HCC788 - 1984 Killer W.H.A.L.E. - vintage G. I. Joe toy review! HD S02E15

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/ hoodedcobracommander788
Sources and Information:
Killer WHALE on YoJoe.com:
www.yojoe.com/vehicles/84/whale/
Killer WHALE on 3DJoes.com:
www.3djoes.com/killer-whale.html
Cutter on YoJoe.com:
www.yojoe.com/action/84/cutter...
Cutter on 3dJoes.com:
www.3djoes.com/cutter.html
PACV Image:
pl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patrol_A...
Patrol Air Cushion Vehicle:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patrol_A...
Ron Rudat on Cutter, G. I. Joe Discussion Group:
photo.php?fb...
Dwight Evans image, "Who do you love?", Chad Finn, Globe Staff, Boston.com, Feb. 23, 2009,
www.boston.com/sports/touching...
Lieutenant (junior grade):
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lieutena...
Sea captain:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sea_captain
United States Naval Academy:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_S...
Cutter (boat):
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cutter_%...
Image of the Killer WHALE from the animated series:
www.joetoonarchive.com/display...
Music:
Take the Lead, Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
There is Romance, Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

[@bobastu]

The WHALE was one of my most utilized vehicles. It was fairly silent, could coast in with the incoming tide. Then deploy the recon cycle for info. I believe it was intended to be a "moped." The sled could be deployed and left hidden on shore. Then the WHALE returns to open sea, waiting to pick up the recon Joe. I was 12 when I got this, and I always used the foot pegs, lol. A flying bridge is designed to be haphazardly climbed into/onto. I never noticed the sound-powered phone molded in between the engines and bridge. My rotors would never stay inserted into the engines. Like the rest of my Joe collection, my mom put a completist dream of GI Joe, 1982-1986 (minus the Flagg, it never did it for me) on the curb in 2002, all boxed up, and ready for the trashman. Needless to say, it never made it 'til morning. 😪

[@evanscott4491]

Being older now and a Coast Guardsman, Cutter is my new favorite figure (sorry Tunnel Rat and V3 Snake Eyes). I'd like to expand a little on what a Coast Guard Cutter is. There are several different types of Coast Guard vessels. The two primary cutters are medium endurance cutters (single mast) and high endurance cutters (double mast). Obviously, high endurance cutters are able to stay out for longer periods of time - most deployments are 3 months. It also depends on the mission or operation. The other vessels (I'm not sure if they're considered cutters) are ice breakers and bouy tenders. However, the ME and HE cutters are what most people think of.

[@TJ347]

I was told the underbody storage compartment was initially meant to be a battery compartment, but Hasbro decided to remove planned electronic features, and left the compartment. I haven't been able to find any proof of this, but if it's true, this might mark the earliest cost cutting in the Joe line's history.

[@ChapmanFilms]

Omg that ending was the funniest thing I seen in awhile lol

[@robhansen6553]

This was one of my favorite Christmas presents when I was a kid, the other being the Star Wars Y-wing. I’m in the process of restoring one.

[@JoeMotionVideos82]

I painfully watched a guy blow one of those up. I tried to rescue it, by offering to purchase it. He was dead-set on unleashing an M80 on it. What an injustice!!!

[@HCC788]

+Byron Kellogg Horrible. Surely the police could have done something. Arrested him, or shot him. Anything to save the WHALE!

[@JoeMotionVideos82]

HoodedCobraCommander788 Lol, I can't abide poaching, of anything GI Joe. I would have reported him to the Coast Guard, but Cutter was airborne

[@marcoceccarelli6415]

I had this when I was a kid I loved it. Awesome video thank you for the Memories

[@franzyland]

Being in the Navy during the 80's, I can attest that Cutter's uniform is pretty accurate for the time period. Although, he is not wearing boots. Those are big, bulky, black leather shoes referred to as "Boondockers".

[@s.u.2412]

Heck, shipmate, that uniform was accurate into the mid 90s! I think Cutter was a Coastie tho, but there was, and still is a lot of crossover between our uniforms. I wish I'd kept one of the old bell bottoms and chambray shirts tho, would have made for a great halloween costume. I could go as Shipwreck! XD

[@ExUSSailor]

@@s.u.2412 Cutter was indeed a Puddle Pirate, and, that uniform is accurate to the late 90s, as well! I enlisted in '99, and, when I was issued uniforms in basic, I got 3 sets of utilities, and, 1 set of dungarees.

