JBL members were asked “What’s Your Top Ten?” and you responded. The lists were compiled and broken down to the ten most popular toys, and there were some surprises. Then you were asked to vote on those top ten and you overwhelmingly responded with even bigger surprises. So ladies and gentlemen let’s get right into it and as well see what some of you had to say;
#10.
Released in 1983 the Headquarters Command Center was G.I.Joe’s first base. It could house your vehicles in one of its two bays, one featuring an elevating platform. There was a jail cell for those captured Cobra Troopers, and a command center for your Joe’s. As well as a storage place for your weapons in the back of the main base and for your file cards in the (tank) bay. It made for countless hours of fun and a home for your Joe team when not in battle.
LordEd1976 said – “great playset.”
pbarny said – “Nothing better than this thing. Garages, lifts, guns, cameras, computers, jails. Not even the lack of a ceiling or doors can detract from it.”
#9.
This circular base was released in 1986 the Cobra Terrordrome was an update to the original cardboard Cobra Headquarters. The Terrordrome featured repair bays, refueling bays, a jail cell, command center and the Firebat with A.V.A.C pilot. The Firebat would rise up through the center of the base through a retractable dome. It became a staple in the cartoon for Cobra’s main base of operations, and was even in the comic book series.
Red Sox said – “It has it’s flaws (how do you get from the upper level to the lower level!?!?), but this is Cobra’s default base. It doesn’t win my praise just because there isn’t any competition though (let’s not even consider Cobra Mountain ). It’s got a unique and intimidating look to it and the two gigantic double barreled gun positions are very cool. I remember many a Joe vehicle being blasted to smithereens by those bad boys. Plus it also came with the Firebat which was a great vehicle in it’s own right. And AVAC which is a figure I really like with his great color palette of silver, red, and black.”
pbarny said – “It is slightly cooler than all the other playsets combined because is it a fortress? Repair station? Plane launcher? Command center? Research station? It’s all that and evil too!!!”
#8.
The Joe’s first jeep was released in 1982 the VAMP came with Clutch and has been a staple throughout ARAH history. Even with the 25th Anniversary relaunch it was slightly retooled but retained its classic look. The VAMP was also used to create the Cobra Stinger. The VAMP had a hitch that could tow the Joe’s weapons into battle like the HAL, and with the 25th update it featured a removable shovel.
only1 said – “VAMP 1982—Again, the line has a great history of small vehicles and this was the start of it. I had this and played the heck out of it!”
General Scarlett said -“VAMP Mark I-I’ll echo the sentiment of others, this is the JOE vehicle that everybody loves having-its a jeep for cripes sake!!”
#7.
Mauler MBT Tank (Manned Battle Tank)
Released in 1985 the Mauler came with driver Heavy Metal. The Mauler could carry up to 4 G.I.Joe figures, had 2 forward speeds, featured removable engine covers, storage compartments, tow hook and more. It was also featured in several of the G.I.Joe cartoons as the Joe’s main battle tank.
Dusty Ayers said Mauler – “A great tank with a realistic look. I loved the MOBAT but the Mauler was simply a better toy. It was faster, could climb a higher obstacle and had two speeds. Awesome toy.”
#6.
Cobra H.I.S.S. Tank (High Speed Sentry)
General Scarlett said – “While I do like newer versions that allowed for transport, the v1 is still a sentimental favorite and will always be cool in my book.”cmderinchief said – “Iconic Cobra vehicle.”
#5.
General Scarlett said – “Besides the vehicle being so cool, Crankcase is a solid looking figure with a freakin’ sweater vest!”pbarny said – “While never owning one (hey, next round of what is missing coming soon), it had it’s place in the cartoon and has seen it’s share of releases. That probably attests to something.”madmac41 said – “Because it brought me and my son together with G.I. Joe.”
#4.
Red Sox said – “The grand daddy of them all. The ultimate toy playset. Not much more can be said about this that hasn’t already been said. It’s the stuff toy legends are made of and set the bar that all other playsets are measured against and inevitably fall short of. It came with Keel-Haul who is a very good figure too.”General Scarlett said – “Again, need I say more?”cmderinchief said – “Because you need a place to put your Skystriker…and everything else.”(…and speaking of the Skystriker…)
#3.
only1 said – “ACCURATE vehicles. A staple of the line. It’s the early years that made the line great. Not that everything later was crap but there’s no way the line survived if it wasn’t for toys like this. EVERY kid wanted a SkyStriker… and those that didn’t have one had to pick it first when everyone was playing.”LordEd1976 said – “the first and best of the Joe planes.”General Scarlett said – “nuff said!”cmderinchief said – “What Mark said”pbarny said – “Definitely not much more to add.”Dusty Ayers said – “Simply a classic. Fantastic look and a fantastic toy.”
#2.
Red Sox said – “I loved the Dragonfly, but the Tomahawk offered a ton more play value. I loved the troop carrying capacity and I can remember many missions where the Tomahawk would have to swoop in with Lifeline and Doc to rescue some wounded Joe’s. Lift-Ticket gets grief for his smirk, but I like it. I think it gives him character.”Dusty Ayers said – “Sweet toy with a lot of play value. It made for a troop transport and was heavily armed enough to provide the Joe troops with CAS.”
#1.
Red Sox said – “This is the only thing on my list that I’ve never had, but I just know this thing would be a blast. A big ass hovercraft with a ton of cool little details. Cutter wears a Sox hat. This is one vehicle the I absolutely must have someday.”cmderinchief said – “Hovercrafts are cool!”pbarny said – “This is one of the handful of vehicles that crosses the blurry line of is it a vehicle or is it a play set. It rolls, it floats, it’s propellers work, It can store/hold a crap load of figures.”Dusty Ayers said – “I love this toy for all of the play value. It could hold a lot of figures and had depth charges, a recon sled, and a recon bike. I spent a lot of time with this toy as a kid.”So there you have it JBL’ers your Top Ten G.I.Joe toys. No surprise they all turned out to be vehicles, we may love our figures but what are they without vehicles to drive taking them over land, air or sea.
I’m happy as long as the VAMP made the list.
So much awesome in this post, I’m going to explode! Best toys ever for a kid to grow up with.
Great list but where is the cobra stinger jeep it was awesome too
The U.S.S. Flagg is number 1, no doubt for me… 🙂