Sci-Fi - Test Shot Prototype

G.I.Joe figures usually began as resin hard copies. These resin models were used to create the molds. The molds were used to press out a run of "First shots" or "Test shots". These test shots were done in many different colors.

Pictured above is an unpainted test shot of Sci-Fi that was produced in 2001. However, Sci-Fi was never released in 2001 - instead, the body mold was used to create Cobra Laser Viper (v2) (2001). The existence of his prototype shows that the entire mold of Sci-Fi was recast during the process in which Hasbro decided to create Laser Viper.

Most test shots do not have a date stamp on the figure. However, because this figure was created from an existing mold, it has a Hasbro date stamp.

It's not readily obvious to differentiate between a 2001 prototype made for Cobra Laser Viper (v2) or a prototype made in earlier years to create earlier versions of Sci-Fi. If you see a G.I.Joe prototype for sale, make sure that you know if the prototype is from a later version of the figure or earlier version.