G.i. Joe Classified # 181 Ralph “Steeler” Pulaski & Short-Fuze
Steeler
Ralph W. Pulaski is a brash and c0cky soldier. Usually reckless when driving a tank, Steeler tends to push vehicles to their limits when in the battlefield, all in an effort to psychologically make enemy tank drivers doubt their own skills.
The figure is very reminiscent of the classic vintage toy’s design. The Sunbow cartoon model, though, not even close.
Steeler will forever be remembered as the Joe who managed to hook up with the Baroness and make her one of the good guys in an alternate universe in the “Worlds Without End” episodes.
Steeler’s headsculpt is pretty good. I wonder if it’s based on anyone from the design team? They sometimes do that.
Steeler’s helmet has a visor that can be raised or lowered. Just like on the vintage toy that came with the MOBAT.
For weaponry, Steeler comes with a sidearm that’s holstered on his chest, as well as a knife that’s sheathed on his right thigh. He also has a submachine gun holstered on his left thigh.
His sidearm can be equipped with the silencer that’s attached to his submachine gun.
Let’s rock!
For more firepower, Steeler can whip out his submachine gun to mow down Cobras even faster.
The set provides a lot of effects parts can be plugged into the guns.
Short-Fuze
Eric W. Freistadt is a mathematical whiz who can easily mentally calculate artillery azimuths and plot trajectories in his head, making him a perfect match for firing mortars on the fly. Hailing from a family of top career military men, Short-Fuze signed up for army without a second though. His biggest flaw is that he’s very sensitive to criticism, resulting in him having a really a short temper, earning him his codename.
For some reason, Hasbro kept changing Short-Fuze’s real name over the years, first it was “Eric W. Freistadt”, then it became “Mark W. Brenstan”, followed by “Mark W. Freistadt”, before returning to “Eric W. Freistadt” again. Lol. Talk about identity crisis.
Short Fuze is best known for being the only Original 13 member to wear glasses in the Marvel Comics runs (it never came up in the cartoons though).
Short Fuze comes armed with a sidearm on his left thigh, as well as a knife on his left lower leg. I think this probably means he’s meant to be left-handed. So that’s how I’m going to go with this guy.
Yeah, I can’t unsee actor Rick Moranis thanks to the thick-rimmed glasses.
Effects parts can also be plugged into his sidearm.
For heavier firepower, Short Fuze comes with this machine gun.
Removable ammo clip.
Effects parts can be plugged into the bigger guns as well.
The set also provides a bigger gun for Short-Fuze to use.
Removable ammo clip.
I really love that this set comes with so many different types of effects parts.
Short-Fuze also comes with a shovel. It makes sense if you want to level the ground before placing the mortar launcher.
Naturally, Short-Fuze’s main weapon is his mortar launcher, which can be stowed on his backpack rack for transport.
Fire in the hole!
Steeler and Short-Fuze
Get that mortar ready!
Overall, a pretty solid set. While Steeler and Short-Fuze never really stood out for me back in the old Sunbow cartoons (the animation models not matching the toys also made things confusing for little old me back then), they are still a part of the original 13 Joes and it’s great that we finally get these two added to the roster.
I love that this set comes with so much gear, plus the effects parts for the guns. The Classified line really almost never disappoints.
The only negative for me here would be the mics on their helmets. The angles are so off, they tend to stick up the figure’s noses. I’m not sure if they can be heated up to hold on a better position. I guess I’ll try it out later.
With the recently-released Zap and now Grand Slam just announced for next year, that only leaves Flash, the laser trooper missing to complete the group!
Hasbro’s internal oddball codename for pre-orders for this set is “SP Cartman”, a reference to the South Park character, Cartman.
Gold
