With the overwhelming success of their new 3 3/4 inch G.I. Joe action figures in 1982, Hasbro realized that the small scale of their action figures would allowed them to create some of the most iconic playsets and vehicles of the 1980s.
Hasbro started it all off in 1985 with their colossal seven foot-long U.S.S. Flagg aircraft carrier with multiple decks, elevators, gun turrets and support vehicles that serve as the headquarters for all your Joes. At the time of its release, the U.S.S. Flag retailed for a whopping $89.99. Despite the high price tag, it was a success for Hasbro.
The follow-up to the U.S.S. Flagg came in 1987 with the gigantic Defiant: Space Vehicle and Launch Complex with a retail price of $99.99. It was three playsets in one.
The Crawler with Gantry consisted of eleven gun turrets, three control rooms with swivel seats, opening windshield, scanner/scope, repair station, working elevators, blast shields, bogie wheels, and room for 25 action figures.
The Booster/Space Station featured opening cockpit, console seats with computer, three-level work station with ladder, four rockets, wall locker, revolving door for shuttle entry, sliding shuttle hatch module, docking hatch and room for over 15 action figures.
The Defiant featured a cockpit, two movable consoles, three positionable laser cannons, landing gear, a positionable gripper arm, umbilical cord, and a manned maneuvering backpack unit.
The Defiant playset is the only Joe vehicle to ever come with two figures: Hardtop the Gantry driver, and Payload the astronaut.
Did you have the Defiant playset as a kid, let us know in the comment section below. Till next time "Yo Joe" !!!