Polar Battle Bear and Rockslide: Past and present

I bought this set just recently, the 2009 Past and Present set for the Polar Battle Bear and Rockslide ATAV.

I wasn't planning on doing it, but it was more for the "junior joe" in the house. We had a pretty good time last winter taking "the guy with the skis" out into the snow. (actual "ski" activity was not as much fun in the snow as I would have thought...)

But either way, I opened this thing up early, as I decided to split the pack up, and true to my own self-imposed "no-swivel head" rule, I must trade the re-molded original Snow Job out the door. And since I don't have any other of my own arctic forces left, the newly-minted Polar Battle Bear here will join the figure on the way out.

It's not that I don't like the PBB, the only other one I had ever was the "Rock Slide," but that figure bugged me, and the launcher immediately came off. It was an earlier trade-out around 2004, or even late 2005. But, really, I figure if I am not maintaining a solid winter operation "sub-team," why should I keep it? (although it would have been fun to play with it, and even army build it, to go along with what I did have...)

Anyway, the modern Rock Slide is here with modern Snow job. (Whiteout is still in the house, as he stayed with the few other modern figures I have, for the eventuality that the "junior joe" will most likely want to play with some Joes.)

I looked at buying the Rockslide when it was by itself a couple year back, but even in the clear view box, I just wasn't feeling the price was worth it. I found the Past and Present set here for $15.99. Originally, I was going to make it a "mine" and "junior joe" type of Christmas present, but I think we're just going to take the modern one out to play in the snow now.

The Rockslide is not nearly as bad as I originally thought.



The Rockslide has a nice round form, very sporty-looking. The front skids seem fairly durable with their non-removable molded mini-missiles on top of spring-fired rockets, all of which is the most unattractive looking part of the machine to me.


But then the PBB is more straight-lined looking, it has a more utilitarian form to it. Utilitarian says military to me. Plus, the PBB has the rear deck with foot pegs.
Foot pegs that are only good for the old classic ARAH Oring-style figures. So, kids that got, or get, this PBB, will have to shave the pegs down to get any use with their now-current modern GIJOE figures.
Oh, and there is a TOW HOOK. Utilitarian. Moves 3 classic GIJOE figures and tows stuff.



But, I suppose, it is apples to oranges. Even though modern Snow Job has pretty much the same accessories as his "past" counterpart. Only they are tweaked, such as the backpack peg being for the modern hole. The modern figure only ups the armament with a pistol that can go into the side holster.




The Rockslide has a very wide skid stance and much more aerodynamic body, too. The Rockslide really seems built for speed to me, just by looking at it.



One deterrent to the purchasing the Rockslide before was that I couldn't tell what was inside, or how a figure fit in there.
It seemed like the canopy didn't even lift in the pictures I was looking, and that the figure just slid into the back section somehow almost laying down.

But, the canopy does open and the interior is really pretty nice. That big solid gray painted area you see in the picture below is an area of opportunity that got missed to make this machine a good Joe vehicle, in my opinion. I mean, storage compartment? Engine hatch? Ski rack? Snow shoes?
As is, the main body of the Rockslide really ends up nicely contoured, but still just a big chunk plastic. A good looking chunk, but still...
The figure does go in all the way to sit, there is plenty of room to slide in lower into the Rockslides shell.
The Polar Battle Bear?




Sitting?


I did not know the Rockslide did this with its rear treads, though.


And the skids do steer!!! They really feel VERY sturdy, too. The Polar Battle Bear actually loses on the steering skid detail for me, here.

And ya know, I like the "sway" feature on the guns of the Polar Battle Bear, but do I really need that 30* extra range on those guns? The guns could have been fixed straight and I would have been just as happy as I think about. (I mean, just turn the machine a little?)
Rockslide wins me on the front-end skid operation, as well as the twin guns. Rockslides nose does look good...


I was surprised to find some detail on the bottom of the Rockslide, too. It could have been left smooth, but what it has really makes it more interesting. Plus, one "rolling tread wheel" is just as good as the "pair."







Overall, the Rockslide isn't too bad of a vehicle. It actually exceeded my expectations, which were not very high to begin with. Count me surprised!



See GeneralsJoes.com review!

Arctic Blast

Arctic Blast!



