The Space Battleship Yamato is pretty much a hit with the boys even today. We have seen several avatars of the same in Lego plastic and the likes. That said, it is indeed quite rare to spot this masterpiece with a brilliant coating of silver color. We recently spotted the 1/350 Battlehsip Yamato scale model that drew us in instantly.

It was Bandai who had this rad idea of performing a silver makeover for this popular battleship. This one is exclusive and will be available for only a very limited period in Japan. Dimensions read to the effect of 766 x 220 x 102 mm. This translates into a weight of 1,950 gms when the stand is also included.
A remote control keeps the ship at your beck and call. In other words, you can make the tor ’shoot’ or even activate the rear engine. The figures aboard are heroes of Japanese anime. One can also spot a set of mini fighter jets too. The price tag reads $850 and Bandai is game for offerinf the shipping option by end of next month. Makes for a great Christmas option.

via akihabaranews

Those of you who were disheartened for missing Donald Kaufman’s March auction, we have a bit of welcoming news to share. An organization by the name of Bertoia Auctions has decided to start the Donald Kaufman Sale II on September 25 and 26 this year at their auction house in NJ.

And if you feel real bad about missing out in the 7,000 piece toy collection by the legendary Kaufman who is also the co-founder of K-B Toys in the first sale, you get another chance to browse though some of the finest toys he ever made. There are 1,100 rare collectibles from pedal cars, biscuit tins, post-war Japanese cars to prewar Japanese airplanes.

The picture here shows the Gordon Bennet-style race car which has an estimated price between $10,000-$12,000. Among other highlights, there is a rare Mickey and Minnie Mouse on a motorcycle belonging to the early 30s. This one has an estimated price tag of $40K-$50K.

Via bertoia

As we were telling your before, Michael Jackson fans the world over are looking for ways to immortalise the singer. The latest tribute comes from a company called Hot Toys as it launches a 1/6th scale collectoble figure of the star. This MJ doll is reminiscent of his look in the famous record-breaking Thriller music video of 1983.

Not just that, the toymaker has ensured that the horror theme from the video is maintained in the toy as well. Each collectible figure comes with 2 interchangeable heads, one of MJs and the othet of a zombie, plus there are the 2 different costumes (including the one in red that we see Jackson wearing in the video) that you can dress up the doll in. The doll is brown like MJ’s orginal skin color, which is a good thing because kids today think that the singer was always that horrfying shade of white.

Five sets of interchangeable hands along with a posing right hand have been included in the package. Expected to rake in a lot of moolah from Jacko die-hards, the doll is limited for sale in Japan and Hong Kong only unless they open a shipping option too. By the way, do you have any friends in Japan who owe you a favour!?

Via hottoys

If you love owning a BMW then you might just want to share the joy of driving such a brilliant car with kid too, or it might serve as a good initiation into worshipping your favorite speedster! The market is abuzz with talks of the new BMW Baby Racer II which is a whole bagful of fun for kids both outdoors as well as indoors.

A lot of thought and design has gone into making this little wonder. Thick tires hold the toy vehicle without making any noise and also  overcome small obstacles with a lot of ease just like an adult would do in his/her original BMW car.

The design is of a high-quality as you can well make put with the bright red seat that is upholstered to make it comfy for the young one. Plus it is damp-wipeable so don’t worry if kids are kids. The engine supports both low as well as high speed excursions. Standing on low center gravity, it stays on its feet even when in tight spaces like in your living room or garden. This one’s fit for kids up to 3 years of age and holds a certificate from the German Technical Inspection Association.

Via BMWgroup

‘Money can’t buy me love’ said the Beatles. But on second thoughts, maybe you can. At least the Dollar Teddy Bear seems to believe so. Touted as a cuddly consolation for the dwindling economies across the world, this money toy has many falling in love with it and these folks say that it’s not just because of the money. Well, we would like to believe them.

Hollywood flicks have been full of mattresses filled with moolah but never before did we see a teddy bear sewn entirely out of genuine U.S. dollar bills. Then it does not even have any eyes or mouth, just dear ol’ dollar bills.

