Matchbox Sky Busters Batman v Superman Batwing (with special guest star The Bat)

With the 'gotta know it now' attitude of the internet, and all the world's toy knowledge contained therein at my fingertips, few toy releases sneak up on me anymore these days. So imagine my shock to discover the Matchbox Sky Busters Batman v Superman Batwing the other day just chillaxing on the pegs at Toys R Us.

The Sky Busters line are larger than your standard Matchbox/Hotwheels vehicle. Scale is of course all over the place as the vehicles are generally the same size regardless of vehicle type (a 747 is about the same size as a Cessna) but if you were to set this Batwing next to the Hotwheels version of the Batman v Superman Batmobile, you're probably in a pretty close ballpark for matching scale of the two vehicles.

Not only did I have no idea this thing existed or was set for release, but I didn't learn about it before actually seeing it in the wild, which is a refreshing change of pace as it means I did not spend any sleepless nights praying to the toy Gods that I'd find it on my next toy hunt. Nor did I have to put out the TAPB (Toy All Points Bulletin) to my fellow toy collectors to be on the lookout for me!

Not a bad looking Batwing, it looks like an actual bat as it hangs from a cave ceiling.

The Batwing is only die-cast on the top of the fuselage. The rest is plastic. It feels lighter than I expected it to be, but it still makes for a sturdy feeling toy vehicle. I think Toys R Us is charging $3.99 (or was it $4.99?) for these things, which is a fair price given the scale. The Batwing has landing gear which is permanently extended but the wheels do roll.

The Batman v Superman Batwing is undeniably recognizable as a Bat-vehicle and a fun addition to any collection or for any fan of The Batman, regardless of their thoughts on the movie itself.

The last time I was caught so unawares by Matchbox was when they released The Bat from The Dark Knight Rises. So I couldn't resist busting out The Bat for this photo shoot.

The Bat was and is an ugly thing that looks nothing like any proper Bat-vehicle, but I suppose it's become an icon in it's own right at this point.

As dumb as it looks, I am glad I found The Bat on the pegs back when it was released and am especially glad that the Matchbox Sky Busters line has actually continued with the Bat theme. Would it be too bold of me to hope for an '89 Batwing, or perhaps a Batman Animated Batwing in the Sky Busters line-up sometime in the future?

Matchbox MB11 Car Transporter

My little car collecting bug has shrunken drastically in the past few years. I mostly focus on movie cars and Batmobiles these days when it comes to 1:64 scale die-cast toys. My Dad, however, still collects toy cars of any shape and size and when I see one that's too cool to pass up, I just buy them for him instead of myself (much to my Mother's chagrin.)

Such was the case for this awesome little Matchbox Car Transporter (aka Bedford Car Transporter) which I found at a garage sale for a dollar!

I've seen pictures in books and online of this cute little Car Transporter, which has even cuter little Game of Life style cars riding along on top and inside, but I had never seen one in person until I found this little guy in an assortment of random Hot Wheels at the same garage sale that I bought myself the young LEGO Obi-Wan Kenobi. I immediately knew it had to go home with me (well, not immediately - but as soon as I heard it was a dollar! Only the best for my old Dad!)

This Matchbox MB11 Car Transporter was originally produced from '76 to '81. I can't wait to present it to Dad!

I also hope my kids are still buying toys for me deep into their own adulthoods. Take note, Interns!

Batmobile Matchbox Redux

Matchbox released it's first ever Batmobile in 2012, based on Mattel's basic Batman action figure Batmobile. Not the prettiest of Batmobiles, but a $1 1:64 scale die-cast Batmobile is a $1 1:64 scale die-cast Batmobile!

New for 2013, Matchbox re-painted and re-released their Batmobile offering, and I have to admit I much prefer this new paint scheme over the previous version.

The details of the design are much more evident in this black on grey color scheme and pretty the car up quite a bit.

The red detailing pops and adds nice highlights to the the vehicle.

This version of the Matchbox Batmobile is far less embarrassing than the relatively monochrome sparkly blue version, and I admit it has me appreciating this vehicle design a lot more than before.

On a related note, next weekend I will be attending the Barrett-Jackson auto auction where they will be auctioning off the original Barris Batmobile! I won't be buying it; I can't afford it unless I sell my soul and children (any takers?) but hopefully I'll get close enough for some pictures. Stay tuned!

