1987 Characters, Page 5

Click-to-Reveal Profiles for WORMS, Gyro-Viper, Rumbler, Steam-Roller,
Hardtop, Payload, Starduster, and Steel Brigade

Click a code name to show the character's profile.

+ WORMS

WORMS - small invertebrates with no bones or limbs, essentially a long tube of flesh.

Char. #124, 19th Cobra troop type

Versions: 1. 1987 (Maggot)     Version 1: 1987 boxed Maggot vehicle Fig. #0139: Maggot Driver MOS 1: Weapons/Ordnance MOS 2: Rugged Machine Specialist Animation Notes: Animated WORMS were only briefly glimpsed in a commercial featuring the Maggot. head: WORMS (87) arms: WORMS (87), Gen. Mayhem (05) torso: WORMS (87), Gen. Mayhem (05) waist: WORMS (87), Gen. Mayhem (05) legs: WORMS (87), Gen. Mayhem (05) Accessories: brown helmet (new, with black eyes and grill); brown antenna (new, with short with squarish base) W.O.R.M.S. are self-propelled artillery specialists of the Cobra ground forces and are cross-trained within their blanket specialty. Any single W.O.R.M.S. can man any position on a Maggot, be it driver, gunner, loader, or diesel mechanic. Under optimum conditions, a Maggot is manned by a crew of four: commander, driver, gunner, and loader. Under battle conditions, it is possible for a Maggot to stay in action, maintaining its fire-capability with its crew reduced to two. "A battery of Maggots can receive target information from a central fire control vehicle and is capable of firing guided and brilliant munitions, some of which are ECM resistant, fire-and-forget, self-targeting and proximity fuzed HEAT rounds. A Maggot's crew doesn't have to think too hard, which is why the only requirement for being a W.O.R.M.S. is the ability to walk while holding a bogie wheel under one arm and a 155mm shell under the other." Toy Notes: Item #6029. The prototype shown in the 1987 insert catalog and Maggot commercial has eye-holes cut in the helmet.

+ Gyro-Viper

GYRO-VIPER - prefix for circular or spiral motion, rotation.

Char. #125, 20th Cobra troop type

Versions: 1. 1987 (Mamba)     Version 1: 1987 boxed Mamba vehicle Fig. #0140: Mamba Driver head: Gyro-Viper (87) arms: Gyro-Viper (87), Skydive (90) torso: Gyro-Viper (87), Skydive (90) waist: Gyro-Viper (87), Skydive (90) legs: Gyro-Viper (87), Skydive (90) Accessories: dark red helmet (new, soft plastic with silver faceplate) The coordination necessary to pilot a helicopter is akin to operating a yoyo with your left hand while spinning a pie plate on the tip of your right index finger while you're balancing full glasses of water on top of your feet. Piloting an attack helicopter in combat is like doing all of that while riding a twelve point buck through the woods in the middle of hunting season. Mamba pilots have to be pretty nervy just to get through the training program. "Attack helicopters come in two varieties: Bigger, heavily armored slower ones, and smaller, faster ones with no armor at all. Mambas fall into the latter category. Gyro-Vipers tend to be fast, decisive thinkers with a self-assured confidence in their flying skills . . . And they don't look back." Toy Notes: Item #6026.