[@iceman7763]

Cutter was coast guard

[@Vincent-396]

The ending of this video is just hilarious, Hoodie. I think a lot of collectors feel that way. The fragility of this vehicle was always a deterrent to purchasing it, along with the confiscatory pricing of them, today. However, I still want one. It is a very cool playset/ vehicle.

[@JamesISpalding]

The surveillance cycle (or whatever it's called) is clearly inspired by the Honda Motocompo. Which was a 50cc scooter that folded up into a suitcase that was intended to be carried on board a Honda hatchback car.

[@galaxyoftoys]

Another great review. I've been restoring my WHALE for a few years.

[@HCC788]

Galaxy of Toys Good luck with the restoration! I found that the best way is to pick up parts lots, take what you need, and sell the rest. People always need WHALE parts (that sounds dirty). The WHALE has a lot of parts that can break or get lost, but she's worth the effort to complete. It is really satisfying to see it on the shelf.

[@rikhorror]

This model is glorious, one of the best of the entire toy line. I wish I had it

[@HCC788]

+Rik Ice I agree. It may be my favorite vehicle.

[@shermanvermin76]

Yes, you gotta love those moustachioed Joes (Cutter's moustache is brown) [I know you were talking about the vehicle, but it's just, every time I think of this vehicle, I think of Cutter, who technically drives it].

[@Mlopez_602]

Got two of these for Christmas one year. They were awesome.

[@Straight0uttaCrofton]

my buddy had this one and brought it over to my house a couple of times. i had a lot of stuff, including the HQ and SkyStriker, but really wished i had this one too.

[@hypertion]

I have a "night striker" that we got cheap used when i was young. It is as it was then. Mostly intact save the veins and fans. I wish i could fully restore it, but the night force things are too rare. I loved it as a kid. Even tho it was almost as old as me. I think the bright orange is funny tho. Also funny that the depth charges float but are not supposed too. One more thing. I dont think id be willing to spin it around like that. The depth charges would go flying!

[@Toybountyhunter1974]

Always wanted one but never got it when I was a kid. Now I'm collecting Joes again and rebuilding many of my childhood vehicles like the Tomahawk, Mauler, Rattler and Night Raven....finished my Moray Eel. The Skystriker and Killer Whale are the top two large vehicles I never got that I will be getting. If I find a good deal on complete one great but otherwise will be getting them a part at a time

[@robhansen6553]

Looking back Hasbro missed out on a golden opportunity for not offering replacement parts back in ‘84 since everything was either breaking or getting lost.

[@samfrito]

Great spot of humor to cap this one off. I'll never forget that. Brilliant. The Whale is a legend in GI Joe toys and lore to me. Michael Golden did an amazing cover with the Whale for the comics and really displayed a work of art as far as the design. I always wanted one and finally picked one up years after release thru Hasbro mail order. Great review. I would love to improve the quad missile pods thru modification. Cutter sure lucked out. One of those women's swimmers must have had some serious pull.

[@HCC788]

sam torres Humor? Are you making fun of my wife?

[@HCC788]

sam torres Love wins!

[@eddielee7943]

I've got to get one for my collection Love all the detail mention in your toy reviews🤙🏻

[@stevencox6395]

I never got the hovercraft as a child so I bought it and the GI Joe collector case from an order form with my first job upon graduating from high school. My nieces and nephew completely destroyed it within a week while I was in college. I REALLY want to get another one.

[@chrismayer3919]

They have a few COMPLETE W.H.A.L.E. on eBAY, where I got mine. However, you'll pay THROUGH THE NOSE for a complete or a mint/boxed unit. ( I paid over $425 for mine) Good luck in your search, Steven! YO JOE!!!

[@darthmaul33]

Fantastic ending...great grip!

[@mizzikedvalle2172]

Try clear nail polish to tighten up any joints or hinges it works perfect on loose ball joints on action figures

[@MattsCreativeProjects]

Lol Married the Killer Whale!!! Anyways I had the night Force KW it was awesome. I used the storage compartment underneath to store the depth charges, motorcycle, and Scout sled when I wasn't playing with it

[@TrailRider]

Great review! As soon as you started talking about it flying I remembered doing the same thing LOL, good times.

[@tonywilliams6428]

"His name is Skip A. Stone. That is... terrible." lol! Love the Whale. It's one of the vehicles that's really shot up in value over the last few years.

[@billdagrasshawking]

my killer whale is still in my parents basement somewhere.....i remember mom having to drag me out of the bathtub, I'd sit there forever floating it around in my gi joe bubble bath

[@jakeproven256]

If shipwreck knew about cutters job of coach of women's swim team at Annapolis he'd say " Why dose cutter get all the good stuff???"

