11 June 2017

Lockheed AC-130 Hercules Gunship - Toys for wargaming

My imaginary near-future "Seven Star Nation" has just received a valuable asset in the form of a Lockheed Hercules AC-130 Gunship



Ok, so it's a toy, ..... but it's a huge, strong, and very sturdy toy, AND it scales out really well with my 1-72 scale forces.







I saw it advertised on "Wallapop" a couple of weeks ago and the guy who was selling it lived near me so I sent him a message and when I got this off him I was really really pleased to find that it wasn't some cheapo flimsy toy.

I didn't know who the manufacturer was at the time, and according to the guy who sold it to me, it's about 15 years old, maybe even a little more. At first I though it might be from the Micro-Machines range, but I couldn't find any pictures of it online but I was later told that it's a Galoob "C-130 Warbird" from their Battle Squads sets.


It comes with two 1/72 scale pre-painted crew figures, who look very similar in style to micro-machines figures.









It has a cargo bay door that opens and closes too, and the 20mm figures and vehicles here just how well it scales out.



All in all a great addition to the Seven Star Nation's forces.

8 comments:

  1. It looks a bit like the TimMee C-130, which is also a huge airplane with working rear ramp, but that particular toy is a cheapo flimsy toy. Whoever manufactured yours made a much better model.

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    1. Thanks for the input EY. The TimMee C-130 from what I've seen on internet looks similar in size to this one.

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  2. There have been several of these and I'm no expert, but Galoob (Micro Machines - Action Fleet) did one (and the pilots look like theirs) and at lest one other was offered through the Catalogue shops in the UK (may still be available?) from a Chinese maker (Tai Nam?), I'd put my money on Galoob's 'Army Gear' and/or 'Battle Squad' lines?

    H

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    1. Thanks very much Hugh. From the quality of the toy and as you say, the similarity of the pilots to the Micro Machines range, I think you are right.

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  3. I also own this plane, I got it for Christmas 20-22 years ago. While I cannot remember the brand name, I can give you some more information. From what I remember the plane was the largest (most expensive) set in a series of military vehicle sets. Most sets came with one or a few plastic vehicles and a few micro-figures (two-piece figures, bend in the middle, fit the seats in the plane) which could fit in the sets of the vehicles. I remember Jeeps and a VW-thing style military vehicle. The AC-130 set itself came with 2 pilot figures, a Jeep with a machine gun, and a platform with a cloth parachute that the Jeep attached to. The figures can fit it either front seat of the Jeep or sit on the Jeep's machine gun. The pods under the wings fire trans-red misses, which I amazingly still have. Unfortunately I can't post pics, as it's in storage in another state, but if I find any additional information I'll let you know.

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  4. After a little more searching the toy line is Battle Squads by Galoob.

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    1. Thanks very much for the info ! I didn't know it was so old, it's stood up to the test of time, it's a really sturdy model.

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  5. Yup I agree, micro machines, battle squads / Galoob. I got this for christmas around the 97-98 era. As time went on the collection grew and were well played with but well looked after. I housed them in plastic tool boxes and I took them Everywhere. In later year I picked up the boxed ones from Ebay but I couldn't bring myself to open them. The ac130 on the table I got in a carboot sale arround 2001 the one on the floor is my origonal it has had a harsh paper round and still lives to tell the tale. I only moved house a few months ago and I unearthed these from the loft and doing a bit of online reserch on it, I came accross this blog. Here is a link to the photos of my collection. I never did get the tiger or sherman tanks.

    https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=3055551757812737&set=pcb.996761390722742&type=3&theater&ifg=1

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