Sorry I haven't popped in a couple days to post a lot because I'm bogged down like a mother with a paper I'm writing for school.

Anyway, Yeah I hear what you're saying on those Patton figures Ewok.  I mentioned that at GP's board, and really still feel the Patton figures aren't 21st's finest work.  I think they will utilize more good parts for Star Wars customs though, and maybe the odd XD custom as well.

As for favorites, I'd say Private Wilson (101st Rifleman) and Major Von Schnitzel (German Officer) are my favorite paratroopers...

My favorite Battle of the Bulge is EASILY the U.S. Rifleman.  The Germans aren't out yet, and there's a reason for that...  I'm gonna post that below though as a separate "announcement" since this is the official 21st Century Toys topic.

The best pilot, well that one's a real toss-up.  The Corsair/Army green P-38 pilot is my favorite, but I may change my mind when I get the pilot set online (hopefully this week).  The first P-38 pilot looks awesome though, as do the Stuka Gunner and pilot.  I dunno what a proper scaled Mustang and Messerschmit pilot may be like though.

As for customizing OCB, 21st figures pop apart VERY easily.  All their plastic is of the pliable kind like Hasbro's figures are on the limbs/heads.  I'd say even more pliable actually.  I usually can pull an XD figures hands off and put them on another figure without heating if I want (I suggest heating though, for safety sake so you don't break them).  

BBi's figures are actually MADE to pull apart so you can interchange all the parts.  Those figures are really marvels.  Only their legs are "rigid" plastic and don't pop on/off.  The whole upper body of a BBi figure comes apart with ease though.

XD are definately a really customizeable line though, if it's your cup of tea!  

Hmmm,

I was just going through the game Force Commander last week for a project I was doing some work on, and man oh man do I have a list of EU vehicles I want!

Light hover tanks...
Heavy hover tanks...
Heavy tracked tanks...
Imperial Troop Transports...
Stormtrooper landing/boarding transports...

My list goes on and on and on.  

I could stand seeing a lot of redoes though to vehicles already done by Hasbro.  After their landspeeder being done to-scale, and the TIE Bomber, I really think Hasbro could improve almost every vehicle...

My top 3 would be a Y-Wing to-scale, AT-ST to-scale, and Snowspeeder to-scale...  I could envision some amazing resculpts with all 3 of those craft.  I know I'd buy a ton of each if done, and done correctly.

Actually, there's some with 18 points...

1 neck
1 waist
2 shoulder
2 bicep
2 elbow
2 wrist
2 hip/thigh
2 knee
2 boot top/shoe top

And some figures (U.S. Paratroopers, P-38 pilot, etc...) have 2 mid-thigh cut joints so their thigh pivots at the center as well.  If you ever see a P-38/Corsair pilot up close, it's got the most amazing detail and articulation you could want!

PLUS, many figures come with a second set of "Extremely posed" arms.  They pop right off and on with the articulated arms.  I dont' use the posed arms ever, but I do sometimes swap the posed hands off with the articulated arms set of hands.  

What's even funnier is BBi's figures...  Their articulation goes like this:

1 neck
1 waist
2 ball/socket shoulder
2 bicep
2 angle joint (like rft's knee joints) elbows
2 wrist
2 hip/thigh
2 knee
2 ball/socket ankle

AND all BBi parts are interchangeable...  You can pop every piece off them and put it on another guy.  Plus BBi give you accessories galore like belts, functioning holsters, helmets, goggles, etc...

BBi's accessories are flimsy though (Make Hasbro's look sturdy), and the articulation can look a bit noticeable in some areas (The ankle and shoulder joints particularly), but they've improved their 1:18 they're releasing this year and they look 100% better.

BBi's stuff is $1 cheaper too, coming in at Hasbro's $4.99 MSRP, AND, BBi pays a few licensing fees as well.  To top that off they're about half the size of 21st Century Toys is, which is dwarfed by Hasbro itself.

Not bad for small companies eh?

Yeah there is...

Shipping (Or already in your area) is the Patton Command Car (Dodge COmmand Car).  It's pricey and a bit lacking in quality control, but still neat in a way (Especially when the figures come out).

Patton 1:18 figures are on the way any day now they say...  Patton at the Bulge, Patton in N. Africa, and Patton in Dress uniform are all planned I believe.

And yes he has his pit bull with him!

They're not the best looking figures IMO, but they're not the worst either.  I'm goign to do a "Patton in Star Wars" series of customs eventually...  Patton as an Imperial General, Patton as Rebel General...  You get the gist.

I'm gonna go make an "All 21st Century" post here because there's new stuff...  It really deserves it's own topic.

The 1st series figures were prone to that breakage at first...  I'd suggest a dip in boiling water to alleviate that issue.  I had a few break too...  I had a U.S. para's boot break on me just the other day and had to send it back to 21st to get a replacement.

I didn't have that issue with the Bulge figures at all.  I highly recommend you nab at least the BAR gunner and rifleman...  They ROCK.  The Tanker's great too, but the jeep driver's a tad weak.

Indeed, and it was a strong rumor at one point (Never solidified by a site, just strong rumor).

I'd take a black guy and white guy gladly...  Even the Asian with the mustache to fill out the vintage lineup.

Resculpts are always high on my list of "I wish Hasbro would do it" stuff.

My list goes somethin' like this...

-Hoth Rebel Footsoldier...  Removeable helmet with multiple headsculpts.  Cloth scarf piece attached on helmet.  16 points of articulation and a neutral pose. functioning holster w/RFT style blaster pistol.  Blaster rifle. And for kickers a base that has a "wall" for the trench...  Each base can connect to another on EITHER side forming a jagged trench sort of.

-Imperial Cold Weather "Snow"trooper...  Cloth "mask" piece on helmet.  Functioning holster with scale blaster.  Cloth "Skirt" piece of uniform.  16 points of articulation and neutral pose. Disappearing Blast Mark (I liked it on the CT stormie).  

-Lobot...  Who doesn't want a neutral lobot!?  

-Rebel Fleet Trooper (Yavin Base)...  Removeable helmet with rubbery chin strap (XD figures have them).  Functioning holster with proper/accurate blaster.  Scanning gun/tool.  Guards Force Pike.  16 points of articulation and NEUTRAL pose.  Removeable vest.  Multiple head variants (with 1970's hairdos!).  

-R5-D4...  Kinda like Lobot...  I really want a new one with tons of repaints!  Especially that orange R5 in Mos Eisley.  I love the orange look.

-Imperial Officer...  Tuniced officer with black, grey, and olive color variants.  Removeable hat, and multiple head variants.  10 points of articulation per figure and a chair with death star computer console base.

-Grand Moff Tarkin...  Grossly in need of a resculpt.  Sculpt him to be the creepy small man we all remember, articulation to hold his right hand to his chin, and to sit at his conferance table.  

-Lando Calrissian General Pilot...  No goofy stance, just a neutral and fairly poseable figure.  Give him the vintage silk cape of old for a throwback!  Functioning chest holster with officer's blaster.

-Prune Face/Dressellian Commando...  First one's neat, but I'd love a second one without the eyepatch and a bit more poseable (Cloth poncho, etc...)

-Almost every main character...  I mean, look at them!  Han Endor, Luke Endor, Leia Endor, etc...  I'd take great new poseable sculpts of almost anything.

While I think intentional variations made difficult to find intentionally is dumb on Hasbro's part, and frustrating, I personally like the idea of the Imperial Officer figures...

I've not got either of them except the POTJ one, so if anyone is inclined to help me out...  ***Hint hint hint***

But that's been the only variant I found interesting in Saga really.