+ Rumbler

RUMBLER - one who makes or moves with a deep rolling sound.	Char. #126, 77th Joe Team member
Earl-Bob Swilley (American with Saxon English surname) of Raeford, NC. Raeford (pop. 3,386) in south central NC is home of the state's annual Turkey Festival and is developing a major ethanol plant (as of 2007).
Grades: E-4: 1987	SNs: 654-56-8723
Comic and Animation Notes: This character did not appear in the comic, but the character Armadillo (88) answered to this name for reasons left unexplained. Rumbler was never animated.
Versions: 1. 1987 (Crossfire)     Version 1: 1987 boxed Crossfire remote-control vehicle Fig. #0141: R/C Crossfire Driver MOS 1: Fast Attack Vehicle Driver [11M] MOS 2: Armorer, Small Arms [45B] head: Footloose (85, 89), Claymore (86), Rumbler (87) arms: Heavy Metal (85), Rumbler (87) torso: Heavy Metal (85), Rumbler (87) waist: Bazooka (85, 88), Rumbler (87) legs: Bazooka (85, 88), Rumbler (87) Accessories: brown helmet (Crankcase's); light grey machine gun (Heavy Metal's Star Z-70) Rumbler's future as a revenue agent was cut short by his propensity toward high-speed car chases through the piney woods in pursuit of moonshiners and tax stamp dodgers. After totalling seven government vehicles, it was thought to be in the best national interest for Rumbler to transfer to a branch of service equipped with sturdier vehicles and dedicated to the pursuit of individuals or organizations less inclined to sue the government. "What you do is sling Rumbler and his crossfire under a heavy-lift chopper and drop them on the run from twenty feet up, fifty miles behind enemy lines. Sort of like dropping a weasel in a henhouse. You know you're going to see some feathers fly. Toy Notes: Item #6004. As a higher-end item, the Crossfire was not carried in as many stores as other Joe product and was sometimes shelved with other R/C toys. The helmet is slighlty darker than the helmet included with the Battle Gear Accessory Pack #6. Re-releases: Bagged with Recoil's blue rifle and machine pistol at a 1993 convention, but identified as Footloose.

+ Steam-Roller

STEAM-ROLLER - a heavy steam-powered machine with wide wheels for driving over and flattening road surfaces.	Char. #127, 78th Joe Team member
Averill B. Whitcomb (American with Saxon English surname) of Duluth, MN. Duluth (pop. 86,918) in northern MN is a vital industrial port town on Lake Superior. Bazooka and Tripwire's hometown of Hibbing is a short distance to the north, and the other Minnesota Joes are Charbroil, Dart, and Hi-Tech.
Grades: E-5: 1987	SNs: 500-54-7793
Comic and Animation Notes: Steam-Roller appeared in 2 issues, both in 1990: #99 and 100. He was never animated.
Versions: 1. 1987 (Mobile Command Center)     Version 1: 1987 boxed Mobile Command Center playset Fig. #0142: Mobile Command Center Operator MOS 1: Heavy Equipment Operator [21E] MOS 2: Armor [19K] head: Steam-Roller (87) arms: Steam Roller (87), Dreadnok Demolishor (04) torso: Steam Roller (87), Dreadnok Demolishor (04) waist: Steam Roller (87), Dreadnok Demolishor (04) legs: Steam Roller (87), Dreadnok Demolishor (04) Accessories: grey dagger (new, stubby with segmented handle) Steam-Roller worked heavy cranes on the Great Lakes' docks, earth-movers in the strip mines of Appalachia, and graders on the four-lane blacktops of a half dozen states. He was driving an M-15A2, 50 ton transporter when he was picked up for the Joe Team. He may only be an E-5, but no matter who's ranked above him on his Mobile Command Center, Steam-Roller's gut instincts are the ones in charge. Qualified expert with all NATO small-arms and explosives. "He's a moose. He considers a Peterbilt 10 wheel tractor a personal vehicle and a .44 Magnum a pocket pistol. He gets barred from bowling alleys for damaging the pins. He's stubborn, ornery, mean-tempered, bad-humored, and uncouth. Has he got any good points? Well, he's on our side . . . " Toy Notes: Item #6006.

