Leaky Suit Brigade

A Blog About All Things GI Joe

Tag Archives: International GI Joe


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Complete Set of the Funskool/Complan Commando Force Figures

I was recently able to complete the Funskool/Complan Commando Force figure set! These figures free/promotional figures, that were given away on the purchase of ‘Complan Chocolate Health Drink.’ It appears that they were carded as one file card for each of the figures has surfaced (except for the Blue/Yellow Firefly/Short Fuse figure). The last figure that I needed to fill out the roster was the Blue/Yellow Firefly/Short Fuse. I believe this is the first complete set in collectors’ hands. However, I know that more sets will be completed as I have confirmed 4 Canary Ann figures now. 3 have sold, and one is still available, but it is way overpriced for the condition it is in.

Their names:
Emerald Gung Ho/Zap – “Striker”.
Red/Purple Scrap Iron/Zap – “Cross Country”
Blue/Yellow Firefly/Short Fuse – ??
Red Baroness – “Rednok”
Yellow Lady Jaye – “Canary Ann”

Funskool/Complan Commando Force Complete Set

Funskool/Complan Commando Force Complete Set


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Chinese Mudbuster & Chinese Ice Sabre

As many of you know, I have been really focused on collecting Chinese release items and Tiger Force items. So, you can imagine how excited I got when I found a Chinese vehicle that I previously did not know existed and another that I was able to confirm it was released in China!

First up, is the Chinese Mudbuster. It is essentially a US box with just the Chinese name printed on it. Interestingly, the blue prints are also in English and not Chinese. This was a vehicle that I was told may have been produced in China and I was able to confirm it was by acquiring it!

Second, we have, what I believe to be, a previously unknown Chinese release vehicle – the Ice Sabre. I looked long and hard for any other reference or pictures to a Chinese Ice Sabre and even asked around to fellow international collectors. This sealed contents example appears to be the first and only one, at least publicly. Still waiting to get it in hand, as shipping from China can be slow. So for now, I’ll show just the pics from the listing.

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Bounty/Reward For Chinese Figures and Vehicles

This is a little unorthodox and something that I will try for the first time and see what, if anything, comes from it. As you may know, my two focuses lately have been Chinese release items and Tiger Force items, with that in mind I am asking the community for assistance in finding the remaining figures I need. I am interested in only MOC figures. Vehicles can be loose, but must have the Chinese box. Anyway here is my want list along with prices I am offering to pay:

Snake Eyes v3 (1989): $600
Snake Eyes v4 (1990): $200
Metal-head: $150
Undertow: $150
Bullhorn: $150
Stretcher: $150
Static-line:$350
Barricade (not the Roadblock also released in China called Barricade, but the actual Barricade figure): $100

In addition to the figures, I am looking for any Chinese vehicles either MIB or loose with box that I do not currently have. The only vehicle that I am 100% sure was released in China that I do not own yet is the Sky Havoc. Other unconfirmed Chinese vehicles include the Mudfighter, Hammerhead, and BUGG. There are supposedly 30-40 Chinese vehicles. If you are willing to sell a vehicle that is Chinese release that is not listed below, I am absolutely interested in buying it.

Chinese vehicles I own:
Storm Eagle
Liquidator
Septic Tank
Eco Striker
Ninja Lightning
Desert Fox
Battle Ax
Pile Driver
Barracuda
Locust
Sky Sharc
Fang II
Paralyzer
Earthquake
Sky Raven
Tiger Fly
Tiger Sting
HISS II


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Real Chinese Storm Shadow!

This figure is/was one of my grails, and acquiring this figure led me to set a goal of finding every single Chinese figure and vehicle MOC or MIB. While it may not seem all that remarkable, a real, legitimate Chinese Storm Shadow is quite rare. While it seems that they are very common on eBay, every single one sold for the past several years is a bootleg/fake. One easy way to tell is to look at the ‘Hasbro’ symbol next to the figure bubble. On all of the fake Storm Shadows it is misspelled as “HRSBRO.” In addition, the back of the cardback looks and feels different on the fake SS. The color is muted and looks like it was scanned/copied.

