Takara 1/24 Dual Model Votoms Toys

Mega Review: Every Dual Model Release (Clear, Metallic, Video Game, and Revival)

Packaging & Extras: (3.5/5) +1 for Red Shoulder releases
It all began with Series No. 01 in its orange box (21.5 x 29 x 7 cm) with window cut outs that reveal the body of the Scopedog separate from the head. The toy shipped without the head installed so prospective buyers could see that it featured an opening cockpit gimmick that housed a pilot figure. Inside was a Styrofoam tray that contained everything you would need to assemble to create your rugged toy Scopedog. Beyond the body and head, you received:
1) Seated pilot figure (installed in cockpit but removable)
2) Standing Chirico figure
3) Rifle/grenade launcher
4) Additional ammo tin

5) Instructions (One page, color, front and back)
6) Sticker sheet
7*) Pair of fixed posed hands (R gun grip, L open)
8) Parachute pack (which contains three removable ammo tins)
You also received the following parts that required your assembly:
Cockpit controls (may be already installed)
Internal electronics for Scopedog head
One sprue of armor covers (2x top of foot, 2x back of leg, 2x wrist, 2x heel) – they’ve been removed from the sprue and installed on the toy already in the picture above
One sprue of connection bars (2x for shoulders, 2x for parachute pack)
One simulated rolled parachute
One strap for parachute
Why the asterisk next to the fixed posed hands? The back of the box does NOT list the fixed posed hands as contents though the basic Scopedog instructions mention swapping out the hands. If you’re shopping for one second hand, you may see the foot storage bay open. Don’t be alarmed, the plastic piece that pushes down on the seated pilot figure has a tendency to cause his feet to press that door open. On a modern toy, the need to assemble so many of the accessories and the armor flaps on the vehicle would earn some demerits.

Series No 2. is Fyana in her Brutishdog. The color scheme is updated but the box dimensions remain the same. The smaller window is reshaped to show off the included Fyana standing figure. The Styrofoam tray is unique, again including the main toy and separate head as well as:
1) Seated pilot figure (installed in cockpit but removable)
2) Standing Fyana Figure
3) Standing Chirico Figure (same from Scopedog release)
4) Ammo magazine (two pieces pressed together to be one magazine for use either in the arm or storage in the backpack)
5) Open left hand
6) Mission pack (backpack)
7) Instructions
8) Stickers
One sprue of armor covers (2x top of foot, 2x back of leg, 1x wrist) – I stole a picture from Mandarake to show what it should look like above since mine were already installed
One sprue of connection bars (2x for shoulders)

Series No. 3 was the Red Shoulder release. This release was clearly meant for the most discerning Votoms fan. The smooth cardboard and plastic window boxes of the first two releases are replaced with textured cardboard. The overall package dimensions have swollen to 35.5 x 25.5 x 7.3 cm. The box consists of an exterior sleeve that slides off revealing an interior tray with cardboard wrapped around on either side. The sleeve is adorned by huge, gorgeous art of the Red Shoulder Customer, the back of the sleeve includes the instructions and recommended sticker layout. The tray is adorned with more art that describes the Red Shoulder loadout and depicts Chirico on the opposit side. Opening those panels reveals the full content of the box which includes the scopedog (this time with head attached) and everything that came with the Series 01 release. The seated pilot, the pilot’s seat, and the controls for the pilot are included in a baggy behind the sprue with armor covers. The package also includes:
9) Red Shoulder parts consisting of:
              Solid shooter (mounts to forearm)
              Gatling gun (mounts to side)
              2-tube SMM short-range missile launcher (mounts to side)
              Mission pack (mounts to back)
              9-tube missile launcher (mounts to mission pack)
10) 10x rockets for the 9-tube launcher (1 rocket is extra) on a sprue that includes parts to complete the round mover, missile launcher, and solid shooter
11) Round Mover
12) 3x missiles for 2-tube launcher (1 missile is extra) on a sprue that includes the nozzles for the round mover
13) Red Shoulder Instructions
My only criticism is that Takara did not include an additional green shoulder so this toy could be displayed naturally with any loadout.

