When it comes to the predators of the African plains, the “Savanah Summer” always offers a variety, no matter how you rate them. The biggest? The lion. Most numerous? The hyena (ok, not done yet, but one day). But if you were to ask for the most successful, it isn’t a feliform, but a caniform, the African Wild Dog (Lycaon pictus) With their pack hunting, they succeed in near all their hunts. There are a few models of this dog out there, and here we see AAA offering.
I have to say, of all the AAA models I own (and that is a high number), this one is odd as it is a harder and frankly cheaper feeling plastic. While the sculpt is fine (save the ultra skinny legs), the very visible seam along the head and back does not help it from feeling a bit chinanimal, lacking some of the better quality feel other models have. This skinnier model, along with the choice of paint scheme, leads me to believe this may be based on the Somali subspecies of Wild dog.
The pose of the figure seems a but pensive, ears erect, looking around. Perhaps larger predators are afoot. It is quite a large figure for the species, fitting for the AAA models that they made, measuring 4.8″ long and 2.6″ high.
While an interesting model, it is definitely a flawed one. The cheap feeling and visible seams does detract from it greatly, and the fact there are plenty of other options means most will overlook it. It can be found online and in some shops (zoos especially) but I won’t say it’s the greatest. Don’t worry, we will get onto better ones on the next “Savanah Summer”!
Fun fact –I purchased this model in the late 90s, it was stamped as a hyena! The cub too.
Paint was simpler too.