+ Hardtop

HARDTOP - a type of car with a metal roof that cannot be removed.	Char. #128, 79th Joe Team member
Nicholas D. Klas (American with German surname) of Chicago, IL. Chicago is on I-55 in the NE corner of IL, largest city in the Midwest (pop. 2,833,321). Bullet-Proof, Ghostrider, Heavy Duty, Scoop, Short-Fuze, and Static Line are also from Chicago. Freefall and Capt. Grid-Iron are from the nearby cities of Downers Grove and Evergreen Park. Footloose is from nearby Gary, IN.
Grades: E-5: 1987-2004	SNs: 284-10-MC75
Comic and Animation Notes: Hardtop appeared in 6 issues betwen 1987 and 1994: #64, 65, 75, 109, 145, and Special Missions #28. He was animated only for a commercial featuring the Defiant.
Versions: 1. 1987 (Defiant) 2. 2004 (Convention)   Version 1: 1987 boxed Defiant Space Vehicle Launch Complex playset Fig. #0143: Crawler Driver MOS 1: Heavy Equipment Operator [21E] MOS 2: Electronics [prob. 94W] head: Hardtop (87, 04) arms: Hardtop (87, 04) torso: Hardtop (87, 04) waist: Hardtop (87, 04) legs: Hardtop (87), Major Altitude (91, 93) Accessories: white mic (new, bent at 90-degree angle); black pistol (new, five diagonal notches on barrel, no trigger guard) Hardtop gets the job done. If you tell him to move his Crawler to the top of a mountain, he doesn't ask how to get it there, why it has to be there, or even where the mountain is—he just gets it there. What? No road up that mountain? Hardtop will make his own road! No level clearing on top? No problem—just don't get in his way. "You might say he was the strong silent type, emphasis on the silent. His idea of a long conversation is a nod and a handshake. It's not that he's unfriendly, he simply has his own priorities and talking isn't one of them." Toy Notes: Item #6002. The Defiant also included the figure Payload (87). Both figures are considered high-demand items, and Hardtop's accessories are among the hardest to find. The prototype shown in the 1987 insert catalog had Tollboth's head and Footloose's arms and waist. In the Defiant commercial, the figure had more severely angled chest straps than the released figure. Version 2: 2004 Dreadnok Rampage: Escapades in the Everglades boxed set (Tiger Force) Fig. #0861: Tiger Force Special Operations MOS 1: Heavy Equipment Operator [21E] MOS 2: Electronics [prob. 94W] head: Hardtop (87, 04) arms: Hardtop (87, 04) torso: Hardtop (87, 04) waist: Hardtop (87, 04) legs: Firefly (84, 98, 00, 02/II, 03/I, 03/II, 04/III, 05/I, 05/II), Wreckage (03), Hardtop (04) Accessories: black mic (87 Hardtop's); dk grey pistol (85 Keel-Haul's); clear figure stand HARDTOP is the G.I. Joe team's Special Operations Engineer. If you tell him to move something to the top of a mountain, he doesn't ask how to get it there, why it has to be there, or even where the mountain is—he just gets it there. What? No road up that mountain? HARDTOP will make his own road! No level clearing on top? No problem—just don't get in his way. He was the original designer and operator of the crawler transport for the Defiant Space Shuttle. After years of working on the G.I. Joe space program, budget cuts caused him to switch specialties and work as a liaison for the National Space Agency. Although most of his previous work is still Classified, the development of a highly efficient low cost Fuel Cell has made him popular with the U.S. Government, as well as one of COBRA COMMANDER's most wanted prisoners. "A nod and a handshake says I'll take that job." Toy Notes: Boxed in a convention-exclusive set with Beachhead (04/I) and Mutt (04/I), the Dreadheads Billy-Bob, Cletus, Joe-Bob, Otis, Roscoe, and Vance (all 04), Dreadnoks Buzzer (04), Crusher (04), Demolishor (04), Ripper (04), Road Pig (04), and Zarana (04). This figure is considered a moderately high-demand item.

