G.I. Joe Vehicles

[Jazzman Crothers]

Ok, so lets have some fun and talk about toys!

Mainly, G.I. Joe vehicles!

I really like the vehicles the most. While I'm not the biggest Joe fan and certainly not an expect, the toys in general are pretty cool. Maybe if Hoist is cool with it we can make a Joe doll action figure thread.

So from the beginning of the 1982 run...




The VAMP [Multi-Purpose Attack Vehicle] was first released boxed in U.S. toy stores in 1982.
The box included the straight-arm version of the driver, Clutch.
In 1983, the action figures were re-tooled with swivel-arm battle grip.
The VAMP included the swivel-arm version of Clutch and the text on the front of the box reflected this change.
The VAMP was discontinued in 1984.
*This was my first Joe toy. Clutch is one of my fav Joes. Both driver and vehicle have a special place in my heart. 
-




The FLAK [Field Light Attack Cannon] was first released boxed in U.S. toy stores in 1982.
The toy was also sold in 1983 and was discontinued domestically in 1984.
*Had this one too. Nothing too special to be honest. Didn't roll around or anything. Pretty much stationary. 
-





HAL was first released boxed in U.S. toy stores in 1982.
The box included the straight-arm version of the HAL operator, Grand Slam.
In 1983, the action figures were re-tooled with swivel-arm battle grip.
The HAL included the swivel-arm version of Grand Slam and the text on the front of the box reflected this change.
The HAL was discontinued in 1984.
*This was the cool canon because it fired lasers! 
-



The JUMP [Jet Mobile Propulsion Unit] was first released boxed in U.S. toy stores in 1982 without a pilot.
The JUMP was repackaged in 1983 and sold with a pilot - Grand Slam (v2).
*Perhaps the simplest toy and the 2nd coolest, after all it's a rocket pack! Who doesn't want their Joe figures to have a rocket pack?
-



The MMS [Mobile Missile System] was first released boxed in U.S. toy stores in 1982.
The box included the operator, Hawk. In 1983, the action figures were re-tooled with swivel-arm battle grip.
The MMS included the swivel-arm version of Hawk and the text on the front of the box reflected this change.
*Had this one, again nothing special. However all the kids who played as Cobra respected the size of those missiles.
-



The MOBAT [Motorized Battle Tank*] was first released boxed in U.S. toy stores in 1982.
The box included the straight-arm version of the driver, Steeler.
In 1983, the action figures were re-tooled with swivel-arm battle grip.
The MOBAT included the swivel-arm version of Steeler and the text on the front of the box reflected this change.
The MOBAT was also sold in 1984 and was discontinued in 1985.
*Every kid wanted this tank. It took batteries and moved on it's own! I think it had two speeds? All you had to do to make it move was push the top entrance port.
-



The RAM [Rapid Fire Motorcycle] was first released boxed in U.S. toy stores in 1982.
The toy was also sold in 1983 and was discontinued in 1984.
*IMO, this was the coolest Joe vehicle. A motorcycle with a mini-gun on the side is badass!! While the tank is the best and the rocket pack is cool, the RAM mixes firepower and stunt driving all in one. 
-

[Brawn]

I like that JUMP Jetpack set!

[Hoist]

I am ready to begin my education! (that's fine with the figures thread btw)

The FLAK reminds me of the antennae/radar dish from Empire Strikes back I had, at least that was fleetingly in the film, unlike some of the other "Empire" vehicles I had which you had to imagine were there on Hoth but "Off screen". You customize a Gobot white Night Ranger into the RAM! It's what it immediatly makes me think off. I also found a sweet crossover custom!:

news.hisstank.com/2016/04/23/amazing-custom-acid-rain-world-g-joe-rhino-crossover-vehicle-58890

[Jazzman Crothers]

I saw that custom last night Hoist, it took me a second to realize there was a helicopter in there somewhere! 

In the first year of the revamped G.I. Joe series, Cobra hardly had anything. They had just the Cobra trooper and officer figures. Cobra Commander wasn't available at first. You had to mail in a few proofs of purchase to get him and they only had the helmet version. Not the mask version of Cobra Commander. Not even the Baroness and she was in the Marvel comics from the first issue. And while the Joes all wore green uniforms and didn't stand out too much on their own, except for Snake Eyes and Scarlett, they're my favourite as a group. First impressions I guess. I think one reason there wasn't much in the way of design or colour until the 2nd wave was that Hasbro didn't have the budget. There's a documentary on Netflix called 'The Toys That Made Us' and GI Joe is featured in one episode. They explain that Snake Eyes was left black to save on costs. Some of the heads on certain Joes are the same but with different coloured hair. Clutch and Breaker share the same head, same as Grunt and Zap and then a few others. Transformers weren't the only toys at Hasbro to suffer from repaints. I guess the same can be said for My Little Pony, but what the hell would I know about that?

Anyways, here's some of the box art for those toys...

[Brawn]

Man that box art is strong! It is up there with MASK and the Joustra Diaclone stuff!

