Flint GIJOE warrant officer

In my opinion, Flint is right up there as one of the most popular GIJOE characters across the spectrum of all things GIJOE. He stood out to me in the old, old, old cartoon and correct me if I'm wrong...., but I think he's made it into every incarnation of the A Real American Hero since he was introduced to us in 1985!

My first Flint was that very figure from 1985. However, his O-ring broke on me back in the day. As a really young guy at that time, I remember trying to fish a regular rubberband up in the torso in an attempt to fix him. But, anyone who has tried this direction of repairing O-rings knows it will get one nowhere. I was also a kid that did not even think of taking a toy apart (aka, back screw does come out). So, my first Flint ended up somewhere... in pieces ..., possibly the garbage. If I only had knew how easy it was to replace by removing a screw...

It wasn't until late 1992 that I picked up the Eco-warriors Flint at Childrens Palace. This was my default Flint for many years until the 2001 Desert Striker made its way into my collection with driver Flint.

Below is the actual Eco-warriors Flint that served me for so many years. For fun, I tossed a Steel Brigade helmet on the Desert Striker driver Flint and gave him Marauder, Inc. gun. I think it looks kind of neat, what do you think? The lack of any gear with that desert Flint has left this figure somewhere between the 1994 Desert Paratrooper version and the 1991 Eco-warrior version in feel and uniform reasoning for me.


I guess my next Flint was technically, Rock n Roll. But, it is SO much more Flint to me here. And he came with the HQ, so a command-like officer makes more sense to me, too. But like the Desert Striker driver Flint, this guy was left without the gear that would have helped give some personality. And the worst part? The Rock n Roll/ Flint figure has a leg that is almost a full 1/4 inch shorter than the other! I have never had a figure like this before or since, how rare is that? Or are they all like this?


The newest Flint for me is the 1994 Flint as for right now. I really like the figure, and when I put all three of the original A Real American Hero figures next to each other, in a lot of ways, it is like Flint has matured as the line progressed.
They kept the hair color consistent, which is really nice. Some figures switched a few times. But really, as I'm contemplating slimming and trimming down my collection, I'm trying to figure out which one of these 6 Flint figures would best represent how I view the character.


If you take a look at this GIJOE characters accomplishments in various forms over the years, Flint has a lot going for him. Check out JMMs biography on him!

I've used him as a helicopter pilot and a commando for the most part. Just the toys alone give Flint a lot of characterization to build ones' imagination on.


If the helmet had fit, the above picture was tempting me at using this simple head-swap figure as my main Flint.

I've also considered attempting to get the vacation in the shadows Flint, but that might be rather hard. And it's hard to tell from pictures if I really like the parts mix.




Edit: 11/29/15
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The 2001-02 HQ was a topic and I would have thought for sure I would have had it in a picture somewhere.  I just went through my actual photos (from the 35mm camera days) that I had assembled in a classic photo album and the 2001-02 HQ was nowhere to be seen.

I guess I am a little surprised, even as I never had an intent to photograph anything, that this HQ didn't at least show up in the background of some other photograph.

The only trace of this HQ that I can find here today is the instruction sheet.   I also have the instruction sheet from the '92 HQ, so at the very least I thought I would toss up some quick pictures.  Not much different between the two, save for some extra warnings and the year information.

I guess in thinking about the '92 HQ as well as the 2001-02 HQ, I didn't feel like it was as interesting as the 1983 Headquarters. The "folded up" stage didn't really make it anything formidable, or very figure-interactive, where in this form I thought it took away from play value.   All "opened up" there wasn't much more than an action-gimmick jail escape mechanism and other spring fire missile target locations to simulate battle damage.    The crane was nice, as was having a tower, but the rest of the spaces for the interior didn't really feel very.... interactive, I guess I would say.    The rather strange rear flip-down motor pool part, which also held the front mega cannon launcher, was just undefined.

The best use of the HQ for me was as a "rear wall" for the 1983 Headquarters.   However, I added in other elements in between, and before one knew it, there was one large expansive footprint of G.I.Joe taking up the floor.   

I must not have kept this 2nd HQ or the '92 very long for it not to have shown up at least in a background random picture or something....

Phantom X-19

Here is the Phantom X-19. This is a plane that I found without the small parts at a flea market many years ago. It still had the seat belts, though! I also found the DEMON (without many parts) at the same time. Even after my aggressive motor pool reduction in 2008, I found it interesting that I had kept both these vehicles over others. Both were rebuilt and both from 1988, as well.

