#251 G.I. JOE – TIGER FORCE (EUROPEAN RELEASES I): DUKE, LIFELINE, ROADBLOCK and TRIPWIRE (1988)

“Tiger Force is a special command from G.I.Joe, trained to carry on the most difficult missions. Tiger Force is formed by the best men and most sophisticated vehicles from G.I.Joe”

Anyone that heard that story would immediately fall in love with these few figures released in the years 1987 and 1988. I did, these were my favourite figures, and among most collectors, figures like Outback, Tunnel Rat or Hit & Run are also among the top favourites.

American Tiger Force Logo

In addition to be the best men and the ones that participated in the most difficult missions, some of the Tiger Force figures are also among the most expensive figures in the collection. From the 10 figures that I will present in this and the next two entries, 6 are European exclusives, what means that American collectors as well as other collectors worldwide need these figures and bid high for them. In this first entry, however, I will only show the 4 figures that were available everywhere (or almost, see next entry #252).

But first I want to talk further about Tiger Force… I don’t know where does the idea come from. As a kid, whenever I noticed that a new wave of my favourite toyline was out, I felt happy for the new figures that I could have in my collection, but also sad for all those figures that I wouldn’t be able to find anymore. With the second Spanish wave, I was very disappointed, because I never got Lifeline, or Outback or many others, so when the third Spanish wave was released I felt relieved to see these two figures again, and I bought them as quickly as I could. Outback was a birthday present from my aunt (I can still remember the toy shop in which I bought it, how the figure was shown in the shop window and what I was doing before). 

For Hasbro, it was probably just the chance to reuse some casts, and saving on manufacturing costs by simply repainting old figures. As said before, Tiger Force members were the G.I.Joe elite, so it makes sense that the characters/ casts are already known for kids. In Spain, however, some members were unknown to us: Duke and Tripwire (and later Sneak Peak) hadn’t been released before. Roadblock had, but in a different version (v2).

The next catalogue is a promotional leaflet released in Spain to promote the 1st Tiger Force "wave". First the whole catalogue (two sides), then the single pages (6) in a bigger format, so you can appretiate better the details.

 

And now let’s go for some lists: these are the tiger force members and vehicles with their years of issue.

1988 FIGURES:

• Duke
• Roadblock
• Lifeline
• Tripwire
• Dusty (US & Canada only)
• Bazooka (US & Canada only)
• Flint (US & Canada only)
• Outback (Euro Excl.)
• Psyche-Out(Euro Excl.)

1988 VEHICLES:

• Tiger Cat (with Pilot Frostbite)
• Tiger Fly (with Pilot Wild Bill)
• Tiger Paw
• Tiger Shark
• Tiger Rat (with Pilot Skystriker) (US & Canada only)

1989 FIGURES:

• Tunnel Rat
• Hit & Run
• Sneak Peak
• Blizzard

1989 VEHICLES:

• Tiger Sting
• Tiger Fish

 

There were more Tiger force figures released, for example:

• Brazilian exclusives “Força Tigre” Ar Puro (Pure Air), Marujo (Sailor), Felino (Feline) and Duque (Duke with long sleeves) from 1990
• Funskool’s Lifeline is considered by many to be part of the Tiger Force, a kind of variant of the TF Lifeline released worldwide.
• Chinese Flint from 1994, completely different from 1988’ Flint
• Tiger Force Box (exclusive to Toys’r’Us) from 2003 that included: Sgt. Stalker, Big Brawler, Dial-Tone, Wreckage and Agent Jinx.
• Dreadnock Rampage Box from 2004 (Convention exclusive) that included Beachhead, Hardtop and Mutt plus a few Dreadnocks.
•  I think in modern series “25^th” some more figures have been released, but since they’re “too recent”, I don’t have any interest in them and not much information either.

American Tiger Force assortment, note the differences between these and the European releases in the leaflet above.

Among all these figures I will focus only in the ten figures that were available in Europe single carded. That excludes the pilots that came with Tiger Force vehicles, the 3 American exclusive figures, international variants and exclusive figures and exclusive boxes or recent figures. Vehicles are also out of the scope of this review. I might show more figures and vehicles some other time.

Carded Tripwire (Spanish release) - Note the orange background exclusive to European Tiger Force (american version of the artworks are different).