Takara capitalized on the success of the dual model toy with gift-sets for their Playstation 1 video games. The first of these was Soukou Kihei Votoms Gaiden – Blue Knight Berserga Story which could be bought as a Perfect Soldier Box which included a recolored dual model Scopedog. Assuming the clear variants came later, this would be the toy that introduced the 20 x 26.5 x 7 cm package dimensions and cardboard trays that would become the standard for future releases. The second tray includes a slot for the game on top that is then opened to reveal all the standard Scopedog equipment. You receive everything that was included in Series 01 with the following changes:
A) Item 7, the fixed posed hands, are NOT included (see note above) but you do get the video game
B) Item 4, the instructions, were not included but a playing card and stickers were included. I bought mine second-hand and it came with four playing cards but I’m not sure if that’s standard since my next game bundle came with one playing card. There’s also the chance I bought both from a guy that liked the card game and neither came with cards at all but he threw them in to be nice.

Takara revisited the Perfect Soldier Box concept with the release of the next Votoms themed PS1 game, Soukou Kihei Votoms: Woodo-Kummen Hen. This video could be purchased with a uniquely colored Red Shoulder variant of the dual model toy. The box size and cardboard inner trays are unchanged from the Blue Knight release. All the contents from the Series 03 Red Shoulder release from the original line are present but the instructions are again subbed out for a game card.

Perfect Soldier Box 3 accompanied the launch of the Lightning Slash video game and gave us the most unique Dual Model toy. The Lightning Slash armored trooper has significantly larger legs requiring the deepest box yet at 20 x 28.3 x 9.5 cm. Takara again used cardboard inserts to store the toy, this time incorporating a clever slide slot for the game. The Lightning Slash toy comes with everything from the Series 01 Scopedog release, including a fixed posed right hand as well as:
9) Another type of gun
10) Video game
While you receive a complete sprue of armor flaps, you’ll only need the front foot and wrist guards. It’s too bad the toy comes with a parachute pack instead of the mission pack with the cannon seen in the game.

When the big nostalgia kick of the early 2000s hit, Takara capitalized by reissuing their scopedog toys in regular, metallic, and clear versions. The reissue of Series No. 1 dropped that “No.1” moniker entirely. Package dimensions stuck to the 20 x 26.5 x 7 cm size of tghe first two video game releases. The window was removed from the regular and clear releases and limited to a center rectangle for the metallic. The box for the metallic release is the same as the regular release but with a metallic sheen and the window to differentiate it. The clear release received unique art with more images of the pilot and product. Folded cardboard again supplemented for the original Styrofoam trays. There are no instructions and no additional fixed posed hands in these releases.

Takara used the same packaging formats to re-release the Brutishdog, also in normal, metallic, and clear versions. Like the Scopedog reissue, the contents exactly mimicked the original release except the instructions were omitted. My clear Brutishdog was missing a second bag of accessories that should have included a clear Chirico figure and hand, it was also missing half the magazine (grrrr). My Revival Dual Model included two full magazines.

The Red Shoulder normal, metallic, and clear reissues are impressive in that they come in the same size box as the other reissues and contain all the accessories of the original release tucked into several baggies. Instructions are again omitted.

