HCC788 - 1984 WATCH TOWER - Battle Station Vintage G.I. Joe toy review!

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Special Thanks to:
Geoff Adams, Sean Dowling, Jason Galligan,
Droidwhisperer, Jeff Mills (Biggypines),
Ryan Wagner, James Swindell, Brian Zahn,
Byron Kellogg, Michael Johnson, Ben Penserga,
Mike Smith, Tyler Levens, Shaun Drefahl,
Raz Holly, David Tejerina, William J. Stelmack,
Philip Hanks, Todd Humphrey, Kurt Kesler,
Martin Day, Venetian Snares, Magnus Lauglo,
Mike Murdock, Daryl Beck, Chris Piers,
Brad Williams, Troy Smith, Hector M. Martinez,
Brandon Knight, David Fitchner, Mark Taylor,
John Logan, Judson Mabee, Donald Koehne,
Brent McMillan, Dennis Pederson,
Abomb Justice of the Clan MacDonald, Hikaru,
C.S. "Chuckles" McKee, Jason Malvuccio,
Jason Youngberg, Jeffrey Sharp, Gazz,
Daemon Donigan, Ryan Sweeny, steve,
Bradley A. Good, Armen Nakashian, Robert Hawkins,
dacca, the baron, Chris Mc.83, Robert Bone,
Lachlan McLeod, Joseph C. Melli, Daniel Mullin,
Tom Marsh, Jesse Kussatz, Chris Lucero
Sources and Information:
Watch Tower on YoJoe.com:
www.yojoe.com/...
Watch Tower on 3DJoes.com:
www.3djoes.com/...
"'We Have A Dearth Of Manpower': National Guard
Makes Way To Laredo," Texas Public Radio, Carson Frame,
April 11, 2018, Photo by David Martin Davies, TPR News
www.tpr.org/post/
we-have-dearth-manpower-national-guard-makes-way-laredo
Watchtower on Halfbattle.com:
www.halfbattle....
The Ultimate Guide to G.I. Joe 1982-1994, 3rd ed, Mark Bellomo, 2018,
Krause Publications, 85
Rambo First Blood Part 2
Uncommon Valor
Jimi Hendrix - All Along the Watchtower
Music:
Your Voice is American by Letter Box
Yacht Stomp by Spazz Cardigan
Future Gladiator, Great Hope
by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a
Creative Commons Attribution license
(creativecommon...)
G. I. Joe is (c) Hasbro.
All copyrighted material is used for the purpose of
comment and criticism, which constitutes a fair use
of such material
This video is (c) Bryan Lower.

[@HCC788]

ERRATA: There are errors in some of the parts shown in this video. The errors are significant enough that it may require a re-edit on this video.

[@jackburton3212]

🤣🤣🤣🤣 that intro. I have to admit it caught me by surprise (even though it's obvious in hindsight lol).

[@christianbrix4311]

Yeah you might have to re-edit the intro. The Judas Priest's Witness didn't get shot.

[@RhinoRobM]

Fun fact, The Watch Tower is the only G.I.Joe play set that Jimi Hendrix sang about ;)

[@betaraybob]

That song is playing in my head during the entire review.

[@renegadebiker24]

@@betaraybob LOL, I was thinking about that song, but I don't think it was about that, but about the Vietnam War.

[@nyquist75]

small sets were all my dad could afford growing up, love it!

[@totalrobot]

Me too. My dad got me the Watch Tower one time and it got many many hours of playtime! Thanks Larry R.I.P.

[@cronocomics]

I love the fact Hasbro had an option for every budget on the vintage era, my mom could not afford the biggest playsets/vehicles but definitely could buy several of these "mini playsets" for me.

[@Tr0nzoid]

I really regret not getting this or the Checkpoint and other battle stations or bunkers. So simple and perfect.

[@Transfixed]

Awesome! I only got a Watch Tower a year ago but i can think of so many fun scenarios i could have used it for as a kid! I probably would have put Zap or Flash in there, and later Low-Light.

[@coeurdelion3113]

That was the greatest opening scene of any KZbin video that I've ever seen!

[@antonioguamil3275]

yeah I'd love to join that church, but I already belong to the cult of The Grateful Dead.

[@marcryan1974]

Awesome 👏. I got 4 of these for all 4 corners of the Headquarters. They look perfect 👍

[@adamverwolf9499]

Awesome opening. I loved my Watch tower I used alongside my Machine Gun Emplacement to Guard my Non existent GI JOE HQ

[@milanondrak5564]

I had so much lego when I was a kid that I made an in scale extension for our cardboard Action Force (Brit Joe's) base until the watch tower was released here all our watch towers were made of lego so they could easily get blown up without risking breakages. This watchtower got some extra height added to it with lego too so it could fit on top of the lego base extension I made. Oh the memories of heroics and villainous Cobra plots my brother and I have of Cobras gradual takeover of all the worlds military forces. Even Duke defected to Cobra in our ongoing conflict.

[@shermaneagles5903]

I absolutely love these little playsets

[@DarkAlex1978]

Those mini-playsets had so much potential. I bet that more than one homemade cardboard base had integrated some of battle stations to boost its appareance and functionality.

[@cyberfrank-bx2nv]

I really loved my watch tower, but I wished for the hq set up you described.. good show!!!

[@kassandraodessa2633]

Sneak peek with his periscope is a good one

[@jonnyg9865]

This was my first mini playset. I eventually got them all, especially the battlefield accessory sets that had all the cool stuff like fuel drums, gas cans, sandbags, Czech hedgehogs, etc., and set up all this shit around the '83 headquarters. Hard to say which one was my favorite. Probably down to either Check Point Alpha or the Bivouac. I loved the little detailed accessories like the clipboard and canteen. I used to man my watchtower with either Low-Light or Sneak Peek.

[@JoeMotionVideos82]

EXCELLENT choice! This week. I just build a diorama with my witch towers and biovac.

[@ryanfoley8035]

Which tower

[@cowpuddles4851]

Ryan Foley That one!

[@evanstanek5838]

Sneak Peak was my guy up there, the giant green scope let him peek through the slot without exposing himself. His colors weren't too bad with it too.

[@babycacahuetas1318]

H3 ded

[@andrewandrew4568]

Really liked that GI Joe had many price points. Some toys were crazy expensive (looking at you aircraft carrier). You can also drop a Star Wars guy in the top, the less articulation isn't a problem if they just stand there.

[@zartan7779]

Love these small playsets

[@Michael_Johnson_5446]

I made a bamboo watchtower diorama inspired by all those 80s movies.

[@steelbrigadekory]

Been watching your videos forever. I agree with what you said in the beginning. I wanted the Terror Drome in 1986, but it was a no-go. Too expensive. My parents did get me the Cobra Surveillance Port, and to this day, it's my favorite Cobra station/accessory.

[@CharlesK-hu1sf]

The beauty of these budget sets is that you get to set up your own "Field Headquarters" with artillery, field tents, airstrip for Tomahawks to land on for resupply or incoming wounded, etc.

[@retrogc77]

I loved the small sets. I could usually convince my mom to buy one while in Kmart

[@mrdonigan]

I was lucky and did get the HQ as a kid, but never had the Watch Tower. I always wanted it, and agree it'd have been a great addition to the HQ. I finally got one and Check Point Alpha last year, and they did no disappoint! I have them displayed near my HQ. Great review!

[@CharlesK-hu1sf]

When I had that thing, I had to TRY to memorize the Marine Corps. 11 General Orders for Sentries for every time I put Leatherneck or 1983 Gung Ho on guard duty (used my father's copy of the Marine Corps. handbook for reference).

[@shane3674]

I actually really like this play set. It looks good with just about any figure. I have it displayed with 1984 Duke on top holding his binoculars looking off in the distance.

