The GI Joe franchise is known for a lot of things including its silent commando ninjas and notoriously bad shooting Cobra troopers. Like it or not, its also known for having unrealistic vehicles in the show (*cough cough THE HAVOC and the Cobra Flight Pod?!?). But once in a while, they have some vehicles that are near perfect representations of their real-life counterparts in both realism and practicality. One such vehicle is the Joe’s Amphibious Personnel Carrier (APC for short).
The APC is designed to be just that – a troop carrier vehicle that can bring its passengers to different locations. While the vehicle’s armor is not as comprehensive as those of the tanks and planes, the tarp used is still very useful when it comes to dealing with the harmful effects of the err… environment (LOL)? All things considered, the APC is at its best when transporting various squads and platoons to different locations. The ‘Amphibious’ feature of the vehicle comes in its ability to ferry troops over certain bodies of water (the toy vehicles showcases this well as it can float on water too – Yaaay bath time!!!).
The vintage vehicle is ideal for any army collection, as it can hold 18 figures seated and up to 28 figures if we include those standing up! The roof of the driver’s pod as well as the cab itself can be taken off if you want to view the various figures inside. The rear bumper can be pulled out if you wish carry the vehicle around like a piece of luggage (better make sure those figures inside are strapped in tight using the seatbelts!).
The APC originally came out in 1983, which would make it almost 40 years old. Despite this, the vehicle has a sturdy mold which helps it survive the test of time. Usually, the first parts to go missing are the seatbelts and the small steering wheel. This vintage troop carrier is definitely a great addition to any of your ground forces (be it GI Joes or any generic 3.75inch army).
TOY ASYLUM’S RATING (OUT OF 5 STARS)
OVERALL DESIGN - 3.5 OUT OF 5 STARS
- The realistic design translates very well in the toy version (not to mention the toy floats on water as well!).
PLAYABILITY - 4.5 OUT OF 5 STARS
- An ideal fit for any GI Joe or Army collection. Having a couple of these in your diorama/display is sure to grab anyone’s attention.
DURABILITY - 4.5 OUT OF 5 STARS
- For a toy that’s almost 40 years old, the APC holds up pretty well and is even sturdier than some of its younger counterparts.
RARITY - 3.0 OUT OF 5 STARS
- The APC is not that hard to find in the market – also much easier if you don’t insist on having one complete with its seatbelt bars.
*Not all of the pics are mine so a BIG thanks to the owners (and congratulations for a wonderful collection!).
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