GI Joe Classified Series Tiger Force Outback In-Hand Review
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After over a year of waiting, the GI Joe Classified Series Tiger Force Outback finally made it to US shores, and we have him here for an in-hand review for all your enjoyment! ! Some may say they prefer the more classic version of Outback, which I am super excited for as well, but this version is super special because he was based on a very rare European version that very little people own, and for that it makes him that much more special to add to our collection! From the incredible face sculpt all the way down to the details on his boots, Hasbro knocked it out of the park with this Tiger Force Outback figure! I always loved the Tiger Force design for the GI Joe figures, so I am super excited to be reviewing this incredible figure. I am so glad that Hasbro has decided to build out this sub-line and can’t wait to see what else they have in store! We ordered this figure over a year ago from Target and he finally got delivered, so very happy to finally have him in hand. This Aussie has traveled a long way, and we can’t wait to dive into the details!
Vintage Tiger Force European Outback
Tiger Force Outback goes all the way back to 1989, when he was part of the elite group of European Tiger Force figures! Yes, we had the Tiger Force here in the US, but Europe had its own unique group of characters that were part of the Tiger Force! Outback being one of the standout characters of the group!
Below you can see an image of the original vintage European Tiger Force group! In 1989, the first 2 figures were released in Europe, Outback and Psyche Out. Then 2 years later, the figures were re-released along with 4 others, Blizzard, Tunnel Rat, Sneak Peak and Hit & Run.
Michael used to have this verision of Outback in his collection but regrettably sold it back in 2019. A momentary a lapse of reason perhaps? This 1990 version of Outback is a European exclusive that came out in 1990 along with the four other Tiger Force figures photographed above. Outback came with a black Hekler & Koch rifle, a brown web belt, a green flashlight, and a brown survival backpack.
In 2016, a new version of Tiger Force outback was released for the exclusive G.I. Joe Collector’s Club Figure Subscription Service. This figure looked spectacular for a 4″ scale figure, with a ton of detailed sculpting, he was a glimpse into the future of what a highly detailed and articulated version may look like. And now with this new 6″ Classified Series version, we finally get our perfect Tiger Force Outback!
You can find the vintage Tiger Force Outback on eBay:
Box and Art
Being one of the last GI Joe Classified figures to be released in a window box, it’s great to get to see the figure within! You can see everything that Outback comes packaged with. It includes custom artwork on the front and sides, and a collage of GI Joe Characters on the back. This type of packaging is being phased out to now windowless packaging as we saw with the latest pre-orders from Hasbro with Kamakura and the Blue Ninja’s two pack. I understand the need to lessen plastic waste and I all for saving the environment, but it will be a sad day when we can no longer see the action figured we are getting thru the front of the package. But I digress, as this is a separate discussion for another day.
Abilities (Decode the Classified Series)
Level 3: International Ops – This one was not on the decode list as it must be new, but by the globe icon we are guessing it means characters with the International OPS icon are sent on secret missions
Level 2: Light Weapons – Characters with the LIGHT WEAPONS icon use small, handheld weapons.
Level 3: Jungle Combat – Characters with the JUNGLE COMBAT icon are masters of fighting in hot, overgrown, and uncharted jungle environments.
Level 4: Desert Combat – Characters with the DESERT COMBAT icon are masters at fighting in hot, dry desert environments.
Box Art
With custom artwork by Hartley Combs, this G.I. Joe Classified Series Stuart “Outback” Selkirk will look fabulous on your shelf! This is a beautiful pencil sketch style illustration of Outback looking steely and determined. The side of the package has a similar illustration with Outback seemingly closing his eyes as in deep concentration. The back of the box features a jungle scene with computer screen closeups as if some covert operations were happening to scope out the area!
