Armadillo Tank With Steeler G.I. Joe 25th Anniversary Review

[Shogi]

Like all of the first wave of vehicles, the Amadillo looks like an exact replication of the original Armadillo Mini Tank. But that first glance can always be decieving. The foot pegs on the back have been retooled for the new figures and there are now clear plastic headlights on the front like all the new wave 1 GI Joe vehicles (Cobra doesn't get such luxuries, but we'll talk about that in another review) Also there is a new revovable grill on the front that has an engine underneath it.

There are two new additions we haven't ever seen in the accessories that come with the Armadillo. The saddle bag and basket have hooks that allow them to hang on the sides at various points. This is an ingenious inclusion due to the fact that Armadillo originally had the slots down both sides already! The only problem with the new accessories is that they can fall off very easily since they just hang off the sides.

The turret can rotate to either side and the quad barrells elevate and lower. Due to the open nature of the turret, any figure can fit into this vehicle with no problems at all.

This mini tank is a solid piece of plastic that doesn't have any fragility at all and faithfully reproduces the original with a couple of small additions.

Vehicle Rating: 8 1/2 out of 10

[Shogi]

Steeler has the same generic greenshirt body we saw with Clutch, including those Duke arms and that Snake-Eyes knife sheath (If you read the Clutch review, you know how I feel about that knife sheath) There is an all new head covered with the same generic helmet that came with Roadblock. There is a new removable web belt that is quintessential Steeler. Also included with this figure is a knife and a GI Joe stand. He has the same ankle holster as Clutch, but there is no gun for it. (Apparently, I got a set that was missing the gun as two others have reported that they got ankle guns with their Steeler)

As a generic greenshirt, this is a good figure. Sure he may have Duke arms but if he's driving the Armadillo, it doesn't look bad. However, this isn't some generic greenshirt, this is Steeler! He has a unique face sculpt with the same thin nose the original Steeler had, unfortunately that is where the good ends. The helmet has no holes so there's no possibility of attaching any visor without cutting it. Where Hasbro had a stroke of brilliance with Clutch's jacket over the generic greenshirt torso, with steeler, they dropped the ball. They could have used an Ace torso with the new web belt, or made a jacket like they did with Clutch that uses the web belt in the mold. Either of these would give the new Steeler figure a more classic look than the generic one he has now. They also could have used the Cobra Trooper arms instead of Duke's. I'm sure using the same body as Clutch was done to save cost and get us a cheaper costing vehicle but still, I woulda liked a bit more.

Figure Rating: 6 out of 10

[MAJOR WOLF]

Another Great review Shogi!

[Agent-GHQ]

A well done set!

[Viper Officer]

Thanks Shogi...You just made me more anxious. I cant keep witing for my set to arrive(BBTS shipped them on 7/9)..... I will go hunting for more!!! TODAY!

[foor]

Great reviews as always. My set of vehicles couldn't get to me sooner!

[Crimson Rage]

I'm impressed again. My only moan was the green colour they used... it's a little sickly and would have been better matching the VAMP (not because the original did: I just think it would be better!)
I like Steeler more than I thought I would too - I gave him a Sandviper helmet and he now looks the part in my motorised unit.

[fogger1138]

He has the same ankle holster as Clutch, but there is no gun for it.


No? My Steeler had the gun...

[statesofeuphoria]

No? My Steeler had the gun...

As does mine. the Armadillo is awesome (never thought i would say that) It is a great update over the original. the air chariot on the other hand...well i thought it was ghastly in '86 and my opinion has lowered a bit since then.

[Shogi]

No? My Steeler had the gun...

As does mine. the Armadillo is awesome (never thought i would say that) It is a great update over the original. the air chariot on the other hand...well i thought it was ghastly in '86 and my opinion has lowered a bit since then.

huh, maybe I just got hosed then :)

[Flame Viper]

Great reviews as always. My set of vehicles couldn't get to me sooner!

Agreed, very good review. I think it is a great update from the original. Love the saddle bag.

Wish the color could have been a little darker though. Other than that, I think Hasbro did a fine job.

[fogger1138]

huh, maybe I just got hosed then :)

That would suck. Mine was in the bag with the stands - maybe it's stuck under one of the stands?

[artiepants]

I really can't wait to get this, the Armadillo alone is worth the $15 to me (i'm gonna make Bazooka the driver). Steelers not as bad as i thought with that new head ~ i thought from the earlier pics he either had Red Star or Flash's head. (although i might take his head + w.4CP Duke and make Grunt)

[RolandofGilead]

I'm still disappointed about the visor. Would it have cost all that much more to include one? Speaking of which, does anyone know if I would be able to use the one from last year's Joe Con Steeler, or a vintage visor?

[artiepants]

I'm still disappointed about the visor. Would it have cost all that much more to include one?

with how tremendously craptacular that Serpentor is anyway, they shoulda' just left out his helmet and included Steeler's visor :p

[RolandofGilead]

You're right. I just picked this set up at lunch and I have no idea what I'm going to do with the Sepentor and Chariot. The Armadillo is cool, and Steeler looks better than I thought. I'm going to see if the visor from my Convention Steeler can be squeezed to fit and I'll be happy. Otherwise, I'm interested in buying a vintage or accessory pack visor from anyone with an extra.

[USAgent]

Nice review. Still glad I passed on it though (the only vehicle I want is the trouble bubble but haven't seen it yet) When I put it back on the shelf a lil' old lady (80ish) snatched it up along with a 12" Cobra trooper. Hopefully they're headed to a grandchild that will get lots of good play value from them :)

[MrClean]

My Steeler has mismatched boots. On one, the top is green like the pants cuff, the other is brown like a boot top. the one in your pic doesn;t look that way, so apparently I got a bad one. (I won't call it the "V" word either)

[Monkeywrench]

Good review. My Steeler also has his gun

[Prince of Fire & Thunder]

Not only did my Steeler not have the gun, he didn't even have the sheath. Just a leg with the appropriate socket to glue it to.

Or was that my Clutch? I've got to go look again.

[RolandofGilead]

Mine had his gun and helmet in the same bag as their stands. I looked all over but couldn't find any sign of his visor. ;)

[Octane]

I'm still disappointed about the visor. Would it have cost all that much more to include one? Speaking of which, does anyone know if I would be able to use the one from last year's Joe Con Steeler, or a vintage visor?

Nope the included helmet is too small to accept the visor. Also, a Breaker does accept a vintage visor, but the helmet is way too big for the head.

[jjk1120]

I think Steeler's face looks like Mike Rowe from Dirty Jobs...

[GIshawn]

Quote:
Originally Posted by fogger1138
No? My Steeler had the gun...

Quote:
Originally Posted by statesofeuphoria
As does mine. the Armadillo is awesome (never thought i would say that) It is a great update over the original. the air chariot on the other hand...well i thought it was ghastly in '86 and my opinion has lowered a bit since then.

I remember someone else commenting on the fact that they did not get the gun, as well. It was when the vehicles first dropped.

[murphbri]

Nice review Shogi! I liked how you pointed out what was new/different. I look forward to your review of the DVD packs when you get a chance. :D

[Steel Brigade]

Nice Review!! I love the Armardillo!!
PS: My Steeler came with a gun too... sorry man.

[flywheels]

Now this is a vehicle I look forward to buying!

[RolandofGilead]

Quick update, I tried my Convention Steeler's visor, and with a little squishing and squeezing it looks pretty damned good. I am now happy with this figure and glad to have him. The Armadillo isn't so bad either. If I push the figure down low enough, he doesn't look too ridiculous sitting in the open turret.

[Sy-Rein]

Not only did my Steeler not have the gun, he didn't even have the sheath. Just a leg with the appropriate socket to glue it to.

Or was that my Clutch? I've got to go look again.

I just opened my Steeler/Armadillo as well and he was also missing his gun holster.

I was hoping it fell off and was in the Armadillo but after poping it out, no such luck. :(

The Armadillo is awesome though!

Oh my Steeler did come with a gun though, just no holster.

[dbuchan]

The wave one tanks finally arrived at my local canadain walmart yesterday. I guess it takes few months to put a english/french sticker on the front and add french file cards to the package. On the plus side I did get the gun, the knife and two holsters.

[Lt.Steeler]

Why Can't Steeler have a damn visor

[JR0d28]

I took the Short Fuze body from the UBP and head swapped Steelers head on it, luckilly at time I had an extra Duke Greenshirt body for SF. No luck on helmet so I repainted a CP Hawk helmet to match uniform, then ditched the clear visor and popped on Steeler visor that I got in a bag of old Joe weapons and such. So I figured the darker greenshirt look makes him look like an officer rather than an enlisted.