Forum member Melvin helped me obtain this from China recently (US$89 shipped to Australia). It's the World Peacekeepers Z-9W rocket chopper from M&C Toys/Puzzle Animation Studio.
A bit of background: The Zhi-9 (Z-9) army utility helicopter is a license-built version of the Aérospatiale (now Eurocopter) AS 365N Dauphin II.
For some unknown reason, the one sold in the US doesn't have the rockets (despite bearing the "Rocket Helicopter" name).
Interestingly, a glance at the enclosed leaflet lists the US-release version as a rescue chopper, with hi-vis life vests for the figures, as well as a bunch of tools, crates, a life preserver, and the folding ladder and gurney we all know from Marauder Inc.:
Here's the rocket chopper on the leaflet.
Unboxed. The launch tubes on the left-hand side were mounted backwards in the package.
The chopper comes with 3 figures, 2 PASGT-type helmets, 2 rifles, 2 road cones, 4 barricade fence sections, 1 jerry can and 1 oil drum. Lots of useful stuff.
The missile tubes are all removable, with peg-and-hole mounting points.
UPDATE 19 Oct 2012: These are apparently launch tubes for HJ-8 wire-guided anti-tank missiles, similar to the TOW.
Front view.
Two types of rocket pod are also included. (UPDATE 19 Oct 2012: 57mm and 90mm unguided rockets)
Only the forward-facing ends have any detail, the pods themselves are completely devoid of it.
The armaments can all be mounted on either pylon.
It wouldn't take much work to mount the loadouts from other PTE aircraft onto the chopper. These are from the A-10 (which I painted), but I suppose the bombs and ECM pods would be a bit pointless. The weaponry from the AH-6, F-18 or Su-27 would probably work just as well.
Close-up of some of the accessories - jerry can, cones, Type 95 assault rifle with grenade launcher, and Type 88 sniper rifle.
The cones are a bit rubbery with sloppy paint application, but the rifles are of good quality (not bendy or soft like many PTE weapons).
A sticker sheet of PLA markings is also included.
"You guys seen my rifle and helmet?" The PLA figures are more realistically proportioned than their Power Team Elite brethren, but are moulded in a slightly more flexible material, which can cause some joints to stick a bit (it also means they can hold poses better). I have several of them, and they all have a bent/warped left ankle which can cause balance issues.
Rear 3/4 views of the helo. The nose wheels on mine were a bit crooked, but I was able to bend them straight. And no, the landing gear doesn't retract, but that's a non-issue as far as I'm concerned.
With the extra accessories and weapons, I would say the Z-9 is a far better toy than the stripped-down chopper available in the US. Hell, even the Chinese "slick" version comes with a lot of cool diorama items.
Despite the additional cost of shipping it from China, I'm quite happy with it and I already have plans to repaint and customize it into a badass-'80s-action-movie-type gunship.
A bit of background: The Zhi-9 (Z-9) army utility helicopter is a license-built version of the Aérospatiale (now Eurocopter) AS 365N Dauphin II.
For some unknown reason, the one sold in the US doesn't have the rockets (despite bearing the "Rocket Helicopter" name).
Interestingly, a glance at the enclosed leaflet lists the US-release version as a rescue chopper, with hi-vis life vests for the figures, as well as a bunch of tools, crates, a life preserver, and the folding ladder and gurney we all know from Marauder Inc.:
Here's the rocket chopper on the leaflet.
Unboxed. The launch tubes on the left-hand side were mounted backwards in the package.
The chopper comes with 3 figures, 2 PASGT-type helmets, 2 rifles, 2 road cones, 4 barricade fence sections, 1 jerry can and 1 oil drum. Lots of useful stuff.
The missile tubes are all removable, with peg-and-hole mounting points.
UPDATE 19 Oct 2012: These are apparently launch tubes for HJ-8 wire-guided anti-tank missiles, similar to the TOW.
Front view.
Two types of rocket pod are also included. (UPDATE 19 Oct 2012: 57mm and 90mm unguided rockets)
Only the forward-facing ends have any detail, the pods themselves are completely devoid of it.
The armaments can all be mounted on either pylon.
It wouldn't take much work to mount the loadouts from other PTE aircraft onto the chopper. These are from the A-10 (which I painted), but I suppose the bombs and ECM pods would be a bit pointless. The weaponry from the AH-6, F-18 or Su-27 would probably work just as well.
Close-up of some of the accessories - jerry can, cones, Type 95 assault rifle with grenade launcher, and Type 88 sniper rifle.
The cones are a bit rubbery with sloppy paint application, but the rifles are of good quality (not bendy or soft like many PTE weapons).
A sticker sheet of PLA markings is also included.
"You guys seen my rifle and helmet?" The PLA figures are more realistically proportioned than their Power Team Elite brethren, but are moulded in a slightly more flexible material, which can cause some joints to stick a bit (it also means they can hold poses better). I have several of them, and they all have a bent/warped left ankle which can cause balance issues.
Rear 3/4 views of the helo. The nose wheels on mine were a bit crooked, but I was able to bend them straight. And no, the landing gear doesn't retract, but that's a non-issue as far as I'm concerned.
With the extra accessories and weapons, I would say the Z-9 is a far better toy than the stripped-down chopper available in the US. Hell, even the Chinese "slick" version comes with a lot of cool diorama items.
Despite the additional cost of shipping it from China, I'm quite happy with it and I already have plans to repaint and customize it into a badass-'80s-action-movie-type gunship.
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