[@affoster79]

Had a friend of mine get me one from a toy and comic shop for my b day one year. It was missing pieces but they were very easy to track down. I even used the 2000 version of Cutter because he looked very similar to the original. Biggest gripe I had about this vehicle the fins and bar that holds the missile boxes breaks very easily.

[@maximusprime3459]

I had this vehicle but it was the black Night Force version. I couldnt believe it floated too!!

[@MadSUPANOVA]

The ending is beyond hilarious. My older brother is on a mission to fulfill that ebay theft overpriced madness..

[@tikifire]

Woot! Killer WHALE! I'm slowly piecing my childhood one back together. (and Cutter, he's really fragile)

[@HCC788]

Tikifire's Retro Clubhouse Right about Cutter. I accidentally broke the crotch on the first one I had. Fortunately, Cutter is fairly common and isn't too expensive to replace. The WHALE is always impressive on the display shelf!

[@tikifire]

HoodedCobraCommander788 I actually broke my originals arm and crotch, bought a replacement and broke its crotch.. 3rd time's a charm, right?

[@expos4everac]

God I remember many battles with my whale...I always had torpedo in the sled and wetsuit would launch solo ..inside the 4 joes were always Dusty Recondo footloose and leatherneck...bestfriends manning the two guns was always alpine and bazooka...steering with cutter was always shipwreck and I would have flint up there with them...the recon bike was always driven by gun ho...stalker stood behind the bike to give gun ho cover when he was lauched... if I can have my youth back...the brook by aunt's house had some epic battles against major blood firefly and an army of with about a 5 cobra infantry 4 crimson guards 3 BATS and 1 televiper and 2 hisses...I still think my cousin swiped my zarten...he couldnt of just walked away

[@Tr0nzoid]

It's interesting that you always had the same figures in there doing the same thing. I use to do that, but at the time I didn't really think of myself as doing something repetitive.

[@expos4everac]

til I received a tomahawk and my cobra raven then battles and objectives changed...towards the end I had optimus prowl grimlock and a few others join the joes cause of the decepticons forming an aligence with destro for their NWO agenda

[@ArtistAnnex]

Another awesome review of one of my childhood favorites!!!

[@HCC788]

R F Thank you! If you were lucky enough to have the WHALE, how could you not love it? It was great! And big!

[@ArtistAnnex]

HoodedCobraCommander788 I did and it was wonderful... One of the last few pieces I am trying to locate currently as my parents tossed all my joes when I went away to college.

[@Tony74lfc]

Classic playset :) happy days!

[@Vincent-396]

You are awesome. Who else would think of, and follow through with, that ending. Shear genius. Keep it up!

[@marcossierra4011]

I received one from ebay incomplete but I love it I never had one in my childhood

[@goosekhangaming1716]

Congrats on your big moment.. I hope the honeymoon was fabulous!

[@aerytful]

Yo Dawg I herd you like vehicles so I put a vehicle in a vehicle

[@racerxgundam]

whats crazy is that as a kid i kinda player hated this vehicle because my feeble young mind could only see it as an aquatic vehicle...now as an adult...i can firmly say its one of the best the toyline had to offer! easily on the short list of best toys period!~

[@nyquist75]

sadly, mine is long gone. had a blast with this thing in the pool back in the day!

[@Nightdare]

Your depthcharges are snagging because of the stickers Also, yes, it floats, but it does take in a lot of water in the 'cushion' area if left in too long

[@arturomirandafranco8380]

Nightdare i think the same. Ja the sticker

[@violagreene4643]

They are in the places that the instructions show, though. I think the sides of the barrels would make more sense and not interfere with the function.

[@ericzerkle5214]

I knew a kid that got one for xmas in 1984. It was actually a big deal back then in my tiny town.

[@guitardudeguy3139]

I had one of these with alot of missing parts. It became so frustrating and expensive to fix and complete that I just gave up and sold it off for parts...One day I'll find one complete that I can take home to Mom. And maybe one day be able to complete my broken heart...and toy.. wha...wha...(horns).

[@killercustomfigs6079]

great review as always HCC788! Just found a Killer Whale at my local flea market(about 60% complete) for $10! I guess the Sun even shines on a dog's ass some days!

[@steveborkowski2125]

Had the water macason also ;)

[@autobot2684]

Nice had no idea the Whale had so much parts I have the mail away Whale in the box still.

[@HCC788]

+autobot2684 Cool! I believe there were some difference between the mail-away WHALE and the retail version. In some fora it has been said that the mail-away did not float. I don't know if that's true.