The first tiger Force figures ever released were 6, they were highlighted in the card with a orange background, while all other figures had black background. Maybe this made children think that these 6 figures were somehow "better" or "more exclusive" than the others, and contributed to the success of the line. The artwork on the card was slightly different from the rest of the line, since the pictures were surrounded with a different pattern, that looked like small lightnings. The Tiger Force logo was also present on them. The filecards were in some cases colored orange, although other cards kept the original grey background.

Duke (v2)

Duke is the leader of this group of skilled men. The original figure was released in 1983, and this re-release is very similar to the original figure in terms of uniform colours. It was a bit disappointing when you realized that the neck articulation was not like the rest of the figures (ball-neck), and could only move from one side to the other. As a kid, I was happy for finally having this character in my collection. The original figure was not released in Spain. Duke is a character that appeared in all comic books and TV chapters, and he was one of the most important joes, because he was one of the leaders, or at least, that was my impression as a kid.

The figure came with a brown helmet, black binoculars, black machine gun and green backpack

Tiger Force Duke - Spanish Filecard (Duque)

Lifeline (v2)

The doctor of the group is the figure that changed more from its first version to this one. Originally, Lifeline wore a red overall with white details, but now it wears green trousers and a "tiger" yellow shirt. the two versions look completely different. It was one of the most appealing figures from the 1986´s assortment, and I was glad that it was reedited so I could buy it.

The figure came with a black backpack, a green case, a black gas mask and a black gun. The case could open as in the last picture, revealing some oxygen tanks on the inside.

Tiger Force Lifeline - Spanish Filecard (Doc)

Roadblock (v3)

Roadblock was also a usual character in the TV-series and comic books, so it was another interesting figure to have, specially if you didn´t have the earlier version from 1986. This figure is made from a different cast, the same used in the first version from 1984, and again it has some details that reveal that it is an old figure, for example, the proportions are slightly worse than in the other figures, or at least, I find it has a big head, and thin arms.

 The figure came with a yellow helmet, a green backpack (2 parts), a black machine gun and a black tripod (that could be attached to the backpack).

Tiger Force Roadblock - Spanish Filecard

Tiger Force Roadblock - European Card Artwork

Tripwire (v2)

 

This figure was also unreleased in Spain, and when it came out it was the one I always wanted to have. The figure is simple, without many details, but has great accessories, and brings a new concept into the game. Original figure was released in different shades of green, so the new decoration in dark brown and tiger yellow was not specially "revolutionary".

The figure came with a grey backpack, three grey mines that could be attached to the backpack and a grey mine detector.

Tiger Force Tripwire - Spanish Filecard (Cable)

Article continues HERE.

FACTS AND FIGURES:

• Name: DUKE, LIFELINE, ROADBLOCK and TRIPWIRE
• Alternate Names: DUQUE, DOC, ROADBLOCK and CABLE (Spain)
• Toy Line: G.I.Joe: A Real American Hero
• Year: 1988
• Company: Hasbro (U.S.A.)
• Size of the figures: 11 cms or 3,75’’ 

As a BONUS, I'd like to include two pictures of a custom figure I have used in the picture with Lifeline:

This custom, "Gearbox", was made by myself and is intended to be an ambulance driver:
The parts I used are:

• Head: Dodger v1
• Torso and Arms: Bullhorn v1
• Waist and Legs: Psyche-Out v1

I even created a filecard for it. I leave it here (in Spanish):

Some other time, I'd like to talk about customizing action figures.

#250 SIKU – VOLVO 760 GLE (1065) and BMW 735 iL (Ref. 1070) (1986 and 1988)

 

 Siku’s 1000 Series:

The year 1974 came full of news for Sieper Werke. Administration was automated to keep track of production numbers, prices ranges… the factory was updated for automatic paintworks (V series are painted by hand!).

In 1975, Siku new models were already categorized in the 4 digit price system. The new series, was called “Super Series”, although now it is more often referred as “1000’s series”. This numbering system is still used today.

From the four digit code, the first two indicates the type of vehicle and price range of the model, the second two indicate the model number. For example, both cars I am presenting here are 1065 and 1070, that’s category “10” (regular passenger cars) and numbers 65 and 70. Re-released V models became new numbers in the new series.

