Chogokin Starbase & customs...

[hangarbay94]

Hello everyone, this is my 1st post here so here goes.

I have been a part time collector of old Poppy toys and have a couple of mint examples that are my most prized possessions. I also build Gundams as well as create Star Wars customs and a photo novel.

It seems as though a lot of the customs here are Japanese Robo's so I thought I'd post a Starbase I made for some of my collection. It consists of several buildings made from foamcore and a base and side walls made from mountboard, all covered with stickers I created using photoshop. The buildings arwe modular, so they can be arranged in different ways or even stacked on top of each other to create an enormous tower. Oh and the base is child friendly, so every so often the kids get the thing out and play with it.

If anyone is interested I have all the decals on my HardDrive if anyone wants to build one.

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4071/4384782064_fb67740816_b.jpg
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4064/4384782324_670f4c848a_o.jpg
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4066/4384782462_173d4593ef_b.jpg
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4017/4384021103_746e28333c_b.jpg
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4064/4384020963_37377f9cc0_b.jpg

[Altitron]

Wow, those are so cool! I would have killed for that setup when I was a kid. My Mom used to work at Sam's Club, and she would bring home those huge buy-in-bulk boxes. I used to draw scenery on the insides of them, and those were my figures' bases and cities and sewers and such. These customs of yours, though... they're on another level entirely. I love them! :)

- Alty

[hangarbay94]

Thanks Altitron, I wasn't sure how they go down with you guys..I appreciate the comment.

[groovycustoms]

Yeah, That is incredible! I used to used the styrofoam used for packing electronics and stuff for bases when I was a kid. I'd love to have something like this! Really cool!

[hangarbay94]

Thanks Idavis...I think it was the realisation that I can make the things I really wanted as a kid that got me into the trouble I'm in today...

[Solrac333]

Oh my god! These are amazing. Wow.

[reddragon162]

Damn dogg, that hanger is straight crazy yo! I truly wish I had room for a dream setup like that, but as it stands I need to start getting rid of some stuff for when I get a new room mate. I'll definitely ask again once once I become rich and get a hugeass house.

[hangarbay94]

Solrac333, reddragon, thanks for your kind comments, I'll post some more images after I've had a look round the site.

Thanks for the warm welcome.

[Tank_driver]

super fantastic and they are kid friendly even better!

[C.dizel]

wow....that's amazing....I would love to set something like that up in my office at work...hahaha....how big are the decal files?

nice work man!

[thyvipera]

oh man, that's really cool man. i'd love to have a big display like that, and have a couple of big combiners in battle poses

[speedleescustoms]

wow wow wow !!! this is something out of the box !!! totally diggin the base, it brings a whole new level of fun !!! cheers !

[hangarbay94]

Decal files are only around 250K a piece.

[TonyzCustomz]

Those buildings are too awesome. I say load em up, would love to try building a few. You called all the small toys Poppies? Where can you get them? Love small robots and trinkets like these.

[hangarbay94]

Those buildings are too awesome. I say load em up, would love to try building a few. You called all the small toys Poppies? Where can you get them? Love small robots and trinkets like these.

Thankyou TC,

The small trinkets are called Popy Gashapons, they are micro versions of some of the coolest 70's Japanese toys ever made. Some of the best ones split into smaller vehicles of stunning detail, notably the Combattler Robots. The tinly matchbox type boxes are also replicas of the original larger versions.

Other Japanese toys to look out for are Mugenbines (meaning - Infinate Combinations), these are great for the kids as the more you get the more combinations you can create as all the parts combine. Most of the sets create 3 different combinations, a robot, that can turn into a vehicle that can turn into an animal robot.

I love anything Japanese and 70's including Macross stuff, although I've only collected some of the very smallest models.

I've got a couple of original pieces, the ship with the teeth is my personal favourite, it's a ship from a Japanese 70's TV show called Super Sentai (an early version of the Power Rangers). The little ship is amazing, as at the press of a button the mouth and sides open to reveal a hangarbay with a spaceship and two other vehicles in it. The spaceship also comes apart to form a robot. Even the packaging is beautifully designed.

Here are some images of my small but plentiful collection, it literally takes up two very small shelves in my office, but there are at least 20 very small toys there.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3305/3284685808_d8d6f397d8_b.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2602/3951731556_7d70623811_b.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2530/3951732856_9b0f0fb8e1_b.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2544/3950955439_22ff76efc8_b.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2610/3951731870_b9e0248442_b.jpg

[Mr.Sci-Fi]

very awesome, your base reminds me of one of my favorite bases

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1373/869465003_d052b9b6e2.jpg


I've always wanted to go back and make a new larger version and expand on the idea, looks like you've already done an amazing job doing so.

[hangarbay94]

very awesome, your base reminds me of one of my favorite bases

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1373/869465003_d052b9b6e2.jpg


I've always wanted to go back and make a new larger version and expand on the idea, looks like you've already done an amazing job doing so.

Mr Scifi..you are spot on my friend...that playset was my inspiration. I've still got my Star Bird, but God only knows what happened to the base.

I see that hasbro have just begun making their boxes into dioramas, and I'm surprised that more manufacturers haven't picked up on the idea of using sturdy cardboard for playsets like the old Starbird base and the old Death Star set.

Here are some more images of my Starbase...
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3353/3297213670_2061bc610d_b.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3364/3237302661_9e781229cd_b.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3309/3445522258_7507044b85_b.jpg

[jicco]

wow, amazing, everything so much more alive

[Mr.Sci-Fi]

Mr Scifi..you are spot on my friend...that playset was my inspiration. I've still got my Star Bird, but God only knows what happened to the base.

I see that hasbro have just begun making their boxes into dioramas, and I'm surprised that more manufacturers haven't picked up on the idea of using sturdy cardboard for playsets like the old Starbird base and the old Death Star set.


Back in the day cardboard was the choice for bases, I still believe it is because of the size vs the cost of manufacturing of it. I bet someone could turn out a pretty good business with a line of affordable, creative, modular bases/castles of all types. Gijoe, SW, TFs and more all had cardboard bases at one time.


I'm a big starbird nut, even going as far as buying the www.starbirdcommand.com url for an eventual fansite. I own several still sealed starbird toys and a super rare store display.

[hangarbay94]

Wow, that is very cool you owning Starbirdcommand.com...even more of a Wow for the fact that you have some still sealed axamples. I'd love to see some images?