Storm Hawks Action Figures and Vehicles
Approx. price: £5.99–£14.99
Age range: 4+
Website: www.spinmastertoys.co.uk
Storm Hawks is one of the most visually striking animated shows we’ve ever seen, so we were hoping for something equally striking from the new range of toys from Spin Master.
We were not disappointed. The action figures and vehicles in the Storm Hawks range look great and are a perfect match for the graphics of the show, which means that these toys are likely to be a big hit with collectors.
We looked at the Aerrow Deluxe Action Figure (around £9.99), the Dark Ace Heroic Action Figure (around £5.99) and Aerrow’s Air Skimmer III Ultra (around £14.99). We are also currently looking at the Condor Battlecruiser, which will get its own review shortly…
The Deluxe Action Figure line features light effects and mechanically operated weapon features. In Aerrow’s case, this means that he performs attacking motions with his arms when you twist his torso from side to side.
This is welcome enough, but there’s a problem when you look to move on – there isn’t really much else you can do. The articulation is very limited – knees, waist and neck. The arms do move at the shoulder, but they cannot be posed. They simply move when you twist the torso.
No articulation at the ankle, hips, elbows or wrists means this figure is seriously limited in what it can do. Sadly, it can’t even stand up on its own because the ankles are moulded at such an angle that makes the figure topple forwards if the feet are placed flat.
Also, Aerrow is unwilling to let go of his weapons – they are moulded in, so he has to keep hold of them whatever he’s doing.
The result is a figure that looks great, make no mistake about that, but which is very limited in terms of playability.
The smaller (4in.) Heroic Action Figure is actually a much more successful design. It retains the excellent attention to detail but adds further articulation points at the hips, elbows and wrists, and the supplied weapons are not moulded in, so the figure can let go and grab onto something else.
Each Heroic figure has a spring-loaded attack feature, which works well in Dark Ace’s case. Bend an arm back and it will spring forward, launching a projectile or just striking a blow.
Dark Ace can also stand up on his own, which is good for when he’s on display or when you want him to maintain a realistic pose while you move another figure.
The 4in. Heroic figures are scaled to fit on the skimmers (which is why they need to be able to let go of their weapons – so that they can grab hold of the handlebars). Aerrow’s Air Skimmer III Ultra is a beautifully constructed machine that mixes the style and feel of a World War I biplane with a Star Wars X-Wing fighter.
There are small plastic projections that fit into corresponding holes in the heels of the 4in. figures, meaning they can be placed very securely in position. This is important when flying the Skimmer around, looping the loop and generally defying the ground. You don’t want your pilot to keep falling out of his seat.
Further pegs are included on the wings, letting you pose figures for ‘Sky Fu’ battles while the Skimmer is in flight.
The Skimmer has a brilliant built-in feature – it converts to bike mode at the press of a button, wings flying off and the front bike wheel popping out. This works superbly and really lets kids get into recreating the action they will have seen on the TV show.
A slight drawback with this is the fact that the wings, because they have to be detachable, do tend to knock off every now and then in general play. There is also a knack to snapping them back on properly and kids seem to find it easier to ask a grown-up to do it for them!
Still, this is a really good toy, capturing the essence of the onscreen vehicle perfectly and having loads of play potential.
It ends this review on a real high note.
Deluxe Action Figures
Durability: 4/5
Longevity: 3/5
Value: 3/5
Score: 73%
Conclusion: Great to look at, but playability is limited.
Heroic Action Figures
Durability: 4/5
Longevity: 4/5
Value: 4/5
Score: 81%
Conclusion: Neat little action figures with an effective spring-loaded feature.
Air Skimmer III Ultra
Durability: 4/5
Longevity: 4/5
Value: 5/5
Score: 90%
Conclusion: An excellent toy for little Storm Hawks everywhere.
