Mauler Review
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 20 ส.ค. 2024
- GI Joburg reviews the 1985 Mauler M.B.T from Hasbro's GI Joe toyline.
Please note! I Got it wrong, turns out there are left and right side grenade launchers. Dang, looks like I'm in the market for a spare lefty!
Image of the High Survivability Test Vehicle (Light) (HSTV[L]) courtesy of:
tanknutdave.com...
Image of Abrams Tank Courtesy of: UserZStoler, English Wikipedia.
Toy blueprints and instructions courtesy of yojoe.com
The Mauler was the final Joe vehicle on my list, but I finally found one on eBay. They are indeed hard to come by, especially at an affordable price. It's a beautiful toy; easily in my personal Top 5 Joe vehicles of all time.
It's a real shame that this and the Night Raven didn't get revived in the 25th Anniversary line. It's pretty Iconic from the show.
The NIGHT RAVEN did, but alas, its not what it once was...
Late reply but the Mauler tooling broke before the 25th line started. I believe it was supposed to release in green as a convention exclusive and the turret mold broke during production.
I was boneheaded enough to stick my Vulcan nose up at the MAULER when it first came out, thinking it was a 'deviant' toy from the MOBAT. HUGE MISTAKE!!! Years later however, I was fortunate to find a still-working tank for about $90 on eBay and after INCREDIBLE cleaning, mechanical repair and extensive decal work, I managed to bring my MAULER to near-mint working condition! To quote Marty from MMM; I'm happy with that...
I love the accurate fire commands you added! Awesome review as always! Yo Joe!
Indeed. They did their homework.
As someone who plays Armored Warfare, the commands are spot on.
WAIT OMG YOU'RE THEHUMANMECHANISM, PLS REVIEW THIS MAGNIFICENT PIECE IF YOU HAVE THE CHANCE
I've seen a lot of toy reviews and this review of the Mauler is hands down the best that I've ever seen.
I saw your interview at JoeCon and the joy on your face at getting this, congrats on completing it! Excellent review of what is today the top piece in my collection, I was lucky enough to find one locally with the box and Heavy Metal, needed to buy/trade about $30 in parts and it was complete (minus the MIC!) One thing I'm not 100% sure on, but I believe the side grenade launchers DO have a left and a right, they are not identical molds. Anyone else confirm that?
Oh wow! I remember asking that same question about the launchers when considering buying this piece. And who gave me an answer? Then Hasbro employee and figure designer Bobby Vala! He seemed to think they were the same and that was good enough for me; I didn’t confirm it any further! And now I’ve fallen on my own sword in a review. Oops!
Used in every battle when I was a kid., even long after it was little more than a shell. Great video and thanks for the reminder that these are toys meant for play and not just display.
The Mauler is one vehicle I've always wanted!
I wish I hadn't sold my Mauler years ago, so that I could have donated it to Joburg. I feel bad that I was never all that taken with it, but it's still fun too see it appreciated here :)
Each to their own, I guess. And thank you for thinking of us anyway. It’s kinda special that I got this beauty in the dying hours of the final JoeCon. Managed to piece it together out of a handful that were on offer and even haggled $30 off the price because it hadn’t been tested and I wouldn’t be able to track down batteries and be back in time if it didn’t work. So it makes for a neat story.
Mauler Club! I Got a beautiful Mauler a few years back from a Transformers collector who was just trying to make more room. The motor is a lot of fun just to listen to 😄
I’m in the club too. When I was a kid, I actually used to use the tow chain to tow other vehicles. Mauler is a classic.
In the late 90s I made my own GI Joe stop motion video called the Rescue where the Mauler breaks down and Heavy Metal and Repeater need to be rescued.
I still have mine from when I was a kid. It's missing a few pieces and the barrel could use a refit. I did the same thing when I was a kid and removed the motor. I'm working on rebuilding her along with my Tomahawk and Night Raven. Already got my Moray Eel rebuilt to 100%. After I get my Mauler, Tomahawk and Night Raven rebuilt....along with a new tail for my Rattler the right tail is a little warped...then I shall begin on the hunt for the two vehicles I always wanted and never got...The Killer Whale and the Skystriker.
