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FigureTales / Run the Set

Vault tales Run the Set 60 Safari Ancient Fossils toob

What's going on here? Well, some figures don't really need a full review. Especially small bin or toob sets. And yes, I have discussed individual small figures from sets before but it can't hurt to shake things up a bit. So for this one, and others in the future (should have done it for the Safari Dino Skulls toob one, for example, instead of just one figure). But I'll get to shake it up a bit, and do lots of…

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November 28, 2019
FigureTales

Vault tales 59 Play Visions Elasmosaurus

Who makes it? Play Visions, as part of their classic Prehistoric Marine Reptiles series. The elasmosaur is number 6 if you're curious. When did it come out? The figure is stamped 1998 so...1998? The Play Visions Elasmosaurus, just swanning around...yes, it is based on older imagery. Still available? As with other excellent marine reptile sets, this one is discontinued. It has been for some time now. It has been for some time now--and is still highly sought after. Where can…

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November 25, 2019
FigureTales

Vault tales 58 Schleich Giant Ground Sloth

Who makes it? Schleich, from their too-limited run of prehistoric mammals. Item number 16518 When did it come out? I believe it was 2002...although some snuck out for Christmas of 2001 It's a shaggy boy! Still available? Nope. Not at all. They didn't last long either. Where can it be found in my displays? With...so many large prehistoric mammals. Of course. How does it fit in the collection? At the time I was primarily a Schleich collector, and prehistoric mammal…

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November 21, 2019
FigureTales

Vault tales 57 Chick Yuet Synthetoceras

Who makes it? A Chinese toy company called Chick Yuet, part of a set of mid-sized vinyl prehistoric mammals When did it come out? I got it in 2006 or 2007. So around then maybe? Not bad for a dollar store toy...with terrifying red eyes for some reason Still available? Sadly no. They appear to have gone completely out of business around 2007-2008. And these mammal figures went with them. Worse, right before their demise photos were found of a…

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November 18, 2019
FigureTales

Vault tales 56 Colorata Red-Legged Stag Beetle

Who makes it? Colorata, in their Stag Beetles Real Figure Box. It's number 1 in the set. Yes, it's a little dusty. It's on my son's shelves...and even behind glass... When did it come out? Not sure. At least 2004 although there may have been revisions in that time (it's true of many of the Colorata boxes I have) Different view. You can see the red legs! Still available? According to the Colorata website, yes. And from at least a…

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November 14, 2019
FigureTales

Vault tales 55 Safari toob Kronosaurus

Who makes it? Safari Ltd, part of their Carnivorous Dinos toob. And yes, it's one of the 4 not-dinosaurs in the dinos toob...but it is carnivorous! The toob number is 699004. When did it come out? I want to say around 2003. There have been a few adjustments to things like the paint schemes, rarely for the better. This is supposed to represent one of the most powerful and largest marine predators ever... Still available? Surprisingly yes--given how many times…

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November 11, 2019
FigureTales

Vault tales 54 Epoch Spotted Garden Eel

Who makes it? One of the figures in the Epoch "Life Account of the Trip" series of gashapon figures, the Marine Fish set. Item number 05. When did it come out? It's hard to say. Probably around early to mid-2000s. Despite being only a few centimetres long, the face is very detailed--right down to the little open mouth catching plankton! Still available? No, like many of these sets they are limited releases. They show up somewhat regularly on Japanese auction…

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November 7, 2019
FigureTales

Vault tales 53 Safari toob Henodus

Who makes it? Safari Ltd as part of their Prehistoric Sea Life Toob, item number 682404. It's a set that I've previously talked about before. When did it come out? The toob was released in 2009 Still available? I still thought it was...even though it was discussed by me before! I think I'm in denial. Where can it be found in my displays? On a whole shelf of small toob-size animals, mostly from Safari! How does it fit in the…

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November 4, 2019
FigureTales

Vault tales 52 Yujin NHK Apatosaurus

Who makes it? Produced by Yujin in conjunction with a NHK-Canada Film Board production called 'Miracle Planet'. Part of a series of 14+3 secrets capsule set. In it's display form, on a fancy plinth! When did it come out? Same time as the series, around 2004 Still available? Only in auctions and peer-to-peer. As with many of these 'event' figures, this one was only around for a short time. The Apatosaurus, along with some of the other figures in the…

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October 31, 2019
FigureTales

Vault tales 51 CollectA Deinotherium (mini)

Who makes it? CollectA, as part of their Prehistoric Mammal mini box set, item number 89A1100 When did it come out? 2019 Still available? It hasn't been out for a year yet...it had better be! (It is) Somehow, for such a small figure, it can still appear large! Where can it be found in my displays? Along with several other mini set figures, including CollectA ones. How does it fit in the collection? It's a prehistoric mammal. And it's a…

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October 28, 2019
FigureTales

Vault tales 50 Elastolin Northern Pike

Who makes it? This northern pike figure is from Elastolin, part of their Aquatic Animals line When did it come out? It is apparently from the 70s. Although I obtained it much more recently. The fish does not come with a base, but it also doesn't really stand well. A little modelling wax and a reused bottlecap figure's piece gives it a place to rest. Still available? From what I can tell, somehow, yes! There is a German site that…

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October 24, 2019
FigureTales

Vault tales 49 Yowies Northern Mastiff Bat

Who makes it? Yowies, as part of their first series of animal figures. When did it come out? The series came out in 1997 This is a very smiley bat. But it really doesn't feel like it's really capturing the face of the real thing. Still available? Each series was short-lived, probably lasting about a year each. So not in original form, but probably easily available as resale or trades. Where can it be found in my displays? I don't…

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October 21, 2019