JoeCanuck

General Section => General Joe Talk => Topic started by: Pete The Greek on December 16, 2006, 10:56:10 PM

Title: Who are the Bronze Bombers?
Post by: Pete The Greek on December 16, 2006, 10:56:10 PM
After years of putting off a set, I managed to snag a MOC from GIJOE.hq (thanks again Curt). 

 (http://http://img157.imagevenue.com/loc450/th_26479_set_122_450lo.jpg) (http://http://img157.imagevenue.com/img.php?image=26479_set_122_450lo.jpg)

Now here comes the fun part, who the heck is who.  The band of Thugs was easy to figure out by not the BB.  Olmec did a horrible job on this.  So I need some help with the match game (I took pictures of the filecards and I am borrowing the images on yojoe as I didn't feel like opening the set).  My guess to who is what is below.  Yojoe's is http://yojoe.com/archive/actfig/bronzebombers.shtml (http://yojoe.com/archive/actfig/bronzebombers.shtml)

(the filecards are clickable thumbnails incase you wanted to read them)

Bronze Bombers

 (http://http://img161.imagevenue.com/loc349/th_25272_411_122_349lo.jpg) (http://http://img161.imagevenue.com/img.php?image=25272_411_122_349lo.jpg) (http://http://img155.imagevenue.com/loc557/th_26319_c_122_557lo.jpg) (http://http://img155.imagevenue.com/img.php?image=26319_c_122_557lo.jpg)
- hair shape matches filecard art

(http://http://img141.imagevenue.com/loc548/th_24285_Hard_Drive_122_548lo.jpg) (http://http://img141.imagevenue.com/img.php?image=24285_Hard_Drive_122_548lo.jpg) (http://http://img138.imagevenue.com/loc545/th_26499_f_122_545lo.jpg) (http://http://img138.imagevenue.com/img.php?image=26499_f_122_545lo.jpg)
-the only figure with a goatie that matches a filecard

(http://http://img164.imagevenue.com/loc498/th_24290_Justice_122_498lo.jpg) (http://http://img164.imagevenue.com/img.php?image=24290_Justice_122_498lo.jpg)(http://http://img46.imagevenue.com/loc544/th_26689_e_122_544lo.jpg) (http://http://img46.imagevenue.com/img.php?image=26689_e_122_544lo.jpg)
- think piece of facial hair on chin matches the filecard

(http://http://img25.imagevenue.com/loc471/th_25526_Krunch_122_471lo.jpg) (http://http://img25.imagevenue.com/img.php?image=25526_Krunch_122_471lo.jpg) (http://http://img15.imagevenue.com/loc405/th_26715_d_122_405lo.jpg) (http://http://img15.imagevenue.com/img.php?image=26715_d_122_405lo.jpg)
- rectangular soul patch as indicated by Jay and process of elimination

(http://http://img154.imagevenue.com/loc343/th_25049_No_Flak_122_343lo.jpg) (http://http://img154.imagevenue.com/img.php?image=25049_No_Flak_122_343lo.jpg) (http://http://img151.imagevenue.com/loc587/th_26637_g_122_587lo.jpg) (http://http://img151.imagevenue.com/img.php?image=26637_g_122_587lo.jpg)
- looks like the guy depicted on the filecard has some facial hair on his chin

(http://http://img28.imagevenue.com/loc359/th_25385_Roughshot_122_359lo.jpg) (http://http://img28.imagevenue.com/img.php?image=25385_Roughshot_122_359lo.jpg) (http://http://img132.imagevenue.com/loc326/th_26385_a_122_326lo.jpg) (http://http://img132.imagevenue.com/img.php?image=26385_a_122_326lo.jpg)
- figure is bald and so is guy on the filecard

(http://http://img168.imagevenue.com/loc320/th_24929_Shortburst_122_320lo.jpg) (http://http://img168.imagevenue.com/img.php?image=24929_Shortburst_122_320lo.jpg) (http://http://img120.imagevenue.com/loc444/th_26424_b_122_444lo.jpg) (http://http://img120.imagevenue.com/img.php?image=26424_b_122_444lo.jpg)
- I figured the only figure with a stache that matched this filecard

(http://http://img167.imagevenue.com/loc438/th_25086_Suppressor_X_122_438lo.jpg) (http://http://img167.imagevenue.com/img.php?image=25086_Suppressor_X_122_438lo.jpg) (http://http://img125.imagevenue.com/loc598/th_26593_h_122_598lo.jpg) (http://http://img125.imagevenue.com/img.php?image=26593_h_122_598lo.jpg)
- the shoulder strap on the figure looks the same as the one shown on the filecard


 
Band of Thugs these guys are no brainers

(http://http://img23.imagevenue.com/loc313/th_24273_Backdraft_122_313lo.jpg) (http://http://img23.imagevenue.com/img.php?image=24273_Backdraft_122_313lo.jpg) (http://http://img158.imagevenue.com/loc528/th_26212_3_122_528lo.jpg) (http://http://img158.imagevenue.com/img.php?image=26212_3_122_528lo.jpg)

