Lynx (1989)

What do you get when you cross the Wolverine and the Mauler? A pretty mean looking little tank, that’s what. As a one man mini tank, the Lynx comes out looking less humorously small than the Armadillo. Actually, since the GI Joe vehicles have always been scaled down, this one doesn’t look all that small.

The entire trio of Marauders vehicles are great retools of existing parts. Even the aforementioned Armadillo was improved with the addition of missile launchers. The Lynx isn’t as extensively different looking from its base vehicle as the Equalizer, but as a whole isn’t instantly recognizable as either Wolverine or Mauler. I think the camo does a lot to help achieve this. The patterning is simple but very striking and good looking. Thankfully, it’s not the same type and color of broad stripes that the figures received, and there’s not a hint of bright blue. I don’t so much mind the blue on the figures, but it could have ruined a perfect paint job on this vehicle.

The Marauder vehicles saw a bit of action in the DIC Operation Dragonfire, manned by the redesigned Marauders themselves. I have my DIC customs manning my set. If you think there aren’t any post ’86 vehicles worth your time, you might change your mind after checking out the Marauders’ rides.

12 comments

  • I never thought much of the origonal wolverine because it was entirly a dull millitary green. It looks a hell of a lot better than in that camo scheme and with a new turret.

  • I ought to look for one of these, and start hunting down the Slaughter’s Marauders figures themselves. I would’ve started with Mutt yesterday (since I already had his leash for Junkyard and his helmet), but when I went to my flea market yesterday, I found out that my ‘supplier’ sold off the remaining Joe items (probably over the holidays) to someone who bought the whole thing.

    • Ow, that sucks Acer. Hopefully you will find another source. For me the figures aren’t worth looking for in a thrift store/flea market anyway as they often have busted thumbs and fingers. I have a few like that . they were produced in Brazil with cheaper plastic than typical joes -makes em more brittle.

      Love the custom Footloose figure. He looks good in the Lynx.

      -John.

      • I wouldn’t be too sure–I found an Eco-Warriors Flint, Mega-Marines Gung-Ho and Clutch, Sci-Fi V2, and Updraft at a thrift shop a couple of years ago, and other than updraft’s arms, they were in great shape. I plan to check my local Goodwill (since it’s a BIG one) at some point this week.

        • The Slaughter’s Marauders figures and vehicles were made in Brazil by Estrela. I don’t know why but the plastic on the SM figs is more transparent and weaker than normal US/European released Joes that were made in the far east.

          I too love looking for Joes in my local “charity shops” as we call them here. Sometimes you can find a really cool piece or a figure you may not have even considered till you have it in hand.

          • How do the Estrela-made vehicles hold up compared to other vehicles?

          • They seem comparable to the other Joe/Action Force releases in my collection Little Boa. I can only say this for the Armadillo & Equalizer for sure but I’m pretty certain the Lynx is the same.

            All in all same quality as your Mauler or Wolverine with a cool matte camo paint scheme.

            – John.

  • I never thought much of the Marauder figures but I really love the vehicles. I just found a nice, boxed Equalizer the other day, so the Lynx is likely to be next, then the Armadillo.

    I wonder if some collectors have attached the Lynx cannon atop the Equalizer in order to create a repainted Mauler? I think someone once managed to switch the battery compartments between both Mauler bodies and made himself a motorized custom, but that was so long ago I forgot who the guy was.

  • It does look a little top heavy but the idea of upgrading a vehicle with the main gun from one on the hull of another seems a very real world approach.

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  • I used the lynx as an artillery piece.

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