G.I. Joe: Custom Vintage Vehicles

#retroblasting #gijoe #customtoys
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Michael discusses the custom G.I. Joe vintage vehicles in his collection, from Mechanix, Two Cents Toys, and Nok'd Up Customs.

[@cyberius7042]

I've never been enamored with the Tiger Force redecos either, but my god the work they put into that Skystriker to make it look like a genuine production piece is breathtaking.

[@mattdavis5603]

Death, taxes, and Michael having a badass Kylie Minogue shirt.

[@markstevens9249]

Speaking as a Model Railroader, I've been there. The manufacturer makes a an engine, but you don''t like the railroad, but then a custom painter repaints one in a railroad you love, and you suddenly go "Gimme, Gimme" In fact my first Diesel Engine was a custom one in Amtrak livery because no one had made one in my gauge yet. (Thank you Dad)(It was 1980, no one made an Amtrak set in S Gauge until 1992 in mass Production!) A good customizer can take a so so item, and turn it into WOW!

[@makishepard]

Would be awesome if the Skystriker was a Veritech Fighter.

[@jessecowled5764]

I tried it and i destroyed a perfectly good sky striker in the process

[@makishepard]

@Jesse Cowled wow.. good effort anyway.

[@machineman6498]

It would involve a LOT of scratch building. I think you can use the wings, the cockpit up to the “chest fold”, tail fins, and the center back fin unit. Legs, arms, feet, and some of the shoulders is all on you. Joints can be Wave P-caps. 😉 Still worth it though!

[@KensToyz]

​@@jessecowled5764 I attempted one as well. Utter and complete failure.

[@williestyle35]

It would be easiest to put all the SkyStriker markings and decals on a Veritech kit ( BanDai, Yamati made "unfinished" kits that transform, Wave and Hasegawa make model kits of the modes ). All the Macross VF - 1 and VF - 0 fighters are similar to SkyStrikers in they are both modeled on the U S Navy F - 14 fighter. ☺

[@TroyPacelli]

Fans are doing the best work!

[@RobertHMayfire]

Your chrome X-19 Phantom gives me Flight of the Navigator vibes.😍

[@rebelscum5590]

I love that chrome jumbo pizza slice

[@Christian-xc9bh]

Michael French your retro objective views and feelings for future toys is why you will make a difference.

[@Ashrudel]

Wow, never knew someone was making custom G.I. vehicles. Those look amazing.

[@Fauntleroy.]

Pretty pretty vehicles. It didn't even click with me that the Sky Striker was a custom. I thought you were just including it as an example of the alternate decos from back in the day. Awesome work.

[@ZakuMatt]

The F-14 Tomcat is such an iconic plane, it looks great in almost any paint scheme.

[@christianbrix4311]

You're right. The more I think about it, I really wanna see a purple one with yellow polka dots

[@Hydrus496]

As a current aircraft mechanic and a US Air Force veteran, any time I see a real modern warfighter jet painted in, what I call a unnatural color scheme, I just get giddy. There is just something about looking at a plane that can plant warheads on foreheads in a crazy paint job that's just satisfying. Even a toy version has the same effect. Those customs are fantastic, but that Sky striker is the cherry on top. Sweet collection.

[@HankyPanky44]

I love how your original Conquest looks so adorably cockeyed with the way the eye stickers are applied😄

[@ANIMUS97]

VERY cool stuff. Thanks for the share, Michael 👍

[@pederwise6529]

The great thing about the tiger force jets is there were real jets painted in tiger schemes each year for the tiger meet. Countries participating won awards for the best tiger schemes.

[@jasonmaiden5026]

That artic Hiss tank looks awesome!

[@captainobvious9233]

I'd love to collect G.I Joe vehicles, but I don't have the room for them. I do have a collection of most of the G1 Transformers though. I would love to get my hands on a Cobra Moray Hydrofoil though. That was my favorite vehicle and spent countless hours playing with it in the pool.

[@PelinalDidNothingWrong]

I'm not into G.I Joe BBBBUUUUUTTTTT this video makes me wanna customise some Warhammer 40k vehicles for G.I Joe. Imagine the Joes riding on a Baneblade Super Heavy Tank or Cobra using Rhino's to deploy troops!