[@lamaze2295]

I had the black version of that bad boy. Always played with it in the tub lol

[@HCC788]

That would be the Night Force version. That's one I hope to pick up someday. She looks good in black!

[@tikifire]

haha loved the ending!

[@ProjectDARKCorp]

This is the review that made me subscribe to your channel. Good job!

[@HCC788]

+Project: [DARK Corp]! Thank you! I'm glad you liked it!

[@rangeviper8421]

Can you offer more detail on your launch hatch tab repair? Facing same issue

[@antiquariancrafts2454]

I had this and the Cobray Moray. Great ve-hickles. Lost them both, but I've just bought the whale on eBay.

[@mattlerch531]

this is the dream vehicle for most of the kids when it came out and collectors today. yeah it did have flaws, but man talk about heavy armament, troop capacity, multi-functional, and just wicked. okay so you didn't get the MOBAT, slugger, APC, joe headquarters but when this came out it was like hey i need this to store my troops, and use as a mobile base, and an ordinance delivery system, okay may be not that technical as a kid. you didnt have a heavy hitter to take on your friends squadron of hiss tanks. the killer whale would do. i never had the killer whale as a kid. i did get the TBP instead. i only got a complete killer whale by buying multiple broken killer whales on ebay.

[@robhansen6553]

I have everything but the two propellers and the stearing veins

[@hypertion]

Same with my night force version. Impossible to get genuine replacement parts.

[@iamnostalgic9567]

11/01/2019. I purchased "3" vintage Cutter figures and when trying to change the O-Ring, the center piece of the Crotch broke on all "3" of them. Coincidence or defective?

[@iamnostalgic9567]

@@jeffjones2463 It's just ironic that only my 'Cutter' figure is the only one that happened to.

[@jamesconroy7030]

There were several "Paratrooper Motorcycles". The bike on this toy realistically represents it.

[@sunflowersandsunsets]

I'm pretty sure the recon bike was intended to mimic the Rokon 2 wheel drive motorcycle. Take a look at the ones the Jordanian special forces use for ones in military use.

[@tikifire]

Great review!

[@the_platinum_wizard867]

just sayin...that i am happy that i found this channel...just starting collecting for...just call me a sucker for nostalgia...anyway, keep up the great work...i just got me the gi joe headquarters, complete...and thanks to you i know what to look for now when collecting...thank you again...from a friend one question though, are you ever going to review other 80's toy lines and brands, such as masters of the universe, thundercats or teenage mutant ninja turtles, just to name a few? this is an older video so i dont think i will get a reply but keep up the good work

[@HCC788]

Thank you for watching, and I'm happy you found the channel! I hope you like the new stuff coming up. The videos have changed quite a bit since I did this review of the WHALE. I don't plan to review any other 80s toylines. My mission is to review every G.I. Joe vintage domestic release. That will take quite a while. After that project is done, I may think about looking at other things. For now, G.I. Joe keeps me pretty busy!

[@the_platinum_wizard867]

HoodedCobraCommander788 that is cool...do you sell online?or is it just that one hobby shop where you do your bussiness?

[@timf7413]

I guess I was weird in that it never occurred to me to try to float any of these vehicles as a kid. Also, I never noticed Cutter's filename was one of Larry Hama's in joke puns.

[@jimsquire9048]

Hey HCC. If you like the whale concept you should check out the pro builder Mega Blocks LCAC ( landing craft air cushioned). It can land tanks and APC's . The figures are smaller than Joe's but the vehicle is even bigger than the whale.

[@drftgy67]

I think the Whale has all of it's weapons facing forward because, unlike a boat, it can whip around quickly to face a threat.

[@80sCave]

I still have this I have lost so many pieces to it

[@mgvillanmp478]

Nice review ..had this as a kid tons of fun ..Uumm your wife gonna be mad!!lol

[@HCC788]

mgvillanmp478 Don't tell her!

[@mgvillanmp478]

HoodedCobraCommander788 hahhahahahaa

[@johnnieangel99]

Knowing is half the battle

[@HCC788]

At least some part of the battle is shooting people!

[@JediJunkie247]

Knowing is half the battle. The rest is 25% red lazers and 25% blue lazers.

[@stevenjankowski1813]

Prolly the toy I wanted the most that I never got

[@davidtagilala5040]

ha awesum vid why do we get old i just have kids and buy them toys i wana play with

[@Deviax28]

The older I get the more I realize that having kids is just a perfect reason to become a kid yourself for a bit and play with toys... then they grow up and you hope for grandkids.

