If there’s one thing Lanard packs into its vehicles, play value is it. I can’t think of any other budget toy maker that gives kids as much bang for their buck. While such things may not be a collector’s cup of tea, little ones dig action features. The Havoc Chopper is a neat little one-man copter. The silhouette is similar
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By Past Nastification GI Joe was dead, at least in 1:18th scale, in 1996. Like many of us now in our mid 40’s, even if 1:18 GI Joe wasn’t dead then, it would have been dead to me anyway. I had outgrown it around 1988 and wouldn’t rediscover my love of GI Joe as adult collector/customizer until the Stars ‘n
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By KansasBrawler It’s time for another KansasBrawler confession. I like a lot of early Joe vehicles, but I’ve never really liked the vintage Polar Battle Bear. For some reason, that vehicle just never really spoke to me. If I had to venture a guess, I’d say it’s probably because, growing up in a town in South Dakota that manufactures front
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By KansasBrawler I don’t know why, but until recently, I’ve never been that big on Joe boats. I remember loving the Tiger Fish as a kid, but I really don’t have any strong memories attached to any other water vehicles from the Joe line. However, the 25th Anniversary really started turning me around on that thanks to their amazing new
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Over the years, we’ve not covered one of the most integral elements of the 1980s Joe toys: blueprints. These little extras, printed on the reverse side of vehicle/playset instructions were yet another tool in Hasbro’s world-building arsenal. If a kid were so inclined they could pore over the more technical aspects of their new plaything. Another brilliant low-cost marketing feature
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By KansasBrawler As a kid, I was always more about the figures than the vehicles for the most part and that trend has continued through to the modern stuff. The vehicles just require a bit more space to display, and that’s something that’s still somewhat at a premium. I have gotten a lot of modern Alpha and Bravo class vehicles
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Dealer catalogs can be a trove of fascinating images. This page from 1987 showcases the LCV and Devilfish, each in detailed diorama fashion. When placed in such an interesting environment and lit dramatically, even the goofy LCV is lent an air of greater realism. The Devilfish of course needs no such help. Image via orangeslime.com
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One of the more impressive of the late 1980s vehicles, the Rolling Thunder is a real beast. It’s too bad we didn’t see it in an animated series. It would have made a great focal point vehicle for the Joes. It’s certainly not as unwieldy as the General.
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The Ghost Hawk (yeah, I have a hard time calling it that) was originally one of the upgraded classic vehicle designs of the 25th anniversary series. I was impressed by the improvements made in the detail and fit/finish of it. The mold has become something of a workhorse since then, appearing in modified form for the Pursuit of Cobra line
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Lanard’s CORPS! line has been prolific in its selection of vehicles. If you need to beef up your land, sea or air forces on the cheap, it’s a go-to source. From jeeps to transports and tanks, the series’ armor has had its share or unique offerings. The Amphibious Recoil Vehicle (what a colorful name) is a fighting vehicle along the
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