I've written out a little bit on my WINTER OPERATIONS previously a little while back, not too long after I bought the new Wolf hound. (we still call it a Snow Cat here.) I made mention of my interest in the Arctic Blast at that time. I was checking out YoJoe.com and the Joe Index, and was hoping to see it featured in a custom form or used in a winter battle scene. I didn't see much, there is a YouTube review and the original commercial for the toy on YouTube that added to what I was looking for, but ultimately, I just wanted one in hand. I had never seen one in person, and I find that pictures don't give a good impression of what a vehicle can really offer.

I checked the ebay, but those were a bit pricier than I wanted to put out. I did find someone who was selling one just before Christmas, and the price was simply unbeatable. And in the end, the whole deal was simply great. The Arctic Blast is finally here, and that's what I'm going to share with you here.

The Arctic Blast obviously doesn't have that much of a body. In fact, with just two wheels powering it, it reminds me more of a side-paddle-wheel boat. It really does. Just like a boat, this arctic sled with its light weight really almost floats across the frozen terrain as the giant (yet weight spreading) wheels tear it up with rather large knobby tires.
It takes up about the same amount of space as the "Snow Cat," too.


The "Snow Cat" is simply a half-track truck, heavily "Joe-ified," but a truck none-the-less. The "Snow Cat" brings us 4 artillery rockets and two Ski-pedoes. The Arctic Blast brings us two smaller Ski-pedoes, but compliments them with a pair of multi-barrel machine guns. The "Snow Cat" offers the ability to carry a few more Joes on the sides and back stands, but the Arctic Blast offers up two gun mounts for its riders. Although, with two figures riding on the back of the Arctic Blast, it does tip backwards. Perhaps some more ammo was needed for the front guns?

The Arctic Blast is really simple as you probably already figured out. It's got some interesting stuff going on in the rear other than just the two platforms for the gun mounts. The engine is present, something I always like in a Joe vehicle. I am a huge fan of engine covers, but perhaps to save weight, the engine cover was simply omitted here? It's on a deck right behind the seat, and that arrangement is something that makes me think of a "go-cart." This must be meant as a pure battle vehicle, there's just no frills.
There is a mysterious hole in the center where one would expect to find, perhaps, a tow hook. I wonder if there was to be a tow-behind sled or some other item that would work with this? An engine cover on the rear platform would easily accommodate a figure standing on top of it for use on manning another gun mount directly overhead of the driver?

For driving, I suppose it is power one wheel or the other, or both, and simply, "go!" There are floor pedals, but flying/ sliding across rough terrain, well, does it call for brakes? I think of Florida Everglades air boats and how they just skim across that land. Those don't have brakes, think the operation of the Arctic Blast is one of no reverse option?
No matter how it would actually be driven by a figure, I still can make it go. I do like the seat belt. It's a nice 1988-1989 feature and I think the Evader, Rolling Thunder, Thunderclap, X-19 are some of the other vehicles I've had with these belts. Either way, it works just as well as a figure back-peg (see a 1983 FANG) or the 1990 seat clips. Actually I like the seat belt more than the seat clips.

If you're up on your Joe, you probably already know that Windchill came with the Arctic Blast. My first Windchill actually came with the Blockbuster, so I've really had this character in play some 15 years now. The '94 version of him, I should add. The 1989 version is a more recent addition from the last couple years and is not in as good of shape as my '94.
I actually think that with the Arctic Blast addition to my collection that I have finally found something for Snow Storm to do. For a cold weather/ arctic guy, with the gear he came with he kind of seemed more space/ Star Brigade like. I had the blue on white version since back in the day, but the figure is all bundled up and compared to the bulk of the other "arctic" Joes he seemed like the comfy-cozy odd-man-out. He's got no outside exposure in that suit, but I think in the Arctic Blast this is a HUGE plus. Who better to run this thing in possible wind chills of death? A more recent addition in the last couple years was the 1994 version of Snow Storm. He's actually got a similar shade of gray that the 1989 Windchill has, and it offsets him from the all (very) white vehicle. So, I may stick with the '94 version as my "main" Snow Storm at this time. Do you think the other version might be better or would choose this way, too?

The Artic Blast has a lower profile than the Snow Cat, an advantage in a battle vehicle as I see it. The rear gun mounts don't have the up and down pivot, but they can be used in an almost 360* swivel only being blocked by the massive floodlights.
The floodlights are kind of neat, they allow some excellent forward vision, but also could blind an enemy at night as the Arctic Blast makes its assault forward.