(http://http://img168.imagevenue.com/loc355/th_24278_Crazeblaze_122_355lo.jpg) (http://http://img168.imagevenue.com/img.php?image=24278_Crazeblaze_122_355lo.jpg) (http://http://img7.imagevenue.com/loc593/th_26108_1_122_593lo.jpg) (http://http://img7.imagevenue.com/img.php?image=26108_1_122_593lo.jpg)

(http://http://img103.imagevenue.com/loc575/th_24280_Firebomb_122_575lo.jpg) (http://http://img103.imagevenue.com/img.php?image=24280_Firebomb_122_575lo.jpg) (http://http://img169.imagevenue.com/loc330/th_26165_2_122_330lo.jpg) (http://http://img169.imagevenue.com/img.php?image=26165_2_122_330lo.jpg)

(http://http://img139.imagevenue.com/loc426/th_24938_Scorch_122_426lo.jpg) (http://http://img139.imagevenue.com/img.php?image=24938_Scorch_122_426lo.jpg) (http://http://img135.imagevenue.com/loc524/th_26208_4_122_524lo.jpg) (http://http://img135.imagevenue.com/img.php?image=26208_4_122_524lo.jpg)

Anybody think otherwise?

And after doing some research on tryong to figure out who is who (there is nothing online), I stubbled upon this article

http://www.newsmax.com/archives/article ... 0552.shtml (http://www.newsmax.com/archives/articles/2004/12/22/200552.shtml)

This part stuck out at me:

Quote
Eason obtained the rights from Hasbro to the 3 3/4-inch GI Joe plastic molds. Eason created the "Bronze Bombers," a line of African-American superheroes, simply by painting the GI Joe doll faces black and charging $10 more. The "Bronze Bombers" were imported for sale in Toys R Us, Kay Bee Toys and Wal-Mart.

According to Chinese dissident Harry Wu, the Chinese police and Chinese army run prison factories that produce a wide variety of goods, including Eason's "Bronze Bomber" line of dolls. Prisoners work from 12 to 16 hours a day seven days a week, making highly volatile plastic products with no masks, no training and little ventilation. Statements provided by former prison camp guards to Mr. Wu show that torture and starvation is standard policy at Chinese prison factories.

There are many toys sold in America today that follow the Olmec pattern - they are manufactured inside prison labor camps. Many U.S. firms try to ignore the terrible trade. Meanwhile, Santa is crying for all of us who celebrate Christmas day with the fruits of slave labor

Are GI JOEs in the same boat?  These so called factories Hasbro keeps talking about are actually prison labour camps?
Title: Re: Who are the Bronze Bombers?
Post by: Jay on December 16, 2006, 11:20:03 PM
Considering Justice's picture sports that strange rectangular soul patch, I think you got him and Krunch mixed up.
Other than that I agree with all your identifications.

I wouldn't mind owning Backdraft, but I probably wouldn't be able to afford it...  :'(
Title: Re: Who are the Bronze Bombers?
Post by: Pete The Greek on December 17, 2006, 12:03:26 AM
I hate to admit it, Jay is right ( ;D man, I am just pulling your leg there after reading another thread about that)

After looking at Justice, I notcied he had that thin facial hair under his chin.  It shows it as well on the file card. So I am going to switch the two figures.  That looks about right. 

And the set only cost 14.99 by in 1997 according the TRU sticker affixed on the package.  Talk about going up in price.
Title: Re: Who are the Bronze Bombers?
Post by: Jay on December 17, 2006, 12:38:57 AM
Quote from: "Pete The Greek"
I hate to admit it, Jay is right ( ;D man, I am just pulling your leg there after reading another thread about that)
Smelleth I a running gag in the making?  :P

And yeah, it's amazing how much the price increased... how much did you pay for your set?
Title: Re: Who are the Bronze Bombers?
Post by: Pete The Greek on December 17, 2006, 09:12:35 PM
around 263
Title: Re: Who are the Bronze Bombers?
Post by: Jay on December 17, 2006, 09:55:23 PM
Quote from: "Pete The Greek"
around 263

DAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAMN.
Far more than I'd be willing to pay...
But then again, I only want Backdraft.
Title: Re: Who are the Bronze Bombers?
Post by: Pete The Greek on December 17, 2006, 11:09:37 PM
And that was the sale price.  But for less than 22 a figure, I can justify the cost.  Over the past year or so, people wanted at least 200 for a loose set.  So for an extra 50 bucks, I am ensured the figures would be close to dead mint. 