[@christianbrix4311]

I was never a fan of the garish Tiger Force, but what looks great about that Skystriker is that it's less canary yellow and more orange, you know, like a tiger... Also love your cross-eyed Conquest! :) Great video, and really nice customs. Nok'd Up Customs are amazing, hopefully he can do you a nice chrome Coastal Defender soon. Who wouldn't want a shiny shedmobile?

[@surrealcereal603]

This was a GREAT video. Thanks for sharing your stuff with us.

[@CuteFluff8]

OMG! That chrome! 🫨🤩🤩

[@lancer737]

I want that Tiger F-14 / Skystriker bad.

[@AmigaCammy]

Wow, nice shirt!

[@impossiblepie]

I think all the customs look great but the Sky Striker is my favourite. Thanks for sharing Michael.

[@KevinArcade87]

X19 in full black would look awesome too tbh

[@J-T-A]

This needs the Predator Epic Handshake meme with the text "Custom Toy Vehicle Collectors" on one side and "Fast & The Furious Ricers" on the other side with "Gaudy Custom Paint Jobs" in the middle.

[@ThePolishBader]

Yes.

[@francoisregis2155]

Cool fun to see your custom vehicles I did something cool with a Awe striker I painted it like silver it turned out really well. Its really impressive to see the chrome on your planes the x-19 look really cool its even better than the original. Thanks Michael for sharing parts of your collection

[@autobotlaserbolt2128]

Great review as always Michael! Keep up the great work!

[@jaymeangeeks]

That conquest 😮😮… all too are too cool …!

[@derektorres6260]

That TF skystriker is awesome!!! I wish I had kept my NF one intact.

[@aworldmadeofcardboard3692]

Very nice! They do look very good. As kids, many of us rebuilt our toys to make new ones. We put out hearts and imaginations to the task of making our own new toy. A good customizer puts their heart into their work. It makes the end result a product of their own joys and wishes. They work hard to make it beautiful. These three little toys just shine.

[@campbellrule5728]

Bloody beautiful mate. Truly awesome work

[@andrewtaylor940]

If you are willing to play around with a small (or decent depending on how far you want to take it) amount of modelling work, The two large 4" scale ships from "Lightyear", the XL-01 and XL-15 customize into some amazing GI Joe vehicles. The XL-15 has enough room to turn it into a 2 seat "Super Conquest". The ships have been on clearance lately.

[@CollectingStarWars]

Rock On! Love these Customs! Great Video, Michael 🤟🤩

[@beaker126]

I really love the early jet age bare metal look of the chrome Conquest!

[@gerainthorton8980]

I have my Joe's out for my kids to play with. I ended up buying a custom Snow Cat done in army green. I love it and that is one time I am glad the kids don't play with toys too much as it shouldn't get damaged.

[@vinnyboomba9948]

Awesome commentary...love those customs!

[@jamesstaggs4160]

That white HISS tank is awesome. My parents started buying me GI Joe around 1985 so while I had awesome stuff like the Mauler, Night Raven, the Moray, and even the damn Terrordome, I missed out on things like the HISS and the Rattled. I wanted a Rattler especially bad. Plus Cobra always had cooler stuff than Joe did.

[@JohnDoe-tm9wz]

Incredible video guys! 🙌🏻

[@jkraich5317]

I didn’t know people customized gi joe vehicles. I customize Star Wars ships, add engine lights, cockpit lights and weathering. Maybe I should try gi joe

[@cannonballkid]

That shirt is awesome.

[@PlainKen]

That's how Im feeling about Batman TAS Kenner figures. If I can't get the OG figures I just have to get the reissues.

[@4713Caine]

I'm with you I love the chrome sky patrol paint job on both the sky stryker and the X19 stealth fighter. Definitely enhances both planes a lot.

[@georgeaitken2719]

I love that tiger force custom sky striker it’s so good I thought they released it at retail

[@CyrusB1]

Just like Yale could use an International airport, the world requires a chrome-accented X-wing

[@alanblyth9730]

I would pay good money for MASK versions of these

[@jessehaaland7689]

Awesome video.i love finding beat up vehicles for gi Joe!

[@Tinytraveler]

GI Joe is still my love, seeing people customize these toys makes me smile. Our love for our hobbies, manifests itself in many forms. Customized toys like these are fantastic and really showcases how talented some in our community are. Another really really well edited video Micheal, always enjoy your content!

