1987 Persuader tank and Back-Stop G.I. Joe review

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This is a review of the GI Joe ten-wheeled laser tank "Persuader" and it's driver Back-Stop. First released in 1987 and later re-released in 1988 by Hasbro. Back-Stop is one of few GI Joes not born in the US, he emigrated from Canada. Interesting fact: the Argentina release of this toy included a 1984 Blowtorch figure recolored to look like Back-Stop (obviously Plastirama didn't get the correct molds). Even weirder: the Spanish language file card still has the story of him originally being Canadian!

[@WarmachineVengeance]

I wondered about this design when I fist seen it as well. But gained new respect for it after I seen some WW2 footage with this type of tank and the independent suspension on all the wheels made it glide so smoothly over rough terrain and rather quickly at that.

[@radical117]

I got this toy when I was 6 and loved the hell out of it thanks for the memories Kevin

[@VorpalDerringer]

Neat! This is one of my favorite vehicles and one I had when I was a kid. It, along with the Hammer and the Mean Dog, were the highlights of my Joe vehicle collection. Always glad to see authentic details in a Joe item. I never noticed the suspension. His choice of revolver certainly is odd, but I like the back up trench knife. The "deadeye" sticker is where I get one of my Internet handles, so this is a personal favorite of mine. Additionally, there are many-wheeled, cannon-bearing vehicles out there, so this thing may be odd, but it has real life precedent.

[@Sturmdude]

I got one of these last year at a comic shop and went out of my way to order the missing parts for it on Ebay. I even managed to find a figure of Backstop at a vendors mall not long after (I still need to get his helmet and pistol though). I really enjoy having it. It's as you say, very tactile and easy to play with.

[@timf7413]

Always particularly liked the bumper on this one as a kid. Was one of those features that would crop up in this line from time to time that was curiously functional. Also liked the detail on the control panel for the turret gun.

[@woofan25]

I wonder if it would have been a better fit to have made this vehicle as a part of Battleforce 2000.

[@TheDarthvalen]

I remember many years ago i got the backstop figure from a friend of mine and a long time it was a mystery to me who he was and what part in the GI Joe universe he fit in to, it was until much later when i found out he's name and that he was a driver

[@Lightsaber007]

I believe his revolver is a LeMat revolver...also known as the "Grapeshot" revolver...the oversized handle and long bit under the barrel lead me to this conclusion. It was (in it's original configuration) 9 shots of .44 caliber (black powder) with a 20 gauge bore underneath the barrel. Perhaps some futuristic upgrade to the design?

[@brentbandrews]

I owned this back in 87 and man I had so much fun playing with this until I lost the missiles over time and wheels came off. Thanks for the nostalgia man, you've encouraged me get it back on eBay. I would love to see a review of the 1988 Cobra Condor..

[@baillergeaux]

Is it my impression or the shape of the helmet is completely influenced by the design of the Persuader? That prominent front ending is present in both.

[@allhailmegatron8043]

It's not a tank. Just because it has a tow rope doesn't make it one lol. The Persuader would fall in the line of Wheeled Armored Fighting Vehicles like the M1128 Mobile Gun System, the Centauro, the Stryker and the T-16 maneuver combat vehicle. Each being multi-wheeled gun systems. A tank by definition is an armoured fighting vehicle designed for front-line combat, with heavy firepower, strong armour, and tracks providing good battlefield maneuverability.

[@joesphcorley6381]

I remember my grandma giving me the choice between the persuader and the tigershark at our local dept store. I took the tiger shark, but wanted both.

[@THEWATCHERISLOOKING]

This vehicle looks like a battering ram / tank. I do like this vehicle though.

[@skabcat242]

I agree, the grey should have been silver.

[@chrismayer3919]

those 'fuel filler' holes might have been intended as flagpole holders, maybe?

[@mws755]

The yellow missiles turn me off and Back-stop looks like an astronaut pilot

[@ContingentCG]

Decent review. It's like a cross between the Slugger and the HAL. I like the idea of this vehicle, but the design is too far out. It looks like the artist was running low on ideas...or he had an idea floating in his head but couldn't quite flesh it out. The back looks like they slapped on the grille and fenders of a semi-truck, while the front looks like a ditched attempt at a new HISS. There's a lot of humorous hyperbole in Army stories, and the bit about Backstop being too rough for Canadian hockey is meant to be tongue-in-cheek.

[@chrismayer3919]

the yellow pants should have been green also ;-)

[@10072018]

Not a fan. It's ugly, lacking in detail, and just plain cheap looking.