And there is no way I would try and piece a set like this together as it's not worth the time or effort.   
Title: Re: Who are the Bronze Bombers?
Post by: Agent_Loop on December 17, 2006, 11:26:58 PM
That is one interesting news article about the Olmec Toys enterprise. For shame!
Title: Re: Who are the Bronze Bombers?
Post by: Redmao on December 22, 2006, 02:31:31 PM
thats a nice bunch you got there Pete.
Title: Re: Who are the Bronze Bombers?
Post by: Raptor on December 22, 2006, 05:24:15 PM
Good score Pete, and a good price on it to boot. I've long since given up picking up Firebomb at any reasonable price, and I've even seen him go for 1/4 of what you paid for the whole set (mint/complete).

You just can't beat Supressor X for a filename. Clearly a bad mutha.  :mrt:
Title: Re: Who are the Bronze Bombers?
Post by: BIGFAN on January 02, 2007, 11:29:13 AM
you got them right pete. man its funny i spent a good half hour looking at that set trying to figure out who was who lol

i have a backfdraft fiugure loose for sale..why not email  me an offer!
Title: Re: Who are the Bronze Bombers?
Post by: Pete The Greek on January 03, 2007, 06:37:03 PM
Now if yojoe would fix up that page as some are mis-identified.  :shifty:  It would save others some time to figure these guys out.
Title: Re: Who are the Bronze Bombers?
Post by: JoeIndex on January 03, 2007, 06:42:53 PM
The Bronze Bombers are very cool. I've only managed to track down Backdraft, Scorch and Crazeblaze so far. Definitely need to gather the rest when I can.
Title: Re: Who are the Bronze Bombers?
Post by: Spillspleen on February 11, 2007, 03:46:59 AM
wow...makes me glad I got mine for 88 shipped two or so years ago....................and to think that these sold for 20 bucks in the 80's!!!

I love these guys and wish more independant companies would use the molds to make some real cool figures like these!
Title: Re: Who are the Bronze Bombers?
Post by: Pete The Greek on February 11, 2007, 02:14:53 PM
Quote from: "Spillspleen"
wow...makes me glad I got mine for 88 shipped two or so years ago....................and to think that these sold for 20 bucks in the 80's!!!

I love these guys and wish more independant companies would use the molds to make some real cool figures like these!

Carl, the Bronze Bombers I got was released in 1997.  The older ones from the 80s are these.

http://yojoe.com/archive/actfig/bronzebombers88.shtml (http://yojoe.com/archive/actfig/bronzebombers88.shtml)

Nothing but pure meh for me on the 80s first release as they make CORPS look good.

As for the independant companies getting a hold of more Hasbro molds...look at past history.  These Bronze Bomber molds use by Olmec have not re-surfaced.  Hasbro employees and Brian Savage have been on record saying Funskool did some major damage to the molds they used to a point they can't be used again.  Then there were molds sent to Brazil and some of them have not re-surfaced either.  So I would say no way.  Best best is to have the GI JOE collector club to think out side of the box and make something like this.   
Title: Re: Who are the Bronze Bombers?
Post by: Spillspleen on February 11, 2007, 10:30:15 PM
My mistake...1997 it was, ( so i should have said 90's) I got mine as a mint box set but the box was not in good shape...but I opened mine anyways so no harm done. These figures are real cool...my fav in the set is firebomb...all cool...er hot.

I agree those older bombers were bad.

I new funskool and brazil lost and damaged some molds...but the molds for these Bombers were lost as well??? Yikes.........!?!?!!
Title: Re: Who are the Bronze Bombers?
Post by: Pete The Greek on February 12, 2007, 11:02:09 PM
Quote from: "Spillspleen"
My mistake...1997 it was, ( so i should have said 90's) I got mine as a mint box set but the box was not in good shape...but I opened mine anyways so no harm done. These figures are real cool...my fav in the set is firebomb...all cool...er hot.

I agree those older bombers were bad.

I new funskool and brazil lost and damaged some molds...but the molds for these Bombers were lost as well??? Yikes.........!?!?!!

Olmec went bankrupt and I doubt Hasbro ever got the molds back before this happened.  This is why no repaints of Strato Viper, Secto Viper, Motor Viper etc.
Title: Re: Who are the Bronze Bombers?
Post by: Hall479 on March 09, 2007, 06:45:35 PM
Great post! I saw those toys on yojoe.com and was always interested in finding out more about them.
Title: Re: Who are the Bronze Bombers?
Post by: Vortex on March 10, 2007, 01:35:50 AM
I think the original Bronze Bombers Hi Tech and Sure Fire were re-introduced into the current line we all know and love.  Also, Cool Breeze was in the Marvel Joe Comic Larry Hama invented, that I superbly made a custom of!
Title: Re: Who are the Bronze Bombers?
Post by: VEGA1 on March 19, 2007, 01:43:15 PM
TO THIS DAY I STILL KICK MYSELF FOR NOT PICKIN THEM UP WHEN I SAW THEM AT TRU. >:( :( :cobra: