3.75" Military Dress Uniform Figures (1980's Cheapy Figures)

Your Main Forum For Discussing 1:18 Scale Military Figures and Vehicles.
Post Reply
Jesse James
Officer - Brigadier General
Officer - Brigadier General
Posts: 3484
Joined: Wed Oct 06, 2004 11:37 am
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Contact:

3.75" Military Dress Uniform Figures (1980's Cheapy Figures)

Post by Jesse James » Wed Jan 22, 2014 2:42 am

Many moons ago, there was the 80's... For some, it was considered the golden age of toys... Mega lines like Transformers, GI Joe, Star Wars... They dominated the decade.

And every half-assed company in Asia tried to get into the game as well... One in particular made figures that featured articulation ala a Kenner Indiana Jones figure (shoulders, hips, head, and knee articulation). These figures were of US Servicemen (and possibly women) at the time. I remember 4 male figures, and seem to think I recall some female figures as well.

They're in their dress uniforms (Marine in dress blues, Army in green dress, Navy in White dress, Airforce in blue dress). I had the Marine. He looked cool with my GI Joes at the time. His knee broke. He wasn't a true Marine, as a true Marine would've glued himself I imagine. He left the job to me.

Anyway, these figures weren't anything TOO spiffy but does anyone else even vaguely recall them? Even maybe a name of the manufacturer or the line itself? Google's not my friend on this, and it's one of the rare instances a weird knock-off toy line is out there and I can't dig up info on it whatsoever.
http://www.JediDefender.com Bringing Balance to the Force
http://www.FFURG.com The Ultimate Customizing Resource.
Now Hasbro, make us some Head Sculpt & Endor Uniform variations! The new Rebel Fleet Trooper gets the JJ Seal of Approval Though!

Apache26
Corporal
Corporal
Posts: 58
Joined: Thu Nov 08, 2012 11:14 am

Re: 3.75" Military Dress Uniform Figures (1980's Cheapy Figu

Post by Apache26 » Wed Jan 22, 2014 2:32 pm

The only one I remember in a dress uniform was the GI Joe Gung Ho in USMC blues that was available around 1988. I had one, and I believe he came with a saber and a small U.S. flag. He didn't exactly fit in with all the other Joes in combat gear.

maritime96
Officer - 1st Lieutenant
Officer - 1st Lieutenant
Posts: 559
Joined: Sun Nov 09, 2008 9:07 pm
Location: Long Island, New York

Re: 3.75" Military Dress Uniform Figures (1980's Cheapy Figu

Post by maritime96 » Wed Jan 22, 2014 4:00 pm

I think I know exactly what you are talking about. I found one of the females YEARS ago and she has been waiting for a repaint into a German female in Uniform. This it?
Image
Image

It has no brand name on it anyplace and I will be honest it is the only one that I have ever seen.
"When the people fear the government you have tyranny...when the
government fears the people you have liberty."
--Thomas Jefferson

Jesse James
Officer - Brigadier General
Officer - Brigadier General
Posts: 3484
Joined: Wed Oct 06, 2004 11:37 am
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Contact:

Re: 3.75" Military Dress Uniform Figures (1980's Cheapy Figu

Post by Jesse James » Wed Jan 22, 2014 6:12 pm

Ah so I wasn't dreaming the women too... Yup that's it!

Hmmm, makes me want to dig out the Marine. The ladies didn't have knee joints, the guys did.

No markings? No markings are the truest mark that these things were mega cheap-o!

Before you custom, consider casting that head. :P
http://www.JediDefender.com Bringing Balance to the Force
http://www.FFURG.com The Ultimate Customizing Resource.
Now Hasbro, make us some Head Sculpt & Endor Uniform variations! The new Rebel Fleet Trooper gets the JJ Seal of Approval Though!

Joebros
Corporal
Corporal
Posts: 81
Joined: Thu Dec 02, 2004 8:18 pm
Location: U.S.A

Re: 3.75" Military Dress Uniform Figures (1980's Cheapy Figu

Post by Joebros » Sun Feb 23, 2014 5:13 pm

The name of the line you're talking about is "Department of Defense", and were made in 1987 by Fishel. This information comes out of an old toy book I own (gotta like old school books), so I don't have any pictures, but the book shows a Dress Blues Marine, Dress White Navy and Air Force Officer.
God Bless America.

"Improvise, overcome, adapt."
Gunny Sgt. Tom Highway: "Heartbreak Ridge"

maritime96
Officer - 1st Lieutenant
Officer - 1st Lieutenant
Posts: 559
Joined: Sun Nov 09, 2008 9:07 pm
Location: Long Island, New York

Re: 3.75" Military Dress Uniform Figures (1980's Cheapy Figu

Post by maritime96 » Sun Feb 23, 2014 9:42 pm

Great find on the info, now I have to go looking for these figures LOL
"When the people fear the government you have tyranny...when the
government fears the people you have liberty."
--Thomas Jefferson

Jesse James
Officer - Brigadier General
Officer - Brigadier General
Posts: 3484
Joined: Wed Oct 06, 2004 11:37 am
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Contact:

Re: 3.75" Military Dress Uniform Figures (1980's Cheapy Figu

Post by Jesse James » Mon Feb 24, 2014 6:21 pm

Thanks Joebros, that helps a lot obviously. I'd dig having the figures for, if nothing else, useful casting bits.
http://www.JediDefender.com Bringing Balance to the Force
http://www.FFURG.com The Ultimate Customizing Resource.
Now Hasbro, make us some Head Sculpt & Endor Uniform variations! The new Rebel Fleet Trooper gets the JJ Seal of Approval Though!

Post Reply