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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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Balls of Steel

Well last night I took a huge risk and decided it was time to attempt to retore my Rednok (Red Baroness) from the Funskool/Complan Commando Force. When I first picked up the figure, she looked like she was beat with an ugly stick, so because Rednok and Funskool Baroness have an identical head I found one to swap out with. The first, problem or minor issue was coming to grips with opening up a MOC Funskool Baroness, but I got over that pretty quickly as Rednok is much more rare.

The real issue came when I attempted to unscrew the back screw… It was completely rusted out. It just crumbled when I put my precision screwdriver into it. At this point I was stuck between a rock and a hard place. I had an incredibly rare and expensive figure that sooner or later would have an O-ring shape and then I would be left with pieces of an incredibly rare and expensive figure. So, after going back and forth on the issue for awhile I decided to get out my Dremel and drill the screw-head off so I could open up the figure.

The nightmare scenario would have been drilling into the screw and pushing it right out her chest, effectively destroying the figure. After deciding I would live with the results I slowly and carefully drilled the screw-head off. Once that was accomplished her body came apart like any normal figure and I too the remaining part of the screw out with some pliers. Then I popped off the old head that had definitely seen better days and put on a mint as can be, fresh off the card head. I think it turned out great and was well worth the gamble. Rednok got the plastic surgery she always wanted and looks like a million bucks now on display!

Rednok Before

Rednok Before

Rednok After

Rednok After


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After a LONG Break…. NEW JOES!

There will be several upcoming posts about new Joe acquisitions! For the first post, we have two items that actually might not be considered GI Joe. First, we have a Stargate All-Terrain Cruiser. Why did I buy this? Because it used the AWE Striker! I like hunting down and finding “Joe Toys” that aren’t actually Joe like the Bronze Bombers 12-pack and others. This is a perfect example. It is the basic AWE Striker in tan/brown with a rocket launcher on top. Fun and a cheap pick up. I am also trying to track down a couple other interesting non-Joe, Joe items. So hopefully I will have more to post soon. Second, we have an international offering from Argentina. It is a C.O.P.S. repackage of GI Joe Sorek. 

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Huge International GI Joe Find!

It has been a popular topic on Hisstank for about a week now, but I figured I would cover it here as it is a significant find! A collector in Brazil came forward with a picture of 15 (YES 15) MOC Cobra De Aco figures! This effectively doubles the amount of known MOC De Aco. There was a lot of early speculation that the picture was photoshopped, but the owner also released several other pictures to verify it. In addition, 2 MOC De Aco have sold on eBay this week for OVER $4K each. The price shocked me as several previous examples have sold for $2,500-3,000. I also thought that news of double the amount of examples known would also effectively bring the price down, but it seems that there are some eager collectors out there that are willing to spend more than previous examples have sold for. I think the market for these will fluctuate quite a bit, especially if we see more of these go up for sale by the owner. 

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New Joes!

Well guys it has been a little slow around here on the GI Joe front. There has been a lack of quality international items on the market lately. In addition, since I only need about 22 vehicles for a full run of the US release Joes they are also VHTF. 

But I was able to pick up some very cool pieces! First up we have a MINT Funskool Clutch and mint Funskool Snow Job. The Clutch is the real prize as it is very tough to come by. I was also able to pick it up for a steal at $50! I have seen examples sell for more than $200! Second, we have the SDCC 2012 AND 2013 boxed sets! I hadn’t picked up the 2012 set yet and found it to be good timing to grab that along with the new 2013 SDCC GI Joe/Transformer exclusive. Third, I grabbed a GI Joe Funskool Stalker Jet! It is a largely unknown vehicle and kind of hard to find, though it doesn’t cost too much. It is basically the same as the Jet that was released as part of GI Joe Savage or Extreme (I forget because I try to block that time from my GI Joe memory). While here in the states the vehicle is not associated with ARAH, it IS in India. 

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