Takara revisited the Dual Model toy in 2005 with a “Revival Dual Model” series. To show that this wasn’t just another re-release of the original toy, RDM Series No.1 was a new “outer space” variant of the Scopedog that was predominantly featured as Chirico and Fyana approached Sansa. The packaging received another overhaul growing a bit from the prior reissues back to the 21.5 x 29 x 7cm dimensions of the original 1983 release. This toy includes everything from the original Series No. 1 release with the following modifications:
2) Rifle/rocket launcher has been replaced by a short barrel configuration of the weapon
8) Parachute pack is replaced with round mover pack. Unlike the round mover included with the original Series No. 3 Red Shoulder toy, this round mover is fully assembled
All parts/accessories rendered in flat gray for the original Scopedog release are rendered in the same dark green of this space variant Scopedog. Also included are:
9) Solid shooter bazooka
10) A poster (32 x 35.5 cm)
11) A glossy data card

Takara’s second revival release was a lot less exciting than the first, it’s yet another reissue of the Brutishdog. The packaging dimensions remain the same as the previous RDM release. There are a few visual changes to the accessories. The fists and Chirico figure are now rendered in a pink hue that matches the color of the toy. The other parts previously rendered in a flat gray (Fyana figures, magazines) are now rendered in silver. The instructions return in a new format. You get everything from the first dual model as well as:
4) 2x Ammo magazines (1 for arm 1 for backpack), already assembled,
9) A poster (32 x 35.5 cm)
10) A glossy data card

The final dual model release was the RDM-03 Red Shoulder Custom. The packaging evolved into arguably its finest representation. The box dimensions swelled to 21.5 x 33 x 7.2 cm. A new flip top lid allows you to view the contents through a huge window. The interior baggy is bigger so the data card fits with the instructions, stickers, and poster. Many of the accessories get a touch of paint but most impressive of all are the fully painted pilot figures. All of the contents from the original release are here as well as:
9) Solid shooter bazooka
10) Short barrel conversion of rifle
11) A poster (32 x 35.5 cm)
12) A glossy data card

Charm & Collectability: (3.5/5)
VOTOMS was not a runaway hit. The ratings were so middling the show was in serious risk of being cancelled, but sales of the Dual Model toys were so strong, Takara stuck with it until the end. Like other Votoms lines, collectability of these toys varies significantly from one release to another. See the infographic above for a full list of releases and please let me know if you see any errors or can confirm any additional details. The clear, metallic, and video game versions are all considered limited releases although none were difficult to obtain. The RDM releases were followed less than a year later by Takara’s 1/18 Dual Model Zwei line of toys which were a significant improvement in almost every respect, reducing the value of the Dual Model toys on the secondary market. These toys were marketed as 1/24 scale and stand about 16.3 cm tall. Zinc diecast is a selling point on the box and is very clearly present on the knees of the toy, the handle on the torso storage compartment, and, less obviously, in the shoulders. With the Chirico pilot figure installed, the base Scopedog toy weighs a hefty 280 grams.

Sculpt, Detail, & Paint: (6/10)
Deluxe toys like these (and the Takatoku 1/55 VF-1) were marketed for older kids, teenagers, young adults, and hobbyists. Some sins the modern reviewer may point out, like the lack of paint on the pilot figure, were pitched as opportunities for the new owners to customize as they saw fit. As you can see from the line art comparison, while there are some shortcomings, the dual model was an excellent representation of the Scopedog. The most obvious shortcomings are the bare metal parts and unpainted footwell/torso storage door. I found it impressive that Takara included the electronics for the head as a separate piece molded in a different color (assembly required) instead of omitting it entirely or molding it into the part. The fists should have been molded in the same green as the toy. Modern toys have given us translucent plastic lenses and a wealth of painted on markings.

Curious how to tell a reissue from an original release Scopedog or Brutishdog? The original Scopedog and Brutishdog did NOT contain side weapon-mounting slots, those were introduced when the Red Shoulder Custom toy was produced. After Takara updated the torso mold to have the holes, all future releases had them.

The Brutishdog is not just a light red version of the Scopedog. The toy accurately captures the unique backpack, Gatling Gun arm, and roller feet of the design. Takara wasn’t able to devise a clever way of hiding the screw holes in the Gatling Gun arm. The toy carries over the same weaknesses as the Scopedog, the storage door on the torso is the wrong color and there are bare metal parts in the lower leg. The seated Fyana pilot figure isn’t the greatest but at least we got a unique figure instead of another Chirico. The Fyana standing figure is pretty nice but its again up to the owner to provide paint.

