|
Community Links |
Social Groups |
Pictures & Albums |
Members List |
Search Forums |
Advanced Search |
Go to Page... |
|
Thread Tools |
02-14-2021, 11:26 PM | #1 |
Crimson Guard
Join Date: Aug 2020
Location: Boston
Posts: 1,359
|
3DJoes has been doing yeoman's work recently by transcribing all the accessory descriptions from the original action figure cardbacks - you know, the tiny and often overlooked text usually hidden right next to the edge of the figure blister. As I've been browsing through these, I've noticed a few instances where the accessories list is confusing or doesn't match what actually came with the figure.
Sneak Peek's list says: "Includes: walkie-talkie, binoculars, M-16A rifle, variable range optical field scanning device, multiband radio transponder unit with handle and clip, microphone" Is the big green periscope supposed to be the "variable range optical field scanning device" or the "multiband radio transponder unit with handle and clip"? I would assume that it's the optical field scanning device, because "multiband radio transponder" sounds like the little walkie-talkie he comes with. Except that the accessory list already mentions the walkie-talkie as a separate item. Also, the periscope has a detachable handle and clip-on piece that sound like the "with handle and clip" part. Looking at his actual accessories: - Walkie-talkie - Check - Binoculars - Check - Rifle - Check - Microphone - Check - Periscope - ??? - Periscope handle - ??? - Periscope clip-on piece - ??? Has anyone ever figured this out? |
02-15-2021, 12:10 AM | #2 |
US military family
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Fort Campbell, Kentucky
Posts: 2,214
|
Quote:
The toymakers labeled it as the Variable Range Optical Field Scanning Device, but in real life, it's called a Military Trench Periscope with Monopod. It's older technology, of course, but based upon something that really existed (Warsaw Pact stuff, if I remember correctly).
__________________
... freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn't pass it on to our children in the bloodstream. The only way they can inherit the freedom we have known is if we fight for it, protect it, defend it and then hand it to them with the well thought lessons of how they in their lifetime must do the same... - Ronald Reagan |
02-15-2021, 08:23 AM | #3 |
Father of Four
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Virginia Beach, Virginia
Posts: 3,264
|
Bit of a side note, but can anyone explain / show the exact purpose of the clip on the ARAH toy?
Even as a kid I never understood why it was a separate piece and what it's exact usage was. 3D Joes kind of has him hold the clip a bit, but why a separate piece for that? And why not an actual handle - that would make more sense. Any input would be appreciated. Last edited by Dod Ear; 02-15-2021 at 01:09 PM.. |
02-15-2021, 09:31 AM | #4 |
US military family
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Fort Campbell, Kentucky
Posts: 2,214
|
Quote:
Bit of a side note, but can anyone explain / show the exact purpose of the clip on the ARAH toy?
Even as a kid I never understood why it was a separate piece and what it's exact usage was. 3D Joes kind of has him hold the clip a bit, but why a separate piece for that? And what not an actual handle - that would make more sense. Any input would be appreciated. The toymakers wanted the piece to have some sort of physical protrusion so that the object could be propped up into various positions as if the action figure were steadying or holding the periscope. Years later the G.I. Joe Collector's Club hired other sculptors (Boss Fight Studios, I think) to make the periscope look more like a real life equivalent, and this is the result:
__________________
... freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn't pass it on to our children in the bloodstream. The only way they can inherit the freedom we have known is if we fight for it, protect it, defend it and then hand it to them with the well thought lessons of how they in their lifetime must do the same... - Ronald Reagan |
02-15-2021, 12:27 PM | #5 |
Crimson Guard
Join Date: Aug 2020
Location: Boston
Posts: 1,359
|
Quote:
Yes, Josh, you had it right with your first guess.
The toymakers labeled it as the Variable Range Optical Field Scanning Device, but in real life, it's called a Military Trench Periscope with Monopod. It's older technology, of course, but based upon something that really existed (Warsaw Pact stuff, if I remember correctly). Quote:
The toymakers wanted the piece to have some sort of physical protrusion so that the object could be propped up into various positions as if the action figure were steadying or holding the periscope.
|
02-15-2021, 12:41 PM | #6 |
Hisstank.Com General
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Vancouver, BC
Posts: 17,152
|
If you look at his card art, you can see how it should be. If should be handles and not a silid piece . They molded such thin handles, it would break too easily as a toy. I midified a vintage one to be like the card art.
