Exploring the 1983 PAC/RAT Vehicles: A Retrospective on Early Robotic Innovations in Action Figures

Story by Mitchell Smith

Welcome to the Outpost. Today I’m taking a look back at the G.I. Joe 1983 PAC/RAT vehicles. These 3 mini robotic vehicles were way ahead of their time. I’m not sure who came up with the idea but robotics are used today in police, fire, and military. These are neat little vehicles and even though they do not hold a figure they pack a big punch.

These were really instrumental showing the tech that was being used at the time and how it might develop into real life robots fighting for us. Today we have many characters using high tech drones and robots such as The Classified Trip Wire and Scrap Iron who has a very similar robotic missile launcher.

I wouldn’t mind seeing Hasbro produce Classified PAC/RATs, they have a good start with the Scrap Iron mold. Who had these as a kid? Who would buy Classified versions? Make sure to check back for our next discussion.