Thursday, September 11, 2008

Modern American Firefighter

Who can ever forget what happened on September 11, 2001 when two hijacked airliners crashed into the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center in New York, causing the collapse of both buildings and killing all inside, including the brave men from the New York City Fire Department (FDNY), New York City Police Department and Port Authority Police Department who had rushed into the burning building to try and rescue those trapped inside.

In 2002, Hot Toys released this Firefighter (perhaps in tribute to those who gave up their lives) and at that point in time, it was the most detailed 1/6 firefighter ever produced. There was a Modern Firefighter by Real Heroes, ERTL Collectibles in 1999, along with the release of their Modern Police Officer but it paled in comparison to Hot Toys Firefighter.

His bio reads: Jeffrey Kasper, 32 years old, 170lb, 6'2". Hot Toys would release two more firefighters with the likeness of John Travolta and Joaquin Phoenix from the movie "Ladder 49 (2004)" and these would be the version 2 firefighters


His fire fighting gear - Leather fire helmet with traditional embossed ivy pattern, Air Pak oxygen tank with metal carrying frame and harness, PASS (Personal Assistance Safety System) device and gas mask with regulator, high beam torchlight with shoulder strap, walkie talkie radio with remote coiled lapel microphone, angle torchlight, helmet flashlight and door stopper.

His fire fighting equipment - "Jaws of Life" pneumatic tool with rubber hose, halligan tool and flat head fire axe - all die-cast of course!


He wears face hood, blue vest with suspenders and his firefighting turnout gear with abseiling harness and flame resistant boots

The metal buckles and hooks are amazing


His firefighter's jacket with reflective tape, all weathered for good effect. Headsculpt looks like Tom Cruise. Hot Toys were using this sculpt a lot at that time for their figures.

His full gear - now where's the fire?

Close-up of his firefighting gear - very nice stuff by Hot Toys


His helmet has the neck protector and his oxygen tank is very detailed and authentic

Close-up of his O2 tank

Helmet also comes with the face shield which could be lowered to protect his face

Comes with an American flag - let's take a moment to remember these heroes who gave up their lives attempting to save others. They ran back into the building when everyone else was running out. That's courage under fire.

A total of 2,992 people died in the September 11 attacks on the World Trade Center, the Pentagon and on board United Flight 93.

UPDATE September 11, 2012: Remembering 9/11, 11 years on - Never Forget!

11 comments:

  1. damn solid review, my guru. Always wanted to take proper photos of mine, now I'm inspired by your pix. :)

    ReplyDelete
  2. hey shaun, funny thing is - I've been inspired by your pictures. You have taken very nice photos yourself - two of my favourite posts are the boba fett interview and the hot toys true type body wrestling!!

    ReplyDelete
  3. hopefully this mutual inspiration results in better pix from us both. :)

    ReplyDelete
  4. sounding very gheyish, dun you think? LOL!!

    ReplyDelete
  5. This is an unbelievablly realistic looking action figure. Can you tell me where they can be purchased? I am a firefighter in Kentucky, U.S.A. and would love to purchase one. mike@4-help.org

    ReplyDelete
  6. hi mike, i searched "Hot Toys Fire Fighter" on e-bay and got this list - http://shop.ebay.com/i.html?_nkw=hot+toys+fire+fighter&_armrs=1&_from=&_ipg=

    some are parts but there are a few complete figures CHEERS

    ReplyDelete
  7. Is it just me, or does the Scott air Pak say "SCDTT" especially in the enlarged image. Maybe a mistake by Hot Toys?

    ReplyDelete
  8. Hot Toys didn't have license to make the product so they had to make a "mistake" to get it produced. Manufacturers do that often :)

    ReplyDelete