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With GI Joe figures flying off shelves across the
country, I was inspired to go back and dust of my meager
collection of vintage Joes. And I do mean meager, I've got
less than a dozen of the vintage soldiers. And considering
that against the number of RAH figures out there, it's very small.
I have to say though, the first few waves have
always been my favorites. Most of the memorable characters
from the comics and animation take their looks from there.
Also, they hadn't went all sci-fi goofy at that point. Most
were based on some sort of real military function or environment.
It was one of these early waves that gave us a SEAL figure.
Now, I think due to films, video games, and the news, the world
has a different view of what a SEAL is, what they do, and what
gear they have.
However in 1983, most people thought of SEALs as
divers. Thus, the folks at Hasbro gave us Torpedo, the Navy
SEAL.
Appearance:
I can't imagine anybody wanting to do underwater demolition
with a black and grey wet suit, but that's what Torpedo got.
The main portion of his body is grey with black arms and legs.
Compared to a number of Joes, Torpedo doesn't have very much
paint detail other than the black and the grey on his gloves.
I have to admit, the lack of paint never seemed an issue as a kid.
The wet suit itself is pretty much a tight fitting body suit.
There's not any wrinkles or boot laces on this guy. I do
love the zipper details on his legs though. Very nice touch.
Each of his legs has some detail as well. The right leg
has a big knife sculpted to it. Kids use to say goofy things
back in the day. The next version is going to have a sheath
and removable knife. Everybody knows you can make working
sheaths and holsters on 3 3/4" figures right? Right?
(You'll have to wait for my review of the new Torpedo for that.)
The left leg has some, I assume, demolition charges sculpted to
it.
His weight belt has a very scuba looking buckle on it. My
guess is that is based on a real world version.
The only thing that disappointed folks in 1983 with Torpedo was
his head. And disappointed isn't really the correct word.
I think a lot of kids would have like to have seen some sort of
removable breathing mask similar to Mutt's muzzle. But, the
figures head is sculpted with the mask on. This gives
Torpedo an air of mystery because of not being able to see his
face. Off course he looked a bit odd riding shotgun in the
VAMP with it on, but to each their own.
Fun:
If you look at most of the Joes I had as a kid, most were
geared up, or came with vehicles. The thing I always loved
about the line was all the accessories. That's one of the
reasons I don't have a vintage Snake Eyes. Compared to his
contemporaries he didn't have enough stuff.
Torpedo does pretty pretty well gear wise. Flippers, pack
and a spear gun.
The flippers fit in the standard foot peg hole and do their job
pretty well. Of course since he lacks ankle articulation, he
can't swim real great with them, but who would put ankle
articulation on figure that size?
The pack always use to make me think of Boba Fett. Little
rockets on each side made me think of little underwater torpedoes.
The detailing on the bottom of the pack looked like some sort of
engine. The only thing missing was a line to attach the pack
to his mask.
Torpedo came armed with a spear gun. I never really
understood that. I mean what was he expecting to find
guarding the Cobra waterline? Nemo? Flipper? The
gun is detailed well enough. I just don't get why.
The SEAL here has all the standard GI Joe articulation.
Also, he was part of the first wave where the "Swivel Arm Battle
Grip" was standard. For the new kids, that's the mid bicep
swivel joint. Earlier figures like my Clutch and Flash don't
have it.
The years have not been kind to the O-ring in my Torpedo.
He seems to want to crouch over like he's suffering from
degenerative disc disease. It took awhile to get him
standing for all the pictures.
Overall:
Torpedo was one of my favorites of the GI Joe
team. The cool thing, as a kid, was even if you just had
him, you had cool play scenarios. As a SEAL, you could see
him working alone to plant explosives to take a secret Cobra
facility.
Now while grey stripe and spear gun don't seem
like great choices, he is a great character. Besides, I use
to equip him with an Uzi from the first Joe accessory pack.
Now if only Hasbro would update him with a gun, removable mask,
and knife and sheath. (See below.)
Engineernerd Score: 85/100
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