+ Payload

PAYLOAD - cargo, instruments, and equipment carried into space.	Char. #129, 80th Joe Team member
Mark Morgan, Jr. (American with Anglicized Welsh surname), of Cape Canaveral, FL. Cape Canaveral (pop. 10,523) is on a barrier island city halfway down Flordia's east coast, and is just south of the Kennedy Space Center. The other Flordia Joes are to the west and include Blaster, Blowtorch, Pathfinder, and Skydive. Note: The Certificate of Commendation for Hasbro's official Live the Adventure: Assignment II contest (1987) gives Payload's name as Nile S. Weatherby (a Norman English surname).
Grades: Air Force O-6: 1987-1994	SNs: 357Y-7SU7
Comic and Animation Notes: Payload appeared in 10 comics between 1987 and 1994: #64, 65, 109, 110, 145-149, and Special Missions #28. He was animated only for a commercial featuring the Defiant.
Versions: 1. 1987 (Defiant) 2. 1989 (Crusader) 3. 1993/I (Star Brigade green) 4. 1993/II (Star Brigade blue) 5. 1994 (Star Brigade white)   Version 1: 1987 boxed Defiant Space Vehicle Launch Complex playset Fig. #0144: Defiant Pilot MOS 1: Astronaut [13A3] MOS 2: Fixed Wing Pilot [11F4] head: Payload (87, 89) arms: Payload (87, 89) torso: Payload (87, 89) waist: Payload (87, 89) legs: Payload (87, 89) Accessories: white helmet (new, with clear yellow faceplace); white backpack (new, Manned Maneuvering Unit) with two control arms Payload grew up watching the early space shots blasting off through the Florida sky. He stared through the hurricane fence and rode that flaming booster in his dreams. But unlike others, he worked on making that dream a reality by joining the Air Force. He flew F-4 Phantoms over southeast Asia for three tours "just playing his dues" and upon his return stateside, signed up for the astronaut training program. "Here's a guy who has spent most of his waking hours for his entire life working on getting himself into space. Sometimes, as he's executing a complicated maneuver in free-fall or when he's cutting in his boosters, he seems to be chanting softly under his breath. If you turn up the volume on the ship-to-ship channel and listen very carefully, you can hear him quite clearly; 'Vrooom! Vrooom!'" Toy Notes: Item #6002. The Defiant also included the figure Hardtop (87). The 1987 insert catalog shows Payload with a different helmet and parts from Ace (83). Version 2: 1989 boxed Crusader vehicle Fig. #0235: Astronaut MOS 1: Astronaut [13A3] MOS 2: Fixed Wing Pilot [11F4] head: Payload (87, 89) arms: Payload (87, 89) torso: Payload (87, 89) waist: Payload (87, 89) legs: Payload (87, 89) Accessories: yellow helmet (87 Payload's) with clear face shield; light grey backpack (87 Payload's MMU) with two control arms PAYLOAD grew up watching the early space shots blasting off through the Florida sky. He stared through the hurricane fence and rode that flaming booster in his dreams. But unlike others, he worked on making that dream a reality by joining the Air Force. He flew F-4 Phantoms over southeast Asia for three tours "just playing his dues" and upon his return stateside, signed up for the astronaut training program. "Here's a guy who has spent most of his waking hours working on getting himself into space. Sometimes, as he's executing a complicated maneuver in free-fall or when he's cutting in his boosters, he seems to be chanting softly under his breath. If you turn up the volume on the ship-to-ship channel and listen very carefully, you can hear him quite clearly; 'Vrooom! Vrooom!'" Toy Notes: Item #6220. Version 3: 1993 Star Brigade carded assortment, #7 Fig. #0399: Astro-Pilot MOS 1: Astronaut [13A3] MOS 2: F-4 Phantom Pilot [11F4-C] head: Barbecue (92), Payload (93/I, 93/II, 94) arms: Barbecue (92), Payload (93/I, 93/II, 94) torso: Barbecue (92), Payload (93/I, 93/II, 94) waist: Barbecue (92), Payload (93/I, 93/II, 94) legs: Barbecue (92), Payload (93/I, 93/II, 94) Accessories: red pistol (90 Updraft's); red assault rifle (90 Ambush's EM-2 bullpup); red machine gun (92 Shockwave's M33); gold spring missile