Well lemme tell ya E.
I collect the 1:18 military lines from BBI and 21st Century toys, and the quality's really unmatched in the toy aisle on anything they make. Comparatively, 21st usually has a more complex toy, but BBI has something a bit sturdier... Basically they're neck-and-neck with each other, but they make Hasbro (anything) look like child's play.
The kicker? BBI Helicopters at TRU were around $40 to $60... The larger ones that is, which are a Blackhawk (modern day troop mover, etc.), and Apache. I got an Apache back in the day on clearance, but never got a Hawk... Anyway, $30 at BBI for the same chopper. Almost HALF off, and Target says that's their price, it's not overstock like some were thinking it was...
BBI was exclusive to TRU but they've worked out a deal with Target now who have a much stronger distribution system. The better EF stuff sells at Target, the more they're gonna carry too. 21st Century Toys is currently at Wal-Mart mostly but TRU just got in agreement with 21st again so now it's at both stores. I'm thinking maybe TRU's dumping Elite Force, not sure, but it's really their pricing (and lack of mark-downs) that kills TRU (as with all toys at that store).
Anyway, the main point is that Elite Force stuff at Target is priced UNBELIEVABLY. Their items are all 100% to-scale in 1:18, nothing is cut, nothing is scaled down... It's perfect. And the prices are just too good to be true. Even the guys that collect it were shocked at that. I got a Blackhawk just tonight E, first one I saw yet, at a new Target in the Pittsburgh area I can get to easily (thank god). $30 for that behemoth was just too good to be true to me. The quality is fantastic though... Dials are sculpted on, painted... Doors open, the trooper doors slide, there's a rappelling line, etc., etc...
There is only one slight flaw with the choppers and it's the props tend to droop a little over time due to weight.
On the Humvees, they're great... Rivet detailing sculpted on, doors open, the figures are good, you get extra bits with them generally... There's at least two Humvees being sold so far. One is a "Super Humvee" which is opened in the back. This is a Humvee being used by Special FOrces in Iraq/Afghanistan right now... The other I saw was a woodland camo regular old Humvee. There is one too that has an armored turret with machine gun on the top, a regular version. These are the new modified armor Humvees being deployed in Iraq with better protection for the gunner up top and everyone inside... They're in desert tan, however I"m not positive these are hsowing up at Target yet.
The LAV (Land Assault Vehicle) is there though as well... They're getting eaten up in Iraq right now but are still deployed. They're something you'll see with homemade up-armoring on them on the news sometimes and whatnot. Again a great piece though, and at a pretty great prices. The Humvees and LAV's prices aren't quite as snazzy as the Abrams and choppers, but they're quite good nonetheless.
I say buy away Eric, you won't be disappointed man. You know you want an Apache for Wild Bill.