The Revival Dual Model Brutishdog carries forward the paint additions to the shins/knees, torso storage door, and wheel detail beneath the foot. The flat gray of the orignal release is replaced with a silver plastic that looks particularly good on the arm claw. This was also the first ‘normal’ release to include properly colored hands (main body color instead of the accessory color). The dark gray internals of the cockpit from previous releases was substituted with the same silver as the claw and pilot which means those details no longer stand out. The scope is also rendered in the same silver instead of dark gray which is another change I wasn’t fond of. The part the scope slides on also is now a truer red while this part had hints of brown on the original release. The off-red colors of the equipment in the head and shoulder latches have been replaced by a brown color which gives a bit more pop to those details but in a color that seems out of place, particularly since there’s less brown present on the head.

The Red Shoulder Custom original release and reissue are exact copies of the Scopedog toys but with one shoulder replaced with a matte red shoulder and the side ports added for connecting the additional weaponry. The included shoulder latches remain green, which is unfortunate; it would have been nice if they painted one red. The red shoulder can easily be moved to either arm so you can deck out your Red Shoulder as Vanilla’s approximation (left shoulder) or the correct version (right shoulder, though Chirico also says it should be a darker red). The only difference I could tell from the original release and the reissue is that the reissue has a slight darker face plate.

Takara pulled out all the stops for their final release in the line. Like the Brutishdog revival, the Red Shoulder gets a paint matched torso door, knees, shins, and strap over the foot. The hands are now properly colored to match the body of the toy. The red shoulder goes from a very pale matte red to a much darker glossy red. Unfortunately, the latches that connect to the shoulder are gray instead of paint matched to the shoulder. The trim color changes from the light green on the original/reissue toys to a pale beige with a hint of green to it. The face visor goes from the nearly black of the reissue or dark gray of the original release to a medium gray with the scope rendered in the same color. The green lenses of the scope are lighter and possibly applied on top of a reflective silver to have more pop. Like the other revival toys, the antennae on the head are better formed. Inside, the pilot’s seat now has brown paint which really elevates the appearance of the cockpit. That trend continues to the accessories. Weapons previously rendered in one color are now painted much more accuratedly and look fantastic in comparsion. The parachute pack gets a new color scheme. I don’t like how the parachute pack is now rendered the same color as ammo tins and rifle; it’s visually boring but may be accurate. The round mover retains the mold improvement introduced on the RDM-1 Space Assault Scopedog in a new scheme that includes more paintThe pilot figures are very well done.

The Blue Knight Scopedog differentiates itself with a metallic green sheen on the head visor, darker gray (maybe with a touch of green) exterior, and medium gray accents. Like the randomly green door on the torso, the pilot’s seat, controls, and side cockpit details are also rendered in a dark green. I don’t understand why the door in the middle of the torso is again rendered in the wrong color, especially since all the pictures on the back of the box show it matching the areas around it. The parachute and its strap are also rendered in the darker color that matches the backpack when any of the accent colors would have been preferable. Likewise, I don’t like the idea of matching the color of the gun to the main body color. On a postive note, this was the first release to properly match the fists to the body color of the toy, a trend that continued on all Dual Models released subsquently.

The Woodoo/Kummen Red Shoulder toy from the second Perfect Soldier Box set paved the road for the future Revival Dual Model toys by employing several paint improvements for the first time. This toy has the paint matched shins/knees and chest storage door that would become standard later and look great. The toy replaces the green of the previous Red Shoulder and Scopedog releases with a brown color that has a hint of green to it. I appreciate a new color option but the toy’s brown color and red accessories don’t appear to jive with the videos I’ve seen of this game so I’m not sure what the inspiration was. Oddly, the hands, gun, and pilot figures are rendered in a forest green which appear to be leftover parts from the Blue Knight Scopedog and don’t look right here (with the hands being the most obvious offender). I dislike that the scope was rendered in the body color instead of the same silver as the visor behind it. The cockpit and controls done in a slightly lighter green and would have looked much better in the same silver as the accent on the Scopedog and ammo tins.