And in the meantime be sure to check out a few more little Batmobiles I've posted about over the years:

'89 Batmobile
Arkham Asylum Batmobile
Brave and the Bold Batmobile
'66 Batmobile
Playart Batmobile

Back in Bat

I previously posted about the Hotwheels version of The Bat, the hideously ugly not-Batwing from The Dark Knight Rises. A surprise entry into the Hotwheels ranks I must admit, as it is neither Hot nor Wheeled.

Well hold on to your love of aesthetics, because Mattel continues to surprise by releasing a Matchbox version in their Sky Busters die-cast aircraft series!

As you can see, this Matchbox Sky Busters version is larger than it's Hotwheels counterpart, and probably closer to a true 1:64 scale. I found my Bat at Kohls and although it is listed at $3.99 it was on sale and I got it for around $1.50. (I don't think it's humanly possible to pay sticker price at Kohls. Their entire business model is jacking up prices so they can have a 'sale' every single flippin' day. Their price signs are digital, for heaven's sake!)

I've seen Sky Busters at Toys R Us and Target and they are probably available most anywhere Matchbox are sold.

Part of the 2012 Undercover Series, The Bat is just an odd inclusion into any sub-set that isn't Batman specific. But as ugly as it is, it is kind of fun to swoosh around the room and I know any kid (or adult) into aircraft and Batman would love to have it in their collection.

As you can see, the Matchbox Bat is quite a bit larger than the Hotwheels Bat. There are a few differences in sculpt as well, meaning this isn't just a larger scale of the same exact toy.

The positioning of the rear tailfins is the most obvious difference in physical design. Sky Buster Bat is also painted in a flat black while Hotwheels Bat is shiny. Matchbox wins for movie accuracy there.

The engine thingys up front are a little stubbier on Matchbox's Bat too.

It wasn't until I looked closely at Matchbox Bat underneath that I noticed both versions have the propellers sculpted into the undercarriage details. That's pretty neat!

If I could only have one, I'd say the Matchbox Sky Busters Bat is the better Bat. They're both Bat-Ugly but definitely fun, unique vehicles and a must have in any Bat vehicle collection!

Matchbox Batmobile

Hotwheels have been pushing Batmobiles for a handful of years now - both iconic pop culture versions as well as their own designs. And although Matchbox and Hotwheels are both owned by Mattel, there has yet to be an actual Matchbox Batmobile...until now!

This Batmobile shares the same design as the one current Mattel Batman action figures can ride in (only smaller, of course.) I imagine it was made in the Matchbox line instead of the Hotwheels line because the new Batman line is aimed squarely at kids (yet collectors love it too) and Matchbox are marketed to a younger crowd than Hotwheels (yet collectors love them too.)

Whatever the reason, it is ALWAYS good to get a new 1:64 die-cast Batmobile no matter what banner it flies under...and no matter how goofy the vehicle actually looks!

While this isn't my favorite Batmobile design by a long shot, it is a welcome addition to my collection; and as someone who has dabbled in die-cast Batmobile collecting over the years, it is great fun to have an honest to goodness Matchbox Batmobile in the 1:64 ranks. Here are a few more I've posted about over the years:

'89 Batmobile
Arkham Asylum Batmobile
Brave and the Bold Batmobile
'66 Batmobile
Playart Batmobile

Ecto-1 is the loneliest number

I've been combing the Hot-Wheels aisles more than usual lately in anticipation of the 2010 New Model #25, aka Ecto-1 and it payed off tonight!

Ecto-1 is one beautiful Hotwheel!

All the detail of the modified '59 Cadillac ambulance are there, including all that crazy funky science equipment up top! There's also a lot of detail in the interior including proton packs etc.

Of course to keep it in the $1 price range, there are no paint details on the top component, but I am sure customizers could easily make it look movie accurate. I'm happy with it the way it is. This Ecto-1 has all the charm of a Hotwheel while being a great representation of the iconic Ghostbusters vehicle. I have an Ecto-1 A in 1:64 scale from Johnny Lightning made about a decade ago and it isn't as well scaled as this version. Maybe I can dig it out of storage soon and do a side by side.

What's this, the ghost of Dale Earnhardt?

