#280 THE CORPS! – WAVES 2 and 3 (III) (1990 and 1992)

This is the last entry of this series, and includes the last 8 figures from waves 2 and 3. Remember that figures from wave 1 are available in older entries. You can visit them by clicking here and scrolling down.

There is not much more to say about these. I will write again about them sometime. There are still those "last 6" to be commented, plus some more waves that are not so modern that they're excluded from this blog.

Maybe short about this pack: It was bought around 4 or 5 years ago somewhere in Asia, I can’t remember if the eBay seller was from China, Malaysia or Hong-Kong… the thing is that after a few units of this packs were sold, I never saw it again. Around three or four months ago, I saw this packs again on eBay, but the seller wouldn’t ship the box as it is, he (or she) would open it and send only the contents of the box. I don’t know how many of you have this box, but it is a great piece, huge and rare, grab it if you can.

Flashfire (v2)

Flashfire has been repainted in bright red and yellow… maybe somebody thought these colours are ok for a flamethrower… for me, one of the weakest repaints compared to v1. The backpack is orange instead of green and the gun is dark blue instead of black.

Whispering Willie (v2)

There was a difference between the figure and the artwork used in the cardboard, and it is that the character in the artwork was wearing trousers, while the figure was wearing only shorts. In v2, they gave Whispering Willie red trousers, and the jacket was changed to green. Weapons are the same grey pistol and chainsaw as in v1.

John Eagle (v2)

John Eagle v1 is on my top 2 list of corps characters, but what did they do to v2? For what is that uniform intended. V2 figure is completely bright red with some bright yellow lines. Worst repaint in the collection. Same weapons as in v1: black crossbow and grey quiver.

Bengala (v2)

This one is for me one of the nicest repaints. Although v1 had in my opinion very realistic colours for a desert troop, version 2 came with a greyish uniform with green-ish diamonds, somehow similar to snake or reptilian skin. As it happened with other figures, the backpack turned dark blue, while the rifle remained black.

Crowbar (v2)

An almost unchanged figure from v1 to v2. The only differences are the colours of the small details on his legs and chest: chains, knives and so on. Second version came with a blue missile launcher and a green/yellow backpack. In this case, both accessories differ in their colours from those of v1.

Junkyard (v2)

The uniform changes from completely grey to light blue, and also the accessories: the missile launcher changes from black to dark blue and the backpack from green to orange. Not a very fortunate change.

Chopper (v1)

Chopper is the Corps! policeman. His uniform doesn’t really look like a real one, but it’s still ok. He looks more like a motorbiker with helmet and sunglasses. His accessories are brand new, and are a yellow whip and a yellow nightstick. Here’s his “filecard”:

Tactical Profile: Former Highway Patrol Officer and SWAT Team Commander. Can drive any vehicle even in the worst conditions.

Dossier: A Pursuit & Apprehension specialist, he is often called on to hunt down dangerous criminals.

A larger description was available in single packs:

Name: Chopper

ISF No.: 00851

Equipment Specialty: Bullwhip (leather, braided stainless steel and vulcanized nylon).
Tactical Specialty: Apprehension and containment. Specializing in high-speed pursuits through uncharted terrain.

Service History: Former C.H.P officer, Laguna Seca Superbike GP champ, swat team task force manoeuvres specialist. ISF was the only organization for him.

Professional Profile: Has an eerie ability to know when and where the action is. Known for getting into places that no one else can, or should. Doesn’t have many friends, and prefers to keep it that way.

The Gasman (v1)

The Gasman is quite similar to Toxic Waster, another figure specialized in chemical weapons. I imagine that green uniform as a neoprene rubber suit, but strangely without sleeves. His accessories are all bright red: a backpack, some other device and a shield.

Name: Gasman

ISF No.: 00609

Equipment Specialty: Tear gas, mustard gas, paralyzing gas, K.O. gas, he knows gas.
Tactical Specialty: Crowd attitude adjuster, enjoys crashin’ a get-together of the slimeball variety.

Service History: Tried them all, Army, Navy, Airforce, Marines, they weren’t tough enough for him.

Professional Profile: His streak of cynicism keeps him on his toes, and ready for adversaries at every corner. Once on his good side, though, he’s more loyal than an old hound dog, and as dedicated as the day is long.

Wave 3 missing figures can be found here: #578 and here: #579.

FACTS AND FIGURES:

• Name: FLASHFIRE, WHISPERING WILLIE, JOHN EAGLE, BENGALA, CROWBAR, JUNKYARD, CHOPPER and THE GASMAN.
• Toy Line: the Corps! (waves 2 and 3)
• Year: 1990 and 1992
• Company: Lanard (Hong-Kong)
• Size of the figure: 3 ½¨ or 8 cms.