Elite Brigade US Navy Landing Party

During World War II there were few examples of the use of sailors as infantry. Most famously, a Naval Battalion, formed from the remnants of the shore establishment of the 16th Naval District in the Philippines, performed bravely and effectively on Bataan in late 1941 and early 1942. The USS Philadelphia landed a landing party to assist the 47th Infantry in capturing airport at Loa Senia, Morocco, during Operation Torch. Admiral Halsey’s Third Fleet sailors, organized as three battalions of infantry, assisted marines and a British Landing party with the occupation of Yokosuka Naval Base at the end of World War II. Samuel Eliot Morison suggests that the sailor battalions were necessary because not enough marines were available to Third Fleet. [source: Navy Dept Library]

This is a Elite Brigade 1:6 scale US Navy Landing Party 12-inch military figure released by Cotswold Collectibles many years ago. Elite Brigade figures were based on the "1960's" G.I. Joe concept and offered some interesting original as well as authentically reproduced items to complement the 12-inch G.I. Joe figures. This was in the late 90s before the 1:6 market went BOOM! and exploded into what is is today with so many choices and options.

G.I. Joe U.K. Royal Marine 12" Figure

You've probably read this comment already: "This 2010 World Cup is like World War II. France leave early, USA turn up at the last minute and England are left fighting the Germans." And the Italians? Almost non-existent!

So here's another British figure (see previous post), this one being a Royal Marine released by Hasbro as part of the G.I. Joe line many years ago.

The U.K. Royal Marine came fully equipped with black balaclava, divemask, Dog Tag with Chain, Grey Jump Suit with oil stains (Nomex flight suit), Boots, Sterling L2 Machine Gun, L2 Machine Gun Clip, 9mm Uzi Submachine Gun, 9mm Semi-automatic Pistol, Semi-automatic Pistol Clip (15 Rounds), LST-5L SAT COM Receiver with throat microphone and earpiece, Marine M1014 JSCS (Joint Service Combat Shotgun) a.k.a Benelli M4 Super 90, Grenade, M-16/M203 Grenade Launcher, Flashlight, Smoke Grenade, Binoculars with Strap, L85A1 assault rifle, 3 M-18 Claymore Mines, and 2 MREs.

Toys City 1:6 SBS Sniper Review II

Continuing from my earlier post on Toys City 1:6 scale SBS (Special Boat Service) 12-inch UK military figure, now we look at the fully kitted out figure with all his gear, accessories and weapons.

The Royal Navy's Special Boat Service (SBS) is the lesser-known sister unit of the British Army's Special Air Service (SAS) regiment. Whilst the unit specialises in water-borne activities, they are also highly skilled on dry land. Recent operations have taken place in the mountains of land-locked Afghanistan and deep in the deserts of Iraq. [source: special boat service]

Having switched the Toys City Sean Connery head for a much younger headsculpt as I felt that the SBS wouldn't have such an old operator in the field of operations, the fully kitted SBS wears a black skull cap with hands-free forehead mounted head light, LBT (London Bridge Trading) 1961G Chest Rig over his black smock (combat jacket) and Green T-shirt, Combat Field Pants (MARPAT desert camouflage) with Rescue Harness, knee pads, Black Diamond gaiters, and Hiking Boots.

Soldier Story U.S. Navy SEAL SDV Team 1 Preview

Hot on the heels of Playhouse's announcement that they will be releasing a 1/6 scale 12-inch US Navy SEAL Team Ten (pictures HERE) operator, Soldier Story has also released pictures of their very own SEAL SDV Team to be added :) Good times for 1:6 collectors, more choices for us when they (1:6 manufacturers) all decide to have a go. We'll just call this the SEAL showdown

Soldier Story has called their figure a Operation Red Wing 5th Anniversary Edition. Operation Red Wing was a counter-insurgent mission in Kunar province, Afghanistan, involving four members of the United States Navy SEALs, which took place on June 28, 2005. Three of the SEALs were killed during the initial operation, as were other American Special Operations soldiers (SEALs and Nightstalker pilots) whose helicopter was shot down while flying to provide support and rescue to the team. [source: wiki]

The headsculpt for this Soldier Story U.S. Navy SEAL SDV Team 1 military figure is most interesting indeed, certainly one I did not expect but was pleasantly surprised ;)

Toys City British Royal Navy Special Boat Service (SBS) REVIEW 1

From the French (see my previous posts) to the British. In terms of performance in the 2010 World Cup, both football teams have played way below par, with Les Bleus being knocked out at the group stage in shame and disgrace for the way they had played both on and off the field. The England team has just barely scraped through, finishing second in their group behind USA. Who could have imagined this result at the start of the World Cup? Especially for a football mad country that has brought the game to the world :( SIGH tsk tsk

Anyway, on to better things :) This is my second Toys City boxed set after their recently released CIA (Central Intelligence Agency) Operative military figure with a headsculpt that resembles actor Kurt Russell.