With the new series the scale of the cars was also changed. Old V modes were mostly 1:60 scale die-cast, while 1000-series cars are a bit larger: 1:60. This way, the cars could be casted with more details. Apart from that, the wheels were new, and also the packages and new company logo.

In 1986 the factory was rebuilt because of an accident that burnt most of it, and was updated again with new better machines. In 1990, Siku opened its first factory outside Germany: it was in Hong Kong, were they gradually moved the production, starting with the “club series” and the “super series”. Bigger models are still produced in Germany (Ludenscheid).

  
Siku is especialized in German models, just as Matchbox and Corgi had many English models, and Guisval made almost every possible Seat. Siku models (especially in this era) are very robust pieces of pure metal. With the change of scale, when displayed near other cars, make the other look like a toy.

The same cars I am presenting had a couple of variations:

-Volvo 760 GLE (Ref. 1065) from 1986 to 1989: available in gold, black, white (Polis), and silver

-BMW 735il (Ref. 1070) from 1988 to 1990: available in red and blue two different shades), brown.

UPDATE:
Silver Volvo 760 GLE

FACTS AND FIGURES:

• Name: VOLVO 760 GLE (1065) and BMW 735 iL (Ref. 1070)
• Scale: 1:55
• Year: 1986 and 1988
• Company: Siku (Germany)
• Size: approx. 7 cm

#249 CORGI JUNIORS – TRACTOR SHOVEL, SHOVEL LOADER and FORD D1000 C CONTAINER TRUCK (1970, 1975 and 1972)

The History of Corgi Juniors:

 

Corgi manufacturer was a toy company named Mettoy Playcraft Ltd. Which was founded in 1956 and had its base in Swansea, Wales. The name Mettoy actually meant “Metal Toy”.

Apart from the well known 1:43 cars we have shown many times, this company also produced smaller cars and vehicles under the brand Husky. This brand was launched in 1964 to compete against Matchbox 1-75 series. Husky had better prices and were initially available at Woolworht’s.

Husky’s cars were lighter and less durable than Matchbox, although they already included some suspension and other nice features.

The Husky line got up to 75 models (like Matchbox). Under this brand a few accessories were also released, like carrying cases.

Massey Fergusson Traktor Shovel

To Husky we will return some other time. What’s important now about them, is that Mettoy decided to change the name of the line to Corgi Juniors in 1970. Exactly that year, the contract with Woolworth’s expired, and Mettoy/Corgi was free to sell its smaller cars everywhere, and compete more directly with Matchbox and other manufacturers. The change of name reinforces the Corgi brand and expands the Corgi family, which at that time already had a big fame in the Great Britain and outside of the Great Britain.

Together with the change of name, some other news were the usage of new Whizzwheels to make the cars faster (and compete also with HotWheels! And Matchbox Superfast).

The Corgi Juniors name was left by the mid 70s, and replaced by just “Corgi” in vehicles at the same scale. Corgi would manufacture this product until the end of its existence in 1983, Between 1984 and 1990 there were more models made until the brand was bought by Mattel in 1989. Some casts were reused in the HotWheels! line.

 Shovel Loader:

The variety of Corgi Juniors was huge, including all types of cars, trucks, machinery, prototypes, public service vehicles… these three are just three examples of trucks and machines. Older models have great quality casting, but models by the end of the line are very different and to my opinion not very well finished.

All Corgi Juniors models are numbered with a number, and from 1984 to 1990 with J plus a number. Some extra long-lived models saw different versions and there could be colour variations or even slight differences in casting. The three models shown in this entry are:

• #43 (1970-80) Massey Fergusson Traktor Shovel v2 Corgi Juniors
• #48 (1975-79) Shovel Loader Corgi Juniors
• #54 (1972-78) Ford D1000 Container Truck v2 Whizzwheels

 Ford D1000 Container Truck

We recommend this site to look for information of your Corgi Juniors (years of release, numbers, colours available…): (DEAD LINK, SORRY!) http://corgi.matchboxworld1-75.nl/Corgi_Junior_Index.html

FACTS AND FIGURES:

• Name: TRACTOR SHOVEL (Nr. 43), SHOVEL LOADER (Nr. 48) and FORD D1000 C CONTAINER TRUCK (Nr. 54)
• Scale: Around 1:100
• Year: 1970, 1975 and 1972
• Company: Corgi Juniors (G. Britain)
• Size: approx. 6 cm