launcher (93/I Duke's, with red trigger); two red missiles (new, with rectangular fins); red knife (91 Low-Light's); red figure stand Payload grew up watching the early space shots blasting off through the Florida sky. He often stared through a hole in the space center's security fence and rode the flaming booster rockets in his dreams. Payload worked hard on making those dreams a reality by joining the Air Force on his 18th birthday. He flew F-4 Phantoms over Southeast Asia paying his dues and becoming an expert pilot. When he returned stateside he signed up for the astronaut training program. Now he's a member of G. I. Joe's elite Star Brigade team, fighting to protect Earth and other planets in the deepest voids of space. Motto: "Space is the place to smash Destro in the face!" Toy Notes: Item #81101. The filecard shows a recolor of Payload's 1987/89 mold with this version's color scheme. Version 4: 1993 Star Brigade carded assortment, #7 Fig. #0420: Astro-Pilot MOS 1: Astronaut [13A3] MOS 2: F-4 Phantom Pilot [11F4-C] head: Barbecue (92), Payload (93/I, 93/II, 94) arms: Barbecue (92), Payload (93/I, 93/II, 94) torso: Barbecue (92), Payload (93/I, 93/II, 94) waist: Barbecue (92), Payload (93/I, 93/II, 94) legs: Barbecue (92), Payload (93/I, 93/II, 94) Accessories: red pistol (90 Updraft's); red assault rifle (90 Ambush's EM-2 bullpup); red machine gun (92 Shockwave's M33); gold spring missile launcher (93/I Duke's, with red trigger); two red missiles (new, with rectangular fins); red knife (91 Low-Light's); red figure stand Payload grew up watching the early space shots blasting off through the Florida sky. He often stared through a hole in the space center's security fence and rode the flaming booster rockets in his dreams. Payload worked hard on making those dreams a reality by joining the Air Force on his 18th birthday. He flew F-4 Phantoms over Southeast Asia paying his dues and becoming an expert pilot. When he returned stateside he signed up for the astronaut training program. Now he's a member of G. I. Joe's elite Star Brigade team, fighting to protect Earth and other planets in the deepest voids of space. Motto: "Space is the place to smash Destro in the face!" Variations: First sold on 1993-style packaging (though no carded examples have surfaced), then on 1994-style packaging with light grey accessories and version 5's card art and baseball-sized, abbreviated filecard. Toy Notes: Reportedly replaced version 3 at about the time Battle Corps Wave 3 hit the stores. Item #81101. The '93 filecard shows a recolor of Payload's 1987/89 mold with version 3's color scheme. After years of listing this version as 1993[b], Yojoe.com now considers this version a 1994 release for lack of carded proof of 1993 availability. Version 5: 1994 Star Brigade carded assortment, #26 Fig. #0474: Astro-Pilot MOS 1: Astronaut [13A3] MOS 2: F-4 Phantom Pilot [11F4-C] head: Barbecue (92), Payload (93/I, 93/II, 94) arms: Barbecue (92), Payload (93/I, 93/II, 94) torso: Barbecue (92), Payload (93/I, 93/II, 94) waist: Barbecue (92), Payload (93/I, 93/II, 94) legs: Barbecue (92), Payload (93/I, 93/II, 94) Accessories: light grey pistol (90 Updraft's); light grey assault rifle (90 Ambush's EM-2 bullpup); light grey machine gun (92 Shockwave's M33); gold spring missile launcher (93/I Duke's, with black trigger); two light grey missiles (93 Payload's); light grey knife (91 Low-Light's); light grey figure stand Payload grew up watching the early space shots blasting off through the Florida sky, dreaming of the day HE would be at the controls. He worked hard on making those dreams a reality by joining the Air Force on his 18th birthday. He flew F-4 Phantoms over Southeast Asia paying his dues and becoming an expert pilot. When he returned stateside he joined the astronaut training program where his career really took off. Now he's a member of G. I. Joe's elite Star Brigade team, fighting to protect Earth and believing that space is the place to smash Cobra in the face! Toy Notes: Item #81117.

