Continuing with the “one-off” theme of random toys that are/were in my collection, here’s Air Raiders. I really don’t remember them at all. Or at least I didn’t until I just happened to come across the name online and clicked the link and had one of those “HEY! I had that toy!” moments. I now remember having the little figures but I only vaguely remember owning the vehicles they came with. I’m sure those little figures stuck around a lot longer in my collection than the vehicles did (sadly, I have neither today).
Created by Hasbro and introduced in 1987, I guess the basic idea is oxygen is now scarce in the planet of Airlandia and the Air Raiders are a rebel group battling the evil dictator Aerozar and his “Tyrants of Wind”. So the Air Raiders decided instead of conserving oxygen to breathe, they would just use it to propel their vehicles?
Given that Hasbro was behind this line, I’m surprised there wasn’t a cartoon to go with it. At least they gave us a comic book from Marvel Comics’ Star Comics kids imprint though. It only lasted five issues but is notable for having Howard Mackie and Kelley Jones as part of the creative team.
Thanks to Virtual Toy Chest for the use of images!
Tags: 1980s, Action Figures, Air Raiders, Comic Books, Commercial, Hasbro, Marvel Comics, Star Comics, Toys
Geez, your childhood really sounds like mine. This was another one where I only had one or two of the vehicles, and they most likely came from the clearance section. In fact, I think the boxes were already open by the time they got to me.
Let me guess, Sky Commanders is next, right?;)
I’m not familiar with Sky Commanders but I could post some pics and a commercial as well as anyone else could.