Well, it very well may just have been "window dressing" to add interest to the costumes, but where's the harm in speculating what they might (logically) have been intended to be, if nobody really knows for certain? It doesn't really matter that much one way or another, it was used in the film and that's good enough for me, but I'll stick with the charger theory anyway, at least until proved wrong.

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GySgt Gustafson, Dru R.
Callsign: Mud Shark
A06/TQ0.0.32122E1

A blast from the past!

http://www.harryharris.com/marco.htm

Did anyone else have this catalog back in the day? I used to squint at those blurry xeroxed images trying to figure out what they were talking about. Miracle machines? Where? And what do you mean "light SPFX"? Why'd they put a light in them??

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My entry-level prop and costume tutorials: viewtopic.php?f=3&t=12751

Not only did I used to have that catalog, I used to own one of every Aliens item he made except the welder.
Still have the pulse rifle, sold the rest. Yes, the miracle machine/belt tool he made did have a light in it. Why? Who knows, probably just to make it "cooler".

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"Awww, someone tell me that's a boot!

It's a boot!"

III drops

Hahahahahaha! And I didn't know you were allowed to have those in Canada. Sexy tank tops I mean. Alright, back to my pop gun painting

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http://www.tentaclechris.com