HCC788 - 1991 BIG BEN - SAS Trooper - G.I. Joe toy review!

[@nathanwebb3371]

I’m a Brit and X military, we had a giant in our unit and his nickname was BIG BEN. The weapon he carries is known to us as the GPMG (general purpose machine gun). The hat he wears although the colour is off is an issue cold weather hat.

[@NGaugeVideo]

I'm British and I think the code name Big Ben is a good idea. It's not cheesy at all and works well for the figure and back story.

[@mackmc9005]

One reason I find myself addicted to this channel is because, you tell iy like it is HCC. More realistic with a splash of Sci Fi. Colors that make since, gear that goes with the character. If I wanted Mutant Aliens I would have bought Toybiz or something.. I am glad you showed off Big Ben, cuase I pretty much wrote off any Joes after 89..

[@jasetraber]

One of the best molds in the entire line. I really like the Big Ben repaint that was packaged with a blue Alley Viper in the Joe vs Cobra line as well!

[@woofan25]

Love this figure. I wonder about doing a 1991 dusty head swap to get that SAS sand beret.

[@blackcondor208]

I like that idea!

[@psychoticbuzzsaw]

Awesome review. Big Ben Red Star are to me the stand out figures of 91, I will never understand why they made Red Stars launcher so realistic and cool but never repeated the process just giving us gawdy sci-fi toys. I did get burned out on Big Ben in the early 2000s (the white version 3 is to me the best repaint), just having so many from army building his pack mate Cobras.

[@petewallace9987]

One of the best looking figures of the ARAH line! On top of the realistic color scheme, that little white paint application on his eyes adds so much depth he stands out on the shelf next to his '91 classmates. Great review HCC! Lot of respect for SAS, those cats are savages.

[@mikesmith2718]

What a review this was one figure when I discovered it I couldn’t believe it came out in the 90s even his mail away figure wasn’t bad he displays well in a number of scenarios I even used a 2000s era Big Ben same sculpt as a custom

[@rev8427]

Hi from England. Big Ben doesn’t seem ‘out of sorts’ for Brit. However, Big Ben reminds me of the character from the movie House. Keep up the great work HCC788!

[@glennrobbins2372]

Great review! My son had him and he must have had an extra grenade because there were 3 in his pouch. If only Hasbro had produced more quality figures like this during the 90's maybe the toy line would have lasted longer.

[@QUANK321]

I also remember 3 grenades

[@grahamcox5220]

As a Brit, I don’t think Big Ben is too bad for a code name. A little lazy but many of the others were too. My childhood was always about Action Force - International Heroes; so the whole transition to the GI Joe thing confused the hell out of me.

[@jordel2010]

I definitely missed on this one back in the day. I only wish they had come up with a slightly better code name for this figure (likely the reason I overlooked it in the first place).

[@jamiecrowe7788]

In Britain the Action Force cartoon and comics were subtitled "International Heroes" and the birthplaces on figure file cards were altered so that the characters came from various countries around the world. I always thought this was a nice touch as it made it feel more inclusive. Not that it made a difference when we were playing though, as we just made all of the characters speak in our poor attempts at American accents anyway.

[@xdshepard37]

They have a special name for people who make mistakes...human. But while we are all human all of us don't have have your passion and compassion. You are a Real American Hero. Shep

[@johannesmakila2459]

Now that's great looking G.I. Joe figure with some top notch accessories.

[@blackcondor208]

I adore the 90s stuff, especially if it's outlandish. But that's what I grew up with. It's not what you grew up with, and your arguments are totally reasonable. I get your perspective. Which is one of the many reasons I love this channel. I had this figure as a kid. He was one of my most-used figures. I still have mine from that era, though his parts have long since been used for kitbashes. That happened once his crotch broke. I proudly display Big Ben v1 and will always love him, despite the "Big Ben Fatigue" of the 00s. Not even a thousand repaints can slow this guy down. Also, 1991 was the best year for GI Joe. To me, anyway. Perfect blend of "real military" and "sci fi military," which is where GI Joe excels.

[@CGJ7755]

You and me are kindred spirits. I was born in 1982 and came of age with the stuff from 1989-1992, 1991 is also pretty much my favorite year.