Pack Out
TF Outback comes packaged with a multitude of accessories, beautifully laid out in his plastic tray. As you can see from the photo below Outback’s accessories include:
- Rifle
- Shovel
- Knife
- Pistol
- Flashlight
- Backpack
Head Sculpt
Tiger Force Outback has got to have one of the best and most detailed head sculpts of all the Classified Series figures thus far! I can’t tell you how blown away I am at seeing this figure in hand! The incredible detail in his face, you can just see the steely determination in this jungle fighter!
Outback has a weathered but experienced look on his face. With incredible variation in the paint application of his beard and hair have a paint wash that adds incredible detail to his overall look!
Chest and Back
TF Outback has an all-new torso sculpt as he is much more beefed up than the standard Classified series figure. He is wearing his signature orange t-shirt with giant tiger logo on the chest. Hasbro did a wonderful job at recreating this signature logo with a modern feel and lots of detail. Where the vintage logo was just a black outline drawing of a tiger, the new logo is a fully color illustration of a roaring tiger and looks amazing! He includes the standard ab crunch at his waist.
Arms and Shoulders
Tiger Force Outback’s arms are where this figure really stands out! His arms are super jacked up, so you don’t want to run into him in the jungle! He included butterfly joints at his shoulders and pin-less elbow joints as well. His biceps are huge so don’t mess with him! His forearms feature the first rendered hair which was a super cool detail for Hasbro to add to him. He is wearing black gloves and sports a grey watch on his left wrist.
Outback also has some incredible looking shoulder straps. They are brown leather like looking straps with a bunch of buckle details sculpted into them. Each one connects down to the large pockets that attached to his belt buckle.
Waist and Legs
TF Outback is wearing a brown leather like belt with silver belt buckle and has some large pouches sculpted on the front. There are also some nice rivet details around the belt as well.
On his back side, his pants have two nicely sculpted pockets so he has plenty of storage space in his pants!
He is dressed in olive drab green camo pants and black boots. There is a ton of sculpted detail including stitching and pockets throughout.
He also has multiple weapons holsters and nicely detailed black boots.
Outback is also equipped with several weapons holsters. He has a pistol holster on his right thigh, a flashlight holster on his left thigh, and a knife sheath on his left boot
The neat thing about his boot design is that they are very classic looking and have tons of sculpted detail. Also, they don’t include those annoying looking shin guards a lot of the other Classified figures come with.
Weapons and Accessories
As mentioned above, Tiger Force Outback comes with a multitude of accessories for his outdoor survival! He comes with a rifle, pistol, knife, flashlight, shovel and backpack, all that can be stowed on the figure to carry along with him!
Rifle & Pistol: Tiger Force Outback comes with a highly detailed rifle that includes a scope on the top for Outback to take aim at his enemies! It also has a very nice leather like strap so he can strap his rifle around his chest while he goes out into the dangerous jungle! He also comes with a small side arm pistol which includes some a painted cloth wrapped handle, so it looks like it’s seen some battle and been pieced back together for survival! The pistol stows in a holster on his right thigh.
Shovel, Knife and Flashlight: He also comes with a cool looking shovel that strapped onto his backpack. He also includes a knife that can be stowed in his knife sheath that is strapped to his left boot. And finally, he comes with his classic flashlight so he can light his way thru the dark jungle! The flashlight also stows in a holster on his left thigh.
Backpack: Tiger Force Outback comes with a large brown backpack which is very reminiscent of the vintage one. With tons of sculpted pockets and straps, you can store his shovel and rifle on each of the pegs on either side of the backpack.
Toy Photography fun
If any of you follow our Toy Habits Instagram page and The Toy Sorceress Instagram page, you will see the Toy Sorceress loves Toy Photography, so here are some photographs for your enjoyment and inspiration! Tiger Force Outback was especially fun to photograph in the wild because of his character’s connection to the jungle and outdoor battle! Looks like Outback and Beach Head are encountering some Vipers out on Viper Island! Let’s see how Outback handles these snakes! Enjoy!!!
Where to buy:
You can pick up Tiger Force Outback and the rest of the Tiger Force and Python Patrol wave from the following retailers.
Complete YOUR GI Joe Collection
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