VANGUARD Accessory Sets Buying Guide: Muddy Tan, Muddy Gray, and Add-Ons Compared

Quick answer

Choose the VANGUARD H.A.U.L. Muddy Tan Accessory Set for desert or arid dioramas, and the Muddy Gray Accessory Set for urban, woodland, or neutral displays. If you want a firepower upgrade, the VANGUARD Stealth Gray Missile Launcher Add-On adds 12 non-firing missiles and 3 blasting missiles. For figure storage, Backpack Set Alpha or Bravo fits all Action Force figures.

So you're looking at VANGUARD accessory sets and wondering which one actually fits your collection. The good news: every H.A.U.L. set fits all Action Force Vanguard vehicles, so compatibility isn't the problem. The real question is color, display style, and whether you want a full armored door swap or a bolt-on weapon.

This guide breaks down the Muddy Tan and Muddy Gray H.A.U.L. sets, the Stealth Gray Missile Launcher Add-On, and the Alpha and Bravo backpack sets. You'll get concrete decision rules and fit guidance so you can buy once and get back to building your shelf.

What every VANGUARD H.A.U.L. set includes

Both the Muddy Tan and Muddy Gray H.A.U.L. sets share the same core parts: four windowless doors, four armored panels that fit into those doors, two additional armored frames for the rear doors, a windshield armor add-on, a brush guard for the bumper, and a cow catcher that mounts on the bumper or on top of the brush guard. The rear door frames can hold an M240 rifle, which is not included. So the only real difference between the two sets is color.

That means your decision comes down to how you want the vehicle to read on the shelf. Windowless doors and armored panels give a sealed, tactical look. The brush guard and cow catcher add front-end presence. If you already own one H.A.U.L. set, buying the other colorway is a cheap way to change the mood of a second vehicle without duplicating the exact same build.

• Every H.A.U.L. set fits all Action Force Vanguard vehicles, so you can swap parts between vehicles.
• The M240 rifle is not included in any set, so plan for that separately if you want the rear door weapon mount filled.

Muddy Tan vs Muddy Gray: the color decision

Muddy Tan leans desert, arid, and weathered. It pairs naturally with sand, rock, and dried-out terrain. If your display has warm earth tones, this is the set that disappears into the scene in a good way. Muddy Gray leans urban, industrial, and woodland. It sits well against concrete, asphalt, and darker green or gray backdrops without calling attention to itself.

Neither color is more capable than the other. The parts are identical. Pick based on the environment you're building, not on specs. If you're undecided, think about the vehicle's base color: a tan set on a gray vehicle creates contrast, while a gray set on a gray vehicle blends in. Contrast makes the accessory parts read as add-ons; matching makes them look factory.

• Desert, sand, or arid diorama: Muddy Tan.
• Urban, woodland, or neutral shelf: Muddy Gray.
• Want the accessories to stand out? Choose the opposite color from the vehicle.

When to add the Stealth Gray Missile Launcher

The VANGUARD Stealth Gray Missile Launcher Add-On is a different kind of purchase. It fits all Action Force Vanguard vehicles and includes 12 non-firing missiles, plus 3 blasting missiles in 3 different sizes and 1 rear blast effect. The launcher turret can be put in an upward firing position. The Vanguard vehicle itself is not included.

This is the set to buy when you want a vehicle to look like it's mid-combat rather than parked. The blast effect and upward turret angle do most of that work. Because it's Stealth Gray, it pairs more naturally with the Muddy Gray H.A.U.L. set than with Muddy Tan, though you can mix them if you want a scavenged, field-modified look.

• Buy this if you want dynamic, action-oriented display rather than a clean parked vehicle.
• The 12 non-firing missiles are for display; the 3 blasting missiles and rear blast effect sell the firing moment.

Backpack sets: finishing the figures, not the vehicle

Backpack Set Alpha and Backpack Set Bravo are 1/12 scale accessory sets that fit all Action Force figures. Each includes 5 different backpack styles. Alpha is military green; Bravo is black. They're intended for adult collectors only, and like many small accessory products they may feature sharp points, small parts, and choking hazards, so they're not recommended for children under 13.

These are the right add-on when your vehicles are done but your figures still look bare. Five styles in one set gives you variety across a squad without buying five separate packs. Choose Alpha for a classic military look, Bravo for a darker, more tactical or night-ops feel. If you display both, the two sets together cover most figure loadouts you'd want.

• Alpha (military green) and Bravo (black) both fit all Action Force figures.
• Adult collector item: keep away from children under 13 due to small parts and sharp points.

Decision rules: which VANGUARD accessory set should you buy?

• If you're building a desert or arid diorama: Choose the VANGUARD H.A.U.L. Muddy Tan Accessory Set. Its warm tone blends with sand and rock terrain, and the full armored door swap gives the vehicle a sealed, tactical profile. Best first H.A.U.L. purchase for warm-environment displays.
• If you're building an urban, woodland, or neutral shelf: Choose the VANGUARD H.A.U.L. Muddy Gray Accessory Set. It reads correctly against concrete, asphalt, and darker backdrops, and pairs naturally with the Stealth Gray Missile Launcher Add-On. Best first H.A.U.L. purchase for cool or neutral displays.
• If you want a vehicle that looks mid-combat: Add the VANGUARD Stealth Gray Missile Launcher Add-On. The upward turret position, 3 blasting missiles, and rear blast effect create a firing moment that a parked vehicle can't match. Buy after the armor set, not instead of it.
• If your vehicles are done but your figures look bare: Pick Backpack Set Alpha for military green or Backpack Set Bravo for black. Each includes 5 backpack styles and fits all Action Force figures. Buy both colors if you display a mixed squad.

Key product facts at a glance

• VANGUARD H.A.U.L. Muddy Tan Accessory Set: Fits all Action Force Vanguard vehicles; includes 4 windowless doors, 4 armored panels, 2 rear armored frames that can hold an M240 rifle (not included), windshield armor, brush guard, and cow catcher. One purchase converts a standard Vanguard vehicle into a fully armored, desert-ready build without needing a second kit.
• VANGUARD H.A.U.L. Muddy Gray Accessory Set: Same parts count and compatibility as the Muddy Tan set, in a gray colorway. If you already own the tan set, this is the cheapest way to give a second vehicle a distinct look while keeping the same build options.
• VANGUARD Stealth Gray Missile Launcher Add-On: Fits all Action Force Vanguard vehicles; includes 12 non-firing missiles, 3 blasting missiles in 3 sizes, 1 rear blast effect, and an upward-firing launcher turret. Vehicle not included. Adds a combat pose and visual noise to a display that already has the armor handled; the blast effect is the piece that sells motion.
• Backpack Set Alpha: 1/12 scale, military green, 5 different backpack styles, fits all Action Force figures. Adult collector item; not for children under 13. Dresses multiple figures from one pack, so you can vary a squad without buying individual backpacks.

Fit guidance: what works with what

Best for

• Collectors who already own a Vanguard vehicle and want to change its silhouette without buying a new vehicle
• Display builders who want a specific environment color (desert vs urban) to guide the purchase
• Figure-focused collectors who need backpack variety across a squad

Not for

• Anyone who does not own an Action Force Vanguard vehicle (the H.A.U.L. and missile launcher sets are add-ons, and the vehicle is not included)
• Buyers looking for a complete vehicle in one box
• Children under 13, since these are adult collector items with small parts and sharp points

Start with the H.A.U.L. color that matches your display environment, then add the missile launcher if you want motion and the backpack sets if your figures need finishing. Every piece fits all Action Force Vanguard vehicles or figures, so you can build the look in stages without worrying about compatibility.