Leaky Suit Brigade

A Blog About All Things GI Joe

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JoeCon 2015 Con Set Announcement – Tiger Force

The Leaky Suit Brigade is very happy to report that the convention set for JoeCon 2015 is Tiger Force! I have been anticipating a Tiger Force related announcement from the Club for some time now. The Club revealed the set theme in their first preview of one of the convention exclusive figures – Wreckage.

Wreckage is based off of a prototype from the 1980s that used a repainted Firefly figure code named “Sabretooth.” Unfortunately this figure never made it to retail – though I would LOVE to find the prototypes from this catalog…. Hasbro did eventually release Wreckage in 2003 in their Toys “R” Us Tiger Force five pack, which also included Dial Tone, Stalker, Jinx and Big Brawler. In addition, the pre-production samples of the TF five pack included Outback – not Big Brawler. This updated modern figure uses the Ultimate Firefly tooling from Retaliation.

This reveal may indicate that we will be seeing more updated figures from that Toys “R” Us Tiger Force five pack.

Tiger Force Convention Exclusive Wreckage

Tiger Force Convention Exclusive Wreckage


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More Chinese Vehicles!

Here is a picture of 3 more Chinese release vehicles. Only the Septic Tank is from Aire. The Earthquake and the Fang II I found in the depths of the internet. A huge part of the fun of collecting Chinese release GI Joe items, for me at least, is the hunt. I have been compiling a list of all known figures and vehicles that were released in China. However, it is quite a difficult task. While it is a bit easier with the figures having the portraits and names on the cardbacks, there is no list, outside of the VERY incomplete listing on YoJoe. I have reached the point where I have acquired all of the vehicles that I previously knew about. Through pictures and speaking with other Joe collectors, I had added more vehicles to the list, but it is still incomplete. That makes searching for unknown Chinese release vehicles difficult since I don’t know what exactly I am looking for. Often times it results in wide search terms that encompass all sorts of GI Joe items. 

Another aspect that draws me to the Chinese release items is the artwork. Both the Chinese language only items and the European alternate art. When comparing the US art to China/Europe I definitely prefer the art from China/Europe. One interesting note, is that both the Earthquake and Septic Tank are the same as European released versions with Chinese stickers applied to them. With the Fang II, the Chinese language is printed directly on to the box. 

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Chinese Tiger Fly and Chinese Tiger Sting!

I never knew either of these existed until a month ago. I got a picture of them sent to me and knew I had to have them. Both of these come from one of my two (possibly a 3rd) hauls from Aire. I really like the minimalist design to the Chinese boxes (at least the early figures and vehicles released in China); it really allows the art to stand out. Also check out the side of the Tiger Fly box which advertises the Sting, HISS 2, and Desert Fox. I have found and purchased a Desert Fox MIB – it is on its way from China right now. I am still looking for a Chinese HISS 2, if anyone out there has one – let me know. Enjoy!

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Preview of My AireCon Haul!

So a couple weeks ago I alluded to the biggest GI Joe haul of my life – combine that with a second one from yesterday – and I have two huge hauls of Holy Grail items from one of the best collectors, Aire Devon, and her (maybe now former) premiere collection. I have always been a big Tiger Force fan so when I heard that Aire was selling I knew Tiger Force would be a huge focus for me. I also have wanted at least one item from Venezuela. I have tried several times to get one – being outbid, and almost scammed out of $800 (thank you Paypal). So I was extremely happy to get an Venezuelan vehicle that was also Tiger Force! I snagged a MIB (never in my wildest dreams, did I think I would own a MIB Venezuelan item) Tiger Shark! The box is in great shape, afa worthy for a Venezuelan item.  I was VERY surprised to find out that the vehicle boxes used in Venezuela were not unique (like Mexico, Brazil and Argentina). Venezuela used European boxes and box art. The only difference on the exterior is the “Rubiplas” company name on the side of the box. Also, Venezuelan vehicles never came with vehicle drivers, so if there was a portrait of a figure that came with a vehicle it was recolored red. 

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The other item that I will preview (many more posts to follow) is a Chinese release Paralyzer. While this may not seem interesting, what is unique about this, is that the Chinese version took the Brazilian box and box art, including Portuguese language, and added the Chinese language to it. The end result is a really interesting and unique looking box. 

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I have to say a HUGE thank you to Aire for speaking with me and giving me TWO incredible opportunities to buy from her. I felt like a fat kid in a candy store. Her collection is absolutely amazing. And it is a little sad that the most complete GI Joe collection ever assembled is being sold. But a lot of it (probably most) has ended up in the hands of great Joe collectors. 

Expect to see a lot of very rare Tiger Force items as well as a ton of Chinese figures and vehicles soon!


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After a LOOOONG Break, New Joes!

Searching for rare international figures and vehicles can be a labor of love and a grind. In addition, you will almost certainly come across someone who will eventually try and take the money and run…. A few months ago, I came across a score too good to pass up  – Venezuelan vehicles. Some of the hardest Joe stuff to find on the planet. I thought I knew the seller and I thought he had a great reputation, but it turns out he tried to take my money. Luckily, I got mine back, thank God for Paypal Buyer Protection, but I know others are still waiting to hear back from this guy. With that unfortunate incident, I was feeling down on Joe and took a break from searching.

JoeCon was a refreshing experience and getting to meet so many people in person refueled by passion for GI Joe. At the Declassified booth, I came across a fun international variant that I hadn’t seen before; the European Devastator. It is molded in grey instead of off-white and the maroon pieces are molded in a bright red. It is a great piece that is fortunate to be rare and relatively inexpensive. On eBay UK there are two up for auction right now, however, both have broken antennas. I almost bought one of those because five euros is a great deal; but I really wanted an unbroken, mint piece. So I made a few more searches and came across a MIB Euro Devastator! It was a great find for only $50!

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