[@uhhuhhuh100]

Great review, HoodedCobraCommander788 ! I'm glad that you mentioned the Battle accessory packs.

[@drozwalker9]

Great review, I loved the intro. The small sets for me helped to round out my pillow Headquarters or outside scenarios.

[@cowpuddles4851]

I used a two level coffee table asCobra HQ. The secret entrance was by moving a couch cushion next to it. Good times! We just made use of what we had.

[@drozwalker9]

@@cowpuddles4851 Right on, a little use of our imagination can go a long way for sure.

[@jordel2010]

That skit was pretty hilarious, totally loved it.

[@orainpax0430]

Happy birthday HooedCobraCommander788 mine was the 24th.

[@danielphillipsmusic9145]

I had a few of the small playsets when I was a kid. One of my friends had The HQ, and I eventually got the TBP for the Christmas before I dipped out of Joe. Y'know, in hindsight it's the small playsets and vehicles that I remember so fondly. The Watch Tower, Forward Observer Unit, Cobra Bunker, SNAKE Armor and Night Landing gave me hours of truly great creative play. They were easy to relocate to outside and didn't take up a ton of room if you wanted to take them with you on a trip you got dragged along on by adults. I think these might be the true forgotten gems of the original line.

[@Tom_Van_Zandt]

I got this second hand from a garage sale, so all I had was the tower itself, minus the door. I didn't have any of the attachments.

[@RedneckOgre]

The start of the video was complete silliness....and I liked it. 🤣

[@MiKeMiDNiTe-77]

In NZ we didnt have Gi joe proper until 87 😕so we missed out obviously on a lot of good stuff like the amazing Watch Tower, thanks to eBay etc I can own items like this 👍😁

[@tblake1]

Great review The Watch Tower may have had a few issues but like you pointed out it was some thing every kid could have also a late Happy birthday

[@new2vero2]

Thank You HCC788.. Yes the WatchTower isn’t as glamorous as HQ... But as HCC788 mentioned not every kid was able to afford.. I’m proud to say .. I was one. When I see the WatchTower... I think of my parents.. chasing the American Dream... mom worked at Woolworth store and was going to Nursing school at Rutgers University ( why I’m a Legacy). My father Vietnam Vet drove two hrs to work.. so I remember the scarifies .. I remember my mom saying “ one day after I graduated I’ll get you the big one like your friends have “ ... I said “ NO” .. I LOVE this and I do not need that... To Everyone- Collecting GIJOE ( and what HCC788 really does) brings US together.. As Americans / or just growing up in 80s/ early 90s ... Thru GIJOE.. we can share our common upbringing..A Brown, Son Of Indian 🇮🇳 immigrants kid growing up outside of Philly and a Caucasian kid growing up outside of Tulsa Oklahoma ( for example) can share common experiences.. be friends... So I LOVE the WatchTower and it should have just as much love as HQ because of everyone’s stories behind the plastic.. excellent job! And thank you!

[@Straight0uttaCrofton]

you should have your own file card

[@k-dawgbroadcasting5444]

GI Joe 39 was my first GI Joe issue back in 1985. It still is awesome for me, and cemented by 3 of my favorite Joes (Gung Ho, Roadblock and Recondo). It is the only thing on my wishlist at Comicon this year because I need a slightly better copy than the raggedy one my old one has become lol

[@michaelterrell9645]

Awesome review HCC788! Would the Cobra Battle Bunker be apart of these battle station from Hasbro?

[@anthonyaustin7730]

That was a hilarious opening

[@TerryTurner]

Attack the Watchtower, No Mercy! 😂😂😂😂😂

[@lordarnold8524]

😭😢 I had 8 of these loose in my collection (4 I decorated for Cobra) and 1 sealed in a mint box. Now I don't have any at all. 😭😢

[@jackloera4600]

Great opening. So corny I was looking for butter. This made my Sunday. I always look forward to the reviews.