[@TheOldscut78]

I also was born in 82 and find 91 to 94 to be my favorite. I consider them the "G2" of GI Joe

[@kaylemathewcomendador7614]

Yeah, I don't mind outlandish colors on figures. Its just that some figures don't pull off the bright colors completely well. And the 90's figures are also prone to some ugly design choices.

[@blackcondor208]

@@TheOldscut78 it totally is G2 for GI Joe!

[@Jmillz181]

No way...1985 >>>>> 1991 go joe

[@ps3598]

Watching now and missing all of you good old g.i.joe content creators!

[@joejupiter4138]

Excellent review. I especially like the "world" bit at the end. Your passion for this stuff makes the show, Commander.

[@rtd1409]

This was a fave figure and I liked how with this set we also got the Russian Red Star as well another well detailed figure, then we later got Skymate of the Australian SAS. The one reason Big Ben and others of the era dont come out under the Action Force label is by about 1990 they were GI Joe "International Heroes" check it out.

[@guitardudeguy3139]

I also must agree with you on the "realism" in GI Joe . I've always liked the more accurate military type figures. I grew up with the original 60s figures and then into adventure team , which I thought was okay, because you could still get the military stuff too, it was still around if you wanted it. In the 80 and 90s though, when they started turning everything into mutant Ninja space aliens, they got away from what I loved about GI Joe. Realism. Though Hasbro marketing was always trying to keep up with other toys, they really didn't have to change that much in my opinion. They kinda messed up. I wish they would come back with a new line of all different figures and new stories...sigh...kids.

[@sexcorpio6976]

I like more something in between, this is the 80s era.

[@kaylemathewcomendador7614]

Great review. PS: I believe there is a Canadian Joe in the vintage line named Backstop that you kinda missed.

[@NerdGasims]

One figure I always wanted as a kid but was never in the stores. A friend had Big Ben and I thought he was one of the coolest looking Joe figures with some awesome accessories

[@Draco20001]

Thank you for the great review :D I live in Watford, in the UK and I brought Big Ben from the toy department of the local department store called Clements, just up the road from where I live in 91. He was carded as G.I.Joe as we had lost the Action force part of the name by then and he was show on the check lists you got with the vehicles for that year too. By the way I have never seen a problem with the name and think it is cool to be honest. Keep up the great work and thank you again.

[@BenKurth]

Great review as always! Big Ben was one of my last joes as a kid. Seem to remember him along side a jet pack version of General Hawk. Two of my last favorites in the vintage line. Love the commentary! Take care! Thanks for sharing!

[@robertperry5206]

I think that those of us who started with the line in the beginning tend to feel the same about the more accurate military figures in the line!

[@stevendunkley8890]

Wow!!! I can see why you like Big Ben. As an Action Force fan, he reminded me of the more realistic utilitarian SAS force but with more points of articulation. I would've loved him and made great use of him. I think it is a great name for a character (I am a limey) and can't believe they didn't use this one sooner. As you rightly point out, the SAS are the crème de la crème of our special forces (roughly equivalent to your SEALs) It is a pity he didn't come with a knife which is the most important SAS utility (it forms the basis of their insignia) This knife incorporates a sewing set, fishing line and compass in it's hilt so would've been appropriate to include. My brother and I had a copy of the SAS handbook which was handy for us when we were homeless. well worth looking out for. "The long haul" is also mentioned. This is renowned as being one of the most gruelling and exhaustive military excercises- as well as one of the most potentially fatal. I can recall an incident about 10 years ago when a potential candidate expired due to heat exhaustion during the exercise in Wales. Another candidate was discluded after he was caught trying to smuggle a Mars bar up his backside. This may sound comical but it shows how deadly serious our military brass are about these excercises, So the fact Big Ben completed the haul in record time THEN went back to find straggling team mates gives you a great insight into the character and why he was considered for the Joes. Another top review HCC788. catch you around

[@Cagliostro81]

Man this review just makes me regret never getting Big Ben all over again. He’s clearly an even more fantastic figure than I thought as a kid! Also keep telling it like it is, realistic military G.I.Joe > silly space aliens and mutants G.I. Joe! That said I’ll always have a special place in my heart for the Alley-Viper, doofy as the colors are.

