Patreon Special Missions: G.I. Joe Killer W.H.A.L.E. (1984)

[@destro319]

Just got my first Killer Whale, only took me 39 years. I bought it in parts, thru several ebay orders for a restoration project. I've heard everyone on YT talk about how fragile this thing is. However, I am very impressed at the quality of it and all it's parts. So much of it feels like it's right out of the box in 1984. I'm convinced that people are just way too hard on these toys. That has been reinforced by videos I've watched of other collectors and vendors who I've seen throw these things around and treat them with little to know care. Which is probably why I keep watching Michael Mercy. He truly appreciates these things.

[@ba6428]

The WHALE is, for me, the best GI Joe vehicle Hasbro produced. Yes, the USS Flagg, yes the Skystriker and Rattler and Hydrofoil, but the Whale was such a versatile toy with loads of features. I got countless hours of play out of mine, and when we opened our pool for the summer, the Whale went in almost as often as I did. Great video as always!

[@JtMills]

They probably abandoned the electronic gimmick when they realized kids would be playing with this thing in the bathtub.

[@irishtexan899]

The WHALE could float for hours in the bathtub without anything added to it. Bottom compartment could be used as storage for depth charges, missles, and bike during transportation to a friend's house

[@cpt.s.seiden]

Great video. I always like the attention to detail in them. I never really grew up with GI Joe since I was more into other things, but seeing your videos has made me want to check out the vehicles especially. Also 7:01 oh they mostly certainly do as they are known to actually mess with prey such as seals by either stranding them on small sheets of ice and constantly ram it until the seal falls into the water, or they will just straight launch the poor seal into the air. Even Great Whites try to avoid them since Orcas have been known to ram in their gills.

[@MarkKantor-w1p]

The hovercraft that you have that compartment was a motor for

[@37Kilo2]

Given that Hasbro is based in Providence, RI, I'm certain the logo on his hat is for the Boston Red Sox. Also, the bell-bottom pants are probably supposed to be part of some U.S. Navy uniform. I was 3 when this came out, but ended up having it when my sister's boyfriend was getting rid of all his childhood toys. It was missing quite a few parts, and other parts were broken, but man, was it still damn cool!

[@bostonrailfan2427]

…and his face is based on Dwight Evans, the longtime Red Sox outfielder adding more to it

[@jasoncheevers370]

The "battery compartment" is actually a place where you would place a block of styrofoam (don't remember if it came with the whale or not, but I think so). The styrofoam kept it afloat.

[@MichaelMercy]

Cool idea!

[@mrjones5025]

Thanks for your reviews! I remember playing with this in my living room floor, such great battles and memories! I appreciate your relaxed review style and bits of humor you throw in. Thank you for not screaming your review like a used car salesman, and thank you for sparking some great memories.

[@AaronENichols80]

I wonder if you put styro-foam in the compartment underneath if that would help it to float? That could be another option for making use of that battery compartment. Great video! Thanks for sharing!

[@thefantasticdrill788]

My dad got this for Christmas of 84, he says it was his favorite joe toy. Unfortunately when he moved out of California, he gave all his joe and mask stuff to his friend...

[@HectorMartinez-si2xy]

See the Killer Whale again is sending me to 1984 Christmas and opened that big box under the tree and found this monster! Thanks for give back this memories !

[@MichaelMercy]

Glad to hear it! Merry Christmas to you and your family, Hector! 🎄

[@HectorMartinez-si2xy]

@@MichaelMercy marry Christmas to you and you family Michael! Spanish ...Feliz Navidad y Prospero Año nuevo!

[@Tha_Protege_BA8]

I was so glad when I saw this on my recommended feed! I love your 80’s toy museum videos ❤️

[@JoeSelf1982]

One of my favorite vehicles as a kid, not just GIJOE, but overall. You definitely got your money's worth for it back in the day. Love the video, Michael. Thank you!

[@MichaelMercy]

Thanks Joe! Have an awesome weekend! :D

[@LastBastian]

Awesome! Thanks for this. Reaquired one of these a couple years ago, and spent considerable time restoring it. Always was one of my absolute favorite Joe vehicles!

[@affoster79]

I met Gregg Berger who voiced Cutter in the cartoon at Retro Toy Con this year. Great guy! Even did the voices for several of the characters to fans at his table. I remember in the cartoon the Joes would jump off the Whale onto the sled as it fired out the opening. Thats how I used it, as a figure was to tricky to jam in the compartment with the sled.

[@IM-xs3uv]

I still remember getting the W.H.A.L.E. for Christmas. So much fun. Nice video, and love the inclusion of Street Hawk music.