When I first saw the box cover, I almost laughed out loud :) In the background is a black and white picture of a plane with propeller and warships of a bygone era. How can Toys City put the image of a modern day warrior with a picture from World War II? They definitely don't go together.

Hot Toys "T2" T-1000 12-inch figure PREVIEW

News just in! The next "Terminator 2: Judgment Day" or "T2" 1:6 scale figure to be released by Hot Toys will be the Hot Toys MMS129 (Movie Masterpiece Series) Terminator 2 T-1000 collectible figure. The T-1000 is a fictional android assassin and the main antagonist in "Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991)". The T-1000 is portrayed primarily by Robert Patrick.

The T-1000 ambushes a police officer on arrival and takes on his identity, tracking down John Connor through the police cruiser's on-board computer and eventually confronting him in a shopping mall, where it meets a T-800 Model 101.

BBi Elite Force French Foreign Legionnaire 'Corporal Léon Javert'

Yet another French Foreign Legion military figure (see my previous posts); this is the 1:6 scale BBi Elite Force French Foreign Legionnaire 'Corporal Léon Javert' with Jean-Claude Van Damme likeness

The French Foreign Legion (French: Légion étrangère) is today known as an elite military unit whose training focuses not only on traditional military skills but also on its strong esprit de corps. The Legion is equipped and armed as a rapid deployment force of about 8,200 men. The colors of the legion are Red for Sacrifice and Green for Hope.

G.I. Joe French Foreign Legionnaire

The French Foreign Legion accepts only the toughest of men - one in five volunteers will not make the cut. When on assignment, Legionnaires will be on missions in the deepest, remotest part of the world. Top physical shape is a must, and constant training keeps the Legionnaire ready for anything he may run into on his mission. Wearing the French Foreign Legion's khaki uniform, beret with beret badge, personal equipment belt, pouches, H-harness, boots, and carrying a canteen with pouch, a bayonet in sheath and the 5.56mm FAMAS F1 bullpup-styled assault rifle, the G.I. Joe French Foreign Legionnaire is ready to take on the toughest mission.

This 1/6 scale 12-inch G.I. Joe Classic Collection French Foreign Legionnaire was released in 1997 following renewed interest in 12-inch action figures of all kinds. Hasbro decided to go beyond the 12-inch versions of their "Hall of Fame" G.I. Joe line and reintroduced a series of figures closer in spirit to the original G.I. Joe lineup. Hasbro's G.I. Joe Classic Collection figures were thus released in 1996, under the Kenner brand. The initial four figures offered were the U.S. Army Infantry (desert camo), British SAS, Australian ODF and U.S. Airborne Ranger. The following year saw the release of the U.S. Army Tank Commander, U.S. Marine Corps Sniper and French Foreign Legion, followed by the Modern Forces Assortment.

Playhouse US Navy SEAL Team Ten Preview

Playhouse could possibly be the new (unofficial) military branch of Hot Toys; after all, they have a history together. Playhouse used to be the factory producing all the 1/6 military gear and stuff for Hot Toys before Hot Toys went "Hollywood" and the sets that Playhouse has been releasing are simply stunning.

There was the exceptional Playhouse USMC Regimental Combat Team (RCT) from 6th Marine Regiment in Operation Iraqi Freedom (Previewed HERE - I've gotten it but yet to post a review) and then the Playhouse 1:6 scale GSG-9 low-profile version followed by the equally good Playhouse 1:6 scale 12-inch D-Boy Battle Of Mogadishu (Somalia) 1993 Operation Spy in Bakara Market military action figure (reviewed HERE).

Next on the list will be this Playhouse 1/6 scale 12-inch US Navy SEAL Team Ten operator and he's packing! Man, is he PACKING?!! Check out that loadout - this guy's armed to the teeth and then some.

Action Man French Foreign Legionnaire

You cannot talk about the French and not mention the French Foreign Legion. Anyway, at the rate the French football team is playing in the 2010 World Cup, these are the only French worth watching ;p even if they are only 12 inches tall and 1/6 scale LOLZ

The Action Man French Foreign Legionnaire (1973) uniform consists of Kepi with separate white cotton cover and neck flap, plain white collarless undershirt, navy blue silk body belt or cumberband / sash, greatcoat (navy blue serge M1877 double breasted greatcoat), white trousers, ankle boots, waist belt and M1892 'Y' braces and three pouches - two at the front and one at the back plus a bayonet frog for the scabbard which holds the bayonet (which is 2.5 inches long), horizon blue M1877 2-litre water bottle or canteen with two spouts, 1886 Lebel rifle (longest rifle in the Action Man line at 9 inches), and sand colored backpack.

Polistil Action Man French Officer released 1970s

Having already covered the Action Man 1/6 scale 12-inch French Resistance Fighter in my earlier post HERE, I though I'll continue the French theme with this next figure. This is the vintage Polistil Action Man French Officer outfit consisting of Officer's Kepi, beige shirt with brown tie, jacket, pants, socks and dress shoes. This was very much a pretty basic figure, much like the G.I. Joe Air Force Dress Uniform (posted HERE)

Hot Toys Prince of Persia 1/6 Prince Dastan Preview

Hot Toys is proud to present the MMS127 (Movie Masterpiece Series) "Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time" 1/6th scale Prince Dastan Collectible Figure from the "Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time" movie. The highly detailed Prince Dastan collectible is specially crafted based on the image of Jake Gyllenhaal in the movie, highlighting the newly sculpted head, multi-layered stereoscopic hair sculpture, muscular body, detailed weapons and two styles of costume.

Action Man French Resistance Fighter

This giant banner (13m x 16m) of France's General Charles de Gaulle was put up on the facade of Paris town hall two days ago to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the French General's stirring appeal on BBC radio from London to resist Nazism on June 18, 1940. The banner is a giant mosaic of 1,016 portraits of Compagnons de la Liberation (members of the French Resistance in World War II).

So I thought it would be most appropriate to blog on the Action Man French Resistance Fighter, part of the Action Man Soldiers of the Century series, first introduced during 1967/1968 when the 1/6 scale 12-inch Action Man figure was just beginning to take England and Europe by storm.

The French Resistance Fighter (Maquisard or Maquis) came dressed in black moulded beret, black sweater, denim trousers and standard black ankle boots. He would carry his Lebel revolver in his brown shoulder holster. He also was awarded the Croix De Guerre medal for bringing the fight to the Nazi Germans.

Knight and Day

No ;p This isn't about the action comedy film starring Tom Cruise and Cameron Diaz BUT to show the difference in details between a 1/6 scale 12-inch Medieval Knight in full armor and a Playmobil version. The differences are as night and day. I'd blogged about the very detailed Cotswold Collectibles Medieval Knight armored figure in an earlier post HERE

Now let's take a look at a Playmobil Knight. Grew up with some of these figures as a kid and they still strike a chord in me every time I walk past a shop that sells Playmobil. The prices of these things still astound me though; the bigger sets are really costly. Keeping in mind that these are toys targeted at children (unlike Hot Toys collectibles meant for adults), they seem to be priced rather high if one wants to have an entire pirate ship or castle or fort.

Comparing Sarahs

No, this post isn't about which Sarah Palin is better - the real Sarah Palin or the Tina Fey version nor am I going to blog about Sarah Jessica Parker, this post is to compare the Hot Toys T2 Sarah Connor and the Sideshow Collectibles Sarah Connor released in 2007, both 1/6 scale female figures from the 1991 movie "Terminator 2: Judgment Day" or T2 for short. Although it seems Sideshow has gone over to Hot Toys as the latest T2 Movie Masterpieces all have Sideshow Collectibles logo on them as well. I'll also be comparing this Hot Toys Sarah Connor with the Hot Toys T2 T-800 "Arnie" Terminator figure. Scroll down to see the pictures :)

I was quite surprised to see how big and tall the 2007 released Sideshow Sarah Connor (Linda Hamilton) was compared with the recently released Hot Toys version of the T2 Sarah Connor. I really like the well toned muscle arms and new female body of Hot Toys Sarah Connor, along with the outfit, gear and all the accessories by Hot Toys.

Hot Toys T2 Sarah Connor Review III

Having failed in her attempt to assassinate Miles Dyson (Joe Morton) from afar with her SR-16 M4 Stoner Assault Rifle (or Colt Commando CAR-15 carbine) - see previous post - Sarah Connor (Linda Hamilton) retrieves the Detonics 1911 custom pistol which she had taken from the armory in the Mohave desert and gets on with her mission to kill Dyson so as to prevent the events of Judgment Day from ever happening.

