The early 2000s GI Joe era did some things better than others and one area Hasbro always did well with during that time in my opinion were re-releases of vehicles and figures from the ARAH era. After the Real American Collection run from 2000-2002 most if not all the vehicles and figures from the 82-94 ARAH run that were released were done so as Toys R Us exclusives (or convention exclusives). That may not be completely accurate but it was the rule rather than the exception. I am not knowledgeable enough to comment on the reasons as to why Hasbro released the more familiar ARAH era figures and vehicles along with the newer Spy Troops, JvC, VvV era - was it to satisfy the collector community, introduce a newer generation to the line, budgetary since the molds/designs already existed etc. I am sure their were plenty of factors at play.
The 2003 Conquest X-30 and Slip Stream were examples of Hasbro doing an excellent job with reintroducing a great vehicle from the peak years of GI Joe in the Conquest and releasing an updated and improved version of the original Slip Stream figure. I won't go on too much about the Conquest X-30 as I no longer have that toy. For whatever reason I decided to sell it off at some point in the last decade. Another one of those decisions I have some sellers remorse on because it really was a great version of the jet with my favorite paint application for any jet in the entirety of the line. I would also argue that the figure which is the main topic of this write-up Slip Stream was an fine update from the original 1986 version. I can't say anything bad about the 1986 version, I happen to like the figure very much and it has a lot going for it. It was a figure released at the creative peak of the line and honestly the only real nitpicky issue I've ever had is that as a fighter jet pilot he did not have the oxygen mask. The 2003 version of Slip Stream remedies that very minor "issue" I have with the original version.
As I was thinking of a figure to take a look at after 2+ months of ignoring this blog (so much for my once a week Joe content goal!) Slip Stream v2 kind of seeped into my psyche. I want to say it's mostly because the 98 Conquest I acquired last year has been on a shelf in my field of vision with Slip Stream as the pilot. As I ruminated on Slip Stream I realized I have had this figure for half of my life. I got the Conquest on one of my epic Joe hunts in the summer of 2003 and he has been in my collection ever since. So Slip Stream awoken me out of my couple months of minimal Joe interest and I am feeling more connected again to my collection and wanting to dive in. The psychology between myself and GI Joe will never not fascinate me, I can go weeks or months without giving it a thought, seeing my collection and knowing I have no intention to sell it off while at the same time have no significant amount of time to dedicate to or enjoy it only to become inspired again. GI Joe really is that one constant in my life and I am grateful for that.
Slip Stream just looks like a modern fighter pilot. Much of that can be attributed to the fact the body is from the near perfect 1992 Ace (reused for the 93 and 97 versions of Ace as well). Hasbro took it a step further with that Ace body with additional paint apps that really bring out so many of the details in that mold that got lost in the Ace versions. The depth of the flight suit can really be appreciated due to all the paint apps which highlight the details - the flashlight lens is painted, the holster is painted a deep brown, the straps, pouches and buckle all stick out. Enough can't be said about the paint apps. Slip Stream's head is original and it's design is much more in line with what a fighter pilot would actually be equipped with. The olive green used for the oxygen mask just gives it that dash of military realism along with being able to visualize the visor lowering and lifting. The only issues with the figure are that the hole in the chest for Ace's oxygen mask is present since the same mold was used but Slip Stream is not able to utilize it and if the actual oxygen mask had a bit of detail either in paint apps or slight changes to the mold though instead of being a smooth surface. They are small critiques for a figure that Hasbro created an original head for which was not common during this time with the classic ARAH 3 3/4" o-ring constructed figures. I believe Big Brawler, Sure Fire, Rapid Fire, Lifeline, Sidetrack, Sideswipe were the only other figures to utilize new head construction with existing body molds from the ARAH era in the early 2000s.
Like all other figures from manufactured during this time plastic discoloration occurs more so than with the original 82-94 figures. Luckily the Slip Stream I own looks pretty good and the discoloring is not terrible. The figure did not come with any accessories and was only available with the Conquest -X-30 TRU exclusive. The figure is versatile and looks at home in any of the GI Joe fighter jets from any year of the line. As far as popularity of this version it seems to be pretty much non-existent, the only review I could find of the figure was from General's Joes and the original write-up from some 20+ years ago. I figure this write-up could be an almost original contribution to the Joe community.