[@chrismayer3919]

Its too bad HASBRO didn't 'Cobra-cize' the killer whale as well; Cobra-blue hull, grey cushion and black weapons w/ Cobra sigil. That would've been AWESOME BLOSSOM!!!

[@HCC788]

That would make a pretty nice custom. I wonder if anyone has done it.

[@chrismayer3919]

Actually, I think someone already has; I found pics of one such custom on the internet...

[@whodiditandrancomedy3859]

not sure what it was called but i had a g.i joe boat that was a redish color..pretty big too..ring any bells??

[@marcryan6581]

Great review 👍👍

[@noo2islam]

Hi Cobra. Is it possible that there was another version of this vehicle that was coming with Sergeant Slaughter or Shipwreck?

[@belenosss]

EXCELLENT VIDEO!!!

[@evanscott9473]

Coast Guard is way more hardcore on a daily basis than Navy.

[@steadyflow3790]

Great video! Enjoyed it! 👍🏼

[@_MetrallaAcme]

I like it

[@nps1016]

Always wanted to get the WHALE but it was too expensive for me to buy, I did have the Cobra Hydrofoil and like the Hydrofoil just a little better.

[@robhansen6553]

There is a website that makes reproduction steering vanes. Stonegate creations. I am not affiliated with them at all, I’m just trying to help my fellow whale lovers. FYI the underside compartment was meant to hold a block of styrofoam to aid in the flotation

[@masamune..]

i have the original body for the whale and curious what its value would be?

[@Prebound_]

I was 8 or 9 when i had this.

[@TheRackits]

he found love. good for him

[@stevenkusar3630]

wow that ending was wow ok. other then that great review

[@steveborkowski2125]

Defiantly had one

[@nyquist75]

won't take no for an answer, unless he's asking about annapolis...

[@Springdds]

Gives new meaning to marrying a whale.

[@dromano1977]

My inner 8 year old is bawling with joy

[@Timkasa82]

hi hcc788. can you make a video of how you made the plastic knobs to metal ones on the recon sled landing ramp. thank you

[@HCC788]

If I had another ramp I could show you how I did it. It's pretty simple. I clipped small pieces out of a paperclip, heated them with a flame, and melted them into the plastic in place of the plastic nobs. They have to be fairly deep to hold in well, and they have to be pretty short to fit in the holes on the body of the vehicle. A 2-part epoxy putty will help hold them in place.

[@georgeaitken2719]

If their was ever a toy that was designed to be broken easily it’s this one

[@meissnerflux]

Lol nice ending

[@chrismayer3919]

I called mine the W.H.A.L.E. - Waterborne Heavy Attack Long-range Envoy! Better sounding?

[@c0ketehwhale]

7:48 Respect.

[@deadsweetheart1]

I know the mail away didn’t come with cutter

[@chrismayer3919]

...And I hope you and your WHALE 'bride' will be happy together

[@agnethaladuff8559]

Great review of the awesome G.I. Joe Hovercraft "The Killer Whale". Seeing that you put a ring on a cannon of the Killer Whale, does your wife growls at the Killer Whale when she walks by it ?

[@nyquist75]

this man loves his killer whale

[@HCC788]

Maybe a little too much.

[@nyquist75]

hey hcc788! this may sound weird, but you are the expert so... can you recommend a small FLOATING gi joe vehicle that i can float in my toilet tank? with the lid removed of course.

[@texastom5920]

nyquist75 SHARC

[@chrismayer3919]

nyquist75 By the power vested in me by the state of confusion, I hereby pronounce you man and W.H.A.L.E. You may kiss your ride.

[@violagreene4643]

Floating depth charges? Doesn't that kind of miss the point?

[@mattmanning4934]

Subscriber here, I have a pretty intact USS Flagg in my attic that I would be willing to send you parts or all for your channel. No charge, just shipping on whatever it is you want. I offered it to RetroBlasting but he never responded. If you are interested I would be willing to get it down and send you some pics of what is there. Also I know there is a Cobra Terror Dome up there as well.

[@HCC788]

Matt Manning Got you on Facebook! But you already knew that. :)

[@ScratchBuiltPro]

Did this happen? I hope it did.

[@jakubbuszko3089]

This drivers is similar to " Topside " .

[@HCC788]

+Jakub Buszko That is true!

[@steveborkowski8104]

I also had one.

[@canalbikeguy]

The Washington Killer Whales

[@marianoporterozapater1622]

I don't want it... I NEED IT.

[@chrismayer3919]

A flying W.H.A.L.E.? YOU MUST BE QUITE MAD!!! (the very idea...)

[@ekscalybur]

lol, the depth charges don't depth.