers.  Whatever their half-assed reasoning for a price increase, it's a screwjob to us.  I've heard so many theories why things aren't shipping and prices are flying up and down monthly.  You'd think Hasbro had become an oil producer.

I'm gonna have to think on that one Scott, but it's a good little contest.   I'll throw my hat in this weekend if I get a moment.

Right off the bat I'd say the Tonika sisters will get a nod though, and I think Jedi Duel Luke might too.  Gotta ponder this though.

Hmm.  I was hoping for no shipping but kind of expecting it.  Seems a little steep for a new head on an existing body which doesn't appear to be the VOTC sculpt.  Figure may change, I guess, but we'll see.

$44.95 minimum for the head cheese...

You and I were on the same wavelength with this one E...

I was sitting there reading the story and just pondering the $4.95 even...  I'm going to be ordering up two, but even if I got enough crap for 3 of them I'd pass on the 3rd or give the paperwork to someone else who wanted it.  It's a bit dull and the sculpt is sad I think (I am assuming it doesn't change).  I'll get it, but I think Hasbro could market repainted astromechs and protocol droids, and people would be happier and more enthusiastic.

A Gonk Droid with the vintage paintjob?  Hell I'd try for as many as I could get actually...  And that woudln't be costing Hasbro a penney over the basic manufacturing costs.  The mold exists, a paintjob change costs no more than a normal paintjob...  It's profit for them if they still tack the $5 shipping charge on, plus it drives sales of other crap... 

Plus it wouldn't be a craptacular Lucas figure nobody REALLY was asking to get.  Droids, people actually want though, and not allt he paintjobs are necessarilly good candidates for regular release into the line.

The FX box was oddly sized.  Short of having the guns on it, it really could have been assembled in there, but yet it wasn't, so that's weird.  The window boxes were much more appealing too (the ones used for the TRU exclusives).  I think that, since the original ship was A) more expensive, and B) in a cheaper package (not window boxed), that Hasbro was trying to give the illusion of "bang for your buck" by issuing the FX X-Wing in a larger box.

You paid more for it than the TRU ships and ultimately you got less IMO.  Electronics are actually a minimal cost increase I found out recently...  They're generally crude and simplistic electronics with little effort to their development, so to a person like me you get more out of the TRU ships which fit figures, came with figures, etc.... 

The FX X-Wing was really revolutionary at the time...  But even it looks comically small next to the new, properly scaled, TIE Fighter...  Call me crazy but I'd take a new to-scale X-Wing...  Y-Wing too.  The two best fighters in the trilogy for me. 

Ryan picked up a model kit off me recently.  He payed promptly and as always communication with him was smooth and easy. 

Thanks Ryan, I owe ya again!