__________________
Nighthawk's Feedback | HasLab figures FS Wants: female Hiss driver from HISS Haslab My Ebay auctions: kalwin_woo | eBay |
02-15-2021, 01:32 PM | #7 |
US military family
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Fort Campbell, Kentucky
Posts: 2,214
|
Quote:
I don’t own an intact cardback for the 1987 Sneak Peek figure, but the books by Mark Bellomo state that this cardback should read: “walkie-talkie, binoculars, M-16A rifle, variable range optical field scanning device, multiband radio transponder unit”. What’s interesting to me about this is that the microphone on the helmet is not listed at all… as if kids were supposed to pretend that an imaginary wire linked the helmet’s headset to the multiband radio transponder unit worn on a hook at the action figure’s waist. It makes me wonder if this action figure was beginning to get too expensive to make, and one or more parts were cost factored out during development? Quote:
When I look at the periscope itself, I see a lot of plastic which had to be injected under pressure into the mold/tool to create that shape… so I’m guessing that the entry point into the mold was at the approximate center of the periscope piece. They created a smaller (handle-like protruding piece) to plug into the injection point and complete the periscope’s overall appearance as if it’s just one large solid unit. But like I said, I’m just guessing. It’s hard to know exactly what challenges the designers faced during the manufacturing phase of the process, but I’m betting that nighthawk is precisely correct when assuming that the handles were considered too fragile for the action figure’s hands because of the hard plastic used for the periscope, so they filled the handles in to make them more durable.
__________________
... freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn't pass it on to our children in the bloodstream. The only way they can inherit the freedom we have known is if we fight for it, protect it, defend it and then hand it to them with the well thought lessons of how they in their lifetime must do the same... - Ronald Reagan |
02-15-2021, 01:58 PM | #8 |
Crimson Guard
Join Date: Aug 2020
Location: Boston
Posts: 1,359
|
Quote:
I think the 3DJoes site might have taken some artistic descriptive liberties when stating: “walkie-talkie, binoculars, M-16A rifle, variable range optical field scanning device, multiband radio transponder unit with handle and clip, microphone”.
I don’t own an intact cardback for the 1987 Sneak Peek figure, but the books by Mark Bellomo state that this cardback should read: “walkie-talkie, binoculars, M-16A rifle, variable range optical field scanning device, multiband radio transponder unit”. For the most part, 3DJoes seems to be transcribing the text as written without adding anything, even when that list is missing pieces the figure comes with or is confusing. (Flint's description says: "riot shotgun, 1-12 short barrel and backback" when the shotgun and 1-12 short barrel are the same thing.) Quote:
What’s interesting to me about this is that the microphone on the helmet is not listed at all… as if kids were supposed to pretend that an imaginary wire linked the helmet’s headset to the multiband radio transponder unit worn on a hook at the action figure’s waist.
It makes me wonder if this action figure was beginning to get too expensive to make, and one or more parts were cost factored out during development? Last edited by Josh Z; 02-15-2021 at 09:32 PM.. |
02-15-2021, 02:43 PM | #9 |
US military family
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Fort Campbell, Kentucky
Posts: 2,214
|
Quote:
3DJoes took another artistic descriptive liberty with the Night Force version of Sneak Peek. This time, the cardback is clearly photographed and does not match the text description on the site itself. See for yourself: https://www.3djoes.com/sneak-peek-v2.html Quote:
It appears as if the multiband radio transponder unit is just that thing hanging on a hook at his waist. It would have been better if he came with a backpack radio piece for his "multiband radio transponder unit", because then the microphone on his helmet would have made better sense. In 2016 and 2017, the Figure Subscription Service figures of Sneak Peek (numbers 4-11 and 5-08) had a much more acceptable "multiband radio transponder unit" by including SINCGARS (Single Channel Ground and Airborne Radio System) CNR (Combat Net Radio) RT-1523 ICOM (Integrated Communications Security) ground radio with an H-250 handset. He didn’t even need a "walkie-talkie" because it simply lacks the range to reach any aircraft or an aircraft carrier.
__________________
... freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn't pass it on to our children in the bloodstream. The only way they can inherit the freedom we have known is if we fight for it, protect it, defend it and then hand it to them with the well thought lessons of how they in their lifetime must do the same... - Ronald Reagan Last edited by Playful; 02-15-2021 at 03:10 PM.. |
02-15-2021, 03:17 PM | #10 |
Crimson Guard
Join Date: Aug 2020
Location: Boston
Posts: 1,359
|
Quote:
3DJoes took another artistic descriptive liberty with the Night Force version of Sneak Peek.
This time, the cardback is clearly photographed and does not match the text description on the site itself. See for yourself: https://www.3djoes.com/sneak-peek-v2.html Quote:
It appears as if the multiband radio transponder unit is just that thing hanging on a hook at his waist.
|
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Thread Starter | Forum | Replies | Last Post |
Figures Sneak Peek | steve2477 | G.I. Joe Customs Finished Projects | 8 | 02-15-2015 01:49 PM |
Figures A sneak peak at my Sneak Peek | truejoefan | G.I. Joe Customs Finished Projects | 6 | 06-30-2014 12:38 AM |
Figures G.I. Joe Sneak Peek | icecreamman | G.I. Joe Customs Finished Projects | 11 | 12-23-2012 10:46 PM |
Figures Sneak Peek | nighthawk | G.I. Joe Customs Finished Projects | 24 | 09-05-2012 04:47 PM |
Figures Sneak Peek | prowl | G.I. Joe Customs Finished Projects | 11 | 06-10-2011 01:09 PM |
|
|