1990 Dutch Catalogue
Translation of the 1990 Dutch Catalogue by Ronald Hof (Snowcat Ron / snowcatron)
Assemble immediately! The command thunders through the speakers of the Cobra base. Cobra Commander wants a surprise inspection of all his troops. He must have some diabolical plan again to conquer the world. For the first time the heinous Iron Grenadiers are lining up in front of him. Cunning saboteurs led by the frightening Voltar, with his eagle(1), that never leaves him. And the newest recruits are also standing in line: the Toxo-Vipers, feared experts of the most ghastly toxins.
1) Yes, eagle! Apparently, the poor bird was not recognized as a condor.
1) Yes, eagle! Apparently, the poor bird was not recognized as a condor.
A thunderclap rolls over the plain: the army of the dreaded Destro sets itself in motion to take up new positions. Such a D.E.M.O.N. column on the rise, that stirs up some dust! Nothing stops the heavily armed tanks. They will go through a wall as if it were a sheet of paper. In his small private jet the leader of the Iron Grenadiers, Destro, monitors the D.E.M.O.N. drivers closely, the fearless Ferrets(2). Their cockpit is uncomfortably small, but this just gives them a kick!
2) The Dutch code name ‘Steltloper’ translates into ‘Stilt Walker’, which is a reference to the D.E.M.O.N. being able to elevate its body.
2) The Dutch code name ‘Steltloper’ translates into ‘Stilt Walker’, which is a reference to the D.E.M.O.N. being able to elevate its body.
The Cobras are such villains and their means are so vile, that there can never be too many G.I. Joes to stand up for peace and justice. At the end of their training the new recruits listen attentively to Lt. Falcon’s instructions. Everyone is there: Budo, Taurus, Spearhead and his lynx(3) Max, Charbroil, Maverick, Knockdown, Red Dog, Dodger, Muskrat, Hardball, Repeater(4), Shockwave, Avalanche, Blaster(5), Blocker, Lightfoot, Storm Shadow and Mercer(6). They know all fighting techniques, but each has his own specialty. Let the Cobras strike, the G.I. Joes are ready! On land, at sea and in the air.
3) The lynx is further specified as a bobcat on the US card info. A bobcat is a type of lynx.
4) The Dutch code name Stotter translates as Stutter in English, a fun alternative for Repeater.
5) The Dutch code name Blaffer can translate into Barker (from barking like a dog), but the word blaffer is also used to refer to a revolver (gun/pistol), which is the appropriate meaning here, relating to the name Blaster.
6) The word wissel means switch, which indicates Mercer’s switch of allegiance from Cobra to G.I. Joe.
3) The lynx is further specified as a bobcat on the US card info. A bobcat is a type of lynx.
4) The Dutch code name Stotter translates as Stutter in English, a fun alternative for Repeater.
5) The Dutch code name Blaffer can translate into Barker (from barking like a dog), but the word blaffer is also used to refer to a revolver (gun/pistol), which is the appropriate meaning here, relating to the name Blaster.
6) The word wissel means switch, which indicates Mercer’s switch of allegiance from Cobra to G.I. Joe.
Shockwave and Avalanche were able to hide themselves just in time. They were patrolling on their A.T.V., when they suddenly bumped into the Cobra Wolves, which were returning to their unit. Well, there’s some new information for the G.I. Joes. If the Cobras with their devious ruses were thinking they could do as they please in the remote polar regions, they had better think again! Shockwave and Avalanche are on to their troop movements. Can’t miss...Shockwave engages first anywhere and Avalanche only feels at home in this freezing climate.
Mysterious signals are coming from the swamp island: it must be a dirty Cobra maneuver. Repeater, Muskrat and Dodger listen to what their instincts tell them. They will take care of it. They jump into the Warthog, Sgt. Slaughter’s amphibious vehicle. Getting to shore is difficult because of the strong current, but fortunately Sgt. Slaughter can count on Dodger, an experienced mate. Repeater keeps his personal machine gun at the ready and Muskrat feels delighted again to be on this swampy terrain. Caution is needed however, because Raptor has seen them come ashore.
The Cobras want to sabotage the oil wells and pipelines. If they succeed, the world’s population will be deprived of energy. That’s why Skidmark keeps watch in his Desert Fox. Nothing escapes him. Behind the machine gun is Muskrat, ready to fire at the slightest suspicious movement. Lt. Falcon patrols with his Tank Car, a light vehicle equipped with a machine gun. Even in the desert the Cobras might suddenly appear as a jack-in-the-box!
Too late! The Cobras beat the G.I. Joes to it. Leaving the Tomahawk, Spearhead, Taurus and Repeater only to find smoldering debris. Taurus, a seasoned climber, ascends the ruins as agile as a little squirrel. He shifts aside whole blocks of concrete as if they were matchboxes. But there is little chance to find anything left alive. Max, Spearhead’s lynx, may have picked up a scent. Repeater keeps the finger on the trigger since a Cobra may still be hiding in this dangerous environment.
