Oh c'mon, BBTS preorder processing soon on Recondo. No offense to Recondo, but I'd rather the other two. I also got a notice for Techno Viper.
My VAMP arrived today as well, and I think I like it even more than the HISS. It's certainly a more palatable price range, and I think that has a lot to do with it. Should these stick around long enough for clearance prices, those people are going to get A STEAL. As is, it's worth every penny.
It's really loaded with details. Taking it from the package, it requires modest assembly. Just pop the wheels on, and the rest is just bits and pieces. The wheels have minor pivot on the axles, but also have working shocks that give the vehicle some bounce! It's got two identical machine guns mounted on a rotating rack, though the bullet boxes sit too loosely in the tray below. I propped them up vertically because they fit more securely, as opposed to what the instructions say. They also say to store the fire extinguisher above the boxes, but I'm gonna find a better place, because there's no actual clip for it. That might be my only gripe with the entire thing.
The roll bar has two sets of three headlights that clip on, with a third set that clips onto the front bumper/rail. This blocks a working winch! The hood opens to reveal an engine molded in metallic grey, no painted details. The dashboard has lots of printed screens that look lit (both in the "illuminated" and colloquial "awesome" sense). The steering wheel rotates, the gear shift.. shifts. I almost expected a working glove box! There are no seatbelts, but there are removable grab handles that clip onto the roll bar.
Two of my favorite details the very effective mirror stickers for the side view mirrors, and the blue gradient visor tint on the windshield that pivots open at the hood. Gas cans and a hatchet are stored over the back bumper. There's a hitch as well for towing. A large spade clips to the side of the hood. A brown wrapped pack of some sort and another green doohickey plug onto the hood. I think that covers all of the loose accessories that required assembly.
Clutch comes with two helmets, one traditional "O12" helmet, and a more modern one where the full face is covered. It's wearable, not an alternate head. An adjustable wrench slots into his leg holster, a pistol holsters onto his chest. He can grip both the wheel and gear shift. He also has a shotgun, and it will ride.. shotgun.
I'd say it's roughly 2/3 the size of the HISS, but 1/3 the price. It has no light up features (which I haven't activated since I haven't even plugged a battery into the HISS), but just as much play value. I'm actually kinda surprised the vehicle lacks any foot pegs typical of 1:18 JOE vehicles. But Classified figures are so good, anyone with the bare minimum creativity and common toy sense and dexterity will figure out how to load the VAMP with more than a figure driving and a figure in the passenger seat.
Maybe it's new toy honeymoon talking, but I'm in love with this thing. It really shows what can be done for a decent budget when the designers CARE about details. This will easily be among my toys of the year.
If you can zoom in, I took this with the intention of seeing Clutch's face in the side view mirror.
Got my vamp today. I dont know how I didnt realize the shark smile on the helmet. Sweet.
Oooh thanks! I'm sure I would have eventually found it. I definitely didn't examine that angle upon the first 30 minutes of messing with it. The instructions are definitely not clear. Thanks for the tip! Now the VAMP is perfect! No more gripes! Honestly, it would have really surprised me if they didn't come up with a spot for it. That's very unlike the Classified designers.They also say to store the fire extinguisher above the boxes, but I'm gonna find a better place, because there's no actual clip for it.
Check behind the seats. It's underneath the green roof.
Not the intent of the picture, I'm sure, but this has really talked me out of getting the Action Force Vanguard.
These all look so great together, I feel like that massive beast would just look so out of scale and undeservedly dominant.
Wait, where's yer RAM?
The only "new" Classified I saw at Ross that wasn't there during xmas were two copies of regular B.A.T. which were wiped out promptly. Surprisingly Tiger Force Outback eventually sold out or otherwise disposed of.
Didn't see Copperhead, Shipwreck, Snake Eyes w/Timber. Saw Tiger Force Bazooka maybe once.
Seems like very little demand for Target Python Patrol.
@fletch I knew I should have dug it out of storage before that quick shoot. The Cobra vehicles are newer acquisitions and happened to be on the floor already. I did dig out the RAM after taking pics. Might even take out a Cobra COIL but I prefer the classic vehicles and space is already soooo limited.
Notice no other Classified in the pics? They’re on the shelf above the TFs, and NECA toon TMNT is above the Voltron shelf. Gonna take those down to spread the Classified to two shelves since I’m no longer adding to toon TMNT.
But the vehicles are going to eat up space pretty much immediately. Realistically, I might need FOUR shelves as opposed to the single shelf I currently use for Classified because it just keeps growing. The current configuration I have in mind doesn’t even include half of my Cobra army bullders, nor ANY of my Crimson brigade besides two retro card Crimson Guards. Will probably be a Spring Break project.
Oh man Norm! Sweet looking ride there. I’m a few thousand miles from my VAMPs currently. I have my garages ready on my shelves. I want to do so many photos. Seeing your pics reminds me of the one Lenny shared so long ago. I remember when it was 3D prints, mods, and scratch builds when this line started now it’s a legitimate army. If the Haslab is actually a Rattler then the commitment to space is really on. I’m sure this line will go on for another 2-3 years as long as the world doesn’t have another crisis. Hopefully by end of next year Joes have a tank and a jet and a VTOL. Cobra adds a copter and a few armaments. I’ll be quite happy with that collection. I’m pretty happy now. Much more than I thought would come of two years.
Thwipp!
I slept on the VAMP but sweet Christmas does that look like an awesome piece! I want to see Rock N Roll standing on the passenger's seat guns blazing with the metal horns.
All the talk about space to display goes double for me but this one looks like it might be worth trying to make room for? I don't know. We'll see if it comes back in stock.
Every time I pop in on this thread I'm reminded how awesome the Classified line is.
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