All-in-all so far, I really like this vehicle. Compared to all my vehicle purchases in 2010, this comes close to number one, but in some ways I like the new Water Moccasin from TRU (Sting Raider) a little bit more. And it really ties with the Wolf Hound, but it's a "truck" versus a special forces vehicle kind of thing for me here; hard to decide.


And it's been years since I've had a lot of my other arctic vehicles, but, I would like to have the Arctic Blast battle the Cobra Ice Snake. That's a battle that never happened that I wanted.


I still don't get an arctic vibe from the Blockbuster....

Winter operations

This over at Joe Dios got me kind of pumped up for winter operations style Joes.

While I'm not a big fan of the cold weather Joe stuff, or cold weather period, if ever environment specific figures were out there, arctic guys were it. Unlike, say, desert trooper Dusty, a guy like Frostbite just doesn't fit outside an imaginary frozen land covered in snow. At least to me. It's kinda like diver figure: Deep six, Wet suit, etc., they just don't feel right busting through imaginary forest.

Use as you will, though. My Joes have to take on Cobra Snow Serpents ('85 and '91) and Ice Vipers ('87) on some of the most desolate, frozen areas on the planet.

Sub-Zero is the leader of the dedicated squad of the GIJOE arctic team.
The rest of the squad is pretty much every classic "arctic" Joe that I have:
Blizzard
Cold Front
Snow Job
Snow storm
Windchill
Avalanche
Iceberg
Frostbite

It's a good mix, 4 are really more vehicle drivers, too. Snow Storm is the oddest man out, though, being all contained in that hi-tech snow suit that seems all warm compared to everyone else. Guess who's on patrol the most? Avalanche could have been with the BF2000 group, but really, just is more "suited" to the snowy landscape, in my opinion.

I'm still on the fence about White Out, classic or modern style. Interesting in that I'm a person who wants to see more new characters, yet, I'm just feeling any connection to the new(er) characters that have come out. Some of that is a little due to the "new sculpt" style just not being something I like, but, perhaps it's the characterization, too? Big Brawler almost came on too strong, for instance..., the big bad tempered muscle man. However, Sure Fire is a guy I've kind of gotten use out of, the one with the original head that is. White Out was essentially Snow Job, just like Double Blast was pretty much Roadblock (absolutely no Double Blast here). However, with me being very choosy on which modern figures I buy, I have a very unique figure with this White Out. The figure has no semblance to any figure I have, so I can use that, however, the guy just doesn't stand out to me. Almost too flat-a-figure, could be any schmoe dressed for winter in some ways. Any-who, we'll see if that changes in the future....

I had a pretty good spread of Cobra arctic vehicles at one point. The Ice Sabre, ice Snake, a pair of Wolf's, but they all got trimmed.
I had the first Joe Ice Sabre, too, but it ended up lost in a bad trade overseas, but it didn't really hold my interest on the long-term even on the short term of ownership.
I had the GvC Rockslide, too, but the missile launcher kind of killed my interest on it, I just wanted an original PBB; but even that was feeling antique to me. Even my mighty Blockbuster is gone, which I never felt any arctic connection to, although it was one tough vehicle with a neat action launcher!

I did get the Wolf Hound, more on that on a post at Joesightings. So that's my only cold weather transportation.
I was really thinking of army building the Ice Cutter, but with the tracks being stuck on the action-movement gimmick, well, I just gotta say, "no." Not at full price, anyway, and I didn't want to get a bunch of red troopers I wouldn't like, either. My hopes were high....

I guess in the future, I would hope to see some small snowmobile come out for Cobra, not like the Polar Blast that was out a few years back; never did see that at retail anyway. Something a little more Cobra Ferret-like in simplicity, heck, swap-out the wheels for a ski and tread combo on the axles and it's half-way there for me.
I've been a little interested in the Arctic Blast, too. It seems like a battle vehicle, no frills..., big tires and room for guys to gun from. I think the yellow guns are really my only big turn-down, and the fact I've never seen one in person. As I look at it now, doesn't it seem a little back-end heavy, too? Anyone recommend it? I think it would fit my small-vehicle oriented collection for the cold guys.