Joy Toy Tiekui TK01 1:27 scale pic review (part a)

Small scale (1:27) mech set that includes core robot, and deformable motorcycle and quad tank. This is meant to be a modular system that let's you go from simple to heavy arms in various ways. One qc issue with Joy Toy so far is some loose joints. They can be tighten with floor polish, or my ol small piece of black napkin in the socket trick. This figure was not as bad as my first one that I nearly trashed. I'm hoping they'll get better as time goes on. This figure holds poses no problem even with extra gear as you'll see so I really have no complaints. One of my favorite mech figures in my collection.

The vest is does not fit well and hinders movement. The soldier is not included, nor does it fit perfectly in the cockpit, but it does compliment it aesthetically.

Gatling gun is from Kotobukiya MSG. It's a model kit that I painted and weathered. Also it's mech arm is from Hexa Gear from Kotobukiya as well.

Acid Rain Speeder Mk. II 88th Sand Division Vehicle Review

After hesitating for months and months I finally got Acid Rain Speeder MK. II by Oritoy and it is well worth it. This is a high end collectible so it doesn't come cheap. The Acid Rain line comes is in 1:18 scale so it can be mixed with G.I. Joes and other figures of that scale.

Disclaimer:
The set comes in a white unpainted styrofoam which I have painted to be used for diorama purposes. Also, weapons used are from G.I. Joe figures.

Aesthetics:
Buggy mode - The Mk. II looks like a light tank and dune buggy hybrid. It's an interesting design that is nice to look at from any angle. The paint apps are excellent. Weathering and texture throughout the vehicle. It has detachable accessories (2x cases, 1 pike, 1 shovel, 2x gun catridges). The seat belt is a soft rubber while the tires are hard rubber.

Robot mode - The mech mode has a tough and fearsome presence. It just plain looks badass and cool from any angle. My only gripe is that the pilot seems pretty exposed, especially his head. Would have liked a head shield. But I guess that's what modding is for. :-)

Articulation:
The mech has limited movement, but enough to pull off some cool poses with tight joints. Don't worry about the rotating tires for feet because the front panels swing down and lock the front tires in place.

Transformation:
Easy and intuitive. From vehicle to mech and back.

Extras:

Acid Rain Speeder Mk. II 88th Sand Division Pilot Review

After hesitating for months and months I finally got Acid Rain Speeder MK. II by Oritoy and it is well worth it. This is a high end collectible so it doesn't come cheap. The Acid Rain line comes is in 1:18 scale so it can be mixed with G.I. Joes and other figures of that scale. This set doesn't come with weapons for the driver/pilot, but since I have a few G.I. Joe weapons, it's fine. For this review I'll focus on the pilot. 

Disclaimer:

The set comes in a white unpainted styrofoam which I have painted to be used for diorama purposes. Also, weapons used are from G.I. Joe figures.  

Articulation:

The main reason for its sculpt lacking beauty is functionality. This figure has tons of articulation, and damn, does it have tight joints. That's a problem when it comes to wrists and ankles. Sometimes I think I might break the wrist joints that help in tilting the hands, but it is a very sturdy figure so I doubt they'll brake. Also standing straight can be a little difficult. Maybe the legs on mine are slightly uneven. And lastly if you take off the vest there's more articulation. 

Aesthetics:

The figure's form isn't the most aesthetically pleasing, but it makes up for it details and paint application. The helmet is removable as well as the vest. I underestimated this figure's potential for emotive display, and found it to be my favorite thing about it. Yeah, he can hold weapons, and pilots a bad ass transforming military vehicle, but seeing him holding a letter, photo, or newspaper has more visual impact for me. The MK. II set comes with a paper sheet that you can cut out detailed letters, newspapers, envelopes (stamps detail), and pictures. It's absolutely amazing! The pictures and letters that seem handwritten can be folded and stored inside the envelopes once folded right (tip: use little elmers glue to secure the envelope flaps). This adds a level of aesthetic and display options that I've yet to come across in any figure I've owned or seen. I actually enjoyed posing him reading letters and feeling homesick more than piloting the mech with the barrels ready to blow shit up.   

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