[@daymja]

As someone from the UK, Big Ben was a stupid codename however I understand that the UK was not the target audience for this figure. The weapon looks like the GPMG (General -purpose machine gun) which was (or still might be) a weapon for the UK army.

[@summonersumnerus4364]

Brit here, despite my icon to the left :) Big Ben as a name is a little on the nose, but no worse then Captain Britain. I would have snapped this figure up if i'd seen it as it's a cool figure! Quite often British characters in American toylines/comics etc are depicted as either "what ho old chap!" or "Cor blimey guv'nor!" and poor Big Ben was no exception. Often when we encounter one it's like "here we go.." But Big Ben was taken seriously it seems, no Umbrella accessory or jar of Marmite in his hand :)

[@daymja]

Or drinks only tea!

[@UserNameMandatory]

That satchel makes more sense as a bag for belted ammo for the MG, than a couple of hand grenades that are often seen on the webbing and in his case on his bergen.

[@derekbroestler7687]

Awesome video, couldn't agree more having grown up with GI Joe in the early 80's. I honestly feel it kinda sucks that I "outgrew" GI Joe (thought I had) by the time this figure came out because that IS an awesome figure. Also, great props for starting this with a tribute to Stan Lee. Wishing all my best for you and yours. Or, as Stan would have said, EXCELSIOR!!!!

[@lazarus30001]

I agree with your real-world military application of G. I. Joe. You defend your point with class;-)

[@jedi69outcast]

If you got a date in Constantinople, she'll be waiting in Istanbul

[@tonyjackson1636]

Hey you're cool Hoodie CoCo.....three of my favorite "not major character" Joes from the vintage run were Low-Light, Footloose, and Hit and Run....three guys who definitely did not go into crazy town colors and accessories.

[@JoeMotionVideos82]

Great figure! He is one I missed out on, but I bought the TRU 2 pack that came with Big Ben and White Out (Snow Job). The both are great figures, especially Big Ben in white. That looks awesome.

[@blackcondor208]

Yeah, that snow Big Ben was the best repaint of him they did. Though I do wonder why they painted the hands flesh tone... that was a mistake. And kind of a head-scratcher, since the mold makes it clear he's wearing gloves.

[@cobra-emperor6starwars665]

how come Hooded Cobra commander 788 does not respond to peoples messages, I think it is time to me to bring out all my GI Joe stuff I have over 560 figures and lots and lots of vehicles and bases :), just moved around some of my star wars to make some room to bring some out :)

[@cobra-emperor6starwars665]

plus I made molds to make star wars weapons and now I am going to do that for my GI Joe's

[@blackcondor208]

@@cobra-emperor6starwars665 he's a busy man!

[@demo3456]

He was one of my favorites at that time.

[@lonesquiff6551]

Great review. I didn't know about this figure. 12:51 "and actually quite cold" had me lmao

[@MrGILBERTV]

He and lowlight are 2 of my fav 90s joes

[@TerryTurner]

IMO, this figure deserves to be in the top 5 best designed GI JOE. 👍😎

[@RedneckOgre]

Growing up in Alabama in the 80s for me GI Joe pretty much disappeared a year after the animated movie and I didn't know why at the time. The cartoon stopped and all the local stores pretty much stopped selling any of the toys and I never really saw any commercials for them. GI Joe just vanished for me except for seeing some of the newer stuff in the Sears catalog and wondering why I never got a chance to see any of the stuff in stores. Then a couple years later The cartoon showed back up looking completely different with lots of new characters and some new toys showed up in stores and I was happy.......Until my local stations dropped GI Joe again after only showing a few episodes of the new season and the toys vanished from my local stores again. I know the DIC episodes and later toys and figures are looked down upon, but I would have killed to have gotten the chance to watch those episodes and buy those toys back then. I was never even able to see the DIC episodes until years later.

[@ForgeMaciejewski]

This is why this was one of my favorite characters in the later series. Thanks for the review; long time fan and now subscriber!

[@mattleuty5285]

Marmite is like some certain G.I Joe's, some love em and some hate em!!. Great review HCC.