The Dollar teddy also features a zipper that helps you stuff it with wither retrofitting or perhaps, crushed dollar bills. Quite an expensive gift that is sure to bring a smile to your dear one’s face otherwise down seeing the bank accounts. It stands 12inches tall and comes for a huge sum of $1,250, which is much more than what is sewn on its body.

Via vivre

And you always wanted to revisit your childhood with some sort of a time machine! Well, we don’t have that but we do have something that will get you closer to where you always want to be. Called the Cloud 9 wagon, this classic red radio flyer, comes equipped with all the hi-tech gizmos and razzmatazz  making it a perfect toy for both kids as well as adults.

The toy boasts of digital controls, speakers and an MP3 player dock. If that isn’t enough to lure you, well then hear some more; a 5-point safety harness, padded seats, cup holders, foot brakes and fold-out storage containers are very much a part of the Cloud 9 wagon. A digital handle even tracks temperature, time, distance and speed.

The makers claim that they approached Cloud 9 pretty much like an automotive car would approach a concept car. Right now, still in the concept stages, the toy will definitely see the light of the day. The production is planned soon but no word’s out on the date yet. The expected price is close to $1,000.

Via cnn

While splurging on your self don’t forget to shower your love for your child! And here is the perfect present that is sure to make your kid smile! All you need is a palatial room, big fat bank balance for this thing is big, and a child of course!

Going “choo-choo” forming a toddler train is a cute little game every kid loves to play! But now your kid won’t fret to be out of the chain because he will have a personal seat in his personal Hand Crank Locomotive!

Oh yes! Hand Crank Locomotives and personal too! Using the simple pushing and pulling of a child’s arms on a hand-crank to propel it around an outdoor track this locomotive is a cool toy. Made from cast aluminum, with cast-iron wheels which glide along a 30? diameter track, they are entirely kid-powered, with a simple hand-crank for each locomotive. . The set of $4,100 includes two such trains, which can support a child weighing up to 100 lbs. An additional $500 to have it shipped to your door. Get ready to get your kid to go “chug –chug” or may be the sound effects are going to be a bit different with “click-clack” sound with no slipping to worry about.

Via hammacher , ohgizmo

]]> http://elitechoice.org/2008/11/01/hand-crank-locomotives-for-a-smile-on-your-kids-cute-face/feed/ 0 http://elitechoice.org/2008/04/29/jumplay-futuristic-health-conscious-device/ http://elitechoice.org/2008/04/29/jumplay-futuristic-health-conscious-device/#comments Wed, 30 Apr 2008 07:40:23 +0000 Zolamarquis http://elitechoice.org/2008/04/29/jumplay-futuristic-health-conscious-device/

Another concept-based toy for kids but may turn a serious weapon for the health-conscious gentry. Production of gadgets featuring time or message via swiftly vacillating wand preset with tiny LEDs is a passé. Designer Jacky Wu has behaved smartly by implementing this technology to a skipping rope (jumping rope). They say this sensible device keeps a record of every jump and thus features calories burnt within a particular time period via built-in LEDs.

And as a result you have a chimera with a feel that someone is countering in the mid air. It could be a bit too much for all heavy-weights as it may put them in pitiful situation by keeping a low count of their jumps. Say what may but I strongly doubt this concept turning into reality for obvious reasons. Firstly, the smacking of rope with the ground would disturb the intactness of the LEDs. And fortunately, if they happen to function well then constant rubbing on the ground would offer a blur image to read.

Via YankoDesign

Kid Kustoms is designed o offer a style statement to your little kid. Ready to hit the fast lane, this pram boasts of the best offering for kids. It features conventional hot-ridding tropes, over-the-hub fenders and even lustrous paint to offer a complete race car look. Nearly the whole thing about this pram can be tailored considering your likes and finances, while the top speed depends on how speedy you will be able to shove this obsession. The price range of Kid Kustoms varies from $2,000-$3,500. Believe me its almost eight-times the cost of my first car on my third birthday.

Via UberGizmo