The Power of Packaging: Missile Launcher (PAC/RAT)
I didn’t have any of the PAC/RAT vehicles as a kid, but I remember thinking they were pretty cool in their appearance in the Revenge of Cobra mini-series. They even made cute R2-D2 like sounds. The explosive packaging is anything but cute. In fact, it’s awesome.
”I remember my friends / I talking about the new G.I.Joe PAC/RATS when they where available at our nearest toy store, back in 1983. Then the movie” The Revenge of Cobra ” showed all 3 :Flamethrower,Machine Gun, and Missile Launcher in action.Those were good times.”
I was so excited to open up the Pac Rats when we got them. But, man, were the toys a disappointment. The lack of figure interaction really sunk them for me. But, this packaging sure conveyed the opposite.
Love, love, love the pac rats. I got 1 as a gift, 1 second hand and had to wait nearly 30 years but now I have a trifecta.
I’m pretty sure the pacrats were made from 1/75th tank kits. Or the prototypes atleast
My brother had them. The flame thrower’s leg connectors broke to easily. The missile launcher had a tab break off and had to be glued back on. I tried to order a set from Hasbro’s direct mail offers and they were out of stock.
These unmanned ground vehicles were thirty years ahead of their time.
They are good force multipliers. Adding unflinching firepower to light infantry forces. They don’t feel pain or fear and don’t have family to miss them if they die.