12" Draconian Soldier (Hasbro) from "Buck Rogers in the 25th Century"

I have two all-time favorite Sci-Fi design schemes: the Klingon design work in ST: TMP (probably my favorite 7 minutes of Sci-Fi cinema) and the Draconian designs for "Buck Rogers". Mego did great Klingon figures for their 3 3/4" and 12" ST: TMP lines. The 12" Klingon is my favorite Mego figure, but, though their 3 3/4" Draconian Guard is nicely done, their 12" version is seriously incomplete. He has an accurate laser rifle, but no armor, helmet, or goggles.

I decided that a 12" inch Draconian Soldier was needed and set out to make one. I spent a year or so tracking down photos, hunting for parts, and watching the Draconian episodes of "Buck Rogers" over and over again on DVD. It took a while but I'm happy with the results. And making a custom figure causes you to look at the design in a different, more focused way. I feel I understand the design much better now, and appreciate it that much more.

A couple of years after I made my Draconian Soldier, Zica toys released a line of 8" retro-Mego "Buck Rogers" figures. Their DraconianGuard is absolutely perfect.

NOTE: For the background in the first photo, I used blueprints by Jackill Designs. Check them out. They have some cool blueprints.