Helicopter Strikeforce Review

I didn't know what to make of the SHADOW OPS: Black Helicopter Strikeforce set given the fact that these helicopters didn't exist when I was growing up. The company introduced the helicopters in the 1993-94 catalog as part of the 'Copters Planes' set that were sold in bulk using floor display assortment boxes. The set included a USAF attack chopper, transport copter, military jet and twin engine passenger plane. The 3-piece helicopters were assembled using two contrasting colors. This method created multiple color combinations for various themes. 

Fig 1.  Attack chopper

The attack chopper (see figure 1) is modeled after the Bell/McDonnell Douglas LHX concept design and was also produced in a much larger scale by Processed Plastic as the TimMee Toy Military Defender Chopper, the Attack Helicopter and the Tactical Force Police Copter.

The transport helicopter (see figure 2) was a design of unknown origin. Perhaps loosely based on a concept design or a product of the company's own imagination.
The 60mm Special Police Forces Figures made their first appearance as SWAT team figures in the 1970s and sported the classic tactical gear from the same era. They were packaged in several Police themed playsets.

Fig 2.  Transport helicopter

This new "marriage" of stealthy aircraft and police figures from the past all cast in deep black is an interesting one in that it provokes a fairly sinister look. Something neither TimMee Toy nor Processed Plastic had ever attempted to do as far as I can recall. You get the feeling these men and their machines were assigned a mission far too dark and dangerous for the common G.I. and his loud bulky tanks and armored vehicles.
The helicopters and figures are void of flash and made from a somewhat pliable plastic. And that's the way it should always be. The attention to detail adds a nice touch of realism, especially with the holstered pistols and billy clubs on several of the figures. My only real complaint here is that it would've been nice if the set included a dozen figures for the price you're paying. But I'm sure the kids will overlook that minor drawback in short order once they get their top secret missions underway. All in all, this is a unique TimMee playset just in time for the holidays. And, as one TMA reader proclaimed, "It'll make a great stocking stuffer for all those conspiracy theorists out there!" No doubt.

The SWAT Team

Talking into bullhorn

Talking into walkie-talkie

Pointing pistol

Running with pistol

Kneeling with rifle

Kneeling with tear gas gun

Quick Facts
• Manufacturer: J. Lloyd International, Inc.
• Production: 2015
• Item number: 63522
• Scale: Copters 1:50, Figures 60mm
• Colors: black

Available at Amazon

Transparent Stickers

When the 2015 reissued TimMee M48 Patton tank set was released it included a sticker sheet with registration number stickers whose background actually matched the color of the green tank. A very nice touch. Unfortunately, this was rarely the case during the tank's nearly 40 year original production run. Countless color variations of plastic and sticker printouts over the course of four decades made it all but impossible for a perfect match. To the kids who actually played with these tanks all those years these variations were rarely given a second thought. Who thinks about aesthetics in the heat of battle anyway? ....Well, yeah, General Patton did, but he was an exception. 

Over the years I've written several posts regarding stickers as I seem to be obsessed with them. I even sneaked a few test shots of the vinyl stickers I developed (stars, registration numbers and flag) onto the blog for kicks. While they came out great, the discrepancy between the background color of the new registration number sticker and the various shades of plastic continued to annoy me. So I gave up on my ultimate plan of selling stickers sheets on the blog for those TimMee collectors who would like to replace damaged (or missing) stickers on their tanks, trucks, jeeps, etc. Then, a few weeks ago, it hit me... transparent vinyl. Duh. So I set the wheels in motion and below are the results. While you loose the all too familiar green rectangle, you gain a much more realistic look.

Click to enlarge

Vintage #729 Patton Tank

Alternate black sticker

White sticker

Cargo truck

Willys Jeep

Armored vehicle

Square cab truck

Cowboys & Indians Quick Review

Processed Plastic introduced the 3rd and final series of 70mm Cowboys and Indians in their 1970 catalog. The new series included six cowboys and six Indians cast in green, yellow and red plastic. The 1st and 2nd series were retired a few years later due to deteriorating molds. Production of the new figures continued for 3 decades and were included in a wide variety of bagged and bucket sets that would often include farm animals, horses, fences and other western accessories. The sets were named Cowboys & Indians or Wild West. It should be noted that six of these poses were also released in 6" figures. 

In 2013, J. Lloyd International Inc. reissued the 3rd series with a set that included 40 figures (20 in tan and 20 in red). The 43 year old molds have obviously stood the test of time as all 12 poses retain their original detail. The plastic is slightly stiffer than the originals but not enough to detract from the nostalgia they represent. The original sculptures were well designed and, in this blogger's opinion, capture a realism few other TimMee/Processed Plastic figures ever achieved.

 The Cowboys

The Indians

Quick Facts

• Manufacturer: J. Lloyd International, Inc.

• Production: 2013-present
• Item number: 11149
• Scale: 70mm

• Colors: tan, red

Available at Amazon

The Air Force Driver

The Air Force Driver

The TimMee aqua blue Air Force driver is considered to be the rarest (and smallest) of the U.S. soldiers produced in the United States. Only the four TimMee Germany GI poses created specifically for their market in 1957 are as rare. The Air Force driver was included in bagged sets (such as the #168 U.S. Air Force Combat Force, the #169 U.S. Soldiers Jeep and Gun and the #199 United States Army Artillery) as an alternative to the more familiar Army driver that was produced in both olive green and aqua blue. The Air Force driver's rarity is more than likely the result of the figure's cavity being removed early on from the Air Force set tooling due to damage. The driver's early demise probably explains why the Army driver was cast in aqua blue as well; replacing the former in future bagged sets.

Prior to this posting there have been only a few obscure photos taken of the Air Force driver, none of which were ever made available online for whatever reason. So these high resolution photos are long overdue. Click to enlarge and enjoy.

Size comparison

Driver and Jeep