My TRU doesn't have this sub either.

_________________

For those who haven't found it - I know every TRU is layed out differently, but I thought mine didn't have it at first - because it wasn't on the same shelf as the rest of the Animal Planet stuff. But neary was a small display in the walkway where other non-figure AP stuff was, and the subs were on the bottom shelf of that. FWIW.

_________________

so am I the only one who looked at all that and came away only with the memory of reading "two part playset... Sea Lab Headquarters..."

I know there was also something about "temporarily postponed" but still.

_________________

You aren't the only one. I like the sound of that: Chap Mei's aesthetic isn't always my cup of tea, but I'd love to see what they would do with an undersea lab playset. If it's anything like the sub, design-wise, I'm interested.

I just read the blog and was going to post the same question! I am hoping postpone means a Christmas release!

_________________

Snagged my sub today after work, I won't be opening it up until later tonight though as the little woman and I are going out to dinner right now.

_________________

Priorities man! We need pics NOW! You've already married the woman, she ain't going anywhere. But that sub could be flying off shelves as we speak so we need all the intel we can get before it's gone forever!

_________________

Gah, that's pretty awesome. Wish I was better with vehicle customs... that's screaming to be a funky Star Wars transport. Or a steampunk attack zeppelin.

_________________

Toys R Us "Animal Planet" Deep Dea Sub

I picked up this cool, large sub tonight at Toys R Us with the intentions of customizing it into a 1930's "Flash Gordon"/"Buck Rogers"-type rocketship. I think the shape of this sub (just look at that profile!) begs to be made into an old timey spaceship!













The sub features 4 opening hatches (2 forward facing cockpits and 1 outward facing access hatch on each side) with rather stark interiors. The interiors consist of a seat in each area (the 2 side ones have much shorter bottom parts than the 2 forward facing ones as the sub begins to slim in these areas tapering to the tail) and the 2 cockpits feature blank control areas. The interiors will require extensive reworking for my project, most likely scrapping the stock interiors completely and scratchbuilding new ones. There is a bit of empty space behind the 2 outward facing side seats that could become a cargo/troop area when the stock interior is removed.













Another cool little feature is a pair of hidden, extendable servo arms mounted one on either side of the forward facing cockpits. The arms are very well articulated with ball jointed "shoulders", hinged "elbows" and hinged claws. For my rocketship project, these will be removed and replaced with weapons.



The sub also comes with a decent compliment of additional goodies in the form of 2 figures (7 swivel POA- head, shoulders, hips, ankles), a set of dive gear (mask, flippers, air tank, camera, knife), a wicked little sea sled, a large solid plastic but highly detailed stingray and a gigantic barracuda with lever-activated jaw.



Overall, this is a cool little set for the money ($27.99 + tax) but it does have some drawbacks. The silver plastic used for the hatches feels very flimsy and has a lot of flex often resulting in the hinges popping out of the mounts on the sub so be careful when opening or closing the hatches. The elbows on the servo arms also have similiar issues of popping out, so the same warning applies to them.

This set will be of use to collectors and customizers across the board with some work (mostly redoing the interior areas to look more realistic). Joe collectors can use this sub for either Joe or Cobra with a simple coat of paint or even for the Adventure Team unpainted as yellow is their signature vehicle color. Star Wars and sci-fi customizers can make a retro rocketship like I am or even a steampunk transport with some additional work! Run out and buy at least 1 as soon as you can!

P.S.- If anyone that buys one (or more) of these and doesn't want the stingrays and sea sleds, I can always use more

_________________

looked for one today at my TRU, no luck though. Still no wave 3.5, but they had a pretty good selection of true heroes tanks and APCs. I want one of these subs, or 2, ok 3 but that's it

_________________

I got the sub today, too. I haven't had a chance to open it yet, but I'm thrilled to see from Spectre's pictures that the interior is almost entirely empty; I'm looking forward to taking it apart and planning out a new set of guts for it.

Thanks for the detailed review! Definitely on my "top considerations for 2013" list, as my TRU is carrying them.

Would make a great mini sub to deploy a squad of divers; just wish it had torpedo tubes, but looks like those claw arms could be modified for that purpose.

Cobra can use that shark to attack Joes like Croc Master does with crocs.

thats a barracuda

_________________

I removed the arms last night and will be converting the empty space into either the internal workings of the rocketship or as small cargo areas as the area where the arms go is completely blank and the outer covers still snap securely into place without the arms attached.

_________________