Top Gun: Maverick - Part Two

 Top Gun:  Maverick - Part Two

Matchbox Skybusters

Of all the things delayed by the pandemic, Top Gun:  Maverick is the last out of the gate.  It's so weird that it's been two years since toys and merch for this movie hit shelves...and then disappeared.  My first review was for standard 1:64 scale vehicle multipacks.  These were mostly random cars/trucks that may or may not be featured in the movie and only two jets.  Well I'm glad I was slow in getting around to reviewing these slightly larger "Skybusters" series jets, as it gives me something to talk about in conjunction with the film's late release.   And we've got an aircraft carrier playset to boot!

Most of these are from the new movie.  The "classic" Grumman F-14 Tomcat gets a double-dip.  One is decked out with "Maverick" and "Goose" nicely detailed near the canopy.  The other details the sad fate of dated/retired technology...an F-14 now flying enemy colors.  Unnamed enemy colors, as not to upset any of our political bedfellows or, more importantly, hypocritical "communist/terrorist" moviegoing nations.  According to Wikipedia, Iran was the only foreign customer for the Tomcat.  Iran?!  How big could the box office take from Iran be to have to tiptoe around this?!  That aircraft carrier was stationed in the Indian Ocean...they sure as hell weren't fighting enemy African or Australian Air Force craft!  

There is a more modern "enemy MiG" in the mix:  "Enemy Strike Jet."  I assume its based on a real model of aircraft, but that's all the detail we get.  It certainly does look imposing in size and color scheme, and some sort of red eagle/falcon insignia.  Red bird of prey...ooo, scary!  (but inoffensive) 

The Boeing F/A-18E Super Hornet took over for the Tomcat.  I guess these are standard for the new Top Gun program.  It appears that each pilot gets their own unique paint job.  The two in this group have Maverick in blue and black, and "Rooster" ('Cuz "Goose" was a silly name, Dad) in red and black.  They're zippy single pilot jets, which should suit Maverick's solo lifestyle better, and ensure at least one less canopy ejection accident. (*sniffle* Goooooooose!)

When Maverick really wants to fly solo, the new movie trailers show he does it in this North American P-51 Mustang.  That's old-school, WWII/Korean War figthin'...or racing....whatever suits your fancy.  Again, there is some nice detail on the tiny script here and there.

I'm not sure who gets to fly the F-35B Lightning II, but I bet she's a fast one.  A lil bit beefier and not as colorful as the Hornets, it's a bit "blah."  Guess I have to see it in action to make full judgement.

Maverick also gets to cut loose in a fictional, hypersonic jet called "Darkstar".  It kinda looks like a futuristic Lockheed Martin.  Supposedly, the full-sized mock up of the Darkstar got China's panties in a bunch, as Navy intelligence noted a Chinese satellite breaking course to photograph the movie-made fighter.  I can only assume now that China demanded reshoots in order for Top Gun: Maverick to be shown in their country:  must include a scene with a popular Chinese actress explaining to Tom Cruise the "technologically and scientifically superior design of this Chinese made aircraft."  And people wonder why some get all sentimental and nostalgic for the 1980s...

The aircraft carrier playset  comes packed with another "Maverick" Hornet and a few play features.  The deck has an expandable section to maximize the display area.  As you can see, eight aircraft fit with room to spare...even if that makes it a little dangerous for takeoff and landing.  

There is an elevator to raise jets from the storage area, a two missile firing turret, and a command tower for court marital-able fly-bys.  

It also acts as a storage/carrying case to pack and play at your location of choosing...though I wouldn't stray too far from the Indian Ocean if keeping an eye on the more volatile areas of the globe.

I haven't really been looking to see if there are any rereleases or updates to this line, since I got most of what was put out way back when.  There are apparently a few more that either got held back, or got dumped somewhere else.  In particular, a Navy helicopter and a couple more color/pilot variant Super Hornets.  I was able to track down a "Then and Now" multipack on Amazon, which I had to suffer three repacks to get one redcoed Tomcat with "Iceman" and "Slider" below the canopy.  

Oh, another "Top Gun" related pick-up since last time:

These are fun, if you can find them.  I think they were $3.97 each?  You don't get total die-cast metal, or retractable landing gear, or opening wings for the Tomcats, but the price still fits the size and most of the detail.

Take a trip back in time, before face masks, food hoarding, and fear mongering:

Top Gun die-cast Part One