Amazing toys all. And good to be restoring the ones that need it. I think it’s so important to get toys that have issues back on the frontlines again. As for the Mauler, sadly mine doesn’t move so smoothly with the motor removed. One track is fine; the other sticks and I can’t work out what causes it! Oh well, at least there’s more mobility than there was when the motor was present!
I never had the Mauler, but many years after its release was the Battle Wagon, that was my Mauler. Four-wheeled death machine with a massive 10-barrel gattling gun (never liked the idea they were missiles, I pretended it was a gun :P). I could haul things behind it and run over everything with it, I miss that one.
Oh, I knew about the Battle Wagon long before I learned of the Mauler. Fitting that I managed to pick both up on my USA trip last year. Fun vehicle that, but I also would have made that a repeating death cannon as a kid I reckon! Fun toy, but battery operated vehicles always are a little prohibitive to play I’d say.
Welcome to the club. We have black tanker jackets
Helmet mics optional, I hope!
I never had this one myself, but this was the big Joe tank that captured my imagination. One of my favorite Joe vehicles of all time. It's a shame they didn't build this one big enough to fit in a figure or two in the turret, but still a major step up from the MOBAT.
I loved my mauler as a kid. Mine was broken (non mobile) until i found a new motor on ebay. It does slip a bit but i wouldnt have it any other way. Welcome to the club, & keep the videos coming!
I have one arriving today. I won it on ebay for $99. Its mostly complete and working with Heavy Metal (-mic) and instructions. So far it only appears to be missing one grenade launcher and the antennas. The tow cable is present but broken in two. I'm happy with that.
I’d say you did well! The tow cable is pretty unnecessary in terms of having fun with the set. But Heavy Metal can be a real ball ache to get separately so bravo bud! I’d have been happy to slap down a Benjamin for that!
Great deal, if just for the figure
The way you talk about this reminds me of how much I love my gi joe hammer jeep. Simple but complex in design.
Yep. And so much more than a Hummer. I’m glad you’re a fan! I must say I smile whenever I catch sight of my Hammer loaded up with 1990’s Joes.
Great review with an exciting adventure as a bonus to us! My Mauler was acquired used and not complete, but functional. Sadly, I pulled it out of storage recently and many of the gray linked mounts for the bogey wheels seem to have surrendered to "Father Time."
Shit. Sorry my man. Was there weight on the tank?! Or do those mounts just spontaneously snap?! Eek.
More successful and awesome then the real tank it was based on (the Sheridan light tank of the 1970s)
CONGRATS ON OWNING ON ONE OF THE BEST GI JOE TANKS
08:50. I thought it over. The solution is that the TC (Tank/Track Commander) would be the one with the higher rank/pay grade. And you'd need both the file cards of the various personnel on the tank and a chart showing US ranks and pay grades to figure that out. If there's a tie you fall on senority-who's been in the military longer.
Back in the day my cousin Randy had a Mauler and he knew how to keep things nice and 100% complete, always had an eye on selling everything (from 1982 to 1991) and he did so in the mid 90s; made a killing! I so wanted a Mauler MBT but it was always a firm 'NO!' from the parental units....totally bogus! Now I watch the collectors take us down memory lane, keep up the fine work!
one of your best video reviews ever :))
i never realised the commanders seat wasn't accessible... I think that's a deal breaker for me... The Mauler was never one of the vehicles I was drawn too as a kid, I was always a Tomahawk fan boy... I'll stick to geting hold of one of those I think!
I think I fell into that category myself. Tanks were never my thing. But the more I learned about this piece and how damn good it was; the more of an essential toy it became. Great accompanying toy for your Tomahawk may I just add...
Great video 👍 as always thank you for your time and dedication to the GI JOE world.
This is my life. Job. Wife. Those are but illusions. GI Joe and nostalgia are what keeps me going!
Mauler patched up! Thanks for the awesome review Gentlemen!
_"Murder your enemies with style with a Mauler."_
#YoJoe #YoJoburg 👊😎
Hell yeah! The MAULER fires a round, and a HISS tank is violently up-ended on its side by the planet-shattering explosion!
@@chrismayer3919 The HISS has a ton of design issues. Top heavy, too tall, open top, relatively light main guns, and a glass cockpit (might be bullet resistant, but still a problem). Sure, it looks great, but a properly trained soldier or Marine team with the right vehicle or weapons could tear it to shreds if it existed irl.
