Review & pics by: Fred Meyer
 

G.I. Joe 50th Anniversary Danger at the Docks – SDCC version

G.I. Joe 50th Anniversary Danger at the Docks

July 2014 marked a double-whammy for many Joe fans. First, it saw the release of another San Diego Comic Con exclusive—this time released in conjunction with Toys R Us. Secondly, it saw the debut of the 50 th Anniversary line in stores across the nation. After a long dry spell of no new product since the end of the G.I. Joe Retaliation, Joe fans were suddenly scrambling to catch up on the new product. Fortunately, the SDCC exclusive proved easier to acquire on ToysRUs.com than the “blink and you miss it/keep slamming F5” experience that greeted consumers on HasbroToyShop.com the past few years.

So, what was this year’s SDCC exclusive? Toys R Us released an exclusive repaint of their 50 th Anniversary “Danger at the Docks” set—featuring both Flint and the VAMP Mk II in their classic A Real American Hero color schemes. Is this set worth tracking down or is it just another shameless repaint? Read on and find out one Joe fan’s opinion!

Note: This set consists of multiple figures and vehicles. Direct links to each piece are provided below if you’re rather just skip ahead to your favorite piece.

VAMP Mk II Flint Cobra Eel Night Landing Craft Weapons Crate

VAMP Mk II:

G.I. Joe 50th Anniversary Danger at the Docks VAMP Mk 2

The original VAMP holds a special place in my Joe-collecting heart. Back in 1982, it was not only the first G.I. Joe vehicle I acquired but it was the first G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero toy I ever owned. Who knows—had I not been completely blown away by it this might be a website dedicated to My Little Pony instead of the greatest action figure line of all time. However, I digress.

G.I. Joe 50th Anniversary Danger at the Docks VAMP Mk 2

I’ve yet to getting around to reviewing the 25th Anniversary VAMP w/ Clutch but eagle-eyed fans will recognize that this vehicle is based on that update of the classic vehicle. The basic body is entirely the same, right down to the clear plastic head and tail lights, the opening hood, and the removable shovel on the hood. I’ve always felt that this was a terrific update to the original G.I. Joe workhorse vehicle with one small concern. The 25th VAMP was based on the original 1982 mold right down to the fact that it was scaled for the original 3.75” action figures. Over the years, the Generation 3 (aka “Modern Era” – a misleading moniker IMHO) Joes have edged taller and taller with the standard now being 4”. The VAMP, however, has remained stuck in 1982 in terms of scale—which means that newer figures tower over it more than their vintage counterparts. With the 25th VAMP this wasn’t as much of an issue because of the open-top roll cage but the VAMP Mk II presents some different challenges.

G.I. Joe 50th Anniversary Danger at the Docks VAMP Mk 2

For the VAMP MK II, Hasbro recreated the original vehicle as closely as they could. (The gas cans are different. If you noticed, you win a No-Prize.) This means that the side doors and roof have been added on to the roll cage and the dual-action cannon has been replaced with a four missile rotating launcher. The doors and roof attachment snap onto the cage as they did on the original vintage vehicle to provide more cover for the occupants of this nimble 4WD attack vehicle. However, the increased height of the figures makes it a bit trickier to fit Gen 3 Joes inside w/o popping off the roof piece first. It might seem like I’m nit-picking and in this age of “We have to buy everything to support the line” mentality, some folks will see it as such. I’m pointing it out as something to be aware of—which is the job of any review and while it may be a bit frustrating it doesn’t diminish my love of this vehicle any.

G.I. Joe 50th Anniversary Danger at the Docks VAMP Mk 2


The other issue to point out is found on the missile launcher. The VAMP’s offense weapons system is interesting because it has some really nice sculpted detailing—found on the underside of the launcher. Normally this might just be a bit of a head-scratcher more than anything else except that one of the sculpted pieces actually interferes with the range of motion on the launcher. Try to rotate the missile rack back to aim at a higher target and you’ll find the bottom of the launcher scraping against the bracket. My advice, forget the directions and invert the launcher during assembly. This will make the top more visually interesting as well as free up the range of motion more than the indicated configuration allows.

G.I. Joe 50th Anniversary Danger at the Docks VAMP Mk 2

Lastly, the directions on the VAMP are misleading—in the fact that the launcher hoses are skipped entirely during assembly. Also, I’d recommend putting the decal on the dashboard BEFORE snapping the top of the vehicle shell on the chassis as it is much easier to access at that point.

Aside from those issues, this IS the VAMP Mk II built on an updated frame from 2008 and my innate love of the VAMP makes it hard for me to be objective. I’ll be honest right now—this is one of the reasons that I bought this set in the first place and I have zero regrets about owning this classic vehicle in its glorious original color scheme. Even with the scale issues I find that there is just something very “Joe” about seeing the VAMP sitting on a shelf surrounded by some of my favorite characters. If this is what you were after in the set, snag one with confidence as it really is quite nice.

However, don’t touch that dial as there is more to this set than my beloved VAMP! Click the link below to read about the rest of this exclusive 50th Anniversary set!

G.I. Joe 50th Anniversary Danger at the Docks VAMP Mk 2

G.I. Joe 50th Anniversary Danger at the Docks VAMP Mk 2

G.I. Joe 50th Anniversary Danger at the Docks VAMP Mk 2

G.I. Joe 50th Anniversary Danger at the Docks VAMP Mk 2

G.I. Joe 50th Anniversary Danger at the Docks VAMP Mk 2

G.I. Joe 50th Anniversary Danger at the Docks VAMP Mk 2

G.I. Joe 50th Anniversary Danger at the Docks VAMP Mk 2

G.I. Joe 50th Anniversary Danger at the Docks VAMP Mk 2

G.I. Joe 50th Anniversary Danger at the Docks VAMP Mk 2

G.I. Joe 50th Anniversary Danger at the Docks VAMP Mk 2

G.I. Joe 50th Anniversary Danger at the Docks VAMP Mk 2

G.I. Joe 50th Anniversary Danger at the Docks VAMP Mk 2

G.I. Joe 50th Anniversary Danger at the Docks VAMP Mk 2

G.I. Joe 50th Anniversary Danger at the Docks VAMP Mk 2

G.I. Joe 50th Anniversary Danger at the Docks VAMP Mk 2

 

 

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