Post by Deadborder on Jun 27, 2006 7:30:05 GMT -5
Funky Bug Buggy - Panzer Tier Dontress Review
Every now and then, I impulse by something for the hell of it. Recently, for example, I saw that Amenbo had the Panzer Tier Dontress on severe discount. So I figured "what the hey" and nailed it onto the end of an order. It looked like a funky little design and I figured why not.
I wasn't dissapointed. In fact, I think I may love this little bug.
The Good:
At first glance, Dontress apperars to be merely a scaled-up version of the mechanism used on the Spiker. In truth, however, it's quite a lot more complex. The secret to the Dontress' success is that it doesn't actually walk with its legs as such. Instead, the motor drives four little stubs under its legs that propel it forwards. That's right, the legs themselvess are merely a decorative feature.
But what a featurte! Each of the four legs has two points of articulation that give them quite a degree of artoculatiuon. The result is that as the Dontress walks forwards its legs move in a way that make them look like they're doing the walking when they really aren't. Its quite satisfying to watch. Addtionally, they can be posed for display. Neat.
Despite its strange construction, the Zoid gives a pretty smooth walk, largely enhanced by the motion of the pseudo-legs. Besides walking, the Zoid's arms also raise and lower. Addtionally, the claws can be posed and the back of the Zoid opens out to reveal a pair of wings.
The Zoid has some pretty speccy asthetics; its body is covered with smoothly curving armour panels that layer over the usual rough tehcnological details. Like all the 1/24 Zoids, it comes with an articulated pilot figure with is own distinctive uniform and body armour, as well as a small gun. The figure is very distinctive looking, with almost insectile eyes on his helmet. Woo.
Like the other Panzer Teir 1/24s, the Dontress comes with a second pilot figure in the form of a model kit that you apint and glue. Unlike the other 1/24s, this one isn't merely a clone of the normal pilot. Instead, the model wears a comptlely differnt suit of armour with its own distictive helmet. More interestingly, however, this figure is clearly female - the sculpt has asa slender waist and obvious breasts, and the optional second (unmasked) head is a woman's. Curous.
Finally, as an added bonus, new box art was comssioned for this model. The other Panzer Tiers used wither re-colorued verisons of Zelve art (Gorem, Deathpion) or just use a photo of the model (Snotwalker). its a nice peice and also illustrates the female pilot.
The Bad:
The Dontress' head lacks detail; it lacks eyes or senseors or anyhting, instead having a pair of featurelss bumps with no mould detail to even indicate their presnece. Likewise, the Zoid lacks any clear weapons beyond the claws.
The Pilot can't sit readily on the Zoid's back, and instead winds up in an awkward semi-standing pose; or I could just be missing something. It happens.
Finally, the orange transaperancies are not a patch oin the OJR version's clear blue bits.
The Bugly:
In 1990-2000, Tomy decided to use the Deathpion's mechanism as the basis of the Death Stinger. Why the hell didn't hty do it for Dontress as well? A giant killer Mantis would have been far cooelr then another cat, dog or Rex.
In conclusion, Dontress is good, but defintely underated. You should get one. Now.
Rick R.
Every now and then, I impulse by something for the hell of it. Recently, for example, I saw that Amenbo had the Panzer Tier Dontress on severe discount. So I figured "what the hey" and nailed it onto the end of an order. It looked like a funky little design and I figured why not.
I wasn't dissapointed. In fact, I think I may love this little bug.
The Good:
At first glance, Dontress apperars to be merely a scaled-up version of the mechanism used on the Spiker. In truth, however, it's quite a lot more complex. The secret to the Dontress' success is that it doesn't actually walk with its legs as such. Instead, the motor drives four little stubs under its legs that propel it forwards. That's right, the legs themselvess are merely a decorative feature.
But what a featurte! Each of the four legs has two points of articulation that give them quite a degree of artoculatiuon. The result is that as the Dontress walks forwards its legs move in a way that make them look like they're doing the walking when they really aren't. Its quite satisfying to watch. Addtionally, they can be posed for display. Neat.
Despite its strange construction, the Zoid gives a pretty smooth walk, largely enhanced by the motion of the pseudo-legs. Besides walking, the Zoid's arms also raise and lower. Addtionally, the claws can be posed and the back of the Zoid opens out to reveal a pair of wings.
The Zoid has some pretty speccy asthetics; its body is covered with smoothly curving armour panels that layer over the usual rough tehcnological details. Like all the 1/24 Zoids, it comes with an articulated pilot figure with is own distinctive uniform and body armour, as well as a small gun. The figure is very distinctive looking, with almost insectile eyes on his helmet. Woo.
Like the other Panzer Teir 1/24s, the Dontress comes with a second pilot figure in the form of a model kit that you apint and glue. Unlike the other 1/24s, this one isn't merely a clone of the normal pilot. Instead, the model wears a comptlely differnt suit of armour with its own distictive helmet. More interestingly, however, this figure is clearly female - the sculpt has asa slender waist and obvious breasts, and the optional second (unmasked) head is a woman's. Curous.
Finally, as an added bonus, new box art was comssioned for this model. The other Panzer Tiers used wither re-colorued verisons of Zelve art (Gorem, Deathpion) or just use a photo of the model (Snotwalker). its a nice peice and also illustrates the female pilot.
The Bad:
The Dontress' head lacks detail; it lacks eyes or senseors or anyhting, instead having a pair of featurelss bumps with no mould detail to even indicate their presnece. Likewise, the Zoid lacks any clear weapons beyond the claws.
The Pilot can't sit readily on the Zoid's back, and instead winds up in an awkward semi-standing pose; or I could just be missing something. It happens.
Finally, the orange transaperancies are not a patch oin the OJR version's clear blue bits.
The Bugly:
In 1990-2000, Tomy decided to use the Deathpion's mechanism as the basis of the Death Stinger. Why the hell didn't hty do it for Dontress as well? A giant killer Mantis would have been far cooelr then another cat, dog or Rex.
In conclusion, Dontress is good, but defintely underated. You should get one. Now.
Rick R.