[@stevecook3168]

That was mp first GI Joe playset

[@palpatine1975]

Great review.. Now u need to be rich to get the small sets .. 😂.. There are crazy expensive now for complete sets

[@totalrobot]

You gotta own at least TWO of these. Trust me.

[@LukeWarm05]

Great review, I love this little set. But... :/ I hate to bring bad news...the gun and spotlight for the watchtower should be a dark gray, rather than the green gray of the HQ parts. And the flag from your Flagg is a watchtower flag. The Flagg flag should have no yellow border around the GI Joe crest.

[@keithallen151]

Isn't the peg on the watch tower flag pole slightly smaller than the one on the Flagg also.

[@ipokluda]

Nice Uncommon Valour movie reference.

[@BobDog72]

I had the Watchtower but the machine gun and white honor always stay in place a clipped on very well the ladder on the other hand fit in really snug and one of the tabs broke

[@jasonkerest394]

What? No love for Jimi Hendrix or Bob Dylan "All Along the Watchtower"? I'd have to say in retrospect that 1984 was somewhat of a transitional year with the design of playsets and accessories. It seems like this and the Sky Hawk(1984) had issues with peg-in construction design that was corrected for the most part by 1985 & 1986. I had the Checkpoint Alpha and Tactical Battle Platform and the construction of the guns and lights were quite durable. Here is a question I pose to other viewer; Did anyone else ever use the construction of your watch tower/Bivouac/Checkpoint Alpha, etc., as part of your play narrative the GI Joes were putting together themselves? I did, and I had Tollbooth as the construction foreman.

[@tpkadventures7362]

The intro was everything😂!!!

[@roguishpaladin]

Happy birthday weekend, HCC!

[@nosferato140]

I got the watchtower through the flag points.

[@karlfong8216]

Happy birthday

[@kassandraodessa2633]

The small sets are my jam cheap and easy to afford and doesn't take up much space

[@christianhafer9819]

I just picked up a complete one for 30 dollars. Hopefully nothing is broken on it. I asked, but you never know.

[@timothyhance4044]

Always thought low light and bullhorn were best suited for this

[@cobraviper11]

Great review! 😃

[@anionhero]

Great review! I loved this playset as a kid!

[@sirgrunt99]

I would use the Watch Tower as part of Slaughter's Marauders line. for their color match up with this subgroup

[@MrExplodinGuy]

But does it float?

[@10-103M]

I did not get the joke at the beginning until I looked up the toy on ebay Lmao your great man funny stuff.

[@enriqueae7532]

Awesome intro!! Hahaha

[@guitardudeguy3139]

There is a very good non GI Joe watchtower made from elite peacekeepers that is much more sturdier...and easier to carry ..door to door...never got the GI Joe watchtower, but had the Command Center..lucky boy.

[@matthewmoreno2406]

Had me laughing at the beginning.

[@WWJD85]

Very clever intro, I see what you did there. Good Review too.

[@chrisph9910]

Would have gone with the Jimi Hendrix reference

[@randaleastwood6836]

As always excellent review

[@Straight0uttaCrofton]

i had the bivouac AND the howitzer but not this for some reason / =

[@edsalisch4322]

Why did they spell honor not according to the Webster dictionary?

[@greatgibby]

Oh man... That had to be the best intro I've seen in a while lol. So much cheese 🤣🤣🤣

[@mattzach2275]

It seems someone has read the Watchtower or knows of it. :)

[@bigtone7913]

Great review,man!

[@cobraisland2594]

Great review Hoodie CoCo btw can I interest you in sharing the watchtower? lol

[@johannesmakila2459]

So you could say that you can put G.I. Joe figure all alone into Watchtower. Sorry I had to reference Jimmy Hendrix song but it fits this review so well.

[@KevinMurray242]

No reason to get excited 😉

[@jackgoff4668]

HAHAHA!!! Very clever intro.

[@violagreene4643]

Princes kept the view While all the women came and went Barefoot servants, too Outside in the cold distance A wildcat did growl Two riders were approaching And the wind began to howl