Friday, April 30, 2010

The Corps! Bunker Post

2001 Collectors Edition Special Action Squad Bunker Post: Defense Position with firing missiles. These "collectors edition" sets brought some (yet again) new repaints of previous Lanard´s action figures.


One of 4 squad units, this bunker was one of the first stationary sets by Lanard.


 Included items. The weapons vary from old "THE CORPS!" molds to "new" ones. Curisously, most are partial "trace" copies of G.I.Joe weapons, if not complete blueprint tracing


Defensive position, the "Bunker Post". Probably a 4th post to stretch the camouflage net could have been a good idea.


The sandbags look more like rocks. Still, a good touch, the removable bunch.


Included items. The common Lanard rocket launcher and a nice and detailed wood box.


Figure: "Jones". Collector edition version. Same "old technique" of grabbing some figures and small vehicles together and give it a fresh paint and a fresh package. Still works, though. Most (if not all) accessories go along with the rest of the 3 3/4" figure lines, so "THE CORPS!" pretty much keeps their saga alive.


The dirt bike. Similar to an Husqvarna, this bike retired the old road one.


Action shots. Not too bad, very G.I.Joe useful, no doubt. Final thoughts: This "Jones", guy´s been around since the late 80s. A winner. The dirt bike has always been far superior than Chap Mei´s. Scale´s the key.

Status: Unavailable


Thursday, April 29, 2010

The Corps! Recon Ranger

2001 Collectors Edition Special Action Squad Recon Ranger: Quad Bike with detachable missiles.


One of 4 squad units, this quad was probably the best The Corps! ATV version yet.


Included items.


Figure: "Justin Case". A 1999 figure, this was a collectors edition version. A very balanced figure with a very G.I.Joe looking color scheme.


Included accessories show Justin´s cool weaponry and a camouflage net. Hand-held weapons is the major advantage Lanard has over Chap Mei.


The "Recon Ranger". Mold, accessories, colors, stickers. One of the best small vehicles by Lanard.


Action shots and different quad views. This is the right stuff!

Status: Unavailable

Wednesday, April 28, 2010

The Corps! Command Copter

2001 Collectors Edition Special Action Squad Jet Patrol: Command Copter with detachable missiles.


 One of 4 squad units, this command copter was another G.I.Joe F.A.N.G. body concept copy.


Included items.


Figure: "Gunner O´Grady". 1999 collectors edition version.


Figure´s included accessories.


The Command Copter. With oversized "Dragonfly" missiles, and a tail too small to function properly, as its rotor blades, leaves little room for a good note...

 
 The actual good notes come with some details such as the nose. Reminds me of the Ka-50 Hokum.

Action shot. This is the image that actually works. With a figure. Fortunately.


Status: Unavailable

Tuesday, April 27, 2010

The Corps! Jet Patrol

2001 Collectors Edition Special Action Squad Jet Patrol: Jet gear with detachable missiles.


One of 4 squad units, this jet pack was a great addition to "The Corps!" line.


Not surprisingly, this looks like G.I.Joe´s Cobra C.L.A.W.


Debuting in 1999, "Full Proof" is a futuristic soldier with smooth lines and a nostalgic look for G.I.Joe fans. And "The Corps!" shoppers.


Included figure´s accessories.



Jet Patrol. A straight lines jet pack with a ton of potential for Cobra forces.


 G.I.Joe fans will surely recognize the missile molds. They belong to  the XH-1 Dragonfly Helicopter and Flight Pod Trubble Bubble.


Pretty well scaled, the colors are right on. So if you find one, get it. It´s worth having. 

Status: Unavailable

Monday, April 26, 2010

Wild West Western Heroes Playset Bootleg figures

Another set of items from the distant island of bootleg toys(there used to be a great website with that exact name!)


Check out the price: 1€ (US$1.33).


These Chap Mei Wild West knock-offs look pretty intense. Considering the original are not that hot.


A year or so ago, when I made a quick reference to these (then) new theme playsets, I remember observing their extremely weak articulation. These bootleg toys obviously following their originals,  are no different. However, they are not so bad, and the accessories are fully integrated and reasonably well constructed.


We already had the chance to review here some really astonishingly well made knock-offs. I imagine that IF I´d get the chance to purchase whatever big playset this line has, KO version, I would. For customizing they are a catch, since the price is really low.


See what I mean? A custom artist find. The long coat even has a hole for the 3 3/4" backpacks, originally meant to pass the "duel at sundown" figure´s button.

Status: Unavailable

Sunday, April 25, 2010

Wild Quest 2 Rescue Action Playset - Gemsbok

Another set from the already extinct Chap Mei toy line Wild Quest 2 Deep Expedition Rescue Mission. A very nice carded version, especially the chosen colors. Fresh looking and much more appealing than "Wild Quest" pale boxes. Back then, you could almost mistake them for G.I.Joe vs Cobra packs until you got close to them.

As its predecessor, also presenting the "Anti Poaching Patrol" patch. "Save our endangered animals".

 Included items. This action figure playset came with a lot of stuff, considering the size.

 Included accessories.


Figure: "Wildboar Max". Gnawgahyde paint scheme.


The endangered animal: "Gemsbok". The paint job on its head is absolutely amazing.

 Scale shot with Hasbro figure.

Status: Unavailable

Thursday, April 22, 2010

Narnia Prince Caspian: Final Battle Prince Caspian

Somehow showing (if need be) yet again the contemporary array of 3.75" figures, it extends today to "(The Chronicles Of) Narnia: Prince Caspian".
Distributed by Play Along Toys, this action figure is another "member" of the recent "articulated sculptures" group of action figures.

All 10 figures present the greatest of detail. Somehow these guys remind me of the early 80´s "Advanced Dungeons and Dragons" action figures.

The reason I picked this one to review and observe has to do with a longtime search for a good "son of Cobra Commander" Billy head. Including an eye-patch, this may be it.

 They also appear to present some material strength. Important for rugged play

Scale shot. Another custom fodder figure... for those of you who don´t want to collect them...if you want to give this line a chance: Chronicles of Narnia Prince Caspian Basic Figure 3-Pack Telmarine Army.

And another detail... the medieval weapons rock! You can choose to customize another Destro sword with the one including in this set.

Status: Available through Amazon.com

Wednesday, April 21, 2010

Electronic X-Wing Fighter

"The X-wing was a prominent series of multiple starfighters  produced by Incom with a characteristic "X"-shape of four wings, known as S-foils, extending out from the fuselage. These starfighters were found in the service of the Rebel Alliance, New Republic, and also the Galactic Alliance. They were originally meant for the Galactic Empire but when the entire Incom design team defected with the prototypes to the Rebel Alliance this deal was over."

 The X-Wing. No collection is a collection without the "Death Star killer".


With amazing Fly-By and Blaster sounds, this is another great mold re-using from the 80s. For that reason, I prefer this one to the later and bigger ones.

MIB: Opened for assembly and photo shoot.

Trade value: 40€ 

Status: Currently Unavailable