It’s been a little while since I was able to acquire some more Madelman figures and vehicles, but, as always, they prove well worth the weight and the shipping costs.
I managed to get ahold of one of the holy grails of many a 6-inch collector back in 2014 when I reviewed the Special Forces version. And that really started a fire under me. Ever since, I’ve debated picking up another, even it was just a second, and I was honestly a little torn on the Rescue variant. At first blush, I figured the black was the superior version, and if it came down to just the color, it was just that easy.
What I didn’t realize is that the Rescue version is in fact a retool of the Spec Force model. It deleted the searchlight under the nose, as well as landing skids, replacing both with retractable tricycle landing gear. And that on its own makes for a very cool alternate.
But the Rescue copter adds more to the formula than just streamlining. The accessories are truly something special, and it make it all the more frustrating how difficult getting this line in the US can be. Based on the same real-world airframe, the Airbus Dauphin/Panther family, and with the change in gear, I think this would be very close to the AS 365 model, which itself is the basis for the US Coast Guard’s HH-65 Dolphin. I’m not as super up to date on my rotorcraft as I used to be, but I believe this type (or at least this family) of helicopter still holds the circuit speed record, somewhere in the neighborhood of 225 mph.
Being a rescue copter, a functioning gurney is included, and it can be raised and lowered using the winding winch.
The detailing is really solid, but that almost takes a backseat to how functional a piece this is. In addition to sturdy construction and nice paint work, there is a small oxygen tank and mask that peg onto the side of the gurney, as well as an IV that can be wrapped around the figure’s arm. The straps can be unhooked, and with the folding seats inside the cabin, it’s possible to bring inside once raised.
There is also an AED and a c-spine neck brace, which can obviously be used on the figure or stored in the side panels.
In addition to the functioning winch, the Rescue model also retains the two opening and two sliding doors, as well as the drop-down grip, and the trigger will turn the main rotor, although a bit friction-y on this one.
Madelman also makes damn sure you’re not short a pilot, either. This version comes in a hi-viz jumpsuit and has a flotation vest and helmet (with a functioning visor). I’ve talked about the articulation and sometimes soft nature of the quality of these figures and their sculpts before, but there’s no question that their gear is top-notch.
My other review gets into more specifics as far as size and other figure fitment goes, but essentially, any figure around 6 1/4 inches can fit in the pilot seat pretty well, as long as the articulation is good. The cabin can hold up to a 7-inch standard NECA figure, again, as long as they can get into a decent seated position. Scale-wise, this is obviously a bit of a cheat, probably closer to 1/16 scale, but the space is used well enough that it is at once small on the outside and yet impressively large inside.
I wish I could tell you how to get one of your own, but, truth is, these ain’t getting any easier to get. I’ve been fortunate to find some Spanish shops willing to do business across the Atlantic, but the shipping costs continue to get worse for large items. And customs is getting nasty too. So that leaves eBay, and, maybe better yet, hooking up with some European Fwooshers who want to do some trading would be your best bet.
I have some plans for this helicopter, so check back in a few weeks to see what I can do to change the role from one of Medevac and SAR to something a little more . . . aggressive.
