ZCWO Mens Hommes MH Vol. 10 1/6 U.S. Air Force Officer Service Dress Uniform Review II

continued from previous post...

The previous post could also have been titled "1/6 scale Terrence Howard as Lt. Colonel James "Rhodey" Rhodes from Iron Man movie" because let's face it, the ZC World ZCWO Mens Hommes MH Vol. 10 1/6 scale U.S. Air Force Officer Service Dress Uniform set for 12-inch figures is really intended for only one particular character in mind and that's Tony Stark's good buddy, Lt. Colonel James "Rhodey" Rhodes.

The ZC World ZCWO Mens Hommes MH Vol. 10 1/6 scale U.S. Air Force Officer Service Dress Uniform set comes with a lot of nice items and clothing, including the U.S. Air Force Topcoat and / or All-Weather Coat for cold weather as well as the United States Air Force Garrison Cap.

I didn't want to put the USAF Blue Overcoat over the U.S. Air Force Service Dress Uniform 1/6 scale Rhodey is already wearing and cover all the nice details including the ribbons and badges (see previous post) so I decided to put the overcoat or topcoat (aka all-weather coat) and USAF Garrison Cap on a classic G.I. Joe 12-inch figure in 1/6 scale Air Force Dress Uniform instead. Scroll down to see more pictures :)

I had posted pictures of this G.I. Joe 40th Anniversary 1/6th scale Air Force Dress Uniform set from 2004 with Jacket, dress pants, shirt with necktie, garrison hat, black low quarter shoes, insignia on a 12-inch G.I. Joe figure in my earlier toy blog post titled "1/6th scale World War II Allied Forces Pilots and Air Crewman 12-inch action figures gathered" HERE. In that post, I had posted pictures of some of the Allied Forces Pilots and Air Crewman 12-inch action figures from the Second World War in my collection. The figures were released by various 1/6 companies including Action Man, BBI Elite Force, Dragon Models Limited (DML), Hasbro etc.

As I have mentioned earlier, this ZC World ZCWO Mens Hommes MH Vol. 10 1/6 scale U.S. Air Force Officer Service Dress Uniform set for 12-inch figures is pretty impressive and the stitching plus details on this set is top notch, including this USAF Blue Overcoat and Garrison Cap which I had left out in my previous post.

Scroll down to see the turnaround views and nice details of the 1/6 scale overcoat and garrison cap

Even on this classic G.I. Joe 12-inch figure, the coat and cap looks GOOD

Some people will never understand classic G.I. Joe but let's not forget, he's the reason there are 12-inch action figures for boys, boys who have now grown up to become 1/6 scale figure collectors :)

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Happy Chinese New Year to one and all in the year of the snake from Night Viper Transformer

It's the Chinese New Year today and this is also the Year of the Snake so what a better way to wish everyone a Happy Lunar New Year than with a post on snakes about snakes or a snake toy since this is a toy blog after all

This is the Hasbro Transformers Beast Machines Heroic Maximal Night Viper Cobra toy action figure that was released in the year 2000. Night Viper is a Maximal from the Beast Machines portion of the Generation 1 continuity family.

Night Viper is a Recon Specialist and according to the description on the card which he came in, Night Viper is the stealthiest Maximal. His tail acts as a repulsor rocket, providing supersonic speed. Internal radar scramblers allow him to move virtually unseen in both robot and beast mode. His robot mode features frictionless surface, increasing his speed and making him an extremely hard target. Armor alloys deflect most energy pulses. Recycles enemy fire into plasma venom blasts that short circuit Vehicon circuitry.


Night Viper's motto is "I'm very good at what I do - maybe too good!"

Night Viper transforms into a midnight blue, blue-gray, red, and yellow technorganic cobra. His snake-mode head is spring-loaded; pressing on the clear-yellow part of the hood directly behind it launches it forward slightly, opening his jaws to bite. The sides of his hood form arm-mounted shields in robot mode, the right shield being armed with a flip-out scythe blade. His left shield contains his spark crystal.

