Bazooka Soldier

Code Name:

Zap

version 1.5 (Swivel Arm)

Desimone Guide: #7

Tomart's Guide: #GI5113 (swivel arm)

Bagged Figure (with red-backed filecard)

Zap's Filecard

Figure Description:

This swivel-arm version was released carded as part of the second series (1983). The swivel-arm Zap was available in stores in 1984 and was discontinued domestically in 1985.

In 1986 and 1987, Hasbro Direct offered Zap as part of the "Original Adventure Team" mail-in set. He came packaged in a plastic bag and came with nine other figures in a carrying case.

Versions of Zap:

• Zap (1982)
• Zap v1.5 (1983) (Swivel Arm)
• Zap v2 (1991)
• Sgt. Zap (1997)
• Zap v3 (2004)
• Zap v4 (2007) - as Rafael "Zap" Melendez
• Zap v5 (2009) - as Rafael "Zap" Melendez

In 1997, Zap was renamed "Sgt. Zap". So while there are several names, they are all based on the character "Zap".

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 old version of Zap was replaced 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.

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, Grunt, Grand Slam (v2), and Tan Grunt. Zap's arms were shared with Grunt, Hawk, Short-fuze, Snake Eyes, Stalker and Tan Grunt (v2). The upper arms only were shared with Snow Job. 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, Steeler, 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).

International Variants:

In the United Kingdom and Europe, the swivel-arm version of Zap was recolored in gray and released with the Sealion vehicle as Dolphin.

In India, Zap was recolored in bright green. Another version of Zap in India used his body in dark green. Still another version features a dark green Zap with a recolored Shortfuze head.