Packaging: The handsome black and gold box, but the Jungle Fighter vintage box is partially reproduced in an orange-yellow color which is really bizarre. If you are going to reproduce the box sideways so that nobody can copy it, then at least use the right colors so it evokes the original feeling! After all, there are original boxes around.
Figure and headsculpt: The G.I. Joe vintage body with the claw hands and a reproduction Foreign Soldier head done in a rubber texture which is different from the originals. Unlike the TC Joes, which seem to have a wider head than the originals, the Foreign Soldier head is a much more accurate reproduction. The Australian Jungle Fighters that I have seen all have black hair. Hopefully all of the hair colors will be reproduced in future releases.
Outfit and Gear: A great outfit, the Jungle hat fit a bit loose. The pick-shovel, the machete, and the knuckle-knife all fit in the hands if you wedge them in just right.
Not a Reproduction: This Timeless Collection set is part reproduction, and part re-hash. If you want to complete this "Australian Jungle Fighter" then contact Cotswold Collectibles for the parts that this set does not include. For example, the medal is also the wrong medal. The folks who know say that the French Cross is the one included in this set, not the Victoria Cross. The Flame Thrower gun is wider and thinner at the grips than the vintage ones. It does not fit very well into the hard hands.
Vintage G.I. Joe Body: On many of the vintage advertisements the G.I. Joes are depicted walking sideways and the Flame Thrower is at an odd angle. What would a vintage Joe be if it did not have the Claw Hands and the ball joints?? Would the Timeless Collection sets be more popular if Hasbro used Classic Collection bodies instead of Vintage style? Vintage Outfits on Dragon-style bodies? I put this Jungle Fighter outfit on a blond Spinal Tap figure, and he can grip the Flame Thrower better than a guitar! One of the black boots split open as I tried to remove the GI Joe foot so that I could put the outfit on another figure. Just like when I was a kid!Overall: The Jungle Fighter outfit is very well taliored and the bars on the sleeve are sewn on. The weapons and gear are excellent but similar to what can be found on many other sets. The Hasbro people change various things on the reproduction sets, so why don't they make a change that at least makes sense? How about making a Flame Thrower gun that fits easily in the Vintage Claw Hands?? And since these sets are not authentic reproductions, but basically a re-hash item, the price should be lower. After all you have to buy reproduction parts from COTSWOLD in order to make this set accurate! If Hasbro released these TC sets with TC bodies and Classic Collection bodies, I think that the CC versions would sell better! As a fan of GI Joe, I like this set, but Hasbro should list on the box which items on the TC sets have been modified from the Vintage versions! The consumer should know up front what they are buying! These sets retail for $29.99.
Grade: A