Because this Transformer toy is part of the Beast Machines line of figures, the animal looks pretty metallic in keep in sync with all the animals / beasts in the series. The snake head and the torso look pretty cool although you can make out the visible hands. The tail is formed from the legs of the robot. It starts on one foot and ends on the other. The legs / tail are multi-jointed so that you can articulate them to make it look more like a snake.

The Cobra is any of various species of venomous snakes usually belonging to the family Elapidae, most of which can expand their neck ribs to form a widened hood. In this toy Transformers version, the latch on the left side of the hood hides the spark crystal while the right hood hides his weapon which is a yellow, transparent scythe which Night Viper uses in robot mode.

It's hard to imagine that a snake / cobra would be a heroic maximal. Snakes have always been associated with evil since the devil disguised himself as a snake to deceive Eve and caused the fall of Man in the garden of Eden. The serpent alas has always had a bad reputation.

Phrases like "You snake in the grass", "slimy like a snake", "double-headed snake", "never trust a snake", "speaks with forked tongue" and "having a hissy fit" all veer towards the venomous.

Even in local terms, "chiak chua" (eat snake) is to skive, to "sell snake oil" is to be smarmy and glib. When we were young, the childhood game of "Snakes and Ladders" sealed the slithering creature's fate by associating it with the downward spiral.

Even in movies, snakes were always bad news - think Indiana Jones and Samuel L. Jackson's tirade in the B-movie "Snakes on a plane". In mythology, snakes gave Medusa bad hair days everyday ;p

But some nice events did come out of the Snake year. Most importantly, Singapore was born in the Year of the Snake in 1965 and so was yours truly :)

Night Viper's mouth / jaws close when the head is retracted or pushed back. Pressing the easily visible, hard-to-miss yellow button above the head releases the head which snaps forward, opening its jaws again to simulate the cobra biting action.

Hasbro Transformers Beast Machines Heroic Maximal Night Viper Cobra toy action figure in robot mode seems rather fragile due to the thin arms and the multi-jointed legs.

Scroll down to see the rest of the pictures of Night Viper (Cobra) in robot mode

This was probably one of the last few toys that my eldest son bought as a child back in 2000. He has since outgrown them (he will be 19 years old this year) but we have never felt the need to throw all of their toys away as most of them are still in very good condition and I think when they are all grown up, they'll look back at these with some nostalgia.

There are pictures of most of the Beast Wars Transformers that he had collected (over 45 beasts featured) in my earlier post HERE as well as pictures of some of his other toys under the label "Blast from the Past".

Have a Happy Chinese New Year everyone :) Huat Ah!!!

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Preview Hot Toys G.I. Joe Retaliation: 1/6th scale Snake Eyes 12-inch Collectible Figure

Finally: Ending the year with a bang! Hot Toys actually plans to release something NEW instead of releasing or re-releasing something from the overdone (done to death) lines like Batman, Iron Man, Predators and Terminator

In view of the popularity of the G.I. Joe series and the launch of the G.I. Joe Retaliation movie in early 2013, Hot Toys is proud to present the Snake Eyes Collectible Figure from the G.I. Joe Retaliation movie as the first collaboration with Hasbro. The movie-accurate collectible is specially crafted based on the image of Snake Eyes in his black “military ninja” bodysuit in the movie, highlighting the character’s image, highly detailed costume and weapons.

Hot Toys Movie Masterpiece Series MMS192 G.I. Joe Retaliation: 1/6th scale Snake Eyes Collectible Figure specially features: Authentic and detailed fully realized likeness of Snake Eyes in his black “military ninja” bodysuit in the movie; Is Approximately 30 cm tall; TrueType body with over 30 points of articulations; Five (5) pairs of interchangeable gloved palms including: One (1) pair of fists, One (1) pair of palms for holding gun, One (1) pair of palms for holding swords, Two (2) pairs of relaxed palms

Costume: One (1) black “military ninja” bodysuit with armors on upper body and arms, One (1) black helmet, One (1) pair of black boots