[@gijoburg]

He's in the U.K. catalogue of the era... but I can't recall seeing him in toy stores in England. Though it was a long time ago and I think I only had eyes for Ninja Force!

[@maxbrandt6]

Then this little series is for you, GI Joburg! kzbin.info/www/bejne/eKmViKaMl7CXsLc

[@Pegwarmers]

They Might be Giants Reference!!!! Great video.

[@bondaren]

Love the channel! For a u.s. counter part, how about Uncle Sam, great name for a joe named Samuel with surface to air missiles, or Honest Abe, great name for a gi joe interrogator-

[@bloodycard6314]

Big Ben was my top favorite Gi Joe, wish he was a regular character in the cartoons or comics.

[@uhhuhhuh100]

Great review! Big Ben is a cool figure for a 1990's G.I. Joe figure! The second version's color scheme didn't look right.

[@chrisnwi1209]

Absolutely great video!!! You can tell you really love this figure and as you should he is definitely one of the best figures produced in the 90's. Top tier without a doubt

[@carlossodi9587]

I think his backpack is a reference to the Long Drag backpack the SAS candidates use in real life

[@torpedo8384]

I agree with your preferences, but different strokes for different folks. I still love the Alley Vipers, orange and blue camo not withstanding. American Maid/Captain Liberty from The Tick. nuff said

[@Dirt_McGurt]

that pouch is for a big belt of 7.62 for big bens 240bravo in my mind. always was, always will be.

[@delvis7842]

Thank you for the review bud! In my opinion looking at G.I.Joe as an adult fan, I would love to see the characters with a more International hero backstory for the kids to appreciate! I would look at Big Ben's timecard and think they just did a semi clever play on his real name being Bennet. But, if there were a character called "Statue of liberty", I could see why some of our British friends wouldn't like it!

[@guitardudeguy3139]

I have this figure also and I like it alot, There was also an identical figure in white with white pack and accessories. Unsure of the year and they may have gave him a different code name, I will look into it. Actually it's more of a tan uniform , same figure though.

[@MrCoN3X]

Great Review !! realism, i remember my childhood playing with Alpine ("Risco" Argentine version) in my backyard. The colors, the accesories just match with the envioronment..patagonia

[@yeuaragorn9977]

by pod s are always miss and so hard to find (now i need to complete this soldier). Thanks for the great review Big ben is so cool :D

[@dovahkiintemplar8255]

Great video Bryan. I remember getting this figure due to watching the movie “The Final Option.” Also by watching the siege on the embassy in the news.

[@RogueTwo]

Big Ben is indeed a very nice action figure. But his lack of substantial media appearances really limited my interest in him. Yes, it was kind of cool to see another international Joe, but beyond that, I really didn't know what to do with him at the time. It wasn't until years later, when he was re-colored and reissued in the early 2000s that I really took notice of him. It was a rebuilding time for my collection, as I put all of my old play-worn vintage Joes away in storage and started fresh with the idea that the GI Joe team was being reassembled after a few years of being shut down. Big Ben, was an early addition to a much smaller, much more back to basics, new team. And as I said, I appreciated him much more now that he had a chance to shine. He even had almost all his vintage accessories, lacking only the bipod on his gun. So I really liked him.

[@danpal08]

Another great review!! Btw, as a Canadian I feel I should point out that Back-Stop was another Joe born outside the USA. :)

[@jamietroyer405]

Can't believe he came out in the 90s. He's a cool figure, I was out on gijoe in the 90s, but I would've got him.

[@ryanscott2530]

I actually had that character when I was younger and fortunately I sold all my GI Joes but only two things I thought he was missing you could either had a scope down on side arm for a secondary weapon and or ask the knife we're both one or the other or both but other than that was to my pics is a perfect character for any are much less than 90s

[@cmo9713]

Excellent review. There was a NATO LRRP school in west Germany and was operational until the early 2000’s. 🤙

[@ivangonzalez8415]

I just bought Sir big Benny @ Chicago's "Toy Con" 2 weex ago.Love that "War Face" paint."Let me see your War Face".D next chick I'll date will be applying her make up along with me.

[@deadsweetheart1]

His look reminds me if he would’ve been a winter sculpt for tunnel rat

[@JasonKeane]

Great review and love the figure. The only thing I don't like are the white ear-flaps on the ushanka. Is it just me?

[@MatthiasNavairro]

I love the drawing for Big Ben!!! Love It!!

[@bjscorpio4041]

Best figure of '91.

[@leegray99]

Hey HCC, hope you are ok, rewatching old reviews as missing new ones.

[@bingolos9063]

Ok 'Big Ben' look or uniform might based off the uniform seen during the falkland war. it has a big backpack, it meant for a cold weather.

[@heatherburger1666]

Well done and thank you. I enjoyed Big Ben and now I know why.

[@fatcat8033]

We needed a Canadian figure , could have called him the Beaver lol

[@Frankenstein077]

Yes, and no, no, no, _hell_ no...

[@Frankenstein077]

@Damien Jones Well I'll be damned... from my hometown of all places, too.

[@daymja]

Action Force SAS (as mentioned in HCC'svideo) did have a Canadian with codename Beaver www.yojoe.com/comics/baf/datafiles/Datafile%2017.jpg

[@ralang999]

hmm....they could have done a hockey-themed arctic trooper: code name Hat Trick! wears a hockey jersey and his gimmick is slapping land mines with a hockey stick! And of course the hockey stick would have two small orange missiles on it. :D

[@sexcorpio6976]

I would create a Spanish gijoe character figure, a La Legión soldier. Tank top showing Chest-hairy, blade-shaped sideburns, breeches and riding boots, chapiri legion Headwear... Star z-63 submachine gun and combat toothed knive.

[@blissex]

Great review, I'm glad big Ben won the vote for this review, I got to learn more about this figure and character, also great to see baron ironblood from action force that I donated, and great call back to your action force review

[@madammo7786]

I had Big Ben and probably still have him in a box somewhere.

[@jasonkerest394]

Great review. I agree Big Ben should have been utilized more in the comics. I actually have been developing a story which I would have submitted to Kindle Worlds before it closed down that would have centered around Cobra's invasion of Wakukuckland (from the Marvel Comics run) which would have required Hawk and the- at that point in the continuity- disbanded members of G.I. Joe joining a U.S./ British mission for NATO to drive out Cobra from Wakukuckland soil, and Big Ben would have been part of the boots on the ground including Scope and Foxtrot (my invention), while Ace & Wild Bill would have joined forces with British pilots Jetstream & Spitfire (also my invention).

[@maltesefalcon85]

i grew up reading the big palooka comics so i think big ben is kinda in the same tradition

[@Alverant]

I checked where Burford is. His name would be like calling someone from Fargo, ND Rushmore or someone from Cinncinati Oval Office. :) Great review. Great figure. Just a little good-natured ribbing on the name.

[@samhain8220]

I had him, I got him with combat pay, I miss those days

[@BeeTeeGee]

I'm not sure if the Big Ben figure had been released in the UK but by 1990 the Action Force title had been dropped and the line had been renamed 'G.I.JOE' (dropping the 'A Real American Hero' subtitle), so if he had been released in the UK, he would have been a JOE figure anyway.

[@maxbrandt6]

Hasbro outdid themselves with this one, a proper-proper G.I. Joe figure in the 1990s! No obnoxious and lurid colors, uniform, gear and weapon believable colors and size and believable background story. This is a rare one indeed!

[@shermaneagles5903]

Love this figure I agree though 1990 and 1991 had some really great looking figures.

[@YoJoeBanjo]

Great review, and a great figure! A companion review by Analog Toys would be amazing!

[@nickfrancis]

If only they would've gave this same color scheme to Captain Grid-Iron, he would've been way higher on Ebay?🤔 On second thought, I'll jusy paint my Grind-Iron like this!👍🏽

[@jakubbuszko3089]

It was great figure that missed ... Thanks for video Commander . By the way i was busy form few months . You could make video about Bull Horn , Salvo they are from 90 too I think ...

[@danielkegley690]

Yeah I prefer the more realistic GI Joes to the neon brigade that came later in the line.