The only real detractor on this X-19, which is now gone due to my recent large vehicle reduction, was the big scratch on the intermix chamber. The rubber bands were all rotted, too. But that worked out ok for me, as this thing spent more time just standing there on its landing gear, much like the Night Raven. Except I don't think the X-19 has as nice of a style as the old Night Raven.

It's still a unique looking aircraft, but I really didn't need a "stealth fighter" with cruise missiles right now, and I didn't think I would in the future. I can use the main force of the (imaginary) Air Force if the Joes need the support like that, besides, isn't it all about UAVs and satellites in these modern times. (not that I'm modern, by any means...)

But, take a look, see what you think. Do you have the Phantom? Can you remember the pilots name?

My "most" memory of this thing is when I was pretending it was a super-stellar space cruiser taking on adventures in the cosmos! (I know, that's out there.)

Operable Landing Gear is always cool, and I liked the group of 4 wheels on each, it gave me the impression that it could land on a hidden airfield somewhere.

It's kind of like air brakes, but also engine covers! I liked that the wings could "pull" out some more cannons, but when there were cannons already present, did I need more?


Wheel well covers are a nice touch that I appreciate, for sure!


That cockpit slide was pretty touchy, but it is a very unique system. I can't think of any other real or toy craft that operates quite this way.
And without the nose cone piece, the whole plane just didn't feel right.

organizing GIJOE figures

Since the beginning, my collection has always been evolving. For the most part it has been growing in size in all manner, but it has also shifted to smaller size from a more vehicle-heavy collection to a figure/ character oriented one.

Consider below is how my collection of figures looked late 1991. That's 20 years ago already! A lot of things have changed.



One thing that hasn't changed, or perhaps in some ways is always changing, is organizing everything.

Below is one of many different ways I've organized my collection: two boxes, one for the good guys, one for the bad. Simple.



But as the amount of stuff grew beyond boxes, and I wanted to have certain accessories more accessible, I've changed to other boxes, to multiple stacking plastic drawer units, to individual plastic baggies.

In my head right now, I'm still contemplating which figures I really will get a good amount of use out of as my GIJOE possessions accompany into the future. Still

For instance, in my End of Winter post, I essentially organized my entire winter operations troops into one container. Well, over the last couple weeks I pretty much deemed it a sub-team in a sense, although not technically, the figures are too limited to the cold weather action. I liked them all, but, I decided to liquidate these.
It made it really easy to do as I had them all organized in one bin!

I'm still really interested in getting some kind of tool box for organizing my figures. Something I can have that is portable, and is easy to spread out figures in a way that makes it seem just like back in the day; back when I was just taking the tops off of shoe boxes and picking out who I had.

The real tool boxes, which would take a slightly larger (and heavier!) almost chest sized ones, really aren't that portable if I tried to jam all the figures into one.

Organizing things I still haven't sorted out after all these years. But it will be a lot easier with a lot more shelf space available now.

custom Cobra Detonator

After reading a post about a search for a custom Cobra Detonator, it reminded me about my attempt at one of these.

The Detonator I had found was in fairly decent shape, but the nerf rockets were kinda worn-out and the air bladder a little on the weak side. And I didn't like the big orange T on the plunger.

I also had acquired a modern Crimson Attack Tank (C.A.T.), must have been about 2004, and I found that I really didn't like the M.O.B.A.T. style. It's a decent tank, but I didn't like the one-man turret figure use. And I didn't like the Crimson Guard Immortal sticking so far up and out of the turret.

Either way, I got bored and wanted to arm the Detonator with a turret on the back, and thus, what you see in the picture is what happened.

I am a huge fan of the paint job camo on the 1998 Rattler 4WD, and I wanted to see if I could replicate that, using my Detonator custom attempt as the testing grounds of my spray paint ability.

I never really finished this up, it's about 60% of the way to where I wanted it. I wanted to add a top with a hinge for the 3 troops in the front, and also wanted to make a "mortar nest" in the center where Cobra troops could use that center area in a moving bunker/ IFV/ transport capacity.

I still have this thing sitting in the basement, and I might get around to tweaking it up to where I want it someday.

I was calling it the Cobra Devastator. It was to be the biggest thing on the battlefield, almost a Rolling Thunder counterpart.

matching GIJOE uniforms

What do you think about matching uniforms on your GIJOE figures?

Remember that I am a 3.75" O-ring-style collector, and with that in mind, in my (I guess) GIJOE years back in the day, the only real matching uniforms were from the 1982/83 series.