[Hoist]

I think the jet pack jump art is my favorite, the dude, the outfit, the head that's - technically proportionally wrong to fit inside that helmet!

[Jazzman Crothers]

The APC [Amphibious Personnel Carrier] was first released boxed in U.S. toy stores in 1983. The toy was also sold in 1984 and was discontinued in 1985.
*You could fit like 40 figures in it. The kids in my neighbourhood and me loved this thing! And it floated on water! Many a Joe were lost at sea. And by sea I mean swimming pool.





The Cobra F.A.N.G. (FULLY ARMED NEGATOR GYROCOPTER) was first released boxed in U.S. toy stores in 1983. The toy was also sold in 1984 and 1985, then was discontinued in 1986.
*Finally Cobra gets some vehicles! Too bad the copters didn't have windshields. Doesn't offer much in terms of protection against high speed winds or enemy firepower. What was Destro thinking when he designed this? Or did Cobra Commander cheap on when paying him?




The Cobra H.I.S.S. [High Speed Sentry] was first released boxed in U.S. toy stores in 1983. The box included the driver, Cobra H.I.S.S. Driver.
*Perhaps the most iconic vehicle in the Joe universe. Not the best in protecting it's operators, I mean a big windshield, no cover for the gunner and exposed tank tracks out front. But his is the coolest tank any bad guy has had!!




The Assault Copter Dragonfly [XH-1] was first released boxed in U.S. toy stores in 1983. The box included the driver, Wild Bill. The toy was also sold in 1984 and 1985, and was discontinued in 1986.
*The Dragonfly was kind of simple but oh so sick! Kids in my hood just loved it!




The G.I.Joe Falcon Glider was first released boxed in U.S. toy stores in 1983. The box included the driver, Tan Grunt. The toy was also sold in 1984 and was discontinued in 1985.
*Another cool toy cause it really glided when you tossed it into the sky.




The Flame Thrower [PAC/RAT] was first released boxed in U.S. toy stores in 1983. It was also sold in 1984 and was discontinued in 1985.



The Machine Gun [PAC/RAT] was first released boxed in U.S. toy stores in 1983. It was also sold in 1984 and was discontinued in 1985.



The Missile Launcher [PAC/RAT] was first released boxed in U.S. toy stores in 1983. It was also sold in 1984 and was discontinued in 1985.

The three PAC/RATs were sold as a set from Hasbro Direct via mail-away offers from 1985 until 1992.
*Nothing special, just mail aways. They did pop up in the show for a second.




The Polar Battle Bear [Skimobile] was first released boxed in U.S. toy stores in 1983. The toy was also sold in 1984 and was discontinued in 1985.
*Yes, this toy was brought out in the the snow many a times. And it also sunk into the snow. But we liked it!




The Battle Armor S.N.A.K.E. was first released boxed in U.S. toy stores in 1983. The toy was also sold in 1984 and was discontinued in 1985.
*This was like the Pretender shells for TF. Didn't really do much. 




The Combat Jet Skystriker [XP-14F] was first released boxed in U.S. toy stores in 1983. The box included the driver, Ace. The toy was also sold in 1984 and 1985, then was discontinued in 1986.
*Everyone wanted this!! It was the coolest toy that year. But it was a little too big. I mean, 10 year olds running around, in or outside the house, with this thing in their small hands most likely ended in a lot of pilots going down with their jets! But still, it's fricking sweet!!




The Twin Battle Gun Whirlwind was first released boxed in U.S. toy stores in 1983. It was also sold in 1984 and was discontinued in 1985.
*Never had it, never saw one in real life. Nothin special I don't think...




The Viper Glider was first released boxed in U.S. toy stores in 1983. The box included the driver, Cobra Viper Pilot.
*Hey look, Cobra saw the Joes with theres so they wanted one too.




The Wolverine [Armored Missile Vehicle] was first released boxed in U.S. toy stores in 1983. It included the driver, Cover Girl.
*Sick, sick, sick! This tank didn't move with batteries like the MOBAT but it was still cool as hell!




The Headquarters Command Center was first released boxed in U.S. toy stores in 1983. It was also sold in 1984 and 1985 and was discontinued in 1986.
*Now this was the best toy if you couldn't get the Skystriker. I even used it as the ARK for the Autobots. 

[Hoist]

I swear I had something like the flamethrower as a kid, unless my mind's trying to play tricks on me! Something about the feet (Unless I'm thinking of the Zoids I had.) I don't remember the under bit between the legs, but then - when did I ever keep my toys in one piece. Guess it depends whether it came to Uk shores or not I guess.

[Jazzman Crothers]

I thought GI Joe came to England as Tiger Force at one point, no?

[Hoist]

It started off as Action force I do believe..

[Brawn]

Action Force!! It was a good them tune. I played my one vhs to death as kid. One episode was about some synthetic clones and another to do with making a movie.

"International heroes, action force are there, in their underwear, ACTION FORCE! .....or something like that.

I want that jet and the APC though!