Toy Fair 09: New GI Joe Rise of Cobra figures and vehicles
As most of you may know, GI Joe is set to release a live action movie this year. Thanks to YoJoe.com for providing new pics during Toy Fair 2009.
Product pictures are found here.
On a personal note, I am more excited with the accessories and Cobra pilots/drivers with the exceptions of Zartan and of unmasked Stormshadow action figures. Arnold Vosloo, of Hard Target and The Mummy series fame, is one of my favourite actors and having his headsculpt on a Joe action figure means one more check on my must-have-in-this-lifetime list. I sincerely hope the mass produced Zartan would do him justice.
Now, if only there exist another headsculpt of Oded Fehr, as Carlos in Resident Evil and Ardeth Bay in the Mummy, that will be very interesting…
Custom 25th Anniversary Long Range
I have grown accustomed to the ’80s G.I. Joe line and, back then, I knew the Order of Battle like the back of my palm. So, when I heard of this custom, I had to consult yojoe.com just to make sure my memory is correct.
Long Range, as it turned out, was a sniper from the Sigma line and not the long range artillery expert from the original toyline. So, Glen did the former version of Long Range in 25th Anniversary fashion:
Now, the first striking feature is definitely the accurate desert paint job, in tricolor no less.
I have nothing to comment but excellent.
The chosen head sculpt may be a little unusual in having non-regulation-tied-back-long hair but, then again, he could either be in-country too long or belongs to a unit that turns a blind eye to regulations. His facial skin tone could use some blending in with the neck’s flesh tone, though. I am more inclined to him being in-country too long due to the weathering on his knee and elbow pads, as well as, his modified harness. Either way, it adds mystery to the subject’s activities.
I do hope when his filecard is released, it would take advantage of this and not reveal too much of his past.
Long Range came with an unusual selection of gear. He is using a Russian SVU or SVU-AS (OTs-03AS) sniper rifle with submachinegun pouches on his webgear. The non-NATO rifle is acceptable, perhaps in covert units which gives a hint of his affiliations.
As for the small ammo pouches issue, I would recommend issuing him a Personal Defense Weapon (PDW) to make it plausible. An MP5 variant or MP7A1 would do nicely. A suppressed Uzi may even do the trick for those times he needs to hush puppies. Big, aggressive, and noisy puppies.
In the end, it is a very intriguing custom. The choice of uniform and gear are complementary in sneaking about while the weathering effect is consistent with desert operations. The choice of sniper rifle is acceptable, depending on his current assignment, and he just needs a PDW to justify the small ammo pouches.
Since he is Long Range, he could also have a use for a mountain ruck, matching boonie hat, and a ghillie suit. I’m sure it’s simple to arrange so it does not detract from this excellent custom.
Custom 25th Anniversary Heavy Duty
Heavy Duty is one of those new characters (for my time, anyway) that one would buy because of the accessories. After having it for a few days, I grew fond of it as it has character, ripped shirt and pizza camo notwithstanding.
Up for review is Glen of Toy Soldiers 1:18’s Custom Heavy Duty:
Glen admits having some trouble with recognising colour but this just turned out great in that department!
This version has some details from the Sigma line, most notably the football nose tape. This is a most welcome touch!
In this version, a head wrap is used, instead of a Joe brimmed cap. Well, I prefer the neon green cap but the head wrap did a better job of not making him stand out so much. He’s carrying enough firepower to be noticed, as it is.
Now, I may be old school but I personally do not favour beards in the military, with a few notable exceptions. I repainted my Col. Courage to have a haggard look than let him keep his full beard. In this case, I’ll leave it as it is as it’s down to personal preference.
I half-expected a Buzzer torso will be used but the outcome is the same, a detailed torn shirt faithfully reproduced. Though the collar area could use some work, it does not detract so much from the general appearance.
The Green gloves are Great !
The leg paint job is faithful to the original and it’s distinctively Heavy Duty. My only gripe is it still need some more work on sculpting. I could imagine repainted replacement Bazooka legs but I’m confident it can be easily improved.
So in general, this is a good Heavy Duty custom. I hope Hasbro takes a hint, with the upcoming movie featuring this character.
Guns Inspiration: Mercs in the Congo
I came across this 1966 Italian Documentary on youtube and Google about the end of European colonialism in Africa:
Warning: A little Graphic!
I shan’t discuss politics and the troubles, rather, the gear fielded at that time. Mention the word “Mercs” during this timeframe and, chances are, the first thing that comes to mind is the FAL, otherwise known as
“The Right Arm of the Free World”.
I simply like this rifle for my troopers as it gives this aura of professionalism, as compared to an AK. I daresay it even makes plain green uniforms with ’50s webbing look more fashionable. Whatever that means.
This is definitely something I would like to put in plastic. The nearest I could find are Ripcord’s and Crankcase’ rifles (L1A1 and FAL Para with upside down barrel, respectively). Obviously, these lack details and accuracy when compared with Marauder’s excellent rifles.
Anyway, as soon as suitable 1:18 versions do show themselves, I’ll be putting together a band of Mercs.
The word is full of the ubiquitous Kalash, already.