+ Starduster

STARDUSTER - a 1960s-model, two-seat, aerobatics-capable biplane. Stardust is an imaginary shiny substance with magical qualities (or cosmic dust in interstellar space).	Char. #130, 81st Joe Team member
Edward J. Skylar (American with Dutch surname) of Burlingame, CA. Burlingame (pop. 28,158) is a wealthy suburb of San Francisco and is the location of the airline Virgin America's headquarters. Dojo, Knockdown, and Psyche-Out are from San Francisco itself, and Long Arm's Boulder Creek is close by.
Grades: E-6: 1987; E-5: 2007-2008	SNs: RA 989-31-5248; 989-31-EJ48
Comic and Animation Notes: Starduster did not appear in the Marvel comic, but a small mini-comic was issued with the figure. He was animated for a commercial for G.I. Joe Action Stars cereal. The chest strap direction reflects a "variant A" design.
Versions: 1. 1987 (Mail) 2. 2007 (Convention) 3. 2008 (Senior Ranking Officers) Version 1: 1987 special mail-order Fig. #0145: Jet Pack Trooper MOS 1: Infantry Transportable Air Recon MOS 2: Helicopter Assault head: Short-Fuze (82, 97), Flash (82), Hawk (82), Steeler (82), Starduster (87) upper arms: Flint (85, 88, 04/I, 05), Claymore (86), Starduster (87) lower arms: Flint (85, 88), Claymore (86), Starduster (87) A torso: Recondo (84, 88), Starduster (87 A) B-C front torso: Duke (83, 88, 97, 04/III, 05/III, 05/IV), Starduster (87 B-C), Steel Brigade (87 C-D-E-F), Lonzo Wilkinson (06) B-C back torso: Doc (83), Duke (83, 88, 97, 04/III, 05/III, 05/IV), Starduster (87 B-C), Steel Brigade (87 C-D-E-F), Lonzo Wilkinson (06) A-B waist: Recondo (84, 88), Starduster (87 A-B) C waist: Iceberg (86, 97), Starduster (87 C) upper legs: Roadblock (84, 88, 04/II, 05/I), Starduster (87), Double Blast (01, 02), Leatherneck (01), Sgt. Mutt (04/II), Tommy Arashikage (06) lower legs: Roadblock (84, 88, 04/II, 05/I), Starduster (87), Double Blast (01, 02), Leatherneck (01), Tommy Arashikage (06) Accessories: light blue helmet (standard, with black star on front); black visor (standard); green jet pack (from 82 JUMP); silver grenade launcher (83 Gung-Ho's XM-76) Starduster was a circus trapeze artist when he enlisted in the Airborne Rangers. He quickly found that his acrobatic skills and boundless energy would come in handy when swinging from a 150-foot rope. But now he did his famous routines suspended from a Huey Assault Copter—with the audience throwing more than just popcorn and peanuts. It was Duke, however, who recognized how well Stardster's death-defying act would work with the JUMP Jetpack. The combination has been a crowd-pleaser ever since. "We could be pinned down by artillery, rockets, and flanking small-arms fire—every inch of sky lit by tracer, the lead so thick in the air even the mosquitoes would take cover—but Starduster would be out there in a flash to spot the bad guys. No questions. Straight up into the flack with his characteristic 'show must go on' attitude, grinning like a Cheshire cat as he calls in enemy positions for our own artillery to hit. The guy never fails to keep the act interesting." Variations: Variant A (Recondo torso and waist) was available from 1987 to 1988, variant B (Duke torso, Recondo waist) from 1988 to 1989, and variant C (Duke torso, Iceberg waist) from 1989 to 1990. Bagged examples of variant B are rare but surface from time to time. Toy Notes: Originally available by mail in 1987 through an offer in G.I. Joe Action Stars cereal, which featured Sunbow animation in its commercial. Re-releases: Also available by mail with the Pocket Patrol Pack through several offers between 1987 and 1990, most notably the Maneuvers Manual included with carded figures. Bagged without the jet pack for a 1993 convention. Version 2: 2007 Convention-exclusive Jet Pack Troopers two-pack Fig. #1198: Jet Pack Trooper Edward "Starduster" Skylar MOS 1: Infantry Transportable/Air Recon MOS 2: Counterintelligence Agent [97B] head: Downtown (89), Short-Fuze (04), Infantry Division (05/I, 05/II, 05/III, 05/IV, 05/V, 05/VI), Starduster (07) arms: Stalker (89, 93, 05/II), Rock 'n Roll (07), Starduster (07) torso: Downtown (89), Short-Fuze (04), Starduster (07) waist: Downtown (89), Short-Fuze (04), Starduster (07) legs: Downtown (89), Short-Fuze (04), Sgt. Flash (07), Grand Slam (07), Starduster (07) Accessories: olive green helmet (06 Lady Jaye's, with silver visor); green