World Peacekeepers 12" Marine - a review

[the enemy muton]

So, this arrived in the post today; I have been interested in checking these out as they seem to give very good value for money. Prior to the Action Man 40th reissues, I had been very disappointed with Hasbro's GI Joe line. I just couldn't get away with the lack of articulation and those big meaty hands. Modern GI Joe and Action Man just looked too rigid compared to the Action Man of my youth. With the arrival of World Peacekeepers I was hoping for something resembling the 'classic' Action Man but at a lower price point!

So first of all, the boxed figure -

[the enemy muton]

Check out the back of the box - there's a lot of nice figures there!

Now, I'm off to make a cup of tea and crack this bad boy open. Back soon .

[gung-hoeddie]

hows it looking?

[the enemy muton]

It's going well, Eddie; been having a play and taking plenty of pictures. Here are a few tasters to give you an idea before I do a more detailed write up.

In the meantime, everyone feel free to chip in with their own impressions so far, or if you have any particular questions you would like answered (just in case I miss something).

[Chopper]

Very nice TEM, I nearly bought a couple a few weeks back, they looked pretty good. I was broke so I resisted.

I still prefer Action Man tho.

[the enemy muton]

Okay, this is where I have a crack at a more detailed review; hope you find it helpful .

Basic figure -

Straight off, this is rather impressive; you get 30 points of articulation, including double jointed elbows, and ball jointed head. So, it's right up there with the big hitters up there, and way ahead of the old 90s GI Joes. Hands are moulded so that they hold all the weapons perfectly. One thing I was really glad - and surprised - to see is the addition of a second pare of hands wearing black gloves. These are very nicely detailed with straps and seams, as well as textured all over. Sweet.

The head has a very nice sculpt with nicely detailed paint apps on the lips, eyebrows, and eyes. Skin tone is also very realistic. Hair is moulded and painted blonde with texture details. Paint apps are very neat and well applied (no boss eyes here). There were a few minor marks here and there but nothing serious, and perfectly acceptable at this prece point.

I'm sure I read somewhere that this body is licensed from one of the other military model manufacturers (BBI, 21st Century, someone like that); and if that is true it certainly makes sense.

Uniform -

One of the things I was worried about was the dreaded velcro (also like some of the modern GI Joes and also the 12" Star Wars line); but, no, we get proper metal poppers! Nice touch. The quality is not as good as Action Man 40th. Don't get me wrong, it is all very well put together and fits perfectly, but the material is noticibly thinner. Another nice touch is that you have REAL opening pockets, which would be perfect for the storage of extra accessories.

Accessories -

The Marine figure comes with the following -

Hat,
Belt,
Boots,
Webbing,
Gun holster,
Knife sheath,
Binoculars,
Rocket launcher,
Targeting device.
2 jerry cans,
Barricades,
Barbed wire,
Camouflage netting.

The overall quality of the accessories is excellent; very well detailed with very tidy paint apps. The belt is thin rubber with moulded eyelets and texture details and a very nice plastic clip buckle. It is also adjustable for fit. The webbing is nylon fabric. also a nice little detail and also adjustable. From this hangs a holster which fits his pistol perfectly (this is also where I chose to attach the knife holster).

The grenade launcher and binoculars have elastic straps (in VAM stylee), as does the hat.

The equipment pouch is made of PVC with moulded and painted details, and clips onto the belt. The boots are also PVC with a goodly amount of moulded detail, as well painted weathering effects on the toe. Another nice little detail.

Binoculars are again moulded PVC with nice detailing.

The jerry cans, rocket launcher, and barricade pieces are plain olive green ABS plastic.

[the enemy muton]

Been having a mess around with him and notice a couple of things - firstly, that's not a net, it's a scarf (doh); and secondly, the strap on the grenade launcher is actually adjustable, too!

[the enemy muton]

Just a few more picture to finish off.

[the enemy muton]

And lastly, with the old warhorse himself ...

[gung-hoeddie]

they look pretty good only thing is he looks exactly like a kid i went school with. apart form that you could really go to town on a desert storm dio with these fellas