[@alanpwhelan]

Another great review. I wasn’t aware of Big Ben and I love the original Action Force SAS figures. I’ve managed to track down a Big Ben figure and am now waiting for it to be delivered. Thanks again 👍🏻 #yojoe #marmite

[@fatcat8033]

Awesome . Posted right on my break at work .

[@jackloera4600]

Wow, a 90s figure without the obnoxious color scheme. I'm sad I missed out on this one.

[@byronlaw6491]

Fantastic review as usual. Your channel (Formbx257 also) has inspired me to collect GI Joe. I have been getting the UK file cards as I like the international differences they fascinate me. Loved the figures as a kid. I’m British and am from the north of England so a name Big Ben wouldn’t appeal to me as an adult due to it going with that cliche of London being representative of England as a whole. London is very different to cities in the north in terms of culture and accents etc. This figure however is very cool and I would have got it as a kid if it came out here which it didn’t and will pick it up when I can. I was born in 83 but when I got into Action Force in 87 the figures we got were ones that were from 85 in the US so the fantastic Flint and Lady Jaye were my first figures. I perfer the military figures and got out of the line when street fighter came alone as while its my favourite video game series the figures didn’t make sense to me as Joe or street fighter.

[@Caspian237]

Pause the video on the figure's face and have a good look. That's Bill Murray of Ghostbusters fame, right?

[@adamverwolf9499]

Great Review. Weren't there Canadian and Mexican GI Joes as well?

[@kdisley]

19:25 "Blimey! 'Ave we got 'obgoblins and wraiths aprowl in the 'ighlands?" Well, it's always interesting to see how us Brits are portrayed in US media... lol Incidentally, the Action Force releases of the GI Joe toys had different backgrounds - they were a lot more diverse, with maybe a few more Americans than other nationalities, but there were all sorts of birthplaces in Europe and even further afield on the Action Force versions of the filecards, probably to reflect the international market they were being sold to. I can't remember many off the top of my head, but I definitely recall that our version of Flint was a Warrant Officer in the British Army (which makes it seem weird that he's not being written in that same comic panel with similar Dick Van Dyke schtick if that's how they're going to portray an English accent - it just makes Big Ben look dumb by comparison!). I think it was around the time of this toy's release that Action force was being transitioned into the GI Joe branding; we already had the same logo but with "Action Force" written where your "GI Joe" was to begin with, but around this time Hasbro started marketing the line as "GI Joe - The Action Force" for a couple of years before just dropping the subtitle and becoming just straight Joes over here as in the US. Perhaps the reason Big Ben got such a top-tier figure was that Hasbro wanted to encourage the UK market to stay with the line throughout the awkward transition...? And yes, the name "Big Ben" is a little cheesy and on-the-nose, but not as insulting as, say, the Mary Poppins representation in the comic! lol

[@white-dragon4424]

I personally think the nickname "Big Ben" is pretty genius, considering it's not his real name. And don't you think it's ironic that we never got the one genuine UK character that they made? As for the accent, I wonder what they'd think of my Dorset accent? lol

[@byronlaw6491]

Flint they also add an extra bit to his file card saying that he has an US army belt because of some secret missions he did for them.

[@derf1600]

Fantastic review of a fantastic figure!

[@new2vero2]

Loved the figure and the response to “criticism”... lol epic.

[@kyleguiffredoguiffredo9047]

I received Big Been as a birthday gift ,still got him and he's still great !!! Can you do a review of Tunnel Rat , and there was a comic issue with him living in a tunnel in a swamp with a crossbow, would love to see that immage , do you know what issue that was ??

[@drake333able]

Bloody good review,mate.Spot on.Cheers.😎🇬🇧🍻

[@az-cafe-moto]

I think big Ben and tunnel rat would make a great team.

[@sirkowski]

Backstop from 87 is Canadian.

[@WeaselJuice]

What a Great figure he was! Top Tier! Yo Joe!

[@carlossodi9587]

Excellent review, excellent figure!

[@leegray99]

I would accept Big Ben as a name for a UK release figure, as really its quite different from the statue of liberty or liberty bell, if he had a name like london bridge or windsor castle though it would not make sense.

[@GrandmasDay32]

Definitely has a Tunnel Rat vibe.

[@TroySmith25]

Great review. Boo to the critics.