[@brianrobinson2962]

Just awesome mate

[@new2vero2]

What is interesting is after the F-117 was “ deactivated “ … sightings of a “ chrome” F-117 where spotted… I point this out because of your Sky Patrol Conquest and the Sky Patrol Night Raven … turned out to be a real World application.. ( be it experimental and off the records) … loooove this video

[@nickfrancis]

That Conquest would've been perfect for my second favorite sub team, the Sky Patrol!👍🏾

[@SargesCustoms]

Awesome customs! 3-3/4 vehicle customs are my passion. I remember repaiting my HISS back in 2002 to the white colors of the Republic, sticking those 2002 clone troopers with the wonky legs into the hatches and slapping a Republic crest on the back. Lord help the day you get into 3D printing. Like your Bespin playset, the amount of detail and 3D files available for vehicles are insane. I have an Imperial focus and my TIE variants might be a little off the hook. Apparently, I need to look into metal vac because those jets look off the hook. Great vid as always, Michael and RB! Thanks for this one!

[@tntsk868]

The fans are doing the best work.

[@Dark.Shingo]

What I love about this channel, while not being a collector myself, is how you share your feelings and passion about the things you like and I identify with these feelings myself in the rare instances I collect stuff.

[@pkeel7576]

Excellent video

[@leeprice2849]

That Conquest X-30 is still the coolest custom Gi Joe vehicle I've seen. Still perplexing that Hasbro didn't make it part of Sky Patrol. I'm going to attempt a Tomahawk in early 1980's Gi Joe green and in Navy grey.

[@tompach5]

Is that a Street Fighter Cammy Kylie Minogue t-shirt... I need that shirt in my life!

[@LionheartRacingSeries]

First glance the TF Sky Striker looked like a mainline release. Really nice job there. I definitely think theres a market for customs.

[@mzeroxx69]

just over the past month the Lightyear toys have caught my Eye for customizing... need to find those plasma drills... under rated toy line!!

[@MiKeMiDNiTe-77]

Awesome video Michael I love hearing your views on things. I was always crazy about Tiger Force and Python Patrol.... love them and you've got some really beautiful customs there it's amazing how great something can look when it's chromed up.

[@ShowNuffDaKing]

My fav GI Joe Vehicle hands down is the 2000s RHINO

[@frompartsunknownweighingin9557]

That chrome Conquest needs some Sky Patrol decals.👍💯

[@retroblasting]

It has them already. Get your prescription checked.

[@frompartsunknownweighingin9557]

@@retroblasting I need to.😄 (Was watching at work, so missed a few deets, obviously 😄)

[@macandee7799]

Love that chrome Conquest! Looks like something out of the late 50's/early 60's.

[@travisboyle285]

The H.I.S.S. tank is cool.

[@mikegeorge8132]

When will Michael have a site where I can order all the t-shirts he wears?

[@RocketBlastPodcast]

Gorgeous customs. Totally understand the desire to get the originals first and foremost, but damn some of these are way better than the originals (heretic! I know, I know)

[@sharkMac]

I love the Tiger Force figures, not the vehicles. I also like snake team too, but the Stunner is the only vehicle from that set.Great clip! Keep up the great work

[@COLLECTIONCONNECTION]

I'm excited to see what comes across your "desk" in the future!! Tiger force USS FLAGG?!!

[@SQLJedi]

Next up for your collection is a chromed out Skystriker??? I know what you mean about reaching across the metaphorical picket line to fill in gaps in one's collection.... It's one of the reasons I bought alot of modern releases of SW vehicles. As a kid I never collected Gijoe, but my next door neighbor had a ton of the Gijoe toys many of the ones you mentioned. Keep up the great videos

[@asgads]

The skystriker looks awesome, also great size

[@kingerikthegreatest.ofall.7860]

Nice customizations.

[@colton5604]

I also dislike the Tiger force line, but that Skystriker looks so good!

[@galenkelly4859]

The conquests pilot, the figure, not the card art always looked funny to me. His head was huge lol

[@davudandrews2665]

Cool video Mike. I do have original of the conquest and the phantom on my flag .The version that you have is spectacular. And also of the tiger force skystriker.

