This is another figure that's now over 20 years old. I still remember this set being released. Collectors were torn on it since it had three really awesome army builders, but also three characters. It did help that Firefly, Scrap Iron and Stormshadow all had amazing paint jobs...even if the Stormshadow mold choice left something to be desired. I bought my standard 7 sets at the time and thought I had a nice little army. My local Toys R Us store, though, partook in a nationwide promotion on this set and offered it for $15 in the store for a few weeks. At the time, I had enough. In retrospect, I should have grabbed a couple of extra sets.
I'll now argue that the Urban Assault set was the best TRU exclusive 6 pack. (Python Patrol is a strong challenger, though.) While the accessories weren't spectacular, the figure choice and overall coloring was. The dark, Cobra blue combined with black and leathery brown all made for great figures that have stood the test of time better than most of the other sets that were released.
As Scrap Iron goes, I tend to ebb and flow with interest in him. I'll pretty much forget about the character and his figures for a long time. Then, I'll see someone use him in a great photo and my interest is peaked. I then try to capture the cool essence of the figure that drew me to him in the first place. But, I almost always fail to do so. So, Scrap Iron goes back into his drawer until my interest is sparked once again.
But, I am pleased with the selection of photos I've gotten of the Urban Assault Scrap Iron. I saw someone pair him up with the Battle Gear missile launcher. So, I stole that look and have really enjoyed what it's brought to the figure. In good lighting, you can see just how much detail was painted on this Scrap Iron figure. And, there's an argument to be made that he might be a better visual than even the vintage figure from 1984.
Here's some of my favorite photos I've taken of this guy in recent years. I'll probably continue to get more because he does photograph well and classic Cobras are always popular photo subjects.
This is actually better than the 1984 version in my humble opinion.
ReplyDeleteGreat figure. It really captures the Cobra aesthetic of the early years but also improves upon it. Those TRU 6 packs were all great.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite part of this version is the way they painted all the sculpted details on the helmet. Those details just get lost on the all-black helmet that the original figure was wearing. If I had to give one slight nitpick, (and it's very picky), it would be the blue collar. I think the pop of blue is nice, but a blue collar on an other-wise black garment seems kind of weird. I think a blue undershirt would have been a better choice.
ReplyDeleteHe does look sharp with that accessory pack missile launcher.