Maybe. Actually it's another new Hotwheel, the previously released Stockar released for 2010 as part of the Race World sub-series. This version is keen because it's made of clear plastic - even the wheels and interior are clear! It has a few minor silver details and a metal base, and makes the perfect companion piece to the Ecto-1 because it looks like a ghost car. I t would also make a great Wonder Woman-mobile if one were so inclined.

Here's Ecto-1 next to the Matchbox '63 Cadillac Ambulance.

Ecto-1 is lower and longer but the same width as the '63, so it's probably a little more accurately scaled than the ambulance as well. I also love Hotwheels' five spoke wheels, and they look great on Ecto-1.


Okay enough fun...time to go to work! WeeWOOweeWOOweeWOO!

Proto Ecto

Could it be? Is this the upcoming Hotwheels Ecto-1 I blogged about a few days ago?

Nope. But it's close:

This is a brand new Matchbox release - the 1963 Cadillac Ambulance. Ecto-1 is a Cadillac, but it's a '59 so there are a few differences, but as far as ambulances go this is how I'd like to be delivered to the hospital!

Matchbox collectors remember the collector favorite '63 Cadillac Hearse from a few years back, and this '63 Cadillac Ambulance is as much a beauty as it's macabre counterpart.

There are details galore inside and out. I'm not able to get a decent picture, but the interior is red plastic and is molded to look exactly like a '63 Cadillac Ambulance - there's a gurney with belts/buckles and cabinets behind the drivers seat and it all just looks so tiny and cool.

On the outside there are all the lights and fins molded on the body, as well as a clear plastic siren "light" on top.

"weEEwoOOweEEwoOOweEEwoOO"

This ambulance apparently serves Gene Mercy Hospital. I don't know who Gene Mercy is, but with ambulances like this one, he's a class act in my book.

I can't wait to find the Hotwheels Ecto-1, but in the meantime this classy Caddy will hold me over.

Little Green Army Men...movers

Matchbox just released a slew of military vehicles that had me standing in the toy aisles knowing full well that an Indiana Jones adventure in my living room was inevitable.

In the back left is the Sahara Survivor, a 2009 Matchbox release and part of the Desert Adventure subset. Some research has proven it to be based on a Gulf War era British Special Forces Land Rover. In the back and to the right is the Jungle Crawler, another 2009 Desert Adventure series release. It is based on a 40s era Dodge WC-53 Carryall. Finally up front is the granddaddy of military people movers, the Jeep Willys, which is a 2010 Matchbox release and part of the Jungle Explorers series. Each of these cars will set you back about a buck, so I totally plan on army building when I see more!

In my opinion the Jungle Crawler is the coolest of the bunch. It just screams WW2 and I only wish Matchbox would release some WW2 era military Mercedes so it can kick some Nazi butt!

There is plenty of detail to see on this vehicle, even though it has a simple one color military paint job. You can see the engine through the sides of the hood and even the benches that go lengthwise down the back interior to hold the troops.

The Jungle Crawler is a fun and unexpected WW2 military vehicle to pop up in the Matchbox line-up, and a must have in Army green. I can see them popping out more colors in the future, both relevant (grey, tan) and ridiculous (neon pink,) so I plan on amassing an army of these when I see them.

Up next is the Jeep Willys. Although clearly military in it's green paint, this Jeep has a triangle on it's hood and not a US Army star, so it isn't directly pushed as a military themed vehicle, but we all know the truth. It's part of the 2010 lineup, a surprising early release as it is billed as #96 of 100 on the card.

This Jeep is also one that I plan on amassing an army of while it's sold in military paint schemes. But since the Jeep has been so versatile and long lived, you know this one will show up in playsets and single packs in every color of the rainbow for years to come.

Again, the detail is amazing, and this Jeep Willys is sure to be a fan favorite among kids and adults alike.

Finally we have the Sahara Survivor. This vehicle is British military and Gulf War era, so it doesn't really fit in with the other two, but I still had to have it in case some freak time warp brings them all together, which happens a lot in die-cast toy military adventures.

Boasting lots and lots of detail, the Sahara Survivor has canisters and bags and boxes molded all over it.

I hadn't realized the Clampetts originated in Baghdad, but I guess it does explain their oil money. The bullet holes on the side are a nice touch.

A gun turret would have been nice on this one, but it probably would have bumped production costs up. Otherwise it's a great unique desert warfare vehicle and still allows for plenty of sandbox adventures.

Okay Matchbox, time to start making some German WW2 vehicles!

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