Big alert! The Cobra Air Force has discovered the G.I. Joe base and wants to wipe it from the map. Something needs to be done urgently! Windmill already takes off in his Skystorm, straight up into the sky. Now just retract the rotor blades and the Skystorm becomes a super sonic jet. Fire! Against those cruise missiles the vile Cobras have no defense. Slipstream first had to cut short a game of electronic pinball, but now it’s getting serious! In his Conquest X-30 he fires his projectiles with agility and accuracy. The computer calculates the trajectory. The Cobras won’t know how to react!
Big Boa wants to deploy an entire Cobra Imp division against the International Space Center. The light armored vehicles with their cruise missiles and laser cannons threaten to raze the Center to the ground. But they did not count on the courage and persistence of the G.I. Joes! Lightfoot and Charbroil volunteer to stop the Cobra Imps. They are in great danger, standing so closely to each other! Just imagine that Lightfoot’s explosives come into contact with the petrol reservoir of Charbroils’ flame thrower. It’s unthinkable!
Paralyzing Cobra’s Computer center will mean the end of this diabolical gang. The entrance is thus well guarded: Road Pig stands watch with Croc Master and his mangling crocodile. But that does not deter Storm Shadow and Mercer. They used to be Cobras. Now they want to make amends and pass on all their knowledge about Cobra’s ruses and hideouts to the G.I. Joes. Budo comes from an ancient line of Samurai and holds his own in the martial arts. Just like Storm Shadow, a genuine Ninja. Together they will bring this dangerous assignment to a successful conclusion.
“Quiet! Take care not to be seen!” Quickly the G.I. Joes switch off the engine of their Scuba Packs(7). This way, the Hydro-Vipers won’t see them approach the floating(8) Cobra island. After all, the smallest ripple could be fatal! And that cannot be allowed to happen because the other G.I. Joes are waiting for information on the upcoming Cobra attack. At precisely this moment Voltar chooses to go on patrol on his Rocket Sled. As always, his cunning and malicious eagle follows him. If only he won’t spot the G.I. Joes! With the gemstone(9) which he uses as sight, it seems he has eyes in the back of his head.
7) Interestingly, the word ‘duikboten’ is used, which means ‘submarines’. A bit of an overstatement for a Scuba Pack I would say.
8) I suspect an artificial island is meant, it’s odd to call it a floating island.
9) Apparently, the red visor on Voltar’s helmet is indicated as a gemstone.
7) Interestingly, the word ‘duikboten’ is used, which means ‘submarines’. A bit of an overstatement for a Scuba Pack I would say.
8) I suspect an artificial island is meant, it’s odd to call it a floating island.
9) Apparently, the red visor on Voltar’s helmet is indicated as a gemstone.
Quick! The Cobras are not allowed to conquer the laboratory for Nuclear Research! The fate of the world depends on the responsiveness of the G.I. Joes. With Knockdown at the head, a R.P.V. column advances at full speed. But the Cobra scouts have guessed their intentions. They have sent in a division of Astro-Vipers, each equipped with a Gyrocopter. Tough guys, but not for the R.P.V.’s. They have radar and missiles(10). Not to mention the thoroughbred sharpshooter that Knockdown is!
10) To make sense in this story, the R.P.V. drone is repurposed as missile.
10) To make sense in this story, the R.P.V. drone is repurposed as missile.
Lately the Cobras have been suspiciously active. Acts of sabotage and troop movements in quick succession. Soon a broad offensive is expected. That’s why it’s imperative to take a quick look at their headquarters. Right up Ghostrider’s alley. Maverick goes through the assignment with him in detail. Maverick is perfectly capable of piloting the Phantom X-19 himself because he knows all the test models like the back of his hand. But his duty as pilot trainer forces him to stay grounded: at the control stick of the Conquest X-30 Slipstream is waiting for instructions as well.
Ghostrider skims very close to the ground at a speed of Mach 3. He escapes the Cobra radar just as easily as he escaped the chores at school back in the day. The X-19 is called “the Phantom” for a reason. The airplane is completely covered in a layer of iron grain epoxy, which reflects laser beams. When approaching the headquarters Ghostrider needs to cease all radio transmissions to stay unnoticed. He observes everything that indicates an upcoming Cobra attack and then returns along the stratosphere to the G.I. Joe lines.
Oh dear! The Cobras have penetrated the G.I. Joe base. Some cunning Techno-Vipers are skillfully sabotaging the entire electronic control installation. Luckily Hardball and Red Dog heard suspicious sounds. They double-time it there to take out the saboteurs before too much damage is done. Together they will take care of business. Hardball knows how to hit the mark as if he has a radar in his head. And Red Dog wastes no time asking questions. He simply heads straight for the goal.
