G.I. Joe Adventure Team

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1 G.I. Joe: Adventure Team

[edit] G.I. Joe: Adventure Team

AT Commander

[edit] Background

From 1970-1977, Hasbro released numerous sets of 1:6 scale, 12" (30 cm) figures, vehicles, clothing, and gear sets which had an adventure theme. Evolving from the military theme that had inspired the original 60's G.I. Joe, these figures and sets were usually dressed for adventures in the jungles, deserts, mountains, and oceans. The "fuzzhead" flocking techniques developed by Habsro's UK licensee, Palitoy, allowed for a significant shift in identity for the action figure. Nearly every set dealt with exploring exotic locations or accomplishing dangerous environmentally sensitive missions. The Adventure Team era of GI Joe also featured such landmarks of action figure history as the Kung-Fu Grip; the flocked hair and bearded figures; the figures with movable Eagle-Eyes; and the transparent bionic limbs (Mike Power, Atomic Man).

The Adventure Team as introduced consisted of Adventure Team Commander (Talker), Land Adventurer, Sea Adventurer, Air Adventurer, Adventurer (African American), Man of Action, Talking Astronaut, and Talking Man of Action. All except the astronaut came with a shoulder holster & pistol.

[edit] Commander Voice

With the advent of the new line, the Adventure Team Commander had eight new voice commands, activated by a pull-string through the chest. The "Man of Action" (no beard) still used the commands from the old talking soldier; The new commands were: "I've got a tough assignment for you." "This is going to be rough. Can you handle it?" "We must get there before dark. Follow me" "The Adventure Team has the situation controlled" "Set up Team Headquarters here" "Contact Adventure Team Headquarters right away" "The Adventure Team is needed in Africa" "Mission accomplished. Good work men!"

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[edit] Body Types

Over the course of the adventurer production run, there were four main body variations best identified as; Hard Hand, Kung Fu grip, Muscle Body and Muscle Body Eagle Eye. All are "Fuzz-heads". There were Talker variations of each type. Early bodies had the trademark on the right buttock (as with the Canadian version shown below), later bodies were marked "Ⓒ 1975 Hasbro Pat Pend Pawt. R.I." or "Ⓒ 1975 Hasbro Ind Inc Pawtucket. R.I. 02861 Pat Pend Made In Hong Kong". Kung Fu grip hands were made of a rubber prone to deterioration (being even thinner than the early Action Man variety), and often the hands are discolored, and the fingers will have broken off. Muscle Bodies relied on a rubber for all body joints, instead of elastic, and it is rare at this point to find original bodies that have not fallen apart due to rubber deterioration, fortunately, these bodies can be "re-strung". Early body Adventurers seem somewhat less prone to the stress cracking common with earlier painted head bodies. The muscle body type was still in production into the early nineties in Brazil, under Hasbro licensee Estrella.

[edit] Trademarks

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[edit] Outfit Examples

The Adventurer run had a wide range of outfits, and varying production qualities. Typically, early issues of clothing are of a heavier fabric, and have more detail.

Muscle Body High Voltage outfit and Sea Adventurer

[edit] Vehicles

A wide range of vehicles were produced for the Adventurer line; one of the most elaborate (and expensive) being the Mobile Support Vehicle. This vehicle in particular had the potential to provide a wide range of imaginative play value; it came with a range of accessories, and included a battery operated radar scanner and a searchlight (not shown). The cab could hold two AT members on a mission. The line included several small sets at a price point that more kids might afford with their own allowance; ones that converted into backpacks, such as "Escape car".