I recently came across these army vehicles at Family Dollar. They were only $5 each and some of the vehicles like the jeep and helicopter are compatible with 3 3/4" figures like GI JOE. Some vehicles feature electronic lights and sounds. The motorcycles have real rubber wheels. And fantastic paint jobs for the vehicles.

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Those look pretty awful and I would say overpriced at $5.

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Ok, if these guys can afford to have rubber wheels, why don't the Joes?????

Looking at these products makes me think about how "easy" it would be to put out some war toys. There are no trademarks or licensing fees, you don't have to design any fancy costumes or creatures, and they seem to be a consistent seller. Heck, combine them with dinosaurs, for whom the same observations apply, and you got an instant toyline! Watch out Hasbro, here I come! DinoWarriors!

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The Jeep looks it would be a good fit with Sgt. Rock figures.

That's interesting, the heads they sport seem to be the same as heads used in some WalMart Chap Mei-esque 6-packs. I see one Arctic Young Obi-Wan, JvC Frostbite, the Jurassic Park General...

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BW,

Hi buddy. I had also seen those at my local FD as well.

The problem (that I saw) was that it seemed like these base vehicles were either oversized or undersized for Joe in terms of scale.

That got me thinking about what I could use them for. The jet actually has the potential for a German V1 rocket custom.

The helo is on the small side but the tail could be cut off and replaced with engine modules\rockets from a Trouble Bubble or Skyhawk. This could be some sort of small Star Brigade shuttle\maintenance vehicle.

Am not really into the motorcycles but the jeep could be repurposed as another WW2 era vehicle.

The tank turret could be re-used on another Joe vehicle base while the treads could be for an Armadillo type replacement.

I opted not to get any because I have way too many projects in the hopper.

Thanks for posting about it with pictures.

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There is actually a better PTE version out.

actually they dont look all that bad. Perfect for "guerrilla" custom troops with not so hot vehicles.

either that or perfect for a child to play with (and crush with your superior forces...)

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I look at them and shudder from the possible lead/paint poisoning...

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I saw the same type in different colors at Big Lots and Gordmans.

Gordmans also had these:

That looks more like a straight-up Chap Mei knockoff, though.

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The jeeps arent terrible for 5$

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