I really like the new muscle arms produced by Hot Toys for their MMS119 T2 Sarah Connor 1/6 scale collectible figure, seen here fully kitted out in her shades, tank top and enhanced tactical load bearing vest with four magazine pouches, tactical web belt with combat knife in sheath, military style pants and combat boots. The arms are well toned and very realistic :) 

Hot Toys T2 Sarah Connor Review II

Having reviewed its box and contents in the previous post, here's Hot Toys T2 Sarah Connor 1/6 scale collectible figure fully kitted out in her shades, tank top and enhanced tactical load bearing vest with four magazine pouches, tactical web belt with combat knife in sheath, military style pants and combat boots. Sarah is armed with her SR-16 M4 Stoner Assault Rifle (or Colt Commando CAR-15 carbine)

In the movie "Terminator 2: Judgment Day", at a outlying farm in the desert, Sarah had used her knife to carve the words "NO FATE" into a wooden table to remind herself what Kyle Reese had told her ten years ago, "The future is not set. There is no fate but what we make for ourselves."

Sarah then arms herself with a SR-16 M4 Stoner Assault Rifle (or Colt Commando CAR-15 carbine) and a Detonics 1911 custom pistol taken out of the armory from the Mojave desert in an attempt to assassinate Miles Dyson (Joe Morton) when she learns he started the project which lead to the machines being built.

Hot Toys T2 Sarah Connor Review I

Hot Toys MMS119 (Movie Masterpiece Series) "Terminator 2: Judgment Day" ("T2" for short) 1/6th scale Sarah Connor Collectible Figure is HERE :)

Box Packaging is consistent with the Hot Toys T2 T-800 figure (reviewed earlier HERE), featuring metallic silver printed slipcase cover on the front

and back of the cover as well. There's quite a lengthy write-up about Sarah Connor (Linda Hamilton) on the back, from her being a timid mousy waitress in the first "Terminator" film to becoming the super fit, muscled, ferocious warrior in T2. Do you notice how Hot Toys has excluded extra product pictures nowadays? You are expected to know how to assemble the parts without reference?

Hot Toys "Blade: Trinity" Abigail Whistler Preview

Hot Toys is proud to present the 1/6th scale Abigail Whistler Limited Edition Collectible Figurine from the Blade: Trinity movie - Hot Toys MMS128 (Movie Masterpiece Series) Blade: Trinity: 1/6th scale Abigail Whistler Limited Edition Collectible Figurine. The movie-accurate Abigail Whistler Fem Fig collectible is specially crafted based on the image of Jessica Biel in the movie, highlighting the newly sculpted head, multi-layered stereoscopic hair sculpture, highly-detailed costume and weapons.

Sideshow Collectibles Red Ninja 12-inch Figure Preview

In the "G.I. Joe: Real American Hero" storyline, Red Ninjas are renegade members of the Arashikage clan. The Red Ninja Master (later revealed to be Firefly) used Cobra's Brainwave Scanner to turn the Red Ninjas into his brainwashed slaves and they remained under his control for a time.

Sideshow Collectibles will be releasing the 1/6 scale Red Ninja 12-inch figure. The Exclusive edition of the Red Ninja 12-inch Figure will be priced at US$129.99 and will include a switch-out head with alternate portrait, while the regular edition, without the switch-out head, will be priced at US$124.99.

Soldier Story WWII 101st Airborne: Jake McNiece Preview

Soldier Story has announced their next boxed figure set, the D-Day 66th Anniversary Set, WWII 101st Airborne: Jack McNiece from the "Filthy 13" (ETA July 2010) - the original person who inspired the Mohawk look in modern warfare.

The Filthy Thirteen was the name given to a sub-unit of the regimental headquarters of the 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division, of the United States Army, which fought in the European campaign in World War II. This unit was selected and trained to demolish enemy targets behind the lines. They were assigned to destroy a bridge over the Douve River during the Normandy Invasion of Europe in June 1944, a mission that cost the lives of most of these men. The group was airdropped for the mission by aircraft of the 440th Troop Carrier Group of the U.S. Army Air Force.

Hot Toys USMC 26th MEU–SOC Marine

The 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operation Capable), or MEU(SOC), is a highly adaptive, quick response force that can execute multiple and concurrent missions within just six hours of notification. The core missions of the MEU include: conventional operations, tactical recovery of aircraft and personnel (TRAP), humanitarian assistance (HA), noncombatant evacuation operations (NEO), and security operations. This force spends 26 challenging weeks training on how to respond to everything from disaster and humanitarian assistance to all out conflict, or war.

This is the Hot Toys 1/6 scale12-inch 26th MEU–SOC (Marine Expeditionary Unit–Special Operations Capable) 1ST FORCE RECON Marine, released in 2005. The Marine spots a Mohawk hairstyle and is supposed to resemble David Beckham. You can see how much painting of 1/6 scale head sculpts have improved since as the current sculpts are really realistic and life-like compared to these.