I didn’t have the heart to remove the parts on sprues for my metallic or clear versions. Just the same, you can get a pretty good idea for the visual splendor of the metallic versions. All accessories are rendered with the metallic finish with the exception of the latches that go on the shoulders and the head electronics pieces which are made of a rubbery gray material. The metallic finish was applied to the parts before assembly of the toy so you will see small dull gray spots on various parts where they were originally cut off their sprue during the manufacturing process. The parachute pack for the Scopedog is all gold, it’s all silver on the Red Shoulder release. Both packs would have much more visual pop if they swapped their parachutes (giving a silver parachute to the scopedog and a gold one to the red shoulder). Similarly, the details on either side of the cockpit should have been the main body color to make them standout from the otherwise silver area. The Red Shoulder toy should have been the inverse plating scheme of the Scopedog rather than a boring all silver toy with a red shoulder. On the Brutishdog, many of the accent color items on the regular releases, like the claws, gun barrels, and wheels, are plated to match the body color. The silver of the metalic schemes help incorporate the silver of the unpainted metal on the knees.

Is clear plastic more prone to yellowing or is this yellowing normal and its just much less noticeable on colored plastic? I suspect clear plastic is just more prone to yellowing. I was unimpressed by the clear version of the toy and wish some light pigment was used. The original releases already had unpainted melal parts so the clear treatment doesn’t teach us much about the toy’s construction. I feel like the seated pilot should have been painted to show off the internal compartment. The translucent red shoulder of that release will make you wish Takara had given more accent parts color to make the toy pop. While the concept is cool, I found the execution boring.

Speaking of boring, the space variant Scopedog’s uniform dark green doesn’t offer a lot of visual excitement. The metal on the legs is painted to match, as is the storage bay door on the torso, so the look is more animation accurate than the original release. Takara also added a spash of silver paint under the foot to give the wheel detail more pop. The round mover accessory captures the colors of the Scopedog Chirico used to fight in space in the Sansa story. The Round Mover also receives a minor update from all previous releases, the handle at the top is reshaped to better resemble the line art. While the new short-barrel version of the gun looks good enough, it’s a shame it continued the dual model trend of being cast in the same color as the Scopedog rather than a dark gray.

Takara made the Slash Dog look radically different from previous releases with minimal changes to the mold. The toy features a new visor and left shoulder. A grappling arm connects to the new left shoulder. The back of the legs get rocket-powered wheel assemblies that bolt onto the heel and calf armor flap mount locations. The cockpit is rendered in black but the head electronics are a matching red to the rest of the toy so they’re not as noticeable. The parachute pack is all red (except the ammo tins) and I wonder if a video game that was focused on one-on-one battles even included the parachute pack. Like the Woodoo/Kummen game version, this toy features a paint-matched torso door, knees, and shins.

Design: (7/10)
It’s amazing how many bells and whistles were included in a toy that still feels this rugged.  Here’s my standard run down of features:

1) Scopes rotate: Yes.  Scope tracks left to right: Yes.  Head twists left to right: Yes.

2) Visor opens upward revealing the pilot: Yes

3) Opening cockpit: Yes
4) Internal controls: Yes.  Articulated: No.  Hand gun stowage: No.
5) Removable Pilot Figure: Yes.  Articulated: No.
6) Opening footwell/torso storage: Yes.
7) Articulated armor panels on hips, feet, and wrist: Yes.
8) Articulated shoulder mounts: Yes
9) Removable armor with internal mechanical detail: No.

10) Back that accommodates different accessories: Yes.

