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Packaging - ***1/2
The boxes on these pilots are terrific. The text provides great
information on the pilots and planes, and the artwork is eye catching and
bright. Unfortunately, bbi has had to make it so difficult to remove
the accessories that you have to damage the packaging to get everything
out. They dropped me a line after my last review, and here's their
statement:
"We share your frustration on having to destroy the box to get to
the accessories. However as mentioned in our earlier email, we are
unfortunately left with little alternative but to amend the design of the
box. This is due to security reasons (theft and pilferage) as well as
practicality reasons. Lost due to such instances means that our
"cost" of manufacturing will actually go up in the long run.
That will mean that we will need to factor in such consideration for
future releases. Something we feel that we do not want to do."
Accessories - ****
The F15 pilot comes with a number of accessories, including three
additional left hands, a .38 die cast handgun, a dozen rounds for the
handgun, sunglasses, a watch, a unique stand, and a full size badge. Also
included is a sheet of three iron on decals. You can select which
one you prefer, and then (with the uniform removed) iron it on to the
front. While it's a little effort, it gives you a chance to make
your figure somewhat personalized.
The stand is also very unusual. Made of interconnecting plastic
pieces, it can take on almost any position and hold the figures in all
sorts of ways. One of the pluses of this stand is the extra wide
base. However, the ring at the top is somewhat small to fit around
the pilot, and I had trouble using it the way it was really
intended. I did end up getting it to fit, but it was at an odd
angle.
I think we've gotten a little to far however - the bullets can fit into
the die cast handgun, and there is a tool included to remove them from the
cylinder. We may have reached the point of too much detail.
Sculpt - ****
The head sculpt on this figure is very nicely done. The paint work
is great quality, and the eyes and lips are painted just right. I'm
very impressed with this head sculpt, and with the overall style.
The hand sculpts are all pretty good. The standard hands can hold
various accessories, and the thumbs up and salute hands are good
additions. It looks like you could use Dragon hands on this figure
if you needed to swap on a pair of ungloved hands as well. My only
question would be why all left hands, and no extra rights? Outfit
- ****
Simply amazing. I have never seen a 1/6th scale uniform at this
level of quality and detail. The jumpsuit is fantastic, as are both
of the vests he wears over it. The uniform zippers, stitching,
pockets and details are all out of this world. If you're a stickler
for detail, you will simply love this figure. In particular, the flight
helmet and oxygen mask are extraordinary. My only complaints is with
the helmet though - where is the smoked plastic on the visor?
Instead we end up with clear plastic, and it doesn't look as good.
Also, for some reason the lightening bolts are missing off the top of the
helmet, although they are pictured that way on the package.
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