In some ways, 1982 and 1983 were just before my time. Thinking that aside from Wild Bill ('83) and Cobra Trooper ('83) are the only figures that I can recall having from these first two years at all.

And I most likely got those more in 1984.

So, really, the "green team" that we all call the "original 13," or something to that effect, really only existed in the old catalog inserts or on the back of an old figure card.

Those were really the only GIJOE guys that "matched" somewhat in their uniforms.

Cutter and Flint were more the characters I got right away. The guys with more unique outfits. the non-traditional dress, if you will.

In my more current GIJOE hobby manipulation, I'm questioning myself on the role of matching uniforms in my future collection. Should GIJOE figures/ team members have matching uniforms?

"Sub Teams" are another good example of what I'm talking about. Technically, these are re-issued figures repainted with an overall theme. Back in 2009 I decided to do away with "sub teams" in my Joe verse. This included repainted figures from "sub teams" like Python Patrol and Tiger Force being dismissed from collection. The only exception to this, was if a character was more a unique character that only appeared in a "sub team" form. Bullet proof and Skystriker are examples of GIJOE guys that were only in the "sub team" format.

Part of my reasoning for dismissing these were that it seemed like a whole other force or mission on top of a force. I guess I only thought I needed one GIJOE team, and not separate teams within it.

However, I have come to a point where I do have some more recent RAHC-era GIJOE figures that are giving me some tough decisions. Like the modern Night Force set.

Now, here I have doubles, essentially. The original "classic" figures and more modern counter parts.
And each has things I like about each version. The originals have their original stuff, but with the modern stuff I can sort of customize what accessories they have. And the newer stuff has the softer plastic.
On the original side, the have original uniform style and colors and what not. Original.

So, I guess my current plan is evaluating whether or not to have a few matching figures in my collection. Which isn't a horrible thing at all, really I'm just nitpicking. :) But when someone not in the know on Joe looks at what I have, why are some figures matching? Are they a special group in the mix?
Do the Night Force guys put on their matching uniforms at night, and have day clothes in the meantime? Sounds a little funny maybe?

What do you think about matching uniforms on a non-traditional mobile strike force?

Maybe you only kept the "sub team" figures over the originals?

Less stuff now

Yesterday, I did it.
The actual physical removal of most of the big vehicles I had left in my motor pool.

Don't get me wrong, I still think all the vehicles just trimmed out are very cool. When the things are really not getting used or sitting in a storage container for 95% of the time, I just don't see me getting as much fun out of the stuff this way.

I've trimmed many long time owned vehicles that I've posted about recently, from my very 1983 HQ, to the 1983 Dragonfly, to vehicles that I've rebuilt like the Phantom X-19, to vehicles I really haven't had that long like the Hurricance. Even the mighty WHALE is gone, as much as I always told myself it would be the VERY LAST vehicle to ever leave my collection.

Good stuff, all gone. But so is the weight of simply having stuff surrounding my corner of the basement. The space is really opened up, and I have the "liquid" value of all my stuff that I can use to complete and get more stuff that I have interest in acquiring.

Although I will not be flying my Night Raven anymore, I gotta admit, that I haven't really used it much for years, and it really rested on its landing wheels on top of a Rubbermaid container for most of the last few years, or eaten up a good chunk of my large shelf space.

Gone, but man, that is one cool plane!! That modern Night Raven CAN NOT TOUCH the old one.

To end on a positive note, I can spread my remaining stuff out and sort, and prioritize now, and most importantly: PLAY!!!

Checkpoint Alpha

Here's a small unit from 1985. I guess officially it is known as just, "Check point." (?!?) But I think most of us GIJOE fans always call it Check Point Alpha.

This was also the name of primary discussion area on SgtSavage.com if I remember correctly, and currently JoeBattlelines. I think that's fitting, it's the big gate, the "alpha" point where GIJoe discussion kind of started.

As far as the actual toy goes, I only got this about 2009, and really didn't complete it (with the clipboard) until a little later in 2010. So, it is really new to me, and I think I got all I'm going to get out of it.

It's a neat little guard tower, even has a speed bump. Really, it matches the Transportable Tactical Battle Platform almost perfectly in color and style. I was really interested in building a big base layout with all the little sets like the Check Point. This was going to be the only way in or out of my HQ, but when it came to trying to actually put up a big layout with everything, there was really the issue of space. When it all gets laid out, for what I wanted it would have taken up a huge spot that I really don't have. (well, on a permanent basis, anyway.)

