From platform to platform and cliff to cliff, Sky Commanders soar through the air. These heroic mountaineering experts do everything they can to defeat the evil General Plague as he tries to gain power over the world. The action-packed story describes how these characters battle from high up in the sky. They use zip line-like cables and unique vehicles to transport and strategically attack any enemy. In 1987, toy company Kenner released these Sky Commanders action figures. Along with these, an animated series lasting 13 episodes released by Toei Animation and Hanna-Barbera. This allowed for more details in the storyline and character background. These toys saw popularity among their release and even still today among vintage toy buyers due to nostalgia and other factors.
Many people search out these toys to add to their collections and remember the days they played with them as children. Along with this, they see the creative design of the figures and desire to add them to their collections. The interesting storyline to the characters adds to the popularity for the franchise. Also, the extra items for the toyline such as accessories and vehicles added to the popularity. Although these factors made the toyline and television series popular among many children at their release, the franchise discontinued. Not only did the toyline end, but also the television series. Due to low sales, the toyline unfortunately lost some interest among the string zip line feature. Throughout our blog, we will mention the Sky Commanders action figures and storyline behind them. Join us to read more about this awesome, unique, and short-lived franchise.
Join Us in Seeing the Sky Commanders Action Figures
Throughout our blog we will not only mention the action figures that released but we will mention the accessories and vehicles that came with them. Along with this, we will also mention the story behind these incredible characters to see more of why this franchise was so awesome. Follow along with us to dive into each action figure, design, and the gadgets that come with.
Sky Commanders Storyline
First, in order to gain a better understanding of the Sky Commanders action figures, we will mention the storyline behind the characters. This story appears mostly in animation through the television series. The animated series consists of the group of soldiers and mountain specialists as they fought the evil General Plague. Both teams search out the powerful, radioactive element found on a new continent. They search with the desire of controlling this new element in order to obtain the position of ruler of the world. The leader of the Sky Commanders, General Mike Summit, needs to stop General Plague from finding the element and using it for evil. The teams battle on the new continent that often suffers difficult weather conditions. Many earthquakes, landslides, and cave-ins make it necessary for the groups to fight from the sky.
From cliff to cliff, the characters propel from tracks and cables to transport through the sky to fight off enemies. While they dodge the extreme weather conditions, they also dodge new life forms of creatures on the new planet. These cause even more unique stumbling blocks in the characters’ way. Along with this storyline told through the animated series, the toyline from Kenner brought these awesome characters and transportation into the homes of fans. They brought the opportunity for imaginative and interactive play opportunities as children followed along with the story to act out epic scenes with their new toys.
Sky Commanders Action Figures
Coming up next on our blog, we will mention the Sky Commanders action figures released by Kenner. These figures soar through the sky on cable-like features, following along with the storyline from the animated series. Along with these figures, Kenner released 10 vehicles for the characters on each side to fight from the sky and search for the element, Phaeta-7. Kenner’s figures feature characters on both sides as well as the characters in different colors. The Sky Commanders action figures included 9 different characters, with most of them released in multiple colors. These include Commander Jack Reily, General Summit, Raider Rath, and Commander Rex Kling. Along with these, General Plague, Commander R.J. Scott, Commander Cliff Baxter, Commander Pete Crane, and Commander Kodiak Crane all released as action figures.
Commander Jack Reily
First up for the action figures, we have Commander Jack Reily. This figure released in two different color schemes including one blue, red, and brown figure and one black and orange figure. The black and orange Jack Reily figure came included with the Battle Track Projector vehicle. Then, the blue, red, and brown figure came with an Ascender. Jack Reily appears with the same detailing on both colors of figures, giving him a signature look even with the different releases. The figure that comes with the vehicle comes in mostly black coloring with two shades of orange accents on the helmet and armor. Different from this one, the other Jack Reily figure features mostly blue and red coloring with brown accents on the weapons and belt. The Commander Jack Reily mold shows many details on the figure including a helmet with glasses, collar, gloves, armor, belt, and weaponry.
General Summit
Next up, on our blog we will mention General Summit. General Summit took the very important role as the leader of the good guys. This heroic action figure soars through the sky on cables to fight off the evil enemies. In search for Pheata-7, General Summit and his team search out this special element and strategize how to keep their enemies from reaching it first. This figure comes in two colors such as the purple, red, and grey version as well as the brown, black, blue, and orange version. Although the figures utilize the same mold, some differences in color take place. These give the figures a slightly different appearance but still fit well with their vehicle and rollerball items included.
The General Summit figure that comes with the rollerball backpack features purple accents on his gloves, belt, and shoulder. Along with this, the figure features red accents on his helmet, legs, and boots. The rest of this figure appears brown as shown on the torso, wrists, and legs. Then, the other General Summit figure that comes with the Vector Command vehicle shows brown accents on only the helmet. Along with this, black accents appear on the arms, wrists, neck, and belt. The rest of the figure’s armor comes in the orange and blue coloring. General Summit shows detail and personality through these figures and gives people many play opportunities with the options for different colors.
Raider Rath
The villain Raider Rath takes on a fierce and intimidating look with his rough smirk and detailed armor suit. This figure comes in two color combinations with the first figure in purple, orange, and teal. The second figure also comes in purple and teal but this one shows pink accents and contains the other colors in different spots. The unique design on the helmets plays a big part into the character’s appearance and leading to his personality. This unique design carries into the rest of the armor with a zig-zag detail on the chest and carrying through the arms.
With the vehicle, this character can glide from cliff to cliff and take part in General Plague’s evil quest for Pheata-7. The vehicle that includes Raider Rath, Locusts Raider, comes with an outpost and grappling hook with transport cable. Locusts Raider itself features cool, evil-looking designs and factors that fit well with the character. Then, the other figure design comes with his cable raider backpack and powerband with transport cable spool. These allow the figure to soar in the air fighting enemies, just like the other figures.
