The new Top Gun: Maverick movie has seen a large number of tie-in models released by Matchbox, but there is also a tie-in model from Hot Wheels (both brands being owned by Mattel).
This is a new casting of the Grumman F-14 Tomcat naval fighter. It is not part of the Mainline toy range, but is from the 2021 Replica Entertainment line. These models are more detailed than the Mainline toys, and are aimed at collectors. They also use more metal, and less plastic, in their construction, making them more expensive.
The Grumman F-14 Tomcat does not have an undercarriage, but does come with a clear plastic display stand. It also has working swing-wings, and a clear canopy. The model is just over 80mm long, making it smaller than the Matchbox Sky-Busters Tomcat, which is over 110mm long.
The colour scheme is light grey, with the number 114 on the nose and above both wings. However there are no US Star-and-Bar markings on the wings or the forward fuselage, and that just looks totally wrong. This also afflicts the Matchbox Top Gun models, and I assume it is to avoid paying a licence fee.
The backing card depicts two Tomcats, at almost the same angle as the model inside its plastic bubble, so they appear to be flying in formation. Just above the planes is the Top Gun (not Top Gun: Maverick) logo. Copyright date on the back of the card is 2020.
This is actually the second Top Gun model from Hot Wheels. Back in 2015, when the line was simply called Hot Wheels Entertainment, they released a model of the Kawasaki Ninja GPZ 900R motorcycle, in red and black. The card showed a Tomcat looming menacingly over the bike, and had a 2015 copyright date on the back.
Full listing of the entire Hot Wheels Entertainment line.
The Tomcat photo is mine, while the Kawasaki is from Worthpoint.
What do you think?
Paul Adams from New Zealand
Do Hot Wheels do another Darkstar model too?
ReplyDeleteAs far as I know Hot Wheels do not do a Darkstar model, but there is one in the Matchbox Top Gun: Maverick range.
ReplyDelete