#1095 DINO RIDERS - TYRANNOSAURUS REX with KRULOS, BITOR and COBRUS (1988)

I still have many Dino-Riders toys to be published. I am still missing the Pachyrrhinosaurus, the Edmontosaurus and, of course, the Brontosaurus, as well as a few loose figures. But I have all the other toys, and I will be publishing them some time in the next few years. Today, I want to show the Tyrannosaurus Rex, the biggest and most impressive toy in the first series from 1987, and maybe the most iconic reference of the whole toyline. As a matter of fact it was the model used to create the dinosaur character in the Toy Story movies.

It took some time to get it complete. I had some parts from a flea market, then I bought more parts on the Internet, and finally, I bought the dinosaur with almost every part of the armour, and with all these, I made a complete set. The plastic parts have become fragile and they break easily, so if you have the toy, do not try to remove or separate any parts from each other. The cannons pointing to the back are usually broken (the two that move up and down and the other two that move left to right). I repaired the two attached to the pink part in a way that it cannot be noticed.

The dinosaur also shows the pass of time, as the rubber bands in the wheels below its feet are worn and broken. I guess there are ways to repair it, but I have to find them out.

According to the comic, the T-Rex is the first dinosaur that the Rulons capture by using the brainbox. They prepare a trap on the top of a rock, and when the dinosaurs comes close, they drop the brainbox on its head. Since then, Krulos and the others can control the beast at their will. 

Krulos, of course, is the leader of the rulons, the most important character on that faction. The other two are secondary characters of the Antmen (Bitor) and Snakemen (Cobrus). Even though all evil characters in the series shared three heads (the Sharkmen are not represented in this set), these two are the most appealing one, due to their combination of red and black paint with some details in yellow. The colour scheme recalls somehow the eruption of a volcano or lava or something like that.

Krulos as a commander of the Rulons took for himself the upper position in the dinosaur. He stands in some kind of tribune of pulpit with two small cannons. A bit too exposed to the shoots of the Valorians, but we know from the cartoons, that these were not very good shooters. 

The body of the dinosaur is quite protected with big shields covering torso (or whatever it is called in a theropod) and legs. A central harness holds two cannon nests on the sides, very well covered (as opposed to the pulpit on top) with two shields in the shape of a cubic box. 

The front part has another position for a figure which seems to control two mechanic claws whose utility is uncertain: What are they good for? 

The tail is also heavily protected and has many cannons to cover the attacks from behind. A huge platform has space for another figure and a big shields hangs from that point down.

The last part to be commented are the two pieces that attach to the legs to pretect them, which have the nice detail of carryying a circular saw.

Amont the non protective parts, we can observe a very big motor (I guess all those lasers have to be powered somehow) over the pink platform, partially covered by the top plate, that also covers the two gunner´s seats at the sides. This last part (the "roof", so to speak) is the most fragile in the whole set, and the one it took me longer to find in an acceptable shape. The hinges of the parts exactly over the side cannons can be broken, and also the part that fits in the motor may have some wear or can be broken.

The dinosaur is battery operated and moves its legs in a way that the dinosaur walks. It is one of the fastest dinos (or, at least, faster than the other I have seen in action). The dinosaurs stands by using its tail, in the way that dinosaurs were depicted before the 1990s. Since Jurassic Park, theropods are represented standing on two legs and using the tail to keep balance when moving or running.

All in all it is one of the greatests toys from the 80s, a nice addition to any collection, although it takes quite a lot of space.

FACTS and FIGURES:

• Name: TYRANNOSAURUS REX with KRULOS, BITOR and COBRUS
• Toy Line: Dino-Riders (Wave 1)
• Year: 1988
• Company: Tyco (U.S.A.)
• Scale of the dinosaur: 1:24
• Size of the figures: 2½’’ or 6,5 cm

#1064 TOOTSIETOY - JET FIGHTERS / EAGLE SQUAD (1988)

Among the Micro Machines competitors, we may also count the classic American company Tootsietoys, who, in 1988, released several sets of jet planes in that scale. I have seen packs of 4 and 6, either in blistercard, or box with window. There were also helicopter, classic warplane and warship collections. Sometimes it is referred as Eagle Squad (with reference number 1701). These are slightly bigger than the average Micro Machine jet or plane from that same year, but still compatible.

Tootsie had similar products in the past, but none made in this scale and style. I have seen the same models in at least two decorations, so very probably, each model had variants to be reused in several collections.

I only own 4 jets so far. These are:

• F-4 Phantom (camo green)
• F-14 (blue)
• F-15 (beige)
• F-16 (white)

The other two (the missing ones) are:

• F-106
• F-19 

The models are marked "Tootsietoy", plus the name of the plane and "China". These were not manufactured in the U.S. anymore, as the toys I presented a while ago in entry #903. The US and Navy Emblems are plastic stickers. The other details seem to have been painted with airbrush and there is paint loss in places that are most exposed (such as the cockpit).

FACTS AND FIGURES:

• Name: JET FIGHTERS / EAGLE SQUAD (Ref. 1701)
• Scale: Approx. 1:200
• Year: 1988
• Company: Tootsietoy (U.S.A.)
• Size: approx. 6 cm to 10 cm

#1032 TRANSFORMERS – POWERMASTER DREADWIND with HI-TEST (1988)

It took me around 15 years to complete this toy. I found the plane/figure first so many years ago, then the two guns around 5 years ago, and finally, last year, I got the Powermaster figure in a lot where it was not depicted! It was a “gift” from the seller. I had actually bought other Transformers stuff, but not this part.

This model is one of my favorite transformers in my collection (I do not have too many), not just for the difficulty of completing it, but also because both the plane and the robot look great, it is easy to transform and has nice accessories. The colours are also interesting, with grey and light blue for a plane plus deception-purple. 