Commander Rex Kling
Now, when looking at Sky Commanders action figures, we will mention Commander Rex Kling. This character appeared on the good side, with the other Sky Commanders fighting off General Plague for the element Pheata-7. Commander Rex Kling comes with his search and rescue backpack as well as his outrider and powerband with transport cable and gravity hook. A version of the figure also released with a vehicle, the Outrider. This vehicle includes the Outrider with scout seat as well as a missile, two bombs, and gravity base. The figure released in both a yellow, orange, brown, and blue version as well as a red, orange, and blue version. Rex Kling’s uniform is also equipped with weaponry and detail to add to the cool and heroic appearance.
General Plague
The dreaded, evil General Plague comes up next on our blog. General Plague comes into the scene with a similar appearance to the previously mentioned, Raider Rath. These evil figures all give the same general appearance with similar colors and molding to represent the side they take part in. The General Plague mold of the figure even includes the helmet coming in at an angle just like the Raider Rath, showing the unity of the evil characters on the same team. The Jackal Raider vehicle includes this figure with a Ram Pod, outpost, powerband with transport cable on winch, and four missiles. The other version of this figure comes with his Deception Raider backpack.
This figure released in two color combinations, just like the other figures for the toyline. General Plague released in a dark blue, purple, and lighter green appearance. Along with this, the second General Plague figure released with the same general colors but with a light blue, green, and dark purple. Though some lighter colors appear, the darker colors add to the evil appearance and give the characters a signature look, making them easily recognizable, both at their release and now in the vintage toy market.
Commander R.J. Scott
This next member of the Sky Commanders, R.J. Scott, comes with his Flex Wing vehicle and Spy Pod. This vehicle includes an outpost, 2 guns, and 2 bombs. The other figure comes with a Geyser Attack backpack as well as 2 guns and a powerband with transport cable and gravity hook. This figure appears in a darker color combination of black and red with a lighter orange helmet. He also appears in a lighter color combination of orange and blue with black accents.
Although one figure appears darker, R.J. Scott does appear on the Sky Commanders side. R.J. Scott has an asymmetrical uniform which gives a unique, eye catching appearance. Along with this, the details on the figure display a very unique look with the texture in the mold on the figure’s chest. Also, the weapons along the belt and asymmetrical shoulder detail add to the figure’s unique appearance. R.J. Scott also includes glasses with his helmet to help fight and defend his team.
Commander Cliff Baxter
Commander Cliff Baxter takes this next spot for the Sky Commanders action figures. Cliff Baxter comes with a Battle Car and Track Patrol vehicle. Along with this, a Battle Track Roadway, Gunner Car, Outpost, missile, and 2 guns all come with the figure. Cliff comes in two different colors including the blue, black, orange, and red version as well as the brown, red, and black version. With his Battle Track Dispatch and Track Patrol vehicles, Cliff soars through the sky in search for any enemies to fight against. Cliff also features some extra armor-like clothing. The black armor-like accents and bold colors give the character an awesome appearance, fitting along with the character’s background. The other version of Cliff then features the armor in a bright red color with black and brown covering the rest of the figure.
Commander Pete Crane
Commander Pete Crane comes next on our blog and shows a lot of detail in the design. This figure shows up in two different color combinations, although both look similar. The first Pete Crane appears in red, orange, and grey armor with a brown helmet. Bright red covers the majority of the figure with grey accents in the belts and orange accents in the weapons and accessories. Then, the other Commander Pete Crane figure also appears in mostly bright red. However, the orange accents on this figure include the belts. Along with this, the figure features a pair of black boots, a glove, and a bright blue helmet. The first Pete Crane figure comes with a cable cannon, powerband with transport cable, 2 guns, and 2 missiles. Then, the second figure mentioned comes with a battle car, battle track roadway, outpost, ammo car, 2 guns, and 2 bombs.
Commander Kodiak Crane
Last up on our blog of Sky Commanders action figures, we have Kodiak Crane. This figure takes on the same appearance as the last figure mentioned, Pete Crane. It shows the same details and form but appears as a different character with a different name. Kodiak Crane appears in mostly orange armor with brown and blue accents including a blue helmet, glove, and boots. Although this figure does appear the same as the past figure mentioned, it comes along with an entirely different and awesome vehicle. The Rapid Deployment vehicle that comes with the figure includes the rapid deployment, bomber pod, powerband with transport on winch, missile launcher, outpost, missile, and gun. This figure comes into battle already armed with awesome weapons and transportation, ready for anything that comes his way.
Final Thoughts
Although the Sky Commanders television series and toys only lasted a short time, many people still remember watching the series or playing with the toys. For some adults and collectors, these toys hold value and provide nostalgia for past fans. Sky Commanders tells of the unique, action-packed story both kids and adults find interesting. Along with the compelling story, since the figures only released for a short time, they didn’t mass produce like other toy lines. Because of this, some of these figures are rarer to find amongst collectors and hold higher value. Regardless, any of these characters or vehicles provide nostalgia for many people and keep the legacy of Sky Commanders alive.
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About the Author
Chris Ingledue is the founder and owner of Wheeljack’s Lab pop Culture and Toy Shop. His vision has always been to reunite customers with their favorite childhood toys and pop culture, triggering fond memories, and reigniting their imaginations. Every day he works in the “lab” where it’s Christmas 365 days a year; scouring the internet – like we did the Sears Catalog of yesteryear – for the next great treasure, awaiting the arrival of the postman as if he was Santa Claus himself and helping collectors worldwide with their own versions of Christmas. For Chris, every day as a vintage toy buyer is an absolute joy!