Because of the fact that I can't really get a big HQ base set up on permanent basis, I'm going to send this Check Point off for trade. The Check Point really seems more like something that would be the main gate guard post of a large installation, ya know?

Going forward with my collection, I'm thinking of taking my Joes into camping mode. Back to basics, on the move, a real mobile strike force that is out there in the action; not so much maintaining a large HQ. (not that my HQ was THAT large, but still...)

This kind of "explains" in my heads imaginative JoeVerse why the Check Point is not here anymore. I've got other things happening in my JoeVerse that will explain my "re-alignments" that I'll post about in upcoming topics.

The Check Point is a really nice set, though. My Security Team almost became the exclusive users of the tower. This alone shows me that I was building a big base in my thinking, where I should have the Security Team more focused in a law enforcement role, instead of being like guards. Not that the HQ doesn't need guards, but the Security Team is much more fun in action, somewhat like urban missions. I'm thinking like Shockwave doing his S.W.A.T. thing.

Gung ho GIJOE

Gung Ho is a Joe that is right up there on the top end of popularity in my opinion. I'm sure it was that old cartoon that helped sell me on this guy over the years, too. However, it wasn't until the 1993 version made its way out that I was able to add this fairly famous character to my collection.

Below is my first Gung Ho EVER. As I look at him even now, he still seems like a newer figure in some ways. And he has ONE BIG GUN.

I did get the Slugger from 1997 that came with the original mold of Gung Ho, but I preferred the 1993 version so much more that I didn't even open that figure and did sell it off in the end.

Below are the Gung Ho's I have left in my collection. I've been considering trimming figures out of my collection, and this is a good example of where this might be easy. But, maybe not. Three are the same, really.

I like the 1993 version but the "official" chest tattoo is just not where it "should be." The 2001 version really brings in a nice Marine look to the figure with those colors. However, he does look a little pale, doesn't he? Of course, the next figure in is the same mold as well, however, on that desert patrol version I am not a big fan of the camo pattern on the pants. Should a guy switch the pants around and keep the desert patrol Gung Ho "top" with 2001 pants?

No matter how one looks at it, that is ONE BIG GUN. I was even thinking that back in the day when I got the 1993 figure. While looking that the 1993 figure, I don't mind the launcher as much. It's got a fairly decent style to it, perhaps if the projectile wasn't blue it might take on a different character.

I'm leaning toward liking the 2005 convention Gung Ho the most right now, though. It's an original design, and the rain-pattern camo is kind of nice. Does this Mega Marine version really capture a character that (in comics) was running around in the snow with an open shirt? Or a character that did have a cover, but now would he wear a helmet?
I like the weapons that came with the convention figure, there's something where a grenade launcher and Gung Ho just fit together. Maybe it's just from looking at pictures of the version 1 figure for so many years? However, instead of the classic Range Viper grenade launcher, I think that the Marauder, Inc. launcher fits Gung Ho even better here.



So, I guess right now, I'm leaning toward the 2005 Gung Ho as my main figure to be used. It's somewhat traditional in the head sculpt, but also very modern feeling.

Which figure is your main Gung Ho? Is Gung Ho a big part of your Joe-verse?

Cobra HISS DTC and 1983

Above is my first HISS. Even though the Cobra HISS has been around since 1983, I didn't get this mail-in version until more around late 1991 or 1992! It's one of those iconic vehicles that the old cartoon sold me on. It was part of what I considered core Cobra vehicles: the HISS, FANG, Stinger, and ASP, for the most part.
But better late than never, right?

My "second HISS" was actually the Septic Tank, but right now I can't remember where I traded that thing off to (or where it came from). It's not that I disliked that take on the HISS, and I did get it used, but, really that big cannon was just too heavy for how it was affixed to the turret. But that's neither here nor there now.

I also had a HISS II that I bought from an older-school dealer online. It had some play wear on it, but baby blue and the kind of odd tabs and shapes on the armor just didn't catch my interest as much as I thought it would. And the rear pull-out area for the troops was a nice idea, but kind of awkward. I did very much like the drop down front seats, though, that really seems like a natural design in some ways...and could tie back to the Night Ravens cockpit. But that thing just didn't really feel like it would fit in long term for me.

As for the actual 2nd HISS, that I acquired on my obviously failed attempt to "army build" HISS vehicles, I got in a trade and I do remember where that came from. Can't remember what I traded for it, though!

