Thanks to the generosity of a kind soul who took pity on my frustrated efforts to obtain the "Hunt For Grievous" Battlepack, yesterday I received a much anticipated package from the U.S. Postal Service. Contained within were four ARC troopers and an ARC Heavy Gunner who will soon take up station at my office. Overall the figures are great. I'm glad that Hasbro decided to produce the ARC's, even if they are a bit difficult to acquire. That said one minor oversight at the factory has proven a major distraction for yours truly.

The ARC captain lacks a rangefinder.

Now, some readers might not see the big deal, but I know that others out there share my frustration with this sort of thing. It's something akin to a Chewbacca figure without his bandolier or a Luke Skywalker lacking a lightsaber. It just seems...incomplete. So I literally decided to take matters into my own hands. Now, I'm not an experienced customizer, so I proceeded with great caution. I drilled out a hole in the side of the ARC captain's head and borrowed a rangefinder from one of his subordinates. I was quite pleased with the results. The ARC lieutenant subsequently received a replacement courtesy of a spare Jango helmet that had been laying around unused since the release of Episode II. All in all things turned out pretty well.

My goal is to field a full squad of Null ARC troopers. With Ordo, Mereel, Prudii, and Kom'rk in hand I lack only Jaing (on order from eBay) and A'den. The latter will further test my amateur customizing skills, as that particular ARC sports a green color scheme. In the quest for completion I have no choice but to work the long-dormant artistic portions of my brain.

Of course my wife thinks that I've lost my mind. She's indulged my passion for collecting, but isn't sure what to make of me MacGyver-ing my toys. I tried explaining the situation in detail, but when her eyes began to cross I simply kissed her and said that I'd be finished soon.

Yeah, it's probably a good thing that I'm already married.

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