SGII Alternative Vehicles (A LONG POST)

I have just discovered a major advantage to being here in the states, I have
been able to pick up the new Galoob Action Fleet Models of the Aliens Dropship
and APC. For models aimed at the toy market the quality of the
finish is excellent (if I were a kid - or a smaller kid - I would be
well pleased with these). Both models are approximately seven inches long by
approx. three inches wide. Both models are aimed at using the Action Figures
supplied by Galoob, but by a convienient quirk the figs are almost
big enough for 25-28mm wargame figures.

Now the details:

The Dropship

Compared with the Halycon Dropship this one is very small, total length is
around eight inches, while total body depth is around two inches. Features are
opening cockpit, fully opening payload bay, retractable landing gear and full
extendable weapons payload bays (both for the forward SAMs and the rear air to
ground misslies). The cockpit is not really well moulded but since Galoob
provide a pilot figure you can't really see much of the interior anyway, it
should prove perfectly possible to modify the interior
to produce a raised rear seat so both pilot and co-pilot/weapons officer
are visible since there is enough room in the cockpit for two figures. The
extendable weapons payloads are reasonably well finished, not done too clunky
so when extended they look good, though a little finishing with a black ink
wash would probably work well. The undercarriage is a little rough looking
(but what can be expected when this is aimed at little kids pudgy fingers) but
entirely servicable, when extended the dropship standss approx an inch off the
ground, though it can be modified to reduce that a little. the payload bay
opend via a ramp in the underbelly, the ramp is fully hinged giving full acces
to the bay, the bay's dimensions are approx
an inch ad a half by two and a half by an inch - not a huge space.

Convieniently Galoob also provide a flight stand that with a little work may
be useful for gaming with to support the ship. Decals on the ship are very
good, they don't look like obvious tranfers. The ship is moulded in a dark
green plastic. Some paint work to finish it off would be well rewarded by the
final appearance.

As I already have a larger Halycon Dropship which I use for a Platoon or true
Aliens style ship I won't be using this Galoob ship as a prime mover, however,
it could be ideal as a single squad dropship or as a casevac ship, or even as
a gunship in support of the prime movers. The possibilities with this model in
SG II are limitless.

The APC

This is a true gem of a model. It is perfect for 25mm figures. Featurs on the
model are fully traversable turret, working turret rails (store that
turret on the back and drop it from orbit in your Halycon Dropship -
it's a little large for the Halycon ship but until someone makes a 25mm
dropship who cares!), opening side door, rotataing wheels (with a clicking
sound on the rear axle to represent the 'grinding transaxle'), traversable
auxilliary turret, and opening top (this sounds bad but it's been done so that
it does not look too obtrusive), detailed (or moulded) interior, and moulded
underside (complete with squished bug!). Finishing is reasonable good,the
decals on mine denote it as part of the Sulaco's complement. The whole thing
is moulded in light green plastic, and as with the dropship a little paintwork
would greatly enhance the final appearance. I can not criticise this model, it
is well made, the details are excellent (considering it's intended target) and
the finish is good, in all an
excellent addition to the Sc-Fi gaming market.

In use this may serve well as a meduim APC, there appears to be enough space
in the APC for a squad of eight (event eight of the slightly larger Grenadier
Future Warriors, the true 25mm GZG type troops would be fine).
The only type I would not use are the GW/Warzone type 30+mm size
figures, they would look very out of proprtion (but then so does GW's Rhino).
I intend to use my APC (and more when I buy then next week!) as both prime
movers for my NAC platoon as a lighter alternative to my Phalanx type APC, and
as a ATAC for my Nexus clonial marines (for Kryomek).

Figure Prices

Each model retails for $14.99, perhaps a little pricey I think, however, the
models are fully painted and decaled, compared with prices from other
manufacturers I consider this good since I rarely have time to paint these
days (most of my vehicles are, therefore, only undercoated). As far as I'm
aware these models will be released in the UK, but last time I tried
ringing the importers - approx a month ago - they had not even heard of
this range of models, so don't hold your breath.

What more can I say? except I don't work for Galoob, but I think this range
fill a gap in the market that has been around for some time now.