Weapons: Two (2) Japanese-styled metal swords with sheath, One (1) pair of daggers with sheaths, One (1) submachine gun, One (1) pistol with holster

Accessory: Figure stand with Snake Eyes nameplate and the movie logo

**Prototype shown, final product may be slightly different
**Product details could be subjected to change without further notice
Release date: Q2, 2013

Pre-order this Hot Toys Movie Masterpiece 1/6 scale Snake Eyes Collectible Figure from BBTS (BigBadToyStore)

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1/6th scale World War II Allied Forces Pilots and Air Crewman 12-inch action figures gathered

G.I. Joe wasn't just named 20th Century's Top Toy (see my earlier post HERE) for no reason. G.I. Joe is the Father of all 1/6th scale 12-inch figures and subsequent action figures as well.

While toy company Mattel could barely keep up with demand for its Barbie dolls in the early 1960s, its competitor, Hasbro, realized the market had no equivalent for boys. In 1963, Hasbro began development on a military-themed line of dolls that, like Barbie, could be accessorized with different outfits and equipment. Boys wouldn't want to be seen playing with dolls, so the word "doll" was never used by Hasbro or anyone involved in the development or marketing of G.I. Joe. "Action figure" was the only acceptable term, and has since become the generic description for any poseable doll intended for boys. "America's movable fighting man" is a registered trademark of Hasbro, and was prominently displayed on every boxed figure package.

Because of the success of Hasbro's G.I. Joe line, there began a new breed of buyers who bought the toys not to play with them but to collect and pose them and these 12-inch figures became 1/6th scale collectibles. Fueled by the demand for collectibles, companies began manufacturing and releasing 1/6th scale outfits and figures for the collector market, no longer targeting boys but grown men who were keen and eager for more detailed uniforms and accessories.


This is the 1996 GI Joe Collectors’ Club exclusive “Memphis Belle” pilot. "Memphis Belle" is the nickname of a Boeing B-17F Flying Fortress during the Second World War that inspired the making of two motion pictures: a 1944 documentary film, "Memphis Belle: A Story of a Flying Fortress", and a 1990 Hollywood feature film, "Memphis Belle". The aircraft was one of the first B-17 United States Army Air Forces heavy bombers to complete 25 combat missions with her crew intact. The aircraft and crew then returned to the United States to sell war bonds.

The World War II US Army Air Force B–17 Bomber Pilot came with all his flying gear including “Memphis Belle” A-2 leather jacket, USAAF Shoulder Insignia, Officer’s service cap, Officer’s service shirt with dress necktie and light drab “pink” trousers, Pistol belt with hip holster and 1911 A1 .45 Colt pistol, B-4 life preserver, HS-33 Headset with Intercom link, clipboard and dress shoes. I added the Officer's crush cap with gold officer’s insignia by Cotswold Collectibles.

One of my all time favorites is this: US Army Air Force B–17 Waist Gunner, World War II - Flying gear includes High Altitude Cold Weather B-3 sheepskin leather jacket, sheepskin gauntlets, A-3 sheepskin leather trousers, A-6A leather boots (black rubber soles with front zip fasteners), inflatable B-4 life preserver, ANH-16 Winter helmet, garisson cap, ‘Skyway’ goggles and A-8B oxygen mask with H-2 emergency oxygen cylinder. Outfit produced by Aces, 1996 plus some GI Joe accessories added. MORE pictures HERE :)

Here's Dragon's World War II USAAF B-17 Bomber Captain "Skip" released in 2001 with Crush cap and gold officer’s insignia, Olive Drab shirt (rank & branch on collars) with khaki tie, Aviator wings above left breast pocket, Fur-lined collar flying jacket, waist belt & buckle, web belt with 1911 .45 Colt pistol in holster & ammo pouch, trousers and sheepskin flying boots. Also included was Aviator’s kit bag with ankle boots, Bausch & Lomb sunglasses & wrist watch. MORE pics HERE

