By some random set of circumstances I have two seemingly unrelated items up for review today. Well IÂ say unrelated but… well really there is a connection, and a pretty obvious one at that. Perhaps I should make my statement a little more specific and then you will see what I mean.
OK, let’s try that again…
By some random set of circumstances I have two items tied to a particular character that seem to have nothing to do with said character, except the likeness of the character itself.
Not any clearer huh?
Enough of these shenanigans I think it’s easier if I just show you.
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From Remco me have the Mr. T Remote Control Firebird. Released in 1983 this car is all of four inches long and comes with a cool three function remote connected by an amazing four foot cord. Yep… pretty lame I know, but I am certain that back in the early eighties it was super cool. Based on a very standard set of cheapo remote controls this car could go forward and backwards. There was no steering here, to change direction the car would have to use its nifty change direction mode, aka back up and turn slightly. Ha!
The highlight of this piece for me are the decals that have been applied to the car itself. First of all you have T himself driving the car. So as you can see we have a sticker of him on the windshield, but to add to the ‘reality’ of the situation and make it look more 3D they also put another one, as if taken from an alternate angle, on the driverside window. Clever… hmmm.
There is also the inevitable Mr. T logo on the sides of the car as well as slap bang in the middle of the hood. Classy for sure… but wait, there’s more! Check out the rear window…
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We have what can only be described as a back seat o’ bling, Rings and chains, fashioned from gold, all of which are so huge they dwarf the Mr. T that is actually driving the car. Weird right?
Now I don’t recall ever seeing Mr. T driving a red Firebird on the A-Team, and even when one of the more anal retentive ones of you out there (and you know who you are) find a moment in one of the shows where he did, I don’t care. WHY ISN’T HE DRIVING THE VAN???? Yes I know this isn’t an A-Team piece of merch but just use any black van it would have made this soooo much cooler. I can’t complain though as I got this as a neat little gifty from my buddy… just coz. Ah how romantic. Nah, I got it just coz that’s for sure… just coz he saw it on eBay for a total steal and he couldn’t pass the deal up and he knew that I would get a kick out of it. Well Bob you were 100% correct and I am most appreciative  
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The back of the package shows that other items in this line include: a stunt plane, chopper (doesn’t T hate to fly?), water jet power racing boat, another remote control but this times it is a Ford Ranger, walkie talkies as well as a pair of binoculars. What do they all have in common? Cheapo generic toys that have had stickers put on them to try and make them sell. Ah, you just got to love the eighties and their get rich quick schemes.
Next up is another Mr. T item.
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Mr. T’s Water War to be precise. Again, this toy is from 1983… Mr. T ruled in 1983.
Made by Lakeside this toy is a whopper.
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It stands an impressive 15″ tall and is… well it’s Mr. T’s face that’s what it is.
As you can see he has all of his prerequisite jewelry and he appears to be holding some sort of gun. OK… And the side has a hook up for a garden hose.
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Basically this is a game where you have two teams standing on either side of his T-ness and tossing wet sponges trying to hit him in the face. That doesn’t sound like such a good idea to me, but hey thems the rules. For the team that does this successfully a jet of water then issues forth in the opposite direction dousing the other team. This happens up until they are able to hit T’s face from their side and the favor is returned as it were. This game involves alot of throwing, running around and getting wet… sure sounds good to me on a hot day.
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Here on the back of the box you can see that even in the early eighties the lawyers were already having their way with everything. Notice the warning about eye injury from spraying water… humbug!
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The side of the box shows a kid taking a shot right in the face, uh-oh. I am guessing that if this toy were released today it would come with protective goggles and some kind of kneepads!! At least the artwork is cool.
This game usually sells for about $40-50 (much of this is due to the high cost of shipping such a large box). My recommendation is to try to find one at a yard sale or flea market where you could probably get one for just a few bucks (though I must admit I have never seen one there though).
So back to my opening statement, what these things have to do with Mr. T beats me. All I do know is that they are cool and a whole heap of fun.
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I pity the fool who doesn’t like Mr. T merchandise. The Water War is just plain bizarre, but they did a nice job capturing his bling.
Mr. T as a sponge activated bidet for children. Sweet.
Sadly, I did not have these Mr. T toys when I was a kid.
However, I did have the official Dirk Benedict Ascot dress-up kit. It was very stylish.
If that really did exist you so too would have owned it.
I had one of those remote control cars as a kid, it wasn’t a Mr. T, but even if it was I don’t think it would have sucked any less. As soon as the car gets some speed it hits the end of the cord. So you are forced to run after it to do anything with it…it was totally lame.