Mine is still in the box purchased it at Gaynes ! MOM WAS GETTING HER HAIR DONE I WALK ROUND THE MALL. Hid it in the car ,she never knew I purchased it.
I just got mine complete on EBay. It was pricey but well worth it. I’m happy to be in the “Mauler club”.
Welcome to the club Shane! I’m sure you can agree: this toy is in a very elite group of the best that the best toyline had to offer. May it bring you a lot of joy buddy!
How much?
@@arlenburgin2392 $350 is what I got mine for.
This is my fav content on here
Just bought mine today! I can't wait till she arrives!
I’m so happy for you Arlen. Such a wonderful toy and very special. So good and yet only released once? Yeah, it’s a modest grail piece in my opinion.
you do such a great job on these videos! keep up the amazing work.
Gorgeous tank. Great Review. Congratulations on getting one!
Unmotorized Estrela Mauler needing some parts. It's my Mauler from childhood that my father saved for me before my mother gave away to charity most of my joes vehicles years ago.
Great review. Not just a review, a bonus mini episode as well. Definitely looking for one now as I'm trying to complete my figure collection of 82-85.
SPOT ON with the Cover Girl useable.. Could not agree More. LOL Thru the years, How GIJoburg just mixes Poetry, Praise, and Passion into their videos makes every Joburg video intellectually stimulating . I will admit, MY heart is more aligned with the Mobat..I do not know but subconsciously I "resent" the Mauler because it replaced the Mobat.. The childhood sadness about this 1 particular (natural ) GIJoe progression affects me and I do not know why... Not Conquest over SkyStriker or Tomahawk Vs DragonFly... Yes I do acknowledge all the great things it is.. no doubt .. Anyways, great JOB as always... Lovin that CoverGirl recommendation..( From my Top 10 Video she is sentimental to me as my 1st Vehicle driver as a youth)
I’d say there is a purity of the OG Green Team that’s hard to beat. Green versus Blue; less is more in terms of variety and yet a compelling play pattern existed within those limitations. But you want the sweet spot of ARAH toy history? 1985 baby. It was the point at which you could have blockbuster characters like Flint and LJ not looking “out” even when duking it out with a room full of Blueshirts. And hot damn are the vehicles not at their design peak. Snowcat, Moray, Mauler, Silver Mirage... child me still can’t believe these things exist.
Unfortunately for me, this was one of the many casualties of the constant moving that was the life of a military brat. Loved it.
I love ya GI Joburg, but damn you all for what you've done to me! I was just minding my business, doing a little collecting here and there (mainly vintage Micro Machines and black series SW figures) and then I stumbled across your addictive channel which has cultivated a certain itch down deep in my childhood brain...however, it's a bit of a sore subject. When my parents moved from our childhood home several years ago, they discovered water damage in their attic and threw out a lot of stuff...including my GI Joe collection (as modest as it was) as well as many other of my nostalgic toys (Millennium Falcon and Ewok village!! COME ON!!). Anyway, I guess collecting is a type of coping mechanism maybe. Wow- look at the time! Thanks for listening. What do I owe you? lol
We’re always available for a chat Martin! No charge... the first one is always free. And as for collecting vintage toys, it’s a cheaper hobby than golf or whatever! Particularly if you’re unfussy about played-with toys like we are!
Great tank! I'm glad that you lads have one. I love it's speed compared to the MOBAT. Just as hard to find and as bloody expensive in his gun. It is definitely a centerpiece to my collection.
Good call using Covergirl as the commander.
I once ran in the same social circles as a female tank commander. Any time I cornered her I would just ply her with as many questions as cane to mind. Fascinating conversations and they’ve really shaped how I look at Cover Girl.
@@gijoburg That's a great life experience to draw from. I never had the privilege of knowing a tank commander, I've loved tanks since I was a boy. I do know a Bradley crew chief. I worked with a woman who was an F-18 pilot, she was very attractive, but after finding that out, it make her even hotter.
Damn. Bet she knew how to handle a stick...
WAITAMINITE! TOXIC MASCULINITY ALERT! 🚨
I mean a joystick.
@@gijoburg She was tight on the curves for sure.
