Jurassic Park Series 1: Capture Copter

Year of release: 1993

Accessories:

-Tranq Missile Launcher with one missile

-Capture net

-Hook

(Note: the reviewer is not an expert on helicopters, so any incorrect technical terminology or lack of detail should be disregarded.)

Description: somewhat shark like in design, including tail fins, large fins on the side equipped with ski feet (so it stands well balanced) and a large sticker under the cockpit section featuring a huge fierce maul with sharp teeth and a big tongue, the Capture Copter is the only airborne vehicle of the first JP toy lines. Despite being one of the largest vehicles it is a one man chopper and as such there’s only room for a single figure in the cockpit; this cockpit has no “glass” but only plastic grey framing to prevent figures from falling out. The Copter features a set of four long thin blades as well as a two bladed propeller on the upper tail fin: all blades are black and spin around fine. On top of the main blades there is an orange device; its main function is to provide a solid gripping handle to hold the chopper with. On top of this a small grey button sticks out, which activates the net dropping system. Underneath the middle of the chopper, between the side fins, there is a large flat orange “box” supported by a grey framework. Via the four black weights which are to be attached to the net, this box holds the net on each end. Pushing the button makes the net drop. Pressing the two yellow levers below the box together prepares the system for another net dropping action. The net itself is very large and can hold almost any dinosaur figure, save for the very biggest (like the large T-Rex figure of this toy line).

Next to the net dropping system which is the primary weapon of this vehicle, there are several additional features. A grey hook is attached underneath the tail section of the Copter via a string which itself is tied around the lower tail fin. This fin can slide from the base of the tail to the back: the hook can hold the net and thus carry caught animals around, while the fin makes the net capable of being lifted as high or low as the range of the tail fin allows. Below the cockpit a box like orange missile launcher is attached, which can also be detached from the chopper. It can be loaded with a large grey rocket, and the Capture Copter comes with only one of these. Pressing the small yellow button on the underside of the launcher fires the missile a good distance away with a solid impact force.

Apart from the various components mentioned above the Capture Copter is almost entirely painted grey, except for a blue band around the middle part of the tail section. A small JP logo sticker can be found on each side fin, while a sticker featuring engine like detailing can be put just under the main blades. The large fierce mouth sticker runs from one end of the outer cockpit to the other, being about 15 centimetres wide in total and more or less symmetrical.

Analysis: the only toy vehicle of the first JP line which isn’t directly based of a vehicle seen in the movie, the classic Capture Copter is in no way of lesser interest and design than the cars. Its shark like carnivorous appearance makes it look rather organic and not much unlike the dangerous predators it hunts and transports. For this function it is equipped with several sweet action features, none of them suffering from any annoying design flaws.

First, its most eye catching weapon: the net. Unlike most other weapon systems using nets seen in the various Kenner toy lines this one doesn’t get launched (it’s much too big for that anyway), but dropped on a target instead. This increases chances of capturing creatures, since no aiming is required. Once having reached position above its quarry one simply presses the button on top and the net falls and totally engulfs the poor animal. The net’s size makes it suitable for use for almost any dinosaur figure, though the very largest won’t be fully trapped but only hindered. This net system works quite well and can be counted among the best of weaponry.

Second, the hook which can carry the net and move prey from the place of capture to the sight of incarceration. Via the lower tail fin the net can be lifted to various heights, though the tail fin immediately slips back when left loose. For a successful transport the fin must be carefully administered by hand. When large prey is caught in the net, say a JPS1 Stegosaurus, the hook is less easy to control and the chopper itself gets overly heavy, but smaller captives will be no problem for transport by hook and net.

Third, the Tranq missile launcher. This last weapon completes the system of capturing dinosaurs the Capture Copter uses. The net can capture a beast, but it won’t stop it from thrashing around in a desperate attempt to escape. However, this missile launcher sedates caught animals so they can be readied for transport quietly. The launcher has a perfect firing mechanism: just push the button and the missile gets fired, with a range of about a metre and still a great impact force at that distance. It will knock most figures over, except for the heaviest. The chopper comes with only one missile, but fortunately it’s somewhat larger than most other missiles which decreases the risk of losing it. The fact the missile launcher is detachable and can be used separately is also a plus.

All in all, the Capture Copter comes with a fine range of playability options, all in good condition. That and its design make it one of the more successful and appealing vehicles around. Only the dull paint job, being mostly grey with some black and orange detailing, can be considered a downside. Some variation in colour might have helped. But it’s a great toy regardless.

Playability: quite good. Both the rocket launcher, which is detachable so it can be used separately, and the net dropping system work great. The net is quite large and can capture all but the biggest dinosaur figures. The hook which can carry the net to transport captives isn’t very sturdy and when transporting bigger prey the net does slip loose on occasion. The cockpit can carry only one figure but unfortunately not all figures fit (Muldoon for example). The propeller blades swing as well as they should. Overall, this vehicle provides for a great range of playability when combined with figures and dinosaurs.

Realism: though helicopters were present in all three JP movies, this one is in no way similar to any of them. It’s more like a single person hunting chopper. It is reminiscent to some types of military helicopters, but equipped with weaponry to take on dinosaurs in full force instead of shooting and bombing human targets. It is a nigh perfect toy vehicle though, but not the most realistic.

Repaint: as part of the first JP toy line this Capture Copter is obviously not a repaint. The vehicle would not be repainted for later toy lines either.

Overall rating: 8/10. The Capture Copter, no doubt the most classic of the various JP helicopter toys, is great fun and comes with good action features and a neat sleek design. It’s well worth getting, but also the rarest sculpt of the JPS1 toy line. Though certainly not impossible to find loose, complete and MIB Capture Copters are hard to come by and usually fetch high prices. So be warned.