Sunday, May 30, 2010

Soldier Force V Sentry Outpost Playset

Back to a great, if not the greatest Soldier Force line, Series V. This set, along with the other Sentry Outpost Playset, was purchase in Holland back in 2006. It was considerably expensive, as all things (which are not food) are in the Netherlands. Cost in dollars: US$35


Some years later, the small vehicles composing these sets started to pop up throughout Europe, but not with the outposts. These are some of the rarest small items in my experience.


Fresh out of the box, outpost with a car using the same body as the one seen in the "SWAT police barrcode arrest" playset.


Package contents.


Weapons. Strangely, no crate! The sub-machine gun and pistol are still some of Chap Mei´s finest weapons for these lines.


The sentry outpost. Composed of barrels/drums and barbed wire, with a nice wood support for the camouflaged top. And the machine gun, of course.


The jeep is a must for Joe fans. The scale is just right, it has the room in the back for a couple of guys, and one can even man the machine gun on top.


Some detailed proof of what was stated above, the only problem with the jeep´s gun is that it is, in fact, a little odd-looking. Looks like a trench gun from the Korean War. Doesn´t exactly fit the whole picture.


The figure: "Private Coldsteel". Another repaint (and a good one too) from series III.


Scale shots with a G.I.Joe RAH figure. This jeep´s mold was also a victim of bootleg tracing, as you see in the "Rescue Team Special" post.


This outpost can be attached to the structures of Dino Valley´s Tower playsets. Making it a high observation/defense post. Highly recommended set, if you can find it.

Status: Unavailable

Saturday, May 29, 2010

Galaxy Collection USS Enterprise Bridge Play Set

 2009 Galaxy Series set by Playmates, this 3 3/4" scaled toy is a great diorama piece.

  Included items. It even comes with the floorplan playmat (you can complete the entire U.S.S. Enterprise bridge by collecting all the pieces inside the figure packs).


Main control room, data screens, main viewscreen... the 1:18 scale applications are tremendous. My mind is always set on G.I.Joe, and in this case, a fantastic control room for Cobra, but most 3 3/4" lines can find a way to use this. Great. Simply great!


 Figure: "Captain Kirk". As a standalone item its fair enough. As an action figure, and considering what we see in the market these days, very weak. The joints are hard to move and you get scared of breaking them, it´s that fragile looking. And looks a teen figure.


 The main control room. Helm Command Center.


 Detail shots. Very well conceived toy design. The chairs revolve and spring back to face front. Fun and well thought of.


 Scale shots with included Playmates figure and Hasbro´s RAH G.I.Joe.


 In comparison, the vintage stuff still looks cool. And you can see some of the design lines they wanted (or decided) to keep. 


Vintage stuff compatible!

Status: Unavailable

Friday, May 28, 2010

The Incredible Hulk: Hulkbuster Squad

Using actual G.I.Joe bodies with new sculpted heads, this Hasbro/Marvel 2-pack is obviously a great purchase for G.I.Joe fans.


 Including 2 figures, one being generic (army-builder heads up) and the other, the 2008 HULK movie Emil Blonsky (Tim Roth).


 Contents view.


Included accessories. A perfect 3 3/4" weapons rack!


Figure: "Emil Blonsky". Based on Hasbro´s G.I.Joe Rollbar figure.


Figure: Unnamed generic trooper. Based on Hasbro´s G.I.Joe Sgt Bazooka. Helmet does NOT come off.

Status : Unavailable

Thursday, May 27, 2010

X-Men Origins - Wolverine Vs. Sabretooth: Back Road Brawl

2009 Toys R Us exclusive 2-pack


Hasbro and their 3 3/4" mechanics again at work, developing new horizons for another iconic brand: X- MEN


 Great package insert, almost a diorama in its on way. A good one too.


 Included items: Motorcycle, Wolverine and Sabretooth.


Starting with the most impressive in terms of size (specially when compared to previous 3 3/4" line releases), Sabretooth. 18+ articulation points and magnificent sculpting and painting.


 Wolverine. The coolest (anti) hero ever. With bone claws and (non removing) hat. These 2 details are unfortunate flaws. Other than that, the already expected high detail.


Wolverine´s X-Men motorcycle. I´m not the biggest franchise fan, but I´m under the impression the guy kept snatching Scott´s bike... and girl...


Scale shots with a RAH G.I.Joe figure.


Almost perfect for this old line, and since the molds for this "X-Men origins" action figure toy line is pretty much equal to the new "Joes"... you can use it and interconnect at will.


As far as great angles go, these toys are cool as they can be, but playability surely suffers with the high amount of detail and materials used for the "collector" purpose.

Status: Unavailable

Monday, May 24, 2010

Soldier Force IV P-40 Combat Fighter Playset - UPDATED!

To confirm that series IV and V brought us some of the best - ever - Chap Mei Soldier Force vehicles so far, we present the "P-40" CM vision.


Also including another great figure, the "Paratrooper", this play set´s aircraft features (as announced on the box) "Real propeller action" and a lot of perks.


The moment you get it out of its box, you get the impression that this vehicle may be somewhat weak in terms of scale and possibilities. If that´s the case, don´t let the first impression fool you.


Included items.


Accessories.


Figure: "Captain Red A-6"


Figure: "Paratrooper". "Thin" and great looking. The goggles are very well sculpted and the guy is an overall great Spec Ops candidate for a custom.


Fully equipped with Parachute.


Breaking the parachute set into parts.


In action. Using the clamps for the the abseiling/rappelling feature.


RAH G.I.Joe using the parachute equipment. Looks very good.


The Chap Mei version of the "Curtiss P-40". In many aspects, better than Hasbro´s attempt when they made it for the "Sgt. Savage" line.


Some different angles. Again comparing it to Hasbro´s P40, the Gatling gun here presented is a lot more to scale than the highly exaggerated placed under the nose of Savage´s aircraft.


When pressed, the button starts the propeller.


Some more detail shots.


Cockpit detail. Interesting opening method for the canopy.



Scale shots. G.I.Joe at the controls.

Status: Unavailable

Sunday, May 23, 2010

3317 Glow-In-The-Dark Ghost

Remaining unchanged for over 20 years, it set the record for the longest run of an unchanged Playmobil play set.

In all its glory, the first edition. Rusty chain doesn´t prove it, but it is.


The entire mold had a later re-issue with dark colors for Halloween. Not quite the same thing.


Glowing in the dark!

Status: Unavailable