Laser Rifle Trooper

Code Name:

Flash

Desimone Guide: #9

Tomart's Guide: #GI5017 (straight arm)

Figure Description:

Flash was one of the original figures released carded in the first series (1982). Like all of the original sixteen figures, Flash was released with "straight arms".

Versions of Flash:

In 2007, Flash was renamed "Sgt. Flash". So while there are several names, they are all based on the character "Flash".

Accessories:

Flash came with a dark green helmet, a clear visor that attached to the helmet, a dark green power pack, and a black XMLR-1A Shoulder-Fired Laser Rifle with a long strand that fit into the backpack.

Beware of a gray rifle, a tan backpack, and any helmet that is not dark green. These are accessories that came with the G.I.Joe Battle Gear Accessory Packs, and are not the original accessories that came with Flash.

Click the link to see the figure with all its weapons - All Geared Up!

Variations:

When the new version of Flash was released in 1983, two major changes were made to his construction. The straight-arms were replaced with arms that could swivel at the bicep, and his bulky waist-piece was replaced by a slimmer one. Also, the date stamp on the figure was changed from "1982" to "82-83". While technically only a variation, the changes are substantive enough to consider this a new version. However, as many people consider this only a variation, we have chosen to list this figure as version 1.5, rather than version 2. Other than "straight-arm" and "swivel-arm" releases, no variations of Flash are known to exist.

There are two versions of Flash's filecard. The one that came from Hasbro Direct has a glossy red backing, while the one that came with the carded Flash does not. Flashs included with the Sears or JCPenney's exclusive gift packs also had the red backing.

Body Construction:

Most of the 1982 series figures and their swivel-arm counterparts re-used molds from each other, repainted slightly to make them seem more original.

The head of Flash was re-used with Hawk, Short-fuze, and Steeler. Flash's waist-piece was shared with twelve of the original fifteen figures. Flash's arms, torso, and legs were shared with Grand Slam (and in 1983 Grand Slam v2 (silver pads)).

Flash v1.5's arms were re-colored and re-used in 1987 in some versions of Steel Brigade.

Note that the figure's head only turns left and right - it does not allow the head to look up and down. The heads only turned left and right until the the swivel ball head that was introduced in 1985 (Series Four).

International Variants:

In Brazil, Flash's body was recolored and used to create Cobra De Aco.

In India, his head was recolored and used to create Superhero.

A version of Flash nearly identical to the U.S. version was released in Argentina and Brazil.

From the collection of: E. Son