Plus, the Eliminator had a tow hook, a huge plus in my book.
I haven't had a good opportunity to really get to know the Eliminator by getting it into the mix and loading it up with my classic RAH figures. But I thought I would offer up some first impressions and photos for everyone to look at.
The Eliminator has a nice size to it. It's not too big, and in a way I am surprised about its size somewhat. It's hard with photos to get a good sense of size until something else is next to it, other than just figures. As you see below, it's not overly large, just a little bit longer than the AWE or VAMP, and not much wider if at all.
The Eliminator does sit a little bit higher, though. I think it has a very nice off-road, all-terrain ability look to it, especially from the front with the angle under plate.
With the flat bottom of the Eliminator, whether an intentional design, or not, I can see this vehicle being an effective obstacle..... eliminator. ?
Above, one can see the range of the steering wheels. Both axles in fact. Everyone and their dog probably new about this feature on the Eliminator, but I just discovered it out in the last few months. Whenever I see both axles steering like this on a vehicle, I think of today's Monster Trucks, which do the same thing, and if you ever see them on Monster Jam tear up over obstacles, get in the air, and spin in tight circles...., well, I'm impressed, and the imagination runs wild here.
While the steering axles are great, they do rub a little up in what would be the wheel wells. Plus, there isn't much "suspension travel" space worked into this area. There is no "suspension" feature when I say this, but I would have liked just a hair more space above the tires.
Blowtorch is the guy on hand for other size comparison. And at this point I can totally let everyone know that I now understand how things ended up just missing when I was around 6 years old. (Blowtorch was out on the side of a sandbox, I rescued him for awhile.)
Armaments on the Eliminator are very 1987 high-tech feeling to me. Between 1987, BF2K, and Transformers, the shape of this gun on the front just brings me back to that time. As does the front laser guns. For the modern day, I think it's interesting, but I haven't decided if I like it.
The front laser guns are a bomb for me. Even with reality suspended, I don't care for them right now. The bumper is very cool, as is the roll cage, and even just the angle shape of the body, but the laser guns are just strange. Plus, their range of movement is very limited in a short side-to-side sway. I think a pair of gatling guns sticking straight out, or even headlights would be better. A lot like this custom.
The rear gun is on a turret with 360 degrees of rotation, but it feels like it is intended more as an anti-aircraft gun with the high point of elevation here:
... and the low point of elevation here:
The BF2K aesthetic makes me think of Transformers from back in the day for some reason. Pictures of BF2K vehicles have always done this to me. At the same time, the Eliminators big gun also reminds me a little bit of a the original (or 25th) VAMP's gun, as well as the H.A.L.. It is almost like a cross between the two guns in away.
It has foot pegs on the turret base, and while Blowtorch isn't really using him, for demonstration purposes....., well, I don't understand why the pegs for a figure are there. There isn't any obvious gunners handle, nor is the gun really high enough to make a figure "fit" in a standing gunners pose.
Additionally, the back end, one of the "two battle units in one" has a seat with a very technical looking control station...., and it sits up on some tiny legs. Does the guy that sit at the computer station control the gun, and if so, why the foot pegs? Also, do you think this base unit here is the 1987 version of the L.A.W.?
The hidden features under the gun platform are numerous, mostly molded into the body. Now, help me out, but is this the first and only vehicle to have words molded into the body (see center of photo)?
There is a lot of detail worked in on the back deck, the most notable is the 6-rocket platform that raises out of the hidden spot. But there is all sorts of mechanical details worked in back here, and there are even additional figure foot pegs.
And yes, I am missing the engine (?) cover, if anyone has one to spare, I could use one!
The front end drivers seat almost looks like there could have been a planned steering wheel, but the two side post handles are the method of driving it seems. And you know, with the twin steering axles, this makes sense to me. Not much more going on for details up front, except for that giant flat-head screw looking detail on the left center of the photo below. (reminds me of Transformers, again.)
The flat bed "truck" with no second battle unit on the deck appeals to me. This is a potential utility space, something I wanted. Right now, I'm thinking there is some customizing in the waiting for me here.
What do you think about the Eliminator?
The Eliminator Delta File!