I hunted for the Operation: Crimson Sabotage set, too. I wasted so much gas and time trying to get into a store to grab one or two back then. Only to wait one morning for the store to open (KB) only to find that some guy bought ALL of them the previous day. :( That's ok, though. Crimson armies aren't my thing right now.

Nowadays in my Joe-verse, I'm thinking about modernization and (mostly) personalization to my forces. Plus, the 1983 HISS is feeling a lot more antique-like to me a little. So, I'm going to make the "DTC" HISS my main gun for Cobra here for awhile. The old HISS tanks are going away.

Nose to nose, I think it makes sense.

Even bottom to bottom, it kind of makes sense. It's all about the details, and the 1983 HISS (as nice of a design as it really is) sits right flat on the ground. Even though the DTC HISS isn't all main battle tank-like, at least there is some ground clearance.



Coming right down to it, it's the details, and I'm all about some details. The DTC HISS has about the same height as the 1983 HISS, but I'm reminiscing about the old days where the 1983 HISS couldn't get the gun down low enough to threaten some Joes realistically. They had to back up the HISS a little bit. ;)
With the DTC HISS, I have the smaller machine guns at personnel height, but also 4 rockets for any anti-vehicle action!

However, it's not all fine and dandy for me when it comes to the DTC HISS turret. If you don't have one of these, or the 2005 RHINO, you may not know that the turret has a "snap-in" position-tab thing going on. This lack of total free range of motion kind of bugs me, I mean, I don't get the need to have it there. And this feature of clicking "snap-in" positioning carries over into the interchangeable rocket pods on the turret. There's two positions: one slightly depressed downward, with one pod about 40* elevated, while the other turret lifts more at like 44* elevated.

Nitpicky?
Maybe.


No back door?!? If it was supposed to be there, where did go? Aw well, this isn't a button-up and stay safe ride, it's going to get my Cobra forces on the move and bring some heavy infantry firepower along for the ride in the form of VIPERS!

I only have one Track Viper, and I think I didn't get this guy until AFTER I traded off my HISS II. So, by getting rid of my 1983-style HISS vehicles, my one Track Viper will have a ride to operate. (win!)

I debated on using WORMS as a tank crew member, of sorts. I'm still on the fence, the figure really looks like a command-level trooper. I'm still thinking about that.
In the meantime, I think using the Flak Viper as a gunner makes just about as much sense as any. And yes, I know it is a "Nullifier," but I really know it is a Flak Viper. The figure is fairly muscular looking, so re-loading rockets and missiles won't slow this trooper down. Plus, in blue, the Flak Viper matches in with the regular Vipers I use, as well as the back of the helmet has a similar design to the back of the '86-style Viper helmet. Is it comm-gear?


Finding a nice anti-air rocket backpack is something I wouldn't mind for the Flak Viper as I have them. I have a Star Brigade Duke backpack in the picture above. Thought I'd try it out, other than color, I kind of like it.

I was going to snag the HISS 5 last fall when it first came out, but they had already sold through those. And I'm glad they did, as we know the first bunch were the sort-of brown. Which wasn't bad, I was expecting a black HISS, though. And I never did get a black HISS V, but even still, reading about the action feature being a little touchy and the treads not rolling as smoothly, well..., I just don't feel the need to try and catch that particular tank right now.


Anybody have any Track Vipers or DTC HISS tanks they would like to trade or sell?
Or even any interchangeable weapons that anyone has extra of that would work on this vehicle?

Half the Battle

I gotta put up some praise for the various internet and book-based GIJOE resources that are out there. If you know your Joe, you most likely already know about all of these, and you probably even know about a whole lot more than I know!

I have a lot of sites listed in my blog list and sites list that I think all add to the GIJOE community very well. Take some time if you can to visit these, I think a lot of people out there have done some awesome stuff that has made collecting (aka, "being a fan") very enjoyable for me. And as always, if you see something I haven't seen yet, let me know so I can add that into my links!!!

The Half the Battle site update with the accessories section made me want to give a general shout-out of appreciation for all the work that has gone into that site. It's a great resource for me, like the GIJoe Index, and YoJoe.com, and I guess what I'm saying is, "thank you, all!"

And the wealth of input doesn't stop at the internet borders, there's the DeSimone Guides that cover stuff from before my time. As well as full books out there on the market, like The Ultimate Guide, as well as the R.A.H.C. Guide. And GeneralsJoes.com needs to get in on the round of applause, for without it, I would miss out on a lot of modern things (and often find out that I've missed things all together sometimes :O ).

