#1025 M.A.S.K. – THUNDERHAWK with MATT TRAKKER/ SPECTRUM (1985)

The most popular reference from this toyline has to be the Thunderhawk, the red Camaro from Matt Trakker that can fly in its alternate mode. It was the vehicle that featured most of the comic stories and cartoon chapters, and included the main character of the M.A.S.K. organization, so it was 100% the favorite toy of children, when they had to choose one of the boxes in a toystore.

 

The car in which is based is one of the most iconic American cars of the 80s, and the toy is an accurate reproduction: the Chevrolet Camaro Z28. The transformation, however, is not so great, it just opens the doors, as if they were wings, and the spoiler takes a different position to reveal two afterburners. The wheels do not move to the inside to be hidden, as in other models of the toyline but the interior is well done with two seats, security belts and a nice steering wheel. The security belts are common in this toyline, which I find nice, and, in this case, they are necessary, as the figures may fall down, when the car is flying with opened doors.

Another action feature of the model is that it can drop two bombs. The bombs are fitted in two small compartments in the chassis, and they are activated from behind.

The figure included in the pack is the most iconic representation of Matt Trakker, the main character in the whole toyline. The hero that saves the day in every single chapter of the TV series and the leader of the M.A.S.K. He is also the father of Scott Trakker, the child that usually gets into trouble and has to be rescued. The mask is Spectrum, and it pretends to create radio interference. There are two versions of it. The one in the pictures and another smaller one that fits over the head of the figure but not over the shoulders, chest or back.

Another interesting fact to comment is that the toy is over 35 years old (soon it will be 40) and the rubber tyres are usually in bad shape. If played with it again, sometimes they break into pieces (literally). I hope somebody can create repros for those who would like to play with this toy again. Other fragile parts are the exhaust pipes below the doors and the bomb, which is really small and can be easily lost.

FACTS and FIGURES:

• Name:  THUNDERHAWK with MATT TRAKKER/ SPECTRUM (Ref. 37370)
• Toy Line: M.A.S.K. (Wave 1)
• Year: 1985
• Company: Kenner (U.S.A.)
• Size of the vehicle: Around 8’’ or 20 cm
• Size of the figures: 2½’’ or 6,5 cm