Armadillo (1989)

Sometimes collectors bellyache when toy makers remold and repaint figures and vehicles. The situation is understandable, from both sides of the equation. The toy manufacturer is, after all, in business to turn a profit. This often results in cost cutting measures to ensure the most bang for their buck. Collectors sometimes get frustrated when an item is repainted and re-purposed to the nth degree, seeing the redecorated product as a wasted opportunity for the toymaker to create a new item. I don’t mind repaints, for the most part. To me, they often provide an interesting alternative paint scheme for well-known figures and vehicles. Maybe this explains why I have a collection full of multi-colored Vipers and HISS tanks. When a repaint or retool is done inventively, it’s an added bonus. If a toy designer can take an existing base and turn it into something new and fun, with just the addition of a few parts and a new coat of paint, it’s a testament to their skills. Case in point: the VAMP Mark II and Cobra Stinger. Does anyone view those as lame remakes? No way.

The Slaughter’s Marauders Armadillo is a late 80s example of inventive parts reuse. At a time when straight-up repaints were populating the line with Night Force, Tiger Force and Python Patrol paint jobs, the Marauders vehicles were redressing older molds with newly created elements. Add some tube missiles and the diminutive Armadillo takes on a new, more threatening appearance. The Marauders paint schemes were also exemplary in comparison to the figures meant to man them. There’s no electric blue highlights, and the camo isn’t laid down in wide swaths as if applied via paint roller. This is re-purposing done right.