[@37Kilo2]

Really cool seeing this one. My older sisters BF was getting rid of his GI Joe toys in the mid 90s, and gave them to us. That's how we got the Killer W.H.A.L.E. Unfortunately, it was missing quite a few pieces, and had some broken parts. Still awesome. I imagine that slot underneath was for a motorized wheel to propel the craft. I always had the impression that the large panel was intended for batteries as well. Battle Beasts! Such an obscure toyline. I had a few of them, but probably could not remember which no matter how hard I tried. I just remember the heat activated stickers on their chests to show their power/element.

[@MrGinoo1]

I REMEMBER GETTING THIS FOR CHRISTMAS IN 1984 BELIEVE IT OR NOT MY GRANDMA GOT IT AT PRICE CLUB BACK THEN THEY CARRIED THE GI JOE LINE. GREAT VIDEO 👍🏻

[@BetaBuxDelux]

MrGinoo1 Your grandma was a real American hero that day. Seriously, good for you!

[@Stormtrooper53]

I thought I heard that the compartment on the bottom was so that you could put foam in there to assist in making the WHALE float. Of course, if it's perfectly sized for some C-cell batteries, that shoots that down.

[@dannycarter5299]

I got this toy for Christmas 1984-85 not sure which but I was so happy . I’ll never forget it . I sold mine in a family yard sale to help my family . But I would totally love to see a new retro release and I’d buy it in a hot second.

[@crushingalldeceivers]

Great video, I had it as a kid, and I have one now in a display case. My favourite vehicle of all time. Even though my childhood one is long gone, the one I have now has a few parts off my childhood one on it which makes me happy and is complete minus 1 cannon ring.

[@drozwalker9]

The W.H.A.L.E is an awesome vehicle loaded with a ton of play features. My buddy down the street had one then I would bring my smaller craft to create our own sea battles. Nice touch of sneaking the Battle Beast on board.

[@MichaelMercy]

Haha, thanks Droz. :D

[@BobHansenJokes]

Perhaps the phantom battery area down below could make a cool hiding spot for a McGuffen device during play. Great review! I never realized it was bigger than the Tomahawk!

[@drawingbyhand]

I use to have this gijoe hover craft whale. nice piece only problem is the plastic is so brittle. the prepellers broke the finns.and the white missiles launcher and wheels underneath. great review Michael.

[@falconhellinga4540]

What a magnificent piece of design and engineering, and a fun and entertaining video! Love your work Michael

[@billpagan3070]

Michael, Wow, I knew that thing was big but never knew exactly how big till your video!👍 I have heard this one was very fragile and now I see why. I love vintage vehicles from different lines but simply do not have the room. Thanks for allowing me to live through you through these videos. Yo Joe!!!😁

[@J_Lee712]

Blame the crossovers and Earth Wars but would dig seeing Seaspray in the Whale colors.

[@biglou9776]

Cutter was possibly inspiration for Marty McFly's outfit in Back to the Future

[@F.C.Sneakerfactory]

Amazing review. So much detail went into these 80s toys. So 🔥🔥. I’m looking for one of these that clean, 100% complete and no broken pieces. Really hard to find. Gorgeous piece. Thank you so much for this review. I learned so much

[@MrCAcompora]

Think Cutter was either a play on Wade Boggs or Bill Buckner. At the time this came out, was more likely Boggs. I re purchased this in the early 2000’s on Bay. Was nowhere near the prices it goes for now. I probably paid close to a thousand back then to get the majority of the 82 to 85 joes and playsests again. Think it would be over twice that now. Crazy! Of course with time, supply of toys in good to better shape is probably dwindling sharply. Loved the toy, but I really dig that box art!

[@bostonrailfan2427]

close, it’s Dwight Evans…Boggs was just starting when it was drawn up so Boggs wouldn’t have been the choice

[@josephlowry4320]

I love this video Michael, makes me wish that I was around in the 80s growing up and play with this awesome toy, YO JOE!

[@Davey-kp9eb]

The one on the commercial in the 80s had a bigger compartment ramp for figures, a ejected sled system in front,and it floated and no wheels! My friend had one and the bottom was one piece,no compartment! Maybe this one was a refurbished one!

[@drfaireborn1582]

Thanks for this. This was timely as I am just starting the process of restoring my childhood Whale. I have some parts on the way.

[@Whiteshell204]

*Take me back to the 80’s* 😔

[@BrianMillerCEO]

Yes please!!!

[@tycondrius23]

I always feel that my Killer whale is gonna snap in half when I take it out. mine is the AF version of it too . all the same bells and whistles just different stickers. still came with Cutter.

