6882 - Walking Astro Grappler

Rating:
Pros: Great exploration design; the jointed robot arms are kind of silly unless you get one of good length (six or seven segments or more) and this is a good one
Cons: None noted
Contents: 86 pieces including 1 mini-fig
Price: Discontinued
Reviewed: 28-May-1997
Reviewed by: Joseph Gonzalez

A nightpage awakens the groggy Lieutenant from restful sleep, "Sir, we have a problem."
In minutes he is dressed and in the information room finding out that two privates on free time have been out late cave exploring and have not responded to recent status checks. According to station timers, the two explorers only have another two hours of oxygen. With only three other available men, the Lieutenant assumes responsibility to seek out the explorers. The vehicle hangar has only a functioning grappler unit available but that should be more than enough to find the explorers quickly. He suits up and is soon strapped in, proceeding quickly toward the enormous alien Tarkas Caverns.

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The predecessor to the Alien Moon Stalker, the Walking Astro Grappler is a great example of an early walker of unique design and lots of swiveling plates to make it a set worth looking for. The bullet-shaped control booth (driver can stand or sit) is part of a sturdy base mounted on two legs that pivot back and forth for walking action. A probing robot arm with pincer and cargo boxes mounted on the control base allow the Grappler to gather and store samples as it travels.
The model is fully in blue with grey highlights and grey legs. The pincer arm is novel and fun at first, but the Grappler seems otherwise defenseless. Luckily, other small-size accessories can be added to the main body to enhance its appearance and/or weaponry.
Model comes with one classic black astronaut but no weapons. No particularly unique pieces included with the set but there are a LOT of swiveling plates (blue base, grey center).
My only question would be how the pilot gets in and out. Maybe the arm reaches up and grabs him like an elephant?
The Walking Astro Grappler is one of my favorite early models, showing off a design that both looks exploratory and predatory.