😝
I only had the MOBAT (with the battery panel duct taped on!) but always wanted this one
Got the MOBAT as an adult collector only. And I was pining for the upgrade ever since. Since I don’t have the nostalgia goggles it’s an easy pick between them. But I’ve got boatloads of love for the OG13 as well, don’t get me wrong!
I have Heavy Metal, not the Mauler...Great review! I'll have to make one of those wire mics, great idea! I can only wish one day I'll find a complete one with no issues, for a fair price.
Oh no! Not another "right of passage". I just did one last year by acquiring the FLAGG and going to Joecon.
Time to count my pennies!
WORTH IT.
Just a Masterpiece!
I have 2 Heavy metal, however, one was used as a target practice from it's older owner with a bb gun. So both hands are destroyed. Also, never was able to get my own since scaplers in my country seems to have alot in common with the sellers you mentioned in your struggles from acquiring one. Lol (before joecon that is) even just the bloody carcass is impossible to get at least a reasonable price. It is a beautiful vehicle that a joe fam must have. Missed these reviews you do guys! Happy to see you return to the reviewing roots of GIJoburg, and hope to see more along with your story making side. It made this joe review channel unique and great to watch.
Thank you. We will endeavor to post more reviews... they’re a lot easier than webisodes anyway! And good luck with that Mauler. I’m in Singapore again and I see a complete working one going here on Carousell for S$300. Plus Heavy Metal and gun (no mic). If I didn’t have it already, I think I’d pay that. Maybe I’d try haggling!
@@gijoburg hope you score with a good deal with those if ever you decide. Two Maulers will look great too!
Ha! I suppose they would. But I don’t do duplicates anymore. I can only play with one at a time!
@@gijoburg i alway have this idea of two maulers wingman style battle against hiss tanks. But one is quite good enough with other artillery vehicles too
Don’t give me ideas! I’m trying to stop myself from going after a second one!
Cover Girl is qualified; Armor is her Primary Military Specialty. Certainly makes more sense to have in charge instead of (shudder!) Lady J.
I never had the mauler. I did have the mobat as a kid. It was awesome.
No denying, the MOBAT is superb. It would probably edge out the Mauler for me if I had it as a kid!
@@gijoburg we got it for Christmas in 82. It blew our minds🤯
Great review!
This review is so nice! I need to play with my Mauler right now!!! Not complete but it will some day.
Best. Tank. Evarrrrrr.
GI Joburg yeeessssss !!!!
Awesome vid bud, congrats on the mauler!
A joy to behold.....this has made me smile big time today !!! An excellent review 👍thanks for sharing bro
Awesome just awesome! Thank you.
Awesome review and 'action piece' for an awesome toy!
Wonderful review guys! And great use of the Rattler :-) I am sure you understand my preference to leave the battery compartment out of the Mauler, it's just great to be able to manually operate it.
Man, the Mauler! You finished it? Nice! Also, loved Cover Girl...shame that her sole role in the first movie was having Zartan stab her through the back and Tablet in the Pit. ...She deserved better.
HEAVY DUTY is my MAULER's gunner!
What?! I’m surprised those pythons of his can fit inside!
I think the mauler was their best tank
I’d have to agree with you. Might just be the best toy tank of all time!
The best joe tank in my opinion a great review and I’m glad you got it complete brother
Simply amazing
I love that tank, it is too bad Hasbro didn't re release this tank once again, I don't have that toe cable
Sadly, HASBRO permanently abandoned the GI JOE line in 2015 in fave of its STAR WARS line, and it likely will NEVER EVER be trotted out again. A MAULER, MORAY, WHALE, FLAGG or just any of the vehicles from the past would be welcome. But GI JOE has alas, run its course through toy history :'-(
@@chrismayer3919 And now Star Wars is suffering due to the issues the film franchise is having. I consider it karma for shafting the G.I. Joe line.
Invader, while I’m grateful to have the complete vehicle, I’d say if you can check your OCD at the door, the tow cable is never really gonna enhance your enjoyment of the set. It just lies there doing nothing and flips off if you brush past it lightly! A piece of bendy wire twisted around itself makes for a far more practical and durable replacement anyway!