The Powermaster Hi-Test is also a nice cute little robot that transforms into a simulated motor that fits into the upper part of the plane, and, due to its size, is very difficult to find. It has a chromed part on the back, and it is only roughly articulated. Its arms move and its legs fold up to fit in the slot.

Dreadwind couples with Darkwing (a very similar jet, but made in darker shades of grey) to form Dreadwing. Also their weapons combine.

DREADWIND

    Faction: Decepticons
    Subgroup: Powermasters
    Function: Air Defense
    Motto: "Fear is a friend whose presence is felt long after he's left."
    Bio: As ominous as a storm cloud and as chilling as a winter breeze. Grim and gloomy -- always acts as if his best friend just became permanently inoperative. Binary-bonded to the Nebulan, Hi-Test, a thrill-seeking, over-achieving perfectionist, constantly striving to keep Dreadwind's morose mind on his evil work. Equipped with two thermal melters and two air-to-air missiles. Combines with Darkwing to form Dreadwing.

    Tech Specs for Dreadwind

        Strength: 6
        Intelligence: 8
        Speed: 7
        Endurance: 8
        Rank: 6
        Courage: 7
        Firepower: 7
        Skill: 8

FACTS and FIGURES:

    Name: POWERMASTERS DREADWIND with HI-TEST
    Toy Line: Transformers (G1)
    Year: 1988
    Company: Hasbro (U.S.A.)
    Size of the toy: Around 20 cm in Jet mode

#999 TMNT – LEONARDO vs. SHREDDER (1988)

 

In entries #720 and #721 we presented Raphael vs. Bebop and Michelangelo vs. Foot Soldier respectively. This time, I bring Leonardo vs. Shredder.

There are so many resources online about TMNT, that I won’t be writing anything about the characters or the toys. Leonardo is considered the leader of the turtles and Shredder is the leader of the foot clan, so this is the big battle among the first series by Playmates from 1988.

I have some pictures I took close to my home and I hope you like them.

Shredder came with a piece of cloth that is very interesting. I don't like that the figure comes in an strange position that is not very playable. I have heard that this was imposed by the toy manufacturer, as the villain could not be much taller than the turtles themselves for practical reasons (it had to use the same vehicles).

       

 

Nothing to say about Leonardo… great figure and accessories.

I have two of these, I kept the second one as it was different from the first. Please observe carefully the pictures to see the differences. Any idea, which one is which? maybe some re-release?

FACTS AND FIGURES:

• Name: LEONARDO and SHREDDER
• Toy Line: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (TMNT) (Wave 1)
• Year: 1988
• Company: Playmates (U.S.A.)
• Size of the figures: 3.75’’ or 9,75 cm

#995 JUYBA - GUERREROS ENEMIGOS DEL MAL - YELLOW NINJA "ROBIN" (Around 1988)

APRIL IS THE MONTH OF BOOTLEGS AND KNOCK-OFFS AT TOYS FROM THE PAST!

Juyba is one of those brands that made bootleg toys in the 80s that has been recently discovered by international collectors (mostly Masters of the Universe collectors). It is very sough-after now and all their items have increased their value enormously. Today they are very difficult to find, becuase most of these cheap toys broke and were disposed when (or as) their original owners grew up. The few units that are still out there are well kept, and they are rarely spot with their accesories or with their even more fragile cloaks and robes. Some of Juyba´s lines are being made today again as repros, including their accesories.

This one is a yellow ninja, in the style of Ninja Warriors with a cloak, belt and one accesory, 100% complete as we have seen in its original display, under the name "Guerreros Enemigos del Mal". Although there are other castings with a "ninja head", this one looks more like Batman´s partner Robin. Note that this piece has some hair casted and is wearing a face mask, which makes my figure a bit of a rarity, as it is much more scarce than the usual ninjas.

In the issue nr. 24 of Figuras En Acción we were discussing the toylines Jinetes del Espacio and also the miniature trucks and vehicles which are similar to Bruder Mini and we gave a couple of notes about the history of the company, although not much is known currently about them, just the usual legal stuff that nobody really cares about. The company seems to be active as an importer of toys, although they do not manufacture themselves toys anymore.

Juyba is actually the acronym of JUguetes Y BAratijas, and they are based in Castalla (Valencia).

 

 

FACTS AND FIGURES:

• Name: Unknown (Yellow Ninja with Robin-like head) (45027)
• Toy Line: Guerreros Enemigos del Mal
• Year: Around 1988
• Company: Juyba (Spain)
• Size of the figure: Around 12 cm tall

#978 HERACLIO-FOURNIER – BARAJA OLÍMPICA (1988)

The Olympic Games from 2020 in Tokyo have finally started. The opening ceremony was celebrated today, so I will comment this deck of cards made by Heraclio Fournier in Spain in 1988, when the games were celebrated in Seoul.

It is one of my favorite H-F models, as it has really well done illustrations of many olympic sports. There are 32 cards, although some cards represent several similar events. For example, the card for cycling counts for indoor and route cycling.

Some cards has short descriptions of the event(s) or categories, other have a listing of world records, both for men and women. Unfortunately, all drawings show men, it would have been great if half of the cards would show female athletes. Interestingly the box depicts a female gymnast, which does not appear in any of the cards. Probably they noticed the error and tried to correct it by choosing that cover.

The set includes a 3rd cover card with the instructions on the back. Heraclio-Fournier had another, much older, sports deck, but the drawings were made in a completely different style.

FACTS AND FIGURES:

• Name: BARAJA OLÍMPICA
• Year: 1988
• Company: Heraclio-Fournier (Spain)