11) Foot wheels: No (molded detail in bottom of foot). The Brutishdog does have a spinning wheel on the heel.
12) Functional foot pivot spikes: No (molded detail, no mechanism)

13) Punch mechanism: Yes, forearm extension

14) Dog mode: Yes.
Before the Yamato 1/12 and Takara 1/18 DMZ lines this toy was the standard all other Votoms toys were judged against. Another nice detail to note, the ammo cannisters in the parachute pack are the same as the one that attaches to the gun.  You can also do some disassembly with these toys.
15) Rifle can be converted into short-barrel mode: No

The parachute pack slides into position over the rear hooks and then stays on very securely with no wobble. The ammo tins on the bottom of the parachute pack are removable identical/swappable with the extra ammo tin included with the toy. Both the parachute pack itself and the ammo tins below it have the perfect amount of tightness, being very secure yet not creating anxiety by the amount of effort they take to remove. The little hooks on either side of the parachute pack can hold additional tins. When equipped, the parachute pack limits the swing of the opening cockpit but it still swings open enough to appear usable. The parachute pack does not include the pivot necessary to allow the toy to obtain the down position while the pack is on.

Like the Parachute Pack, the Round Mover also lacks the pivot necessary to allow the toy to go into down mode when attached. The Round Mover also limits the opening ability of the cockpit. There are no additional features or attachment points on the Round Mover.

The Brutishdog’s backpack has a slot to hold the included magazine. The fit of the magazine in the backpack was incredibly tight until the Revival Dual Model where the magazine slides in out out with the perfect amount of resistance. Like the other mission packs, it inhibits the toy’s opening cockpit but not enough to ruin the feature. Like the other backpacks, the Brutishdog pack does not have a pivot so it does eliminate the ability to go into dog position. The Brutishdog’s arm features a claw that can open and shut and a Gatling Gun. The barrels of the Gatling Gun rotate with a satisfying click. The forearm rotates allowing you get the arm in the position you want.

The Red Shoulder parts attach securely to the toy. While it’s a nice touch that the missiles are separate parts and indvidually removable and generally do a good job staying in position, they can sometimes be loose and fall out of the toy during handling (you may need those included extras). Attachment of the forearm mounted solid shooter is unorthodox, requiring you to extend the punch mechanism and slot prongs into the cavity. This means that arm is always in its extended form when the solid shooter is attached, making it a little longer than the other arm. Since you’ll likely have the other arm bent and/or holding the gun, this isn’t as noticeable as it sounds. The side-mounted gatling gun barrels spin. The backpack interferes with the backward sweep of the opening cockpit gimmick; if your toy has a loose cockpit door (like the revival version) the cockpit will not stay open when the Red Shoulder backpack is equipped. The red shoulder backpack is the only backpack that retains the dog-mode functionality.

There are three unique design aspects to the Slash Dog. 1) The third arm/grappling hook appendage. It features an individual pivot so it can move separately from the left arm. There’s also a hinge allowing the hook to move outward away from the arm or in toward it. Unfortunately, the hook itself is barely functional, opening in closing only a small amount. 2) the back of the legs feature rocket sleds with additional wheels. The assemblies can drop down so the wheels touch the ground or be lifted for a walking/running pose. 3) The new scope assembly still tracks left or right but there’s no rotation gimmick to emulate with this model.

Durability & Build: (9/10) – 5 for Blue Knight & Woodoo/Kummen releases
When I handled my original release scopedog and reissue, and then the revival versions, I had no problem applying the armor flaps that require installation. When I installed those same flaps on my Blue Knight(mare) and Woodoo Kummen Perfect Soldier releases, all but two of them cracked during installation. As I installed more accessories on the Woodoo Kummen version, the toy completely fell apart. I ended up saving the accessories but trashing the toy. I did NOT have any problems with the Slash Dog release. There’s a general belief that chrome plated plastic also becomes brittle. I did not apply the metallic armor flaps to test them out but I would be worreid they would be just as brittle as my Blue Knight.