jet backpack (from 82 JUMP) with attached cord and red flame (shared with Grand Slam); green laser rifle (from 82 JUMP, with sight); grey laser rifle (91 Mercer's); clear figure stand Since World War II, the perfection of the jet pack has been the most elusive goal in the field of personnel transportation. Models known to the public are impractical due to the tremendous heat produced, inefficient fuel usage, limited altitude, and short flight duration. But the J.U.M.P. (Jet Unit Mobile Propulsion) jet pack used by the G.I. JOE team is capable of several hours' flight, unmatched maneuverability, and staggering velocity. To this day the specifics of the JUMP's engineering and fuel source remain locked away at G.I. JOE Headquarters, despite many attempts by COBRA forces to steal the technology and capture its aerialist, STARDUSTER. STARDUSTER is a former circus acrobat and Airborne Ranger. Though he is oftn found on the G.I. JOE test grounds, looking for advancements in jet pack, rocket belt, or helicopter backpack technologies, he never misses an opportunity to take on field missions. When he was assigned to the cold weather training exercise in the Colorado Rockies, he jumped at the chance to test the latest version of the JUMP in extreme weather conditions. As an added attraction, he is looking forward to sharing the spotlight with his former protégé GRAND SLAM—and seeing if he can still outfly him! "Traveling 150 miles per hour with an engine strapped to your back is the easy art. Stopping in midair, splashing COBRA targets with a laser marker, and getting away before the incoming artillery hits is the REAL showstopper!" Toy Notes: Bagged together with Grand Slam (07) at the Tanks for the Memories-themed 2007 Convention. Both figures are considered very high-demand items (over $100 each). Version 3: 2008 Senior Ranking Officers Wave 2 assortment Fig. #1327: Jet Backpack Trooper Skyduster MOS 1: Infantry Transportable Air Recon MOS 2: Helicopter Assault head: G.I. Joe Hawk (08/I, 08/II), G.I. Joe Trooper (08/IV), Skyduster (08) arms to wrist: Flint (08/I, 08/II, 09/I, 09/II), Skyduster (08), G.I. Joe Cutter (08), Cobra Ninja Viper (08), Ssgt. Rock 'n Roll (08/II), Tunnel Rat (09), Duke (09/II), Outback (09) hands: Flint (08/I, 08/II, 09/I, 09/II), Skyduster (08), G.I. Joe Cutter (08), Cobra Ninja Viper (08), Ssgt. Rock 'n Roll (08/II), Tunnel Rat (09), Duke (09/II) body: Flint (07, 08/I, 09/I, 09/II), Duke (07, 08/I, 08/II, 08/III, 08/V, 08/VI), G.I. Joe Hawk (08/II), G.I. Joe Doc (08), Red Star (08), Lt. Falcon (08), Skyduster (08) upper legs: Snake Eyes (07/I, 07/II, 08/I, 08/II, 08/III, 08/IV, 08/VII, 09/IV), Sgt. Stalker (07, 08/I, 08/II), G.I. Joe Hawk (08/I, 08/II), Grunt (08), Duke (08/IV), Steeler (08/I, 08/II), Double Clutch (08), G.I. Joe Trooper (08/I, 08/II, 08/III, 08/IV), Skyduster (08), Dataframe (08), Short-Fuze (08), Firefly (09/II) lower legs: Steeler (08/I, 08/II), Double Clutch (08), Skyduster (08), Short-Fuze (08) Accessories: light blue helmet (08 Flash's); clear dark visor (08 Flash's); tan bandolier (07 Duke's, with black grenade); green jet pack (from 82 JUMP, with silver hose) and black cord; grey grenade launcher (07 Gung Ho's); green laser rifle (from 82 JUMP, with silver trim and no sight); black Joe figure stand SKYDUSTER was a circus trapeze artist when he enlisted in the Airborne Rangers. He found that his acrobatic skills and boundless energy came in handy when swinging from an assault helicopter by a 150-foot rope. Except, of course, this "audience" was throwing more than just popcorn and peanuts at him. It was DUKE, however, who recognized how well this death-defying act would work with the G.I. JOE team's jet backpack. The combination has been a crowd-pleaser ever since. "We could be pinned down by artillery, rockets, and flanking small-arms fire, every inch of sky lit by tracer, the lead so thick in the air even the mosquitoes would take cover. But SKYDUSTER would still be out there in a flash to spot the bad guys. No questions. Straight up into the flack with his 'show must go on' attitude, grinning like a Cheshire cat as he calls in enemy positions for our artillery to hit. The guy never fails to keep the act interesting." Toy Notes: Boxed in a Toys 'R Us-exclusive three-pack with Capt. Ace (08/II) and Wild Bill (08/II). Item #36144, set 1 of 3.