[@michaelpytel3280]

What about a Tiger Force ... Snowspeeder ?

[@AL-ws5yi]

I love GI Joe! But I can’t tell you a dang thing about their vehicles except what was on the 80’s cartoon. Lol

[@davidkanengieter]

Your Tiger Force viewpoint is exactly how I felt. I bought TF just to have a rattler, vamp, and dragonfly.

[@BrotherRobbie]

I'm a lot like that with the G1 Transformers line...if you see effort in customs, you want to reward the creator and yourself, and these are SO nice! Every beautifully devised and developed! Solid work!

[@RicQuintanilla]

hmmm a chrome Mamba.... I might have to bust mine out of storage. and fire up the air brush and molotow chrome.

[@the13thprince]

that is a nice HISS Tank.

[@machineman6498]

Big fan of customs! And I agree on settling for a good enough redeco because it’s all that’s out there and end up loving the design. Funny thing, not much of a collector but bought the Haslab Skystriker for the specific reason to customize it. Someday….

[@steko9465]

Best of luck at JoeFest THIS year to add to your "Ugly Duckling Squadron".

[@luna-hw9li]

actually, the Skystriker in tiger colors isn't that ridiculous. There is a regular NATO exercise called "Tiger meet" where they give the planes such expressive paint jobs. In this specific case I would also just say that your Skystriker looks really awesome. It really stands out.

[@retroblasting]

I'm aware of the Tiger Meet, but that's not a combat application, and in G.I. Joe we are told they use them in combat.

[@jedi69outcast]

@@retroblasting in all your travels have you seen Any customs of the Queens starship from Episode 1? I seen two years ago where a guy made a Cobra Starship and another made a Cobra Submarine version

[@dixonsimpkins905]

I remember reading somewhere that the Hasbro guy that came up with Tiger Force was literally inspired by the Tiger Meet livery

[@violagreene4643]

Never cared for the Conquest, but the Python Patrol version speaks to me. The design just seems to fit Cobra better.

[@mwc1707]

Here's hoping you find that chromed Cobra Pogo in the future. 😛

[@hillbillyharper4008]

Those are amazing. I'd love to get your thoughts on the havoc I customized

[@coollectionFun]

Crazy when you listen to other collectors and see how much you have in common.

[@cyric2010]

I think the chrome would look great on pretty much anything. Who doesn't like shininess?

[@retroblasting]

A chrome bivouac shelter? I don't think so.

[@konstantinkoverchenko9587]

The whole Tiger Force/ Python Patrol gimmick definitely was a jumping the shark moment. However, in theory it only proved Destro was a great salesman. 🌝

[@The_Jawnski]

Nice.

[@skabcat242]

Wow...That Conquest looks way better in chrome.

[@Equint77]

Those chrome custom vehicle’s look great. I had the cobra raven as a kid and tried to make it shinier so i used lemon pledge. 🤦‍♂️

[@jonboldrey5339]

Tiger striker wow!

[@hgc7000]

Your Sky Striker situation is very similar to mine. I missed out on the original, really got into the line 1985/1986 time frame. When Night Force was available, I tried to sweet talk my parents into getting the Night Boomer variant at the TRU, (can't remember my workstation login, but I remember being at the Northlake TRU, and seeing 4 Night Boomers, discounted too!) but got a hard "no!" Fast forward a few decades, and I saw that resissue/redsign Skystriker in the smokey/flat gray motiff Silent Strike version, and jumped all over it. The 90's Joe F-16 variant and the two "water squirter" jets. Storm Eagle and Liquidator, would be great candidates for the "chrome" treatment.

[@Mvargo97]

Yeah I need to finally pick something up from his booth this year. They really look great. I almost picked up that Tiger Force Skystriker on the Friday last year

[@blaisenovak4925]

A chromed out Defiant would be amazing.

[@samsvintagerepairs867]

I love that Tiger Force Sky Striker! I normally don't like the Tiger Force stuff, but the paint work works great on it! Dose the collector/company that made it have a facebook page?

[@MichaelJShaffer]

Some truly beautiful customs.

[@johnkozlowski8782]

I have theX19 phantom in my collection with the original colors.

[@timetobobsponge728]

Tiger force Skystriker looks like a bandit coyote 😂 Lol