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Figure Description:
Zap was one of the original figures released carded in the first series (1982). Like all of the original sixteen figures, Zap was released with "straight arms".
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Versions of Zap:
In 1997, Zap was renamed "Sgt. Zap". So while there are several names, there are a total of five figures based on the character "Zap".
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Accessories:
Zap came with a light green bazooka, a light green helmet, and a light green backpack.
Click the link to see the figure with all its weapons - All Geared Up! |
Variations:
When the new version of Zap was released in 1983, two major changes were made to his construction. The straight-arms were replaced with arms that could swivel at the bicep, and his bulky waist-piece was replaced by a slimmer one. Also, the date stamp on the figure was changed from "1982" to "82-83". While technically only a variation, the changes are substantive enough to consider this a new version. However, as many people consider this only a variation, we have chosen to list this figure as version 1.5, rather than version 2. Other than "straight-arm" and "swivel-arm" releases, no variations of the Zap figure are known to exist.
There are three versions of Zap's bazooka.
The earliest one had two handles, pictured above (top). The most common
one is the one pictured above (bottom). An intermediate version with
a single thin handle, pictured above (center) was also available before
the final single-handled bazooka was produced. The original bazooka
broke too many thumbs off of the straight-arm figures, so the bazooka
was replaced. The two-handed bazooka is the hardest one to find.
Lastly, there are two versions of Zap's filecard. The filecard with the Zap available from Hasbro Direct has a glossy red backing, while the filecard that came with Zap did not. Zaps included with the Sears or JCPenney's exclusive gift packs also had the red backing.
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Body Construction:
Most of the 1982 series figures and their swivel-arm counterparts re-used molds from each other, repainted slightly to make them seem more original.
The head of Zap was re-used for Grand Slam and Grunt (and in 1983 Grand Slam (v2) and Tan Grunt). Zap's arms were shared with Grunt, Hawk, Short-fuze, Snake Eyes, and Stalker (and in 1983, Tan Grunt v2). Zap's torso was shared with Short-fuze. Zap's waist-piece was shared with twelve of the original fifteen figures. Zap's legs were shared with Breaker, Clutch, Grunt, Hawk, Rock N Roll, Short-fuze, Stalker, and Steeler (and in 1983, Tan Grunt v2 and in 1984 Tan Clutch v2).
Note that the figure's head only turns left and right - it does not allow the head to look up and down. The heads only turned left and right until the the swivel ball head that was introduced in 1985 (Series Four).
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International Variants:
In Argentina, Zap was recolored in brown and released as Soldado Bazooka: Zap.
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From the collection of: Phillip Donnelly
Accessories from the collection of: E. Son
Variant carded figure from the collection of: John Missal
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