Dire Wolf (Lanard CORPS!)
From its beginning in 1982, the small GI Joe line had an impressive tank. The MOBAT was a battery powered workhorse in my army, and was a brilliantly designed fast attack tank. Its smaller size in comparison to later Joe tanks spoke to the early team’s purpose as a force that could be deployed quickly in any number of locales. Other me-too lines of the 80s offered up versions of the veberable US Sherman style tank of World War II. GI Joe’s most prolific imitator, the Corps, didn’t get a suitable MOBAT alternative until the early 2000s. Their first tank in the 80s resembled something like an old Russian alternative more than the familiar center turret tank.
The Dire Wolf is a rather impressive little vehicle, for what it is. Similar in size to the MOBAT, it cuts a familiar profile, yet has a few unique elements to its design. The armored patterns on the sides bring an interesting look to what would otherwise be flat panels. It’s not oddly proportioned or overly cutesy like other recent Corps releases. One figure can fit in the turret, though he has to bend his legs to manage a comfortable sitting position. The tank does feel a bit cheap, thanks to its mostly hollow construction, and lack of moveable treads. Overall, it’s a pretty nice looking traditional tank, something we haven’t seen from the real GI Joe line in quite a while.
Like the more recent Sky Raptor, I had never seen this vehicle along other mid-sized offerings at the local WalMart. I picked up mine at last year’s annual Lanard warehouse sale, packed in what looked to be non-US packaging. At the same sale, I also saw this same mold in a Disney store exclusive Toy Story set, done up in a Buzz Lightyear color scheme. It even featured electronic lights and sound. Just the sort of crazy thing I’d expect from Lanard.
Cool! Not seen this beastie yet. I did pick-up a very wacky Corps transport helo last week tho…
Years ago Meijer carred a version in a desert colour scheme with some electronic add-on on the back of the turret.
Ya know, that’s a cool tank!
As a kid, I always wanted a MOBAT which could seat three figures. Hasn’t happened yet. In my Joeverse, it was going to be Steeler, Clutch, and Breaker as in issue #5 of the comic (the classic story “Tanks for the Memories”) where the trio continued their association which began in #3 and continued in #28.
But the MOBAT only had a turret seat. Now, when I saw the bigger, cooler looking Mauler in the ’85 mini-catalog, I had high hopes since it featured two side seats with opening hatches, but I was highly disappointed to find that the turret seat had been discarded due to the Mauler’s own motorized feature.
To this day, the closest Hasbro got to what I was hoping for was the ’89 Equalizer. Maybe someday they will revisit the classic stuff and release a bigger MOBAT, but I’m not holding my breath.
We don’t get the cool Corps gear around here. GIJoe has been light on the vehicle side, and this is a tank that looks fun to check out(if we ever see one, or others). Maybe Corps is the way to go, especially with kids around to play.
Nice “F.A.N.G.” b.t.w.!
😉
That is actually based of the German Tiger II heavy tank.
Oops i spelled off wrong.