Either way, can a person say, "thank you," enough for the wealth of information and imagination that A LOT of people have put some serious work into??? I mean it, everybody from authors, to site owners, to the fans who simply occasionally visit a forum for some conversation: Thank you!!!

1983 HQ weapon tray

I may be sending my old HQ off, so I thought I would toss up the picture just for the heck of it.

I guess as far as old-school memories go, I don't have any hard nostalgia with this base. Even though it has been in my possession from WAY back in the day, it was never really on a permanent set up. It was usually in parts tucked away, and the WHALE hovercraft often served as a base as much as the actual base did.

It's still a pretty cool base, but, it does have a decent foot print. It was very much designed for 1983. Those first couple years really had a lot of nice cohesive design in a lot of things. But for keeping in the modern-era, it doesn't really fit very efficiently.

For instance, the vehicle bays are really limited to a Mauler or Equalizer on the tank side. The Warthog is too wide. Forget the Patriot Grizzly. And the Jeep side was meant for a VAMP. Although the AWE striker does fit in there, it's not a perfect wheel-base form fit. The lift is pretty well suited to adding the other towed weapons, like the HAL, which I don't have. (nor do I really want it back...)

Even the landing pad is a little small, anything bigger than a Dragonfly is a little awkward. It really works well for the Skyhawks, though.

The Jail Cell really does take up a lot of space, too.

And I don't mean to sound like I'm complaining, it has been a great base over the years. But, really, for the size of thing, and MOST OF ALL, for the fact that it is going to end up packed in a Rubbermaid container for many, many years to come, I think it is time for it to go.

I will miss it, but to get the most of my Joe collection, I want to be able to use the stuff, ya know?

It's no fun in a box, and my home is not a museum, so I hope to be able to use the funds from this and other things to further enhance other areas of my collection.




The weapon tray is the part I was going to chat about the most, though.

In the picture below is probably THE most nostalgic thing I've got invested into my HQ here. I put some masking tape on the trays, and pretty much did a name tag type thing for all my figures accessories.

This must have been about late 1990 or early 1991. I did some trading with my best bud in those days just before moving. The crossed out names are the ones I traded for the newer names added.

I think it is neat to take a look back at the simpler days of having less stuff.


That's quite the team, huh?

These days when we can have it all essentially, the imagination back then HAD to make due and get creative.

How does this compare to what you had "back in the day?"

GIJoe Equalizer Slaughters Marauders

The Equalizer is still a little bit newer to me. I found and bought this up in about 2003 or 2004 at a local shop. I had quite a few good finds there, as far as vehicles go, the Equalizer is the last of those that I still have.

As a Joe fan growing up over the years, I've always wanted a tank. I had a very well used HAVOC at one point early on, and even had a brand new Mobile Battle Bunker, but when I think of a tank, the Equalizer has been about the best example of what I want in a tank. It's essentially a Mauler, if you know your Joe, but I think I like the Equalizer more. Even when I've never had a Mauler in my possession.

Yes, I'm missing two mudflaps, but that's something I can do without. The Equalizers low profile and angled armor borrowed from Mauler are still here. The same great tank hatches are there. If there is anything that really makes a tank feel like a tank, for me, it is all about armored hatches.

Where I like the Equalizer over the Mauler is that the weapons system is not a straight MBT type tank turret. Instead of the Maulers "one gun" that packs a punch, there are twin armor piercing (in my imagination) machine guns and SIX anti-everything and all missiles. Now, the Mauler may have the big gun, but for me, the Equalizer takes the battle up against air targets just as easily.

Compared to the Mauler, I really enjoy the free-wheeling capability of the Equalizer. As much fun as watching a motorized toy with treads rolling through the brush is, my adventures are usually limited to short rolls on a shelf these days.


Not only are the weapons effective as weapons, the Equalizer seems like it has a total combat system built into that turret. There's the big radar dish, the spinning radar dish, and communications antenna along side whatever top secret electronic gear is inside the box. And of course, there really is nothing inside that turret box, it's got NO details or anything in there, but plenty of figures can crowd in there. I usually just have one gunner, though.



And while it is a 1989 vehicle, it's got that 1985 detail in the body. I'm talking ENGINE COVERS. That kind of detail is where it is at. There are vents and hatch details all over here. I really like the option for imaginative engine repairs. Even the air vents on the cover itself is open, adding to the intricate detail.

Oh, and a tow hook. Tow hooks are great.


