Kenner's The Claw (4x4 toy monster truck) - 'It goes where it wants' (hopefully!)

If you haven't read my post re the 80s toys called Power Machines, please take a look to see why this topic is very much linked to nature and outdoor play. Inspired by my purchase of two mint Galoob Power Machines I continued research into monster trucks from the 80s/90s that can be used to inspire the imagination and genuinely handle rugged outdoor terrain. It transpires that the now defunct toy company Kenner attempted their own version of  The Animal about five years after the latter went out of production. 

It is a fascinating vehicle and as well as being equipped with proper 4x4 transmission, which is a must if you are planning on hitting the woods and seeing what it can do, it is also able to automatically split its wheels into  two parts and reveal huge, gripping claws inside the tyres. Toy makers back in the 80s and early 90s had fantastic imagination. 

I managed to track down a mint, boxed version of this vehicle (from the US) and it will accompany us and the other vehicles when we head into the garden or the great outdoors. Based on footage of the Reaction Traction (TM) mechanism, I am wagering that this machine will give Galoob's Flex a serious run for its money. Hopefully it will safely traverse the route, twixt the USA and UK, so we can find out!

Already we have been having great fun setting up obstacle courses come rain or shine (and there has been a fair bit of rain over the Christmas period). We emptied some extra gravel and bark chippings out on the lawn, in order to provide additional problems for the trucks, and then it was a case of letting them go. This vehicle will be a welcome addition to the fleet and it will be interesting to see how its abilities compare to Galoob's Power Machines. One thing is certain - it won't be mint by the time we have finished with it, but this is all about the kids enjoying outside play and getting in touch with nature. 

Check out some footage of Flex in action http://youtu.be/7WCqZ_8pOzA


edit (17/01/13): The Claw arrived and didn't work! It hit an obstacle and just sat there with the engine whirring and the wheels doing nothing. I unscrewed the top and could see the plastic gears were warped and this was either a factory dud or time is not kind to that type of plastic. I am beginning to think these toys need some usage to prevent the drive mechanism changing shape and weakening significantly over time. The seller was very understanding, however, and we got a full refund. Have to say I wasn't impressed with what I saw inside - the mechanism looked cheap and poorly constructed. I am not surprised there are very few of these left for sale. Poor show from Kenner.