50th Anniversary Day 4: Five-Star JeepWith the success of the first GI Joe line in 1964, Hasbro released the Official GI Joe Jeep the following year. It originally retailed for 10$ (a lot of money in 1965) and included several features:
- Trailer with working searchlight
- Rocket Firing recoilless rifle
- Realistic vehicles sounds
- Could seat two figures.
I started this vehicle with a Power Team Elite (PTE) jeep and trailer. Initially, I was not going to change it much as it was going to serve as background filling to take pictures. However, I started with small changes and those led to an all-new vehicle.
First, I started by adding/modifying the hubcaps. Then, I moved the spare tire from the back to the side. After that, I removed the radio and antenna from the original jeep. I used a 30th Cobra Viper rocket launcher as a base to build the recoilless rifle. After that, I added the searchlight in the trailer. Finally, I cut and added some styrene to change the shape and size of the windshield.
Enjoy!
OB
50th Anniversary Day 3: Green BeretThe next figure is a homage to one of the most popular uniform and accessory kit released for Action Soldier. It was later re-used to create the Adventure Team Commander and has become the image of GI Joe himself.
In 1966, with the US increasing its involvement in Southeast Asia, the war in Vietnam was invading the nightly news broadcasts as well as the American consciousness. It seemed logical for GI Joe to go to Vietnam. So, two years after GI Joe’s introduction, Hasbro released the hugely popular Green Beret set for Action Soldier. The uniform set included the field jacket, pants, beret, M-16 rifle, belt and grenades.
Enjoy!
OB
50th Anniversary Day 2: Military Police and Snow TroopsThe next two figures are homages to more uniforms and accessory kits that were released for Action Soldier.
The Military Police uniform was part of the first assortment of GI Joe product in 1964. It included an olive green Ike Jacket, Ike Pants, duffle bag, baton, helmet and belt. I tried to reproduce the look as best I can, even if the jacket is not perfectly accurate.
The Snow Troops equipment was introduced in 1965 and was the first environment-specific gear created for GI Joe. My custom represents Action Soldier outfitted with gear from three different sets: Ski Patrol Set (7531), Mountain Troops Set (7530) and the Army Ski Troops Set (7527).
50th Anniversary Day 1: Action SoldierOne of the four figures that started it all, Action Soldier was released in 1964. He included basic olive green fatigues, brown combat boots, an OD cap, dog tags, rank insignia stickers and an Army Field Manual. The basic nature of his uniform allowed kids to collect add-on accessory kits such as the field vest, the helmet as well as various weapons and gear. The kits that were purchased allowed kids to customize their GI Joe for specific missions.
This project has to start here. Action Soldier was the first GI Joe ever conceived of by Sam Speers and Don Levine at Hasbro in 1963. My first custom represents the basic Action soldier with fatigues, cap, dog tags and field manual (Set number 7500). The second figure is the Action Soldier outfitted with the Combat Helmet (7507) and Combat Rifle Sets (7510). The third figure features the Field Jacket and Combat Rifle with Bayonet.
Day 0: TeasersIn 1964, Hasbro launched a new military themed product line. GI Joe, or Government Issue Joe, was not a specific person. Instead, he was meant to represent all the regular fighting ‘’Joes’’ from all branches of the armed forces.
The first series consisted of four 12’’ figures: Action Soldier, Action Sailor, Action Marine and Action Pilot. Each came with fatigues, a hat, boots and dog tags specific to their branch of the military. In addition to the four base figures, Hasbro offered a multitude of different uniforms, gear and accessories (sold separately of course) to give your GI Joe a specialty. You could change your Action Soldier into an MP or your Action Sailor into a Shore Patrol Officer.
Although it seems commonplace for us now, a line of ‘’Dolls for boys’’ was revolutionary at the time. In fact, legend has it that someone at Hasbro coined the term ‘’Action Figure’’ to fight the perception that boys would never play with dolls. Despite this perception, sales of GI Joe surpassed all expectations the first year. Little boys loved the realistic uniforms and accessories and Hasbro rushed to keep up with demand during the Holiday shopping season.
The following years, Hasbro added more variety to the line. GI Joe was available with different skin and hair colors, he added different specialties to his repertoire, he received a vehicle with his trusty ‘’Willy’s Jeep’’, he represented all the ‘’Soldiers of the World’’ and he even became an Astronaut.
Despite all these innovations, by 1969 due in part to America’s ongoing war in Vietnam, sales of GI Joe products started to decline. Still believing in GI Joe, Hasbro distanced him from his military roots and re-launched him as an Adventurer the following year. The GI Joe Adventure Team was made up of 5 characters: Man of Action, Commander, Sea Adventurer, Land Adventurer and Air Adventurer. All had flocked ‘’life-like’’ hair and later included ‘’Kung-Fu’’ grip, moving ‘’Eagle’’ eyes and sound chips that allowed them to talk. Through this new theme, GI Joe explored the World, gained new vehicles and accessories, saved relics, captured tigers and gorillas and experienced all kinds of exciting adventures.
By 1975, GI Joe was facing stiffer competition from other toy lines. Hasbro felt that he needed a bit of a facelift. New characters like Mike Powers and Bulletman made their debuts. A year later, new enemies were introduced in the form of the Intruders. By the end of the seventies, with the cost of oil reaching historic highs, Hasbro introduced Super Joe – an 8’’ version of GI Joe. However, he failed to re-ignite the magic and shortly thereafter, Joe was gone from retail shelves.
GI Joe was far from dead. In 1982, Hasbro launched GI Joe: A Real American Hero. This new line of 3.75’’ action figures depicted a team of military specialists that battle against Cobra, a ruthless terrorist organization determined to rule the World. GI Joe and Cobra have been battling in one form or another, ever since.
Despite the fact that the usefulness of a raft in the desert can be discussed, the original was a fun little set that offered a variety of useful accessories. My custom will probably serve a similar purpose in that its components will be displayed separately to augment other sets in the project.
