My very first Ingram.
Producer: Wave Corporation
Price: Approx. $90 USD
Release Date: Jan. 2010
Item Height: Approx. 6.75″
Item Weight: N/A
Batteries: N/A
WHERE TO BUY: TFSource
If there’s a real robot series that sticks out to me it’s got to be Patlabor. There’s something about the implementation and small details of the mecha (called “Labors”) in it that just plain works. The AV-98 Ingram Unit 1 is an awesome design and the diecast homage piece by Wave Corporation under their W.H.A.M. (Wave High Advanced Model) line does a great job of capturing its likeness in a high-end, articulated piece that retailed at a considerably great price. This particular unit is the Ingram “Alphonse” named by its pilot Noa Izumi.
Presentation: Like the previously-reviewed Panzer World Galient Tetsukyojin by the same company, the Ingram also comes in a thicker, cardboard box and both the Ingram and its accessories are well-packed inside of the styrofoam shell.
Build: The Wave W.H.A.M. Av-98 Ingram Unit 1 Alphonse consists of a diecast frame with a “shell” making up the aesthetics of the figure which uses both diecast and plastic in itself. The paint is well applied and features a glossed, hard coating which really makes it hard to tell which pieces of the shell are plastic or diecast. The joints are covered with a textured rubber which holds up very surprisingly well while holding the figure with no stressing or intrusion to the figure’s articulation. It’s extremely well made and although not as impressive visually I find the fit and finish to be much better than the Galient Tetsukyojin. It also features gimmivks like a button which pops up the lights on its shoulders, a lever which moves Izumi in and out of sight within the neck area, an opening cockpit, and a side hatch on the right leg which reveals storage for the revolver.
Accessories: The Ingram Alphonse comes with additional hands, a revolver, a shotgun, and both extended and retracted batons (the latter of which stores inside of the riot shield which is permanently attached to the left arm.) The accessories are small in number but absolute necessities which is perfect.
Articulation: If I had to rate this piece’s articulation individually I’d give it around a 5/10. It’s neither good nor bad and really feels like it just does what it needs to at a very base level and nothing advanced or “special” in the slightest. It’s built fantastically and it plays well but really just doesn’t do much. 90 degree elbows, basic waist swivel with no crunching in the abdominal area, etc.. Definitely check out the video review portion to see it in motion.
Overall Score: 6.5/10 – Honestly, the Wave W.H.A.M. Ingram Alphonse is a fantastic looking piece and really well put together for the size but as an actual toy it doesn’t really do much. It’s nice to finally have an Ingram on my shelves but my hunt for a definitive one to have displayed continues.
Check out a few pictures of these in the gallery, and even though this is long sold out, definitely keep an eye out for new iterations of this popular bot!