My favorite Karma is the VAMP Mk. II what's yours? *rimshot*
@@gijoburg You will love Major Black GI Joe Reproductions he makes some very cool action figures, you can find them on e bay, I just bought a Starduster and have another one on the way, I think it was $12 or $15 American, mint and made very well,
Been a while since I stopped by, and I see you guys have been busy! Great review as always, Joburg. YO JOE!!
Welcome back! And thanks!
Great review! The G. I. Joe M. B. T. Mauler was one of my fave G. I. Joe vehicles in the comics & cartoons. I definitely prefer it over the MOB. A. T. . It was based after the US Army's M1A1 Abrams Main Battle Tank.
Nice use of Cover Girl- definitely preferable over Lady Jaye any day. 😁 (She and Scarlett were reportedly the fave female characters by Hasbro's Ron Rudat, who designed the early G. I. Joe action figures.
The model kit style of building G. I. Joe vehicles was one of the selling points of G. I. Joe ARAH. Similar to Monogram's SnapTite model kits in the -1980s.
Heavy Metal was also a better character than Steeler IMHO.
Wish I had it. Good video! Thanks for this one.
Sorry, I have to stick with the MOBAT. The Mauler lacks automatic weapons to deal with infantry.
Awesome video. I actually have 1 good one and 1 for play. The Mauler is the best.
Precisely my thinking I must say... I want a second because they’re THAT good.
I had one.I will work to get one back. Enjoy the Episode. Yo JOE!💥😯👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿😁👍🏿
All the best! I hope you get this awesome toy back into your life buddy!
well done, good show!!!
You guys have gotten used to releasing videos when I'm out playing cards... That being said, I sure am glad I never got a mauler... being a little kid and having to put that thing together, it would've most likely come out as a TMNT blimp or something.
Loved that blimp. For real man. But finding a blow up portion that wasn’t punctured was impossible.
@@gijoburg People just fill them with styrofoam beans. All the look of an air-filled blimp, no need for air-tightedness.
Now this I gotta see. The lumpy Turtle blimp. I’d just slap a bike patch on it!
Just joined the club. Searching for antennas and a Heavy Metal figure that's affordable.
Yep. The only way I could justify that figure was to buy a total beater. But since this vid I’ve touched up his paint and he looks very respectable indeed for a $15 figure. All of the best with yours and WELCOME TO THE MAULER CLUB!!! 😝
@@gijoburg Found a small antenna. Looking for the tall one now.
It was a great toy! Amazing, I still have my original, alas I dared to much and tried to go through water. My daddy took the mauler apart and tried to dry out and salvage the motor. It was ruined. It turned into a transport for my Joe's. You could cram quite a few inside!!!
I’m always on the fence about motorized Joe vehicles because it inhibits good old fashioned play! I guess it was a blessing in disguise that yours became a proper “toy” again. I’ve removed the motor from mine.
@@gijoburg my daughter has used the mauler on multiple occasions as a transport for her smaller scale dolls. I hope that brings a smile to your face! It did mine. The mauler was so well made that it will be played with by my grandkids some day.(all the small pieces are lost to the sand box decades ago)
@@RA10H56 whew. I’ve got a long way to go before I let small children near mine I’m afraid. But I’m sure it’s only a matter of time… having these things in the hands of kids again must be pretty magical.
@@gijoburg it really is quite amazing!!! She is very careful, I have older sons who played with some the toys as well. There were quite a few that I was able to get the reissued versions of a lot of things for my older sons. so we battled together.
Great video! I hate to be the bearer of bad news. the launchers are definitely different left and right. they are symmetrical - mirror images- not two of the same piece. sorry!
Dammit! I kinda put Bobby Vala on the spot at JoeCon last year when I asked him and I was all to happy to take his word as good. It was a pretty wild time.
I didnt realize the extra wheels went on the control part of the mauler. I always thought I got extra wheels in my box.
G.I.JOBURG SOLD THE JESUS OUT THIS TANK. I WANT ONE NOW! HAHAHA
Informative, entertaining, amazing!!!
Man I am the only kid that I wish I was born in the 80s so I could play with this they are so expensive now a days I wish hasbro could make these sets again but like the 80s style and play full like the 80s.
You are not alone.
That's a really nice review you guys made here. Keep it up.
