Top Five – Masters of the Universe Vehicles Needed in Classics
Inspired by a recent series of posts at The Fwoosh (where VeeBee shared his thoughts on action figures that need to be made in the Masters of the Universe Classics series), this is my selection of five eighties Masters of the Universe vehicles that Mattel needs to create and release today. I understand that the Wind Raider* wasn’t the greatest of successes for the company, but that doesn’t stop me from wishing that Mattel would bring all of these to the current line.
Point Dread & Talon Fighter
First released in 1983, the Point Dread & Talon Fighter (see he-man.org) strikes me as a perfect addition to today’s line for two very simple reasons:
- The playset portion of the vehicle could, like the original, fasten to Castle Grayskull.
- Next month’s Fighting Foe Men, inspired by the old model kits (see “Masters of the Universe Classics Fighting Foe Men and Model Kits”), includes an action figure designed to work with the Talon Fighter.
It kinda feels like a crime to me for Mattel to get so close to a modern Talon Fighter and then skip the vehicle itself. Mattel, if there’s only one project you ever run on Kickstarter I’m saying this is the one!
Jet Sled
I know there’s already the unofficial Manta Raider (last mentioned here), but that doesn’t stop me from wanting Mattel to recreate the 1986 Jet Sled toy (see he-man.org). And Mattel could even offer it on a card (like the original) which would help save on manufacturing costs, making this more attractive to the accountants at the company than the other vehicles I’ve listed here.
Land Shark
Man, after last month’s “The Awesome Fun of the Masters of the Universe Land Shark” it almost feels like cheating to include this on the list, but I think everyone will forgive me; I just couldn’t see posting this list without including the fun Land Shark toy.
Released in 1985, the Land Shark (see he-man.org) should exist today because I want Skeletor to drive it around and assault all of today’s modern Masters of the Universe Classics toys. I know it would be kinda big, but I don’t think it’s any less realistic a request than the already-released Wind Raider toy.
Dragon Walker
We’re unlikely to get the motorized feature that made the 1984 Dragon Walker (see he-man.org) so remarkably goofy and fun, but the vehicle design itself is cool enough that it must be on this list of needed toys. And since it wouldn’t include a motor the Mattel team could sculpt the legs a bit more gruesome and make them look far, far cooler than the legs on the original toy.
Attack Trak
I feel a bit dim. The 1983 Attack Trak (see he-man.org) was, I thought, a vehicle re-designed by the Four Horsemen and displayed at SDCC a few years ago. But I cannot find any photos of that online; did I dream that the Four Horsemen designed and constructed a Masters of the Universe Classics-era Attack Trak toy?
UPDATE: Thanks to battlegrip.com readers, Juggo and Josh, I can now say I am insane. It was the Battle Ram that the Four Horsemen created. You can see a pic at Poe’s site.
Anyway, this one’s on the list both because it looks quite neat and, as with the Talon Fighter, the upcoming Fighting Foe Men set includes the Attack Trak driver shown on the old model kit. (Roton should, yes, also be on this list . . . but I didn’t want to get too greedy). Again, we couldn’t get the motorized gimmick, but as a display piece with the upcoming Castle Grayskull this would look impressive as hell!
Mattel, We Need Vehicles!
The Wind Raider* just isn’t enough for the Masters of the Universe Classics line. The old vehicles from the eighties toy line were a lot of what gave the series that weird feel of sci-fi and heroic fantasy all rolled into one, and the lack of the vehicles in today’s line feels like a gaping hole in what will otherwise go down as a remarkable achievement in direct sales.
I know that — unlike Star Wars and G.I. Joe — the Masters of the Universe series has never been a vehicle-driven brand, but I feel that the vehicles were a strong part of the line’s identity and I’m missing those vehicles more and more today as Mattel keeps releasing new action figures. And replacing a few characters per year with one vehicle would be a way to extend the line’s life while giving all of us some sorely needed toys for our Masters of the Universe Classics collections.
Inspiration
And for more Masters of the Universe don’t miss the posts that inspired this list:
- Top Five – Masters of the Universe Classics Most Needed Vintage Characters
- Top Five – Masters of the Universe Classics Most Needed Princess of Power Characters
- Top Five – Masters of the Universe Classics Most Needed New Adventures Characters
- Top Five – Masters of the Universe Classics Most Needed FilMation Characters
- Top Five – Masters of the Universe Classics Most Needed Concept and Prototype Characters
- BONUS Top Five – Masters of the Universe Classics Most Needed 200x Characters
The Four-Horsemen-scultped vehicle you’re thinking of was the Battle Ram:
http://www.actionfigurepics.com/2010/07/san-diego-comic-con-2010-four-horsemen-masters-of-the-universe-classics-battle-ram-concept-prototype
Good list: I understand the niche the Dragon Walker occupies on the list (it’s the king of MOTU “Too Goofy To Live” vehicles), but for me, the Roton became a necessity last year when it appeared on Rudy Obrero’s box art for the Wind Raider.
They actually showed their sculpt of the Battle Ram, not the Attack Trak.
@Josh – Thanks! I had that all wrong. Post updated.
@Juggo – Thanks for the correction and link! And yeah, Roton is a great choice (again, the Fighting Foe Men are coming soon). I’d take any of the toys mentioned in the list and comments!
The first MOTU vehicle I ever owned was the Battle Ram. It arrived with He-Man and Skeletor and I was psyched because it could be separated and they could each get an accessory. I still love that design!
@Jay – Okay, I hadn’t thought about the two-in-one design of the Battle Ram. That does make it a more attractive choice than I first thought.
great article Phil! I agree we NEED more vehicles in the line. The Wind Raider is so awesome it makes me sad that we likely wont see any more vehicles…heck I’d even take a “evil” repaint of the WR.
@drrampageo – I hadn’t even considered a Wind Raider repaint. Tool a few new parts, decorate it in black and purple, and create an evil pilot and I’d be all over a boxed set with vehicle and pilot.