Storage hatches are another great detail that I really appreciate on the older vehicles. It's one of those simple design things where Hasbro didn't have to put that there. They made that decision to add the fun and interactivity to the vehicle. It's simply good design in my book, plus it shows that a company cares when this type of stuff is present.

When I bought this Equalizer, I got it home and with every tilt I could hear something moving around inside. Some little parts were loosely sliding around. Well, when I opened up these storage cover hatches, I was super excited to find Dogfight's pistol and Long Range's pistol!!! That was a total surprise! How often were little guns like these simply lost over the years?



When it comes to driving this thing, I don't have the vehicles I had even just a few years ago. I have a great pool of drivers to choose from for my main armor vehicle here.

I thought Heavy Metal was an obvious choice, being the Mauler driver originally.
There are plenty of other "tankers" in the ranks that fit fairly well in my opinion, too. Hot Seat and Major Storm are usually the guys I have in the Equalizer, as well.
Even Armadillo or Backstop are pretty good picks with their heavy vehicle experience. Especially Armadillo, he did drive the Rolling Thunder after all.


I've never had any Slaughter's Marauders figures, I guess I'm not too interested in getting those, either. None of them really seemed like vehicle drivers, unless there's something I don't know...

Who did you have for the crew on this tank?

Does GIJOE need tanks?

Dragonfly 1983

When it comes to original vehicles from my younger days (AKA: "Back in the day"), the Dragonfly is one of the oldest vehicles I've always had.

My Cobra FANG was my first vehicle, or GIJOE anything for that matter. Plus, I had a blue cobra trooper or soldier at that same time for my first figure, however long since gone since living in Racine, WI, so many years ago.

My Dragonfly was around in my world well before any of the 1986 product year stuff made its way into my possession, so this could very well have been my 2nd GIJOE vehicle ever.

"Firsts" are always a little easier to remember, but when it comes to "second," that's a little harder for me. And it could be that the HQ, or the Killer WHALE, was my 2nd vehicle. I just can't say for sure right now. It's going to take some figuring out.

Now, in the picture above, I'm 99.9% sure that the fuselage of the Dragonfly here is my very original toy. However, I can say with most certainty that many of the parts are not. I do remember having a missing nose cone for the longest time back in the day, and I did lose the winch underneath. Yeah, the whole thing..., I took it out and was swinging the string and and spindle piece around while walking around town... and it came apart and parts went all over in the tall grass. The chin gun is definitely a replacement, as my original I distinctly remember it having a snapped off tab on the back so that the thing was always a little wobbly.

Never did find it all. But, it's all good, I found another Dragonfly around 2000 or so that I used to rebuild and make my Dragonfly just like new. Or, as like new it can get.


And even since getting the winch replaced and fully back in operation... I don't think I've really ever used it a whole lot....

But either way, using the thumb-slide switch that spins the rotors, I definitely had the Dragonfly take flight.

And Wild Bill WAS at the flight controls until I took him to school during 2nd or 3rd grade....
Yeah, I was playing with him, during class, and yeah... confiscated. Wild Bill was never to be seen again... (That was one teacher I didn't like... she got a couple other Joes, and Transformers "Skids" in those days. ALL never seen again. *sniff*



However, when I bought that 2nd Dragonfly that I mentioned above, it had a darn-tootin' nice Wild Bill figure with it. Of course, this figure has pretty much sat in that rear seat since I got him back! 1983 figures fit great with 1983 vehicles.

Now, in the picture above is the 2000 Tripwire, but back in the day it was Tiger Force Tripwire who was often in the Dragonfly. This arrangement was mostly due to the Tiger Force Tripwire file card giving him the secondary MOS of Tiger Fly co-pilot. And it worked good for me, since my Tripwire figure didn't have any guns. Back in the day, accessory packs and shared accessories were the way for me to get my battles on. Tripwire never really seemed like a front line solider to me, either, compared to say, Flint or Hawk with their more military colors and camo pants.

Until I got the replacement 1983 Wild Bill, I had aero scout Wild Bill. I traded this figure away around 2003 or 2004. But that was more due to that I had bought the 2000 Locust and had the figure from that Dragonfly repaint. I found the 2000 Wild Bill paint scheme much more appealing. And I like the removable hat, although I wouldn't mind getting the 1992/1993 figures accessories to go along with this one.

If Wild Bill hits the ground, it is this 2000 version that is almost always out. The 1983 figure has really just been a seat holder in the Dragonfly.