[@christopherlacher3544]

Thanks for the great video. Love the GIJOE reviews. My favorite. Still dont have this one yet. Not for lack of trying. 👍👍👍😁😄😊PS the bench was from MASH

[@BrianMillerCEO]

I can't believe how well preserved that WHALE is! Amazing find.

[@cronocomics]

One of the greatest G.I. Joe vehicle of all times. When I was a kid I wanted one but it was out of budget for mom so I built my own using packaging foam. It was a lot of fun and it actually floated!

[@jonnym4670]

Way creative i still remember cutting myself with my dads exacto knife that i snuck trying to cut packing foam into a toy that was the same year i got the gi joe aircraft carrier

[@M60A3]

As they say: Fine, I’ll do it myself

[@solidus0079]

I loved the WHALE, I had a lot of fun adventures with mine. Also, I don’t remember the sled’s windscreen (?) flying off like that. They sure put a lot of detail into those vehicles though!

[@chrismayer3919]

I myself, added extra control panel decals and an APC steering wheel to my W.H.A.L.E. for extra realism. (BYAM, it wouldn't have killed Hasbro to include an extra decal or two for the W.H.A.L.E. control panel...) In addition, I found dollhouse hinges can be glued to a vane setup for not only repair, but actual FUNCTIONALITY!

[@kodaspaws]

23:42 - when I was a kid, I filled it with 'cut to size' styrofoam, and the whale would float, kinda.

[@bostonrailfan2427]

Cutter is from the USCG Academy which is an hour and a half from Boston plus he’s based off of Dwight Evans, the Red Sox’s longtime outfielder…there’s no coincidence that he sports the Red Sox cap

[@JGARCIA2012FULL]

I almost cried like a baby when I lost a last second bid on Ebay for $38, with free shipping in 2007, gave the guy time so he could make a counter offer, almost complete like new, came with two figures including Snake Eyes V.2,Timber and Cutter in very good condition, all missiles and depth charges, the scooter, turning gear working, extremely clean underside and body, box in good condition, just remembering is too much!

[@3797ID]

my boy Alex had this bad boy growing up, we’d spend hours playing in his house combining our collections was a site to behold *shouts 2 his dad Who 4 sum reason had the FLAGG set up in the living room but would never let us play w/it* 🤷🏽‍♂️🤦🏽‍♂️ #GreatTimes 🤩🤩🤩

[@mxp2392]

Love your vids

[@SamuraiGhostGirl]

Love videos and especially enjoyed your livestream yesterday.

[@greenlanternhg5141]

Wasn’t Cuter based on a baseball player? 🤔 man I would’ve love that vehicle to pieces 😂 at this point any Joe vehicle does it for me 😁 Great video Mr Mercy 👍🏽✌🏽

[@marcryan1974]

Wade Boggs of the Boston Red Sox.

[@bostonrailfan2427]

@@marcryan1974 it’s Dwight Evans(different style mustache)…but Boggs did inspire one of the others in name

[@danielgray2909]

Wow just perfect man the greatest way to begin my Monday morning... 9:20 😄😄😆😆

[@jamespero6803]

I have a complete whale that displays great but has some issues especially the little pieces that hold the landing ramp and the ramp for the sled. It seems like the black plastic is more brittle then the green. I was thinking about upgrading but with how delicate they are im super hesitant

[@gameboypunk660]

I had the W.HA.L.E growing up got it from Value Village for a couple of bucks missing everything but I still had a blast with it.

[@theronmitchell3073]

Awesome, had this as a kid thank you for the review

[@Toybountyhunter1974]

Ah one of the vehicles I never got as a kid but I'm currently rebuilding one. Buying parts for it over time. Gotta have something for my Moray Eel (Which I just finished rebuilding the one from my childhood) to shoot at.

[@BennyLlama39]

I admit I'm not an engineer, but could a hovercraft's power plant handle something like this? You'd think the weapons platform would add a *lot* of weight and electrical usage.

[@alfr83]

Fantastic review of an amazing toy ! Have you ever tried to put batteries in the compartment to see which ones would fit ?

[@tkvids1377]

The holy Grail for me! Never did get it, someday I'll pull the trigger on it :)

[@steadyflow3790]

How would the whale move when the props and rudders are above water?

[@tstewart3034]

Late, but it's air powered. Super fans with rudders to turn. It glides over water and land.

[@ScottWaa]

It would be great if you could find some of the product designers.

[@MichaelMercy]

I’ve asked some of them if they would like to have a chat but never got responses.

