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Vault tales 36 Yowies Atlas Bear

Who makes it? From the last run of the original Australian Yowies Series, the Forgoten Friends B set. When did it come out?About 2002. Still available? No. They were always limited runs--kind of an Australian version of the Japanese Dinotales. Right down to being made of plastic pieces that needed to be built! Behold, the only figure that I'm aware of of the only African Bear species from Africa in historic times. I think we need another one. Where can…

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September 5, 2019
FigureTales

Vault tales 35 FUL Gila Monster

Who makes it? Like the earlier FUL Octopus, I found this in a bag distributed by FUL. They are, however, now sold by all kinds of companies, including Wild Republic. It is part of a set of 12 lizards and salamanders. When did it come out? Hard to say. I've had them since 2006 of 2007, but they're never really clear An inexpensive Gila Monster figure! Not great, but something. Still available? As mentioned, these bulk sets frequently get repackaged…

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September 2, 2019
FigureTales

Vault tales 34 Safari Toob Brachiosaurus skull

Who makes it? It's one of the model in the Safari Ltd Dinosaur skulls toob. Item number 687404 When did it come out? It was first released in 2009. Later in 2011, they released figures in a bulk bag. I have ones from both the toob and the bulk bag. They're the same figure. Still available? So far, yes. A skull! Of a Brachiosaurus! Not much more to say...unless...is it really Giraffititan? Where can it be found in my displays?…

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August 29, 2019
FigureTales

Vault tales 33 Ausini Chevrotain

Who makes it? Once again the Random Number Generator seems...less random. Like the Wild Boar from a weeks ago this is a figure from the Ausini wild animals set. Like the rest of the set, nothing is labelled or identified by the company. My best guess is chevrotain (mouse deer)--it's a pointy-nosed hoofed animal that appears to represent a small mammal, but no antlers (otherwise mutjac might have been considered). A tiny little artiodactyl figure. Canines aren't visible...maybe it's a…

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August 26, 2019
FigureTales

Vault tales 32 Safari Toob Liopleurodon

Who makes it? Looks like the Random number generator really wanted to look into this set...same as the last post, it's a figure from the Safari Prehistoric Sea Life toob, 682404 The massive (looking) Safari Toob Liopleurodon When did it come out? Still available? Where can it be found in my displays? How does it fit in the collection? Any story behind it? Again, not really necessary to go back into this...! It's all just a big callback to the…

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August 22, 2019
FigureTales

Vault tales 31 Safari Toob Tylosaurus

Who makes it? Safari Ltd as part of their Preshistoric Sea Life TOOB, item number 682404 When did it come out? I want to say 2007. But it was apparently 2009. It's a small but mighty little figure! Even the teeth, while a little uniform, are distinctly visible! Still available? I just found out that toob was discontinued in 2017! This is very disappointing to me, as that is a really great set. I hope a new one replaces it…

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August 19, 2019
FigureTales

Vault tales 30 Colorata Cheetah

Who makes it? Colorata, from their original Wild Cats Vol 1 box When did it come out? I think I picked it up in 2006? Running Cheetah! Still available? Unlike many of the Colorata boxes, I think this one is still available in its original format. Getting it outside of Japan remains tricky. And in the other direction. The use of a customizable peg means that the figure can be portrayed with it's legs only barely touching the ground! Where…

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August 15, 2019
FigureTales

Vault tales #29 Kaiyodo Dinotales Liopleurodon v2

Who makes it? Kaiyodo, as part of the Dinotales line. Series 1 (but see below) item number 011.2 When did it come out? Bit of history here...The first series of Dinotales came out in 2001. A set of 24 blind bag figures that needed to be put together (for the most part) using as modern a design for the shape and patterns as possible. There was also a chase figure (a tuatara, for some reason). They were popular, so Kaiyodo…

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August 12, 2019
FigureTales

Vault tales #28 K&M International Red Salamander

Who makes it? The company is called Wild Republic now, but back in the day, the good figures were K&M International. That's what this salamander is branded as, part of their 'medium' size rubber salamander set. Item number 20757 The stamp on the belly, giving away the age of this particular mold. There were so many in the late 90s, most of which are likely lost. Which is unfortunate, because they used to have a great range of animal figures.…

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August 8, 2019
FigureTales

Vault tales #27 Ausini Wild Boar

Who makes it? A weird, small company named Ausini as part of a mini wild animals set. When did it come out? I've had it for at least 10 years, but it's probably older. Look. A tiny boar! At this size, my camera is not pleased. Still available? It's hard to pin down. I think it's originally an Italian company, but I cannot find the set anymore. I did find references to Ausini recalls of wildlife sets, but they make/made…

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August 5, 2019
FigureTales

Vault tales #26 Noah’s Pals Golden Jackal (male)

Who makes it? Part of the short-lived animal toy line Noah's Pals, they represented the letter J, for Jackal. But specifically, Golden Jackal! More specifically, this is the male one one, Jason. When did it come out? It was brief, but probably 2006 or 2007. A (male) golden jackal! Just kind of standing there. Still available? Nope, and it's a sad, dumb story. The Noah's Pals line was meant to be an all to-scale series of animals, two-by-two of course.…

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August 1, 2019
FigureTales

Vault tales #25 Play Visions Placodus

Who makes it? Play Visions, as part of a bin figure set of prehistoric marine reptiles. It has a stamp of #1 on it When did it come out? The figure is stamped 1998, so go with that! Friendly Placodus, just swimming along the reef. Although they may not really have been that adept at swimming, being quite heavily built reptiles.. Still available? They were discontinued in the early 2000s, although they still show up in the occasional store as…

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July 29, 2019