There’s metal in the legs that enable the ‘dog mode’ which provides heft. The plastic is thick and sturdy which alleviates some of the concerns with parts breaking or disappearing during installation. The plastic antennae are rubbery PVC so they don’t break when you hand errantly puts pressure on them. Gimmicks that could have potentially been fragile (foot spikes/wheels) have been excluded in favor of non-functional molded details. This toy is a lot of fun and can be handled extensively with little fear of damaging it. Be careful with the rubbery latches that attach to the shoulders and side of the parachute pack. Since those parts easily bend, they are easily knocked loose and lost. While paint applications are limited, I was rather let down by the paint job near the torso door on my Brutishdog reissue (above).

While most my Dual Model toys have resisted yellowing, the clear versions of the toys seem particularly susceptible to this scourge. Uniform yellowing was present on all my clear toys.

Overly loose and overly tight joints may be problematic. The fists on my original release Scopedog fit loosely and fell off the toy during light handling. The fit of the hands on later toys was much more secure. My clear Scopdog’s right arm is frozen in place and can not rotate at the shoulder. The hips on my RDM Scopedog are loose.

Articulation: (6/10)
We’ve discussed head and scope articulation in the design section. The shoulder allows the arm to spin 360 and angle a bit better than 45 degrees away from the body. A twist point above the bicep allows the arm to rotate 360 degrees. The elbow allows 90 degrees of articulation and the fists peg in so they can rotate on their peg. There’s a full 360 range of movement in the waist swivel. All armor panels of the kilt are articulated allowing you to bring the foot fully forward or back but be careful at the extremes as you may put pressure on an armor ‘flap’ and dislocate it. There’s a bit of play in the leg attachment at the hip that allows the legs to angle a very small bit out or in. You can not obtain a wide stance, nor can you angle the legs in/out at any point from hip to toe. The knee is hinged at the both the back of the thigh and behind the patella allowing you to extending both points (allowing for the dog form). This double knee joint allows you to get more than 90 degrees of traditional backward foot swing as well nearly 1.5 cm extension of the leg. There’s a pivot in the lower shin so that the lower leg can pivot back entirely for dog mode, it’s probably something you will only use for that pose. The foot rocks up and down but can not twist or rock. Sliding poses are where this toy really excels. The weight from the metal in the legs makes the toy very bottom heavy allowing you to pose the legs far forward and have the toy leaning back and firing.

The Brutishdog adds a couple points of articulation on the new Gatling Gun arm. The round portion of the arm can twist so you can swing the magazine or claw in whatever direction you prefer. As mentioned in the design section, the barrels also rotate and the heels are spinning wheels.

As mentioned in the design section, the Slash Dog adds the grappling arm that can rotate and pivot with a claw that can barely open and close. The additions to the leg increase the base of the toy making even more dramatic sliding poses possible.

Total Score: (36/50) Red Shoulder toys, -1 for Scopedog/Brutish Dog toys, -5 for video game toys with brittle plastic
These toys are among the historical greats. It has that heavy duty feel that will remind you of your favorite toys as a child. Handling Yamato’s 1/12 toys or Takara’s 1/18 DMZ line will make you miss several aspects of these several decade old toys. Newer toys have superior paint applications, articulation, and more features, but if you imagine a Venn diagram of ‘looks’, ‘sturdiness’, and ‘articulation’ overlapping in a section of ‘most playable’, that’s where you’ll find these old Dual Models. If you’re only going to buy one, make sure you grab the Revival Dual Model Red Shoulder release.

Original Post: January 7, 2013, posted as a stub only containing info on the first release
May 12, 2024: Updated to include info on all releases with detail on all Scopedogs.
May 26, 2024: Updated to include full details on all Brutishdog releases
June 9, 2024: Added Red Shoulder content