[@adrianoalvesmachado3448]

hello friend how many vehicles does the G i have

[@Taipan108]

I agree that the mysterious space underneath the W.H.A.L.E was probably first meant for a battery compartment, but I reckon they thought better of it because they figured kids would get the vehicle wet, thereby causing a hazard.

[@damonbonetti671]

My son Julian says that the bottom hatch should be full of more depth charges to drop on EELS!

[@markm4033]

I didn't get one until my 20s lol. I have 2 now. Hope you have been watching the coppa law that's sweeping KZbin lately. What will you do with your channel? So I won't miss anything, I'm subscribing to your channel.

[@bostonrailfan2427]

the cartoon didn’t do this vehicle justice: it was badass in the comics, with the weapons showing hoe deadly it could be

[@evanscott9473]

I love replacing their O rings. It's therapeutic.

[@chalupacabra1727]

If you wedge a piece of styrofoam into that square compartment underneath the hover craft it helps it float in water better. FYI.

[@MichaelMercy]

Thanks for the tip!

[@chalupacabra1727]

@@MichaelMercy Any time. I enjoy your content and look forward to more of it. Keep up the excellent work, and thank you for all of your time and effort.

[@alexlindbjerg]

Based on the placement og the gun Cutter is left handed. Isn't that unusual for a G.I. Joe character?

[@shifty0212]

I believe that bench is actually from a MASH playset.

[@solidtom81]

One of ny absolut fav. Vehicels...Hell Yeah...🤘

[@shibauniverseroblox2300]

I have this guy and I love it it’s just as a 10 year old who likes gi joe toys from the 80s it’s gonna be hard to find kids who have this stuff too but I have enough gi joe stuff to play by my self witch if u want to have a army u need gun accessories wich I don’t realy have but hand to hand isn’t so bad I hope u see this man and I enjoy all your videos as I like the 1985 video for gi joe thanks for making cool content

[@agnethaladuff8559]

Very cool review of the awesome G.I. Joe Killer W.H.A.L.E.

[@CarlBeatty]

My missle boxes are lose. I do however have some repro stickers coming. My whale is under construction, but trying to get it back into its prime!

[@dalesanteford7432]

I would like to see who had the killer whale my brother just had a lot of the vehicles from g.i. Joe I think they resold it in the 90s with with a mailbox giveaway

[@leiasolo1]

I got the whale and the tactical battle platform for Christmas I. 84. I loved playing in the water with both these p!aysets!being I couldn't afford the flagg,but I did get the terror drome,so it was still a win!

[@MichaelMercy]

What a Christmas!

[@eltenda]

Another great video

[@aaronchildress9642]

Got it for Christmas best Christmas bath ever lol

[@simplericksfreedomwafersel7342]

Just bought one still in box. Only missing a couple peices. $150. My childhood

[@dionstube]

I definitely played with mine in the pool when I was a kid.

[@MiguelTorres-xy4ck]

Increíble Michael Mercy, Saludos desde Chile

[@MichaelMercy]

Thank you.

[@MrRjsnowden]

The WHALE loved it so much. How many of the missels did everyone loose??

[@BrianB77]

Great vehicle. Definitely looks like was supposed to be battery powered.

[@sirgrunt99]

The under part is were I keep my exert weapon at when I had it as a kid

[@ProjectStrum]

Cut a squre piece of Styrofoam for the under compartment for extra float .

[@Mangastreamin]

I have hovercraft my happy days of kid is inside , nice video

[@steve_jackson9933]

I remember thinking that was an amazing vehicle that I never had.

[@Italiantonio76]

Only thing better than the Killer WHALE is the Night Striker!

[@masterblastertoys]

They probably decided against batteries because of kids putting it in water to play with

[@CarlBeatty]

I have no vanes.

[@walterwright8454]

Maybe they were worried that with a battery powered props, kids would get their fingers caught in them. I know our generation played with Jarts, but who knows.

[@aprilcarlton1167]

The killer whale is the coldest water vehicle

[@SWAGG_MSSIAH]

my dad didn't have the whale but instead he had the F.L.A.G.G

[@peejay4606]

Yo Joe

[@konstantinkoverchenko9587]

Hasbro needs to stop hoarding the specs and re-release the 3 3/4 vehicles. ~_~

[@JBar]

the w should have just stood for Water

[@spot138]

Go Sox!

[@tete8206]

My dad didin´t bought me the whale, 50 usd of that time, was a lot of money.

[@marcryan1974]

Awwwwwsome!!

[@alxjso8362]

i have one on sale..... it´s almost complete if some one it´s looking for one.