G.I. Joe Vehicle Showdown, part 12 - SUB-GROUPS OF 1989, 90

Attack Of The Repaints...

     In addition to all the standard vehicles released in 1989 and 1990, we also saw the introduction of several new sub-teams, each with their own repurposed/repainted vehicles.  For the Joes we had the Sgt. Slaughter led - Slaughter's Marauders and the chromed-out Sky Patrol, while Cobra added the stealthy Python Patrol to their organization.  

    So now let's take a glance at these new Sub-Teams.  While we are at it, let's toss Night Force in there for good measure!  The Toys R Us exclusive, Night Force, made it's debut in 1988 but it continued to roll over into 1989.  We'll look at all 8 vehicles of theirs too!

    Lest you forget, here is that crazy ol' rating scale again... 

10 - Awesome, Fantastic

9 to 7 - Various levels of Greatness

6 to 4 - Various levels of "Okay"

3 - Mediocre

2 to 1 - Levels of Crappiness 

(The following vehicles were from 1989's Python Patrol) 

1 - PYTHON PATROL A.S.P. (Assault System Pod)

    It's okay.  My biggest problem is this is a towable weapon system with no (Python Patrol) vehicle to tow it.  The Stun does not have a tow hook.  It's kinda middle-of-the-road for me...  I'll give it a 6.

2 - PYTHON PATROL STUN

    I'm fine with the Stun being in Python Patrol other than the aforementioned tow hook issue.  However, I seriously feel this vehicle should have come with a proper driver - like a "pythonized" Motor-Viper.  It gets a 7. 

3 - PYTHON PATROL CONQUEST

    This also should have had a proper figure packaged with it.  Buuuuuut....  this thing looks CRAZY-COOL!  I love the regular Conquest, and I love this Cobra version.  The awesomeness of the vehicle is going to overpower the need for a figure.  This baby is getting a 10!

(the following vehicles are from 1989's Slaughter's Marauders)

4 - ARMADILLO

    The original mini-tank now with a new weapons system.  Looks like a bit of overkill to me.  Paint job is cool though.  This is going to catch a 4.

5 - EQUALIZER

    Here is the Mauler with an updated weapons system.  It's no longer motorized though, and that's a bummer.  Still, I think this thing looks powerful and I like the additional spot for a figure on the missile control seat.  The Slaughter's Marauder paint aps always rock!  I'm thinking an 8.

6 - LYNX

    Basically this is the Wolverine with the Mauler's cannon.  It looks interesting and again, the colors are fantastic.  Yet, like the Wolverine though, it can only carry 1 figure, so that's a bit of a drag.  I guess, let's say a 7.

(the following vehicles are from 1990's Sky Patrol line)

7 - SKY HAWK

    A perfect vehicle for Sky Patrol.  I liked the original and I like this one as well.  The new chrome paintjob looks fantastic!  It's getting an 8.

8 - SKY SHARC

    WHYYYY are we repainting this??  Is it still a flying submarine?  The figures don't even fit in it right.  Not a fan.  The chrome saves this thing from a lower rating, but will still get slapped with a 2.  Eeks!

9 - SKY HAVOC

    WHYYYY is this in Sky Patrol???  It's not even an anti-aircraft weapon/vehicle.  The team members are paratroopers.  Where does this fit in?  I guess it does have the hovercraft that flies... but still...?  I don't understand.  It gets a 4.

10 - SKY RAVEN  (formerly the Cobra Night Raven)

    It looks quite lovely!  Needs a proper pilot though.  Also, with previous repaints the Joes got the Rattler (now Tiger Rat), and Cobra got the Conquest.  Now this?  It looks great but with no pilot and "repaint fatigue" setting in, this is only getting a 9.

(the following vehicles are from 1988/1989's Night Force...  I don't have any pictures of these because they weren't in the original catalogs.  Sorry.)

11 - NIGHT RAIDER  (formerly the Triple T)

    Are we to assume that the Sarge did NOT want his Triple T tank as part of Slaughter's Marauders... so he gave it to Night Force?  Looks better in black than white.  Still not a big fan of it.  I think the Sarge gladly gave this thing up so he could move on to the Warthog!  It's a 6.

12 - NIGHT SHADE  (formerly the SHARC)

    AGAIN???  Why do they keep repainting this thing???  It gets a 2 like the last one.  Sheeeesh....

13 - NIGHT STORM  (formerly the Persuader)

    It's alright.  Looks good in black.  Needs a proper driver.  It's a 7.

14 - NIGHT BLASTER  (formerly the Cobra Maggot)

    Not sure why this vehicle is in the group.  The color is better than the original, I just still don't feel it should be a Night Force vehicle.  I guess it gets a 6.

15 - NIGHT STRIKER  (formerly the Killer WHALE)

    The original WHALE was awesome!  So is this!  This is a perfect vehicle for Night Force!  Sneak in under the cover of darkness and deploy it's troops on the beaches of Cobra Island.  It gets a 10. 

16 - NIGHT  SCRAMBLER  (formerly the A.P.C.)

    This fills the same kind of purpose the WHALE does.  I like it though.  I just don't think they need BOTH.  Still, it will catch a 9.  BTW, "Night Scrambler" sounds like device for making easy scrambled eggs as a midnight snack...?

17 - NIGHT BOOMER  (formerly the Skystriker)

    IT'S NOT A 10!  I said it!  Sorry!  You need a Night Force Ace or something.  It really bothers me that the idea is that anyone can fly it.  In the box art, Charbroil is in the pilot seat, probably because he has a helmet.  Anyways, I just wasn't into this one.  Maybe "repaint fatigue" or something.  Still, there is the awesomeness of the Skystriker... so it will get a 8.

18 - NIGHT RAY  (formerly the Cobra Morey Hydrofoil)

    I mean, it LOOKS amazing, but with Night Force having the WHALE... why is this needed?  The greatness of the Moray will prevail though and will carry this thing to an 8.

    That should wrap up "Repaint Mania"!!  Not to say a few more won't pop-up down the road.  This was a lot to take in at one time though.  It often gave you the feeling that you were buying the same things twice... even though their purpose had changed a little.

    Where were you at with all these groups?  I know some people really gravitated to certain teams and became big collectors of them.  In later years, Hasbro and customizing collectors have expanded these groups in multiple ways.  Which ones did you like or not like?