+ Steel Brigade

STEEL BRIGADE	Char. #131, 1st Joe troop type
Code name and other personal information could be chosen by the buyer.
Comic Notes: The Steel Brigade did not appear in the comic.
Versions: 1. 1987 (Mail)     Version 1: 1987 special mail-order Fig. #0146 head: Steel Brigade (87) arms: Flash (82), Grand Slam (82, 83), Steel Brigade (87) variant A-B torso: Airborne (83), Steel Brigade (87 A-B) variant C-D-E-F front torso: Duke (83, 88, 97, 04/III, 05/III, 05/IV), Starduster (87 B-C), Steel Brigade (87 C-D-E-F), Lonzo Wilkinson (06) variant C-D-E-F back torso: Doc (83), Duke (83, 88, 97, 04/III, 05/III, 05/IV), Starduster (87 B-C), Steel Brigade (87 C-D-E-F), Lonzo Wilkinson (06) variant A-B-C waist: Gung-Ho (83, 97), Steel Brigade (87 A-B-C), Duke (97, 04/III, 05/III, 05/IV) variant D-E-F waist: Cobra (82, 89), Cobra Officer (82, 89), HISS Driver (83), Viper Pilot (83), Stinger Driver (84), Steel Brigade (87 D-E-F), Duke (88), Cobra Infantry Trooper (04/I, 04/II, 04/III, 04/IV), Cobra Squad Leader (04/I, 04/II) variant A-E upper legs: Scrap-Iron (84), Steel Brigade (87 A, E) variant B-C-D-F upper legs: Airborne (83), Steel Brigade (87 B-C-D-F) lower legs: Airborne (83), Scrap-Iron (84), Steel Brigade (87) Accessories: light green backpack (83 Airborne's; variant F's is dark green); dark grey assault rifle (83 Airborne's Car-15, for variant A and some D's); dark grey assault rifle (85 Crimson Guard's, for variants B and C); black assault rifle (89 Recoil's M16-A2/M203, for some D's and variants E and F) [Personalized filecard. Buyer selected code name, characterization (leader, corpsman, or loner), best situation, personality, service branch, military specialties, weapons expertise, martial arts expertise, and training.] Variations: There are at least six released variants for Steel Brigade, differing primarily in the parts used to construct the figure. There was quite a bit of overlap in the release of these variants, except that Variant F was not released before 1992. F is distinguished by gold trim on the helmet and belt, with a dark green vest over a dark blue outfit. The "Gold Head Steel Brigade" is considered an ultra-high-demand item and is counted as a separate version by some collectors. Toy Notes: Available through many mail-in offers continuously from 1987 to 1993, including some stand-alone ads in magazines. A prototype in a dark blue uniform is known to exist.

Continue to 1987 Characters, Page 6 (Avalanche, Blaster, Blocker, Maverick, Dodger, and Knockdown)

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