Of course, there are other pilots out there, and other helicopters. Back when I was really accumulating a lot of vehicles, I found that I was running out of pilots. That's when I really starting trying to acquire all the different pilots. An example is Updraft. I have never seen a Retaliator in person, nor plan on getting one, but Updraft was great to have around to hop into the seat of one of the various Dragonfly incarnations that I had. Although, as a 1990 figure, he's got more detail and more arm... so you can see how some figures just barely make the fit into the Dragonfly. Some other helicopters that needed pilots were the Apache, the Razorblade, etc.

If I've had any issues with figures and vehicles, it is that many early vehicles 1982-1983 are much better suited to being manned by the "green team" original 13 type figures that are a little more slim and less detailed.

Duke GIJOE M. Sgt.

Duke was never a big featured character for me back in the day of real play (neither was Snake eyes) but comics and cartoons kept him right in the forefront of my attention. I don't think anyone I knew even had Duke, and that was just fine, since I had Hawk, the GIJOE commander.

Pictured at the top is what I've been using as my "default" Duke.

For the head, I've got the 1994 Star Brigade Duke there. I like that head, it's got that plain, clean-shaven, good looking face that one would expect Duke to have. And it fits in the torso just right without alteration.

This is a nice torso, a simple design.

The green torso used came most likely from 2001 Leatherneck. Now, that figure was almost ALL original Duke parts, and it just didn't feel like Leatherneck to me at all. I never had the 2000 Duke, so I know it didn't come from that figure, although, I would like those legs now! (Longer story shorter, I have another green vest that I don't know the origin of.) The tan torso came from 2004's desert patrol Stalker.

Once again, that's a figure that's almost all original Duke parts, and by original Duke parts, I'm talking about the 1992 Duke mostly.
The legs and waist came from the 2002 Dusty that came with the Night Rhino, and the arms came from an original 1991 Dusty figure that had a broken crotch.


When it comes right down to Duke in my collection, the 1992 Duke was my very first Duke. And in the picture below, you can take a look at him.

I guess mostly due to the popular media, like the old cartoon mostly, I kind of always wanted a Duke. And here he was brand new on the peg back in the day! And he wasn't too far-fetched from his first incarnation.
I think he was in the Patriot quite a bit as I had that vehicle about that same year, but if you don't have this figure, look at his arms. They are OUT THERE. Getting him in my Dragonfly wasn't going to happen, and he didn't want to share any elbow room on the bench in my APC.

Those arms have bugged the heck out of me since then. Just compared to my "default" Duke next to him, it's pretty obvious that they stick out.
Otherwise, the 1992 Duke is a nice figure, even with the red detail. But my favorite part is the torso on the figure, so with the re-molds in later years, it's gotten some good use.



The 1992 Duke had his own riding mortar cannon, too. (Anyone think a more modern Grand Slam should have come with this thing?) Check out the YOJOE.com archives for more on this. On my particular figure, ALL the brown accessories seemed to de-laminate like a chocolate bar in the sun. The gun literally crumbled softly away, and the knife fell into two parts. The tri-pod is still intact, but it's got the same thing happening to it. Sooner or later...

On the plus side, one the various O-ring multi-packs that had a variety of weapons had 1992 Dukes gun and knife, so, that worked out. And it is somewhat better in that getting an original weapon set might just prove a means to an end if most of these brown accessories are crumbling away. (that's why those are black in the picture...)


1992 Duke may have been my first Duke, and he got some adventure time right away, but the 1992 version really got almost completely retired from my interest when the 1993 Battle Corps Duke came out very soon after.

Below is what was my main Duke for many years. It's just a simply nice figure. Really, it's very simple, but at the same time, Duke is seriously the Ranger that is ready for action here. The shotgun and the sub machine gun were the standard weapons for use back in those days.




So in summary, right now I really only have these three Dukes. And the body of the Star Brigade figure, so kind of 4, but kind of not really. ;)

But, Duke is still not THE man in my little Joe verse. I don't go by the old cartoon rank, where it was Hawk, Duke, Flint, and then Beachhead. But, I do think that Flint and Beachhead have just as much of a role as Duke does; Duke is not "above" them really, other than the E8 rank.

An E8 is the level at which my Duke is going to stay no matter what, no officer promotions for my Joe verse. (needless to say, the live 2009 movie has had very little influence on my imagination...)

So, anyone have so few Dukes?

I think it is interesting that from 1983 to 1994 there were just a handful of Dukes to be had.

After that.....