#314 M.A.S.K. – SEA ATACK with HONDO McLEAN (1986)

Apart from transforming vehicles, the M.A.S.K. toyline also offered from the second wave on figures you could buy in double blisters. These were the "Figure Packs". At the same time, other figures were available in "Adventure Packs" that included one figure plus some accesories. There were 4 different packs released worldwide:

• Coast Patrol with Matt Trakker
• Jungle Challenge with Matt Trakker
• Rescue Mission with Bruce Sato
• Venom's Revenge with Myles Mayhem

But another 4 packs that were only released in Europe:

• Sea Attack with Hondo McLean
• Artic Assault with Calhoun Burns
• Glider Strike with Jacques LaFleur
• Racing Arena with Maximus Mayhem

The first four "Adventure Packs" came with figures that were new or recoloured sculps of old characters, and, (as said before) a bunch of accesories like backpacks, shoes (or parts that attached to figure's feet), guns and maybe small vehicle, like a boat, helicopter.

The European packs include again recoloured figures, all of them drivers from wave 2.

The Racing Arena was re-released with Maximus Mayhem instead of Bruno Sheppard. Maximus Mayhem was also released as driver of the "Buzzard" (wave 3, 1987). This makes me think that the European "Adventure Packs" were also released during 1987. The card was changed and still depicts Bruno with the accesories. If we consider this, we could say that there are really 5 European sets instead of 4.

Back to Sea Attack, Hondo McLean comes in a blue suit, and is a repaint of the figure available with the Hurricane /Nightstalker (that figure was pink and orange). The name of the mask is Blaster II, a mask "that pretends to shoot supersonic laser rays".

The accesories are a blue backpack, a green gun, and a boat made out of several pieces. the boat has two flaps (maybe wings) that are detachable, and two missiles that are also removable for a better playability.

Because the boat is quite flat, it was released with a security belt, that prevents the figure to fall off easily.

I have prepared a small diorama in which Piranha has surprised Hondo McLean returning from a dangerous mission.

There were also some European exclusive "Figure Packs", but this topic will be left for future entries.

FACTS and FIGURES:

• Name: SEA RESCUE with HONDO McLEAN
• Toy Line: M.A.S.K. (Wave 2)
• Year: 1986
• Company: Kenner (U.S.A.)
• Size of the figures: 6 cm approx.