PS: What's your thoughts on the Slaughter's Marauders retool of this tank? Its got a spot for a cannon operator on it.
We love the Equalizer! Rob got one on our visit to the States last year and I’m almost certain it’s his favourite armoured vehicle. Perhaps we should crank out a complimentary review on that piece?
@@gijoburg Sounds like fun, I suggest having some figures who were in the sub-team to be riding it. Not the exact figures but maybe even the first versions of the figures.
And the Sarge, of course!
Neato
heavy metal rules!
Damn good figure.
Great, saludos de españa
They really needed to make a non battery powered version
Great video👍
Don't forget Etsy.
2x mauler club member.
🤩
I want to see it in Blazing Sand 😎
...stick around...
u can buy a custom made MIC for heavy metal on ebay ive seen it I think its only $5.
Very well done video! I’m just curious, Why didn’t you mention Heavy Metals Rifle?
Thank you very much! A very good question about the weapon; and one that’s easily answered: I don’t have one!
Don’t feel Alone! I’ve had a saved search on eBay for that for awhile now!! Fantastic videos! Keep them up! 😁
Presently acquired a mauler and wow just wow I need to find a heavy mettle and *gulp*mic
Yeesh. Good luck my man! As you can see in the vid, I made do with a beater and a piece of brown wire!
@@gijoburg I found a replica on Ebay if you like I'll buy 2 and send it to you?
Heavy metals mic imo is the single biggest argument for why repro parts are a good thing.. You want me to pay how much for a brown sliver of plastic!!!!???????
True. And if you had an original mic would you trust yourself enough to not lose it? It would put a cramp on my playtime big time.
Mini mission around the 10:00 minute mark. ✊🏽
Brother please do a review of Patriot Grizzly tank!
I'm so curious about that beast. I just don't see them pop up often enough. But if it crosses my path, now I've got a real incentive to buy! Thanks for the comment and YO JOE!
I bought two just to hobble one together just missing the antennas
Nothing wrong with scavenging off of one - the remainder can be a battle tested tank! Lost a few pieces in the field!
Nice. :-)
this is one vehicle i sadly never owned at all. I still want one today but the price is out of reach now.
It’s a good one alright. And prices are pretty insane, you’re right. But will they flatten out and go the other way? It might be worth saving up for; if you want it badly enough. It’s pretty damn special if you ask me. But hard to justify the price when you’ve got adult responsibilities. Ho hum!
Too bad Heavy metal only made one appearance in the Sunbow cartoon. In pit of vipers and he didn't drive the mauler. He drove a armadillo tank instead
At least they didn’t kill him off! The same could not be said of his comic appearances 😥
I had no idea that the Mauler was based on a real vehicle! Your final play sequence was delightful, and made me realize I really liked imagination and procedure as a kid.
I found that the War Thunder game has it. You'll want to watch the Mauler in action. Makes me want one! th-cam.com/video/5poueW5qowY/w-d-xo.html
And a brief history. When I was young, I had this, and figured it was a dumb sci-fi tank. Oh how wrong I was! th-cam.com/video/6qzHOvgOWug/w-d-xo.html
I just purchased this 85 Mauler Tank. I'm wonder tho... What else could I get to go with it. Like the 86 Tomahawk? What do you guys think?
VAMP mk II and APC for infantry support; Skyhawk for close air cover. MCC for a service base and re-arm.
But anything really. Don’t be constrained by anyone else’s play style!
Video did not explain how to adjust track tension. Proper videos about tanks do.
Dang. We’ll be sure to include a note on that in our next tank review!
Try finding Heavy Metal's microphone...impossible. If you do it's quite expensive.
You know a jobless 21 yr. old fresh graduate who wants this toy?
It's this guy!
kidding aside, how much did you pay for this? I mean I recently graduated so I can't depend on my allowance and crackers to help me with this purchase XD
$100.
At a convention.
@@gijoburg wow, was actually expecting it to be a little bit more expensive, probably at 150-200 :O
It’s true, the deals are there to be had! He wanted 150; but I put the cash in his hand and he accepted. It may have helped that it was in the dying hour of the con too! Sorry that this isn’t much help to you at the moment...
@@gijoburg you already replying is already help enough
thanks :)
@@gijoburg It has been 2 years... Still no mauler, but at least I have a job XD