In this area Cobra’s control ends. They have never succeeded in penetrating here. That’s why the zone is under close surveillance. The Mean Dog is at its post. It is a very special vehicle that houses three heavily armed units. Under Wildcard’s supervision the guard operates in a precise manner. Just as well, because the Cobras only need one inattentive moment. So the Mean Dog that is relieved of the guard stays until the next Mean Dog is completely in position.
Where once stood a fresh green forest, the branches are now black, the leaves charred. The Toxo-Vipers poured a sticky poisonous mixture of their own design onto it. They feel protected by their armor, which is resistant to acid. This way, they try to keep the G.I. Joes at a distance. But they can’t win against the Swampmasher. With its special wheel system, it takes on every obstacle without slipping. Blocker(11) drives as a true champion, aided by Blaster, the man who knows everything about hovercrafts and is used to slippery surfaces.
11) Blocker’s Dutch code name Coureur focuses on his specialty as a driver, since word coureur is used for race car drivers.
11) Blocker’s Dutch code name Coureur focuses on his specialty as a driver, since word coureur is used for race car drivers.
A radio call sounds in the G.I. Joes’ headquarters. The front lines request reinforcements. Consider it done! Everything is at the ready immediately, because Armadillo, the Rolling Thunder driver, quickly brings about fifteen armed and geared-up G.I. Joes aboard his gigantic, armored vehicle. A veritable base on wheels, with a whopping 8 tires. On all sides gunner stations can swivel towards the target. Cruise missiles, grenades, a laser cannon and a radar installation: it has everything on board. The Cobra weapon that can take down the Rolling Thunder, is yet to be invented.
Halt! Armadillo orders to set up camp. Well over a dozen G.I. Joes breathe a sigh of relief, because Armadillo always applies a hellish pace to his armored vehicle, without sparing either his machine or the G.I. Joes. The vehicle stands ready to protect itself for the night. But the attention may not weaken for a moment. Everyone stays on the lookout, the one at the machine gun or the grenade launcher, the other at the launch tower for the cruise missiles. Armadillo is already in his mini jeep. He is going to explore the area. As long as he is away, everyone remains vigilant.
“Hey ho... Psyche-Out(12) and Roadblock, nothing to report?”, Outback asks the two G.I. Joes on the watch tower. “Nothing, this jungle is a virtual desert.”- “And you, Duke and Tripwire, did you see anything suspicious during your last patrol?”- “Not a thing. You can pack up your first aid kit again, Lifeline. It seems like the Cobras are gone.” These six men aren’t just any G.I. Joes! They form Tiger Force. An elite commando, kings of camouflage and jungle operations. Their specialty: capture Cobra equipment and use it for the G.I. Joes. Like for example this Tiger Paw.
12) The Dutch code name is Psycho interestingly enough.
12) The Dutch code name is Psycho interestingly enough.
What a disaster! The Cobras are preparing to poison the largest natural reserve on the planet. Not to fear, Tiger Force is here. Outback and Lifeline pilot the Tiger Shark with the pedal to the metal through the high grass around the lake. For the Reserve it’s a matter of life and death. Outback’s experience with survival techniques comes in handy with this assignment, just like Lifeline’s medical knowledge. But first and foremost, they are two super trained fighters. If they arrive in time, the Cobras won’t have a ghost of a chance to execute their nefarious plans.
Cobra’s latest contrivance: blowing up the suspension bridge over which the Express train must pass. They are after the gold of the National Bank, that is hidden in the safe car. But Psyche-Out smells a rat. Immediately Roadblock, heavy machine gunner, and Tripwire, explosives specialist, rushed off to the Tiger Cat to defuse the bridge. Frostbite, the Tiger Cat driver, doesn’t like detours: he drove straight through the large swamp. Just a little more throttle and the armored vehicle is on solid ground again. And now full speed to the bridge, which could explode any moment.
Psyche-Out has a sixth sense but also state-of-the- art electronic equipment. With it he breaks the morale of every enemy. But he also knows how to receive maydays from G.I. Joes in trouble. Duke, who went ona solo patrol, is stuck in the quicksand. That Duke really isn’t afraid of anything. Always first in line for hazardous assignments! Psyche-Out has come to his aid with the Tiger Fly. Wild Bill(13), the pilot, has dropped a rope and gently pulls Duke out of his sand bath. The best pilot of the West dealt with this kind of situation before!
13) Recondo was called Wild Bill (Wilde Willem) as pilot of the Tiger Fly. The Tiger Fly prototype in the product folder actually showed a recolored Wild Bill seated in the Tiger Fly. Clearly the figure was switched for Recondo for some reason, but the code name and file card info remained Wild Bill’s in The Netherlands.
13) Recondo was called Wild Bill (Wilde Willem) as pilot of the Tiger Fly. The Tiger Fly prototype in the product folder actually showed a recolored Wild Bill seated in the Tiger Fly. Clearly the figure was switched for Recondo for some reason, but the code name and file card info remained Wild Bill’s in The Netherlands.
Scans and translation courtesy of Ronald Hof (Snowcat Ron / snowcatron).