USS Flagg

— Jason
Listen here: https://www.spreaker.com/user/bqn1/hwts170

The G.I. Joe Real American Hero toy range was one of the most popular Hasbro products of the 1980s and mid-1990s.  The 3 ¾-inch posable action figure line consisted of over 500 different characters and could be found in any store with a toy department.  Each year Hasbro released a number of new figures, as well as supporting vehicles and playsets, while phasing out previous productions.  A corresponding cartoon and comic book series were excellent marketing tools that ensured that G.I. Joe was in the hearts and minds of target audience.

Perhaps one of the most sought-after playsets for the G.I. Joe range was a massive aircraft carrier named the USS Flagg.  First released in 1985 and only sold until the end of 1986, the USS Flagg became an icon for toy collectors.  At $109, this was one of the most expensive plastic toys of the period, but it was absolutely loaded with detail and extras.  It could be found at toy stores and department stores, available in the annual Christmas catalogues of JC Penney and Sears, G.I. Joe fans lost their minds desiring to own the Flagg.

Hasbro consistently used actual military vehicles and equipment as models for their toys and the USS Flagg was no different.  Based on the real-life Nimitz-class aircraft carriers in the United States Navy, it copied the same systems and design with a bridge, flightdeck, and a working hanger elevator.  Even the backstory of the Flagg shadowed how aircraft carriers were generally named for famous military leaders or presidents.

The story written for the USS Flagg was that the ship was named after General Lawrence J. Flagg, a character who had first appeared in the Marvel G.I. Joe comic series and was killed by the COBRA Organization, the main antagonist of the franchise.  The early continuity of the evolving G.I. Joe series kept a steady path between the comic books and TV series, thus having the death of General Flagg in one medium could be carried throughout the franchise.  The USS Flagg served as a mobile command and strike center for the G.I. Joe team as it moved to confront COBRA.

The playset itself was a staggering seven feet six inches long, just over three feet wide, and three feet tall, making it one of the largest toys of its type ever made.  The flight deck and bridge were stationary, although the starboard side of playset was open so that a person could place figures and vehicles at different levels without interference.  On the aft-port side of toy, the movable hanger elevator was big enough to support a Skystriker, a G.I. Joe vehicle based on the F-14 Tomcat fighter.  A crane and ordnance moving vehicle mimicked what was present on real aircraft carriers.  Missile launchers and movable guns fitted to various parts of the hull filled out the defensive armament for the ship.  The commanding officer of the USS Flagg was Admiral Keel-Haul and he was included with the playset.  An additional feature was a sound system that would issue alarms for general quarters and other alerts.  A microphone was also included so that children could add their own announcements when action stations were called.

Sadly, the USS Flagg was only available for two.  Many people still lament that they never received this most desperately sought-after toy.  The demand for this collectible has only grown in the past 38 years.  If one is lucky enough to find the USS Flagg at a collectibles store or eBay, the asking prices can range anywhere from $1200 to $3200 depending on the condition of the playset.  I still pine over the idea of one day owning the USS Flagg, but I need both my kidneys to remain with me.