1/6 warriors in Iraq, 2003

Here are some 1/6 scale 12-inch USMC military figures released at the time when the war in Iraq just began. Most were released by Dragon Models, some by BBI Elite Force and two by Hot Toys. None of them are in the military market today as other 1/6 manufacturers have taken over the reigns. No one could have seen it coming then when the two big boys then (Dragon and BBI) were going at it tooth and nail.

Right in front is the Hot Toys released USMC sniper from the 23rd Marine Regiment with Dominic Purcell head sculpt.This was one of the last military figures Hot Toys would release before they went "Hollywood" i.e. full throttle into movie licensed merchandise.

Very Hot 12-inch SDU series Preview

The Special Duties Unit (Abbreviation: SDU; Chinese: 特別任務連, nicknamed Flying Tigers 飛虎隊) is an elite paramilitary police Special Forces unit of the Hong Kong Police. Established in July 1974, it is a sub-division of the Police Tactical Unit (PTU). Its primary functions include counter-terrorism, anti-narcotic raids, hostage rescue and other crimes (usually involving firearms) which are deemed too dangerous for local police to handle. The unit holds regular training exercises with similar units from around the world and used to be trained by the British SAS before the handover of Hong Kong to China.

Very Hot will be releasing a three-figure SDU series for those who'd missed out on the earlier releases due to joining the 1/6 hobby after all these had been snapped up by eager new collectors.

DiD 12th SS Panzer Division NCO "Hayden Crist" Preview

This 1/6 scale 12th SS PANZER DIVISION NCO "Hayden Crist" with 12cm Granatwerfer 42 (literally, "grenade thrower Model 42"; official designation: 12cm GrW 42), a mortar used by Germany during World War II is going to be DiD's Normandy 66th Anniversary Edition and will be available July 2010, according to their website.

For some strange reason, WWII Germans seem to be a very popular subject and must be generating quite a bit of income for these 1/6 manufacturers because everybody's doing it, producing 1/6 scale Germans with some famous guy's mug and everyone's lapping it up.

At first glance, the name of this 12-inch figure "Hayden" suggests that this figure is meant to resemble Hayden Christensen (Anakin Skywalker of Star Wars fame) and from the teaser picture DiD is putting out, there seem to be some resemblance.

T-800s and their supporting cast

Having seen four different types of 1/6 scale T-800 Terminator figures (see my last post), here are some of the 1/6 scale supporting cast.

HT T2 T-800 & T3 T-850

Here's another 1/6 scale 12-inch Terminator cyborg figure, Popsalute's Skynet "Cyberdyne Systems T-850 Series Model 101" standing with the latest Hot Toys MMS117 "Terminator 2: Judgment Day" ("T2" for short) 1/6th scale T-800 cyborg (Arnold Schwarzenegger) collectible figure. See my previous posts for detailed reviews of the HT T2 T-800 HERE and HERE

In "Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines (2003)", commonly abbreviated as T3, Skynet sends back another Terminator, the T-X, to July 24, 2004 to kill his future lieutenants in the human Resistance. The Resistance sends a reprogrammed T-850 model 101 Terminator (Arnold Schwarzenegger) back in time to protect the T-X's targets, including Kate Brewster (Claire Danes), John Connor's future wife.

HT T2 T-800 & HT Battle Damaged T-800

This is really a case of OLD vs NEW. Having reviewed the recently released Hot Toys MMS117 "Terminator 2: Judgment Day" ("T2" for short) 1/6th scale T-800 cyborg (Arnold Schwarzenegger) collectible figure in the previous posts and comparing it with the Aoshima die-cast T-800 Endoskeleton in the last post, it's time to put the new T-800 Terminator next to the 2005 released Hot Toys MMS02 (!) Movie Masterpiece Series number TWO (has it been that long?) Battle Damaged T-800 Terminator and see how they stand.

The Hot Toys MMS02 Battle Damaged T-800 is supposed to be from the first film "The Terminator (1984)" but due to reasons best known to themselves, Hot Toys did not produce a Arnold Schwarzenegger look-alike Terminator but rather a battle-damaged version (we can only guess that it is most probably due to copyright issues and the all important money factor since they were able to release the Michael Biehn Kyle Reese figure at the same time when they were given the license)

The Battle Damaged Terminator's attire is what he wore when he (Arnie) goes to the Police Station to look for Sarah Connor (Linda Hamilton) and ended up having a shoot-out with the police officers, killing quite a number of them, including Lieutenant Ed Traxler (Paul Winfield) and Detective Hal Vukovich (Lance Henriksen).