This 1/6th scale 12-inch US Army Air Force P-40 Pilot “Lt George Taylor” was released by Dragon also in 2001 when the movie "Pearl Harbor" came out. Dragon's P-40 Pilot of December 7, 1941 wore Type A-9 summer helmet with brown leather ear cups, B-7 flight goggles, A-4 summer flight suit made from light olive drab gabardine with waist belt over light olive drab shirt, B-3 life preserver, S-2 parachute with “bayonet” type harness fittings, M-1936 web belt with M-1911A1 pistol in its M-1916 leather holster plus 2 extra clips and standard GI service shoes. MORE pics HERE

Dragon Models Limited (DML) released this 1/6th scale World War II American Volunteer Group (AVG) "Flying Tiger" P-40 pilot "Ben Cole" in 2001 with Type A-8 flight helmet with brown leather ear cups, B-7 flight goggles, Garrison cap, A-2 leather flight jacket with Nationalist Chinese flag and Blood Chit, Leather shoulder holster with Browning HP automatic pistol, “chino” khaki shirt and trousers, waist belt, White scarf with Generalissimo Chiang kai-shek’s "stamp" presented in 1941, S-2 parachute with “bayonet” type harness fittings, and service shoes. MORE pics HERE

Action Unique released this World War II era Flying Tigers uniform set which consisted of a US Navy Flight suit and belt with buckle, leather flying jacket with First Air Commands Group and "Hell's Angel" insignia of the 3rd Pursuit Squadron (AVG), blood chit on back, White Silk Scarf with red stamp of Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek, brown leather boots, Smith & Wesson "Victory" Model 0.38 caliber revolver in shoulder holster, Browning High Power (HP) automatic pistol in hip holster on service/pistol belt, tan Overseas Cap with National Chinese "Sun" insignia, Flight Helmet (Type A-8), Flight Goggles (Type B-7) and aviator's kit bag/flight bag. MORE pics HERE

1/6th scale US Army Air Corps Captain released by Cotswold Collectibles

G.I. Joe 40th Anniversary 1/6th scale Air Force Dress Uniform set from 2004 with Jacket, dress pants, shirt with necktie, garrison hat, black low quarter shoes, insignia on a 12-inch G.I. Joe figure

Action Man 1/6 Royal Air Force Working Dress comprising RAF garrison cap, RAF blue-grey sweater and trousers, tri-service colours belt, RAF woollen greatcoat and boots.

Action Man 1/6 scale Royal Air Force Fighter Pilot 12-inch figure wearing black flying helmet, goggles and oxygen mask, and dressed in RAF blue-grey cotton service jacket and trousers, belt, pilot's scarf, life vest and Pattern 1940 flying boots

BBI Elite Force 1/6 scale Royal Air Force 12-inch Fighter Pilot figure "Keith Gordon" with RAF peaked cap, sunglasses, Type C Pattern 42 Flight helmet, Mk IVB flight goggles with painted metal frames and two hinged lenses, oxygen mask fitted with microphone and oxygen tube, silk scarf, RAF battledress, whistle, web belt with British Enfield .38 pistol in holster, flare pistol, flare rounds in metal container, pouch, jack knife in trouser pocket, map,1932 pattern ‘Mae West’ life jacket, gloves, watch, 1936 pattern 40 flying boots with sheepskin lining.

Another british RAF pilot. This one's by three Zero I think. Recognize the David Beckham head sculpt?

Here's a picture of the whole group of WWII Allied Forces pilots and air crew standing united together.

click on the pic for a bigger view :)

And these are some of the 1/6th scale accessories that the 12-inch pilots carry with them.

click on the pic for a bigger view :)

Isn't it interesting that at the start of the war, men were flying in planes with propellers but by the end of the war, jet engine planes were taking to the skies. The Messerschmitt Me 262 became the first jet-powered fighter aircraft — the fastest, most advanced war plane at the time. The British did finally get their own jet fighter, the Gloster Meteor, up in the air at the tail end of the war.

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