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| 31~07~05 - M.A.S.K. Vehicles | |
The wave of vehicles released with the first series (which aired in 1985) is widely believed to be the best, being that it covered all of the major characters from the series. Rhino and Thunderhawk (belonging to Matt Trakker) and Switchblade (belonging to Miles Mayhem) are undoubtedly the highlights of this first wave. The second series brought with it a second wave of vehicles, each of which could be found in that second series, with one exception. The vehicle Hurricane (driven by Hondo MacLean) actually featured in the first series, but was far too good a toy to miss altogether, so it appeared amongst the other greats such as Outlaw (Miles Mayhem and Nash Gorey) and Volcano (Matt Trakker and Jaques LaFleur). Resemblances to the actual vehicles were (and still are) remarkable. Racing was the theme of the third series (characters were involved in some sort of race in each episode), and each vehicle was modified to keep in line with the racing element. The vehicles in this range have incredible changeability and extra features, and in terms of creativity, they represented a real high point in design. Most notable from this range are Bulldoze (driven by Boris Bushkin), Razorback (Brad Turner) and Wildcat (Buddy Hawks). Between 1987 and 1988 came the fourth wave, although these vehicles never appeared in the show. They were called the 'Split Seconds' because each vehicle's main feature was the ability to separate and become two different vehicles. There were two figures and masks with each set: one was the regular driver, and the other was the 'Splitting Image', a clone needed to drive the second vehicle. Although the idea of one vehicle becoming two was clever in itself, as toys, the imagination of the designs seemed to be lacking somewhat. Wolfbeast (Miles Mayhem), Detonator (Jaques LaFleur) and Fireforce (Julio Lopez) are the most memorable examples from the fourth wave, although they aren't quite in the same league as Rhino and Bulldoze. The sun went down on the range of M.A.S.K. vehicles on a bit of a low, with the 'Laser Command' series. This range was in fact more experimental than anything, with each vehicle utilising infrared LEDs, which caused parts to explode. Disappointingly, neither of the two solitary vehicles produced in this 'range' (Hornet and Ratfang) transformed in the traditional sense, but still, the M.A.S.K. vehicles as a whole had a remarkably good run, and remain some of the most innovative and good-looking toys produced in the last couple of decades. |
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| The following vehicles were released: | |
| Series 1 (1985) | |
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| Series 2 (1986) | |
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| Series 3 (1987 "Racing Series") | |
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| Series 3 (1987-88 "Split Seconds") | |
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| Series 4 (1988 "Laser Command ") | |
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For a more detailed guide to the MASK range visit  |
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The M.A.S.K. vehicles that were released in conjunction with the TV show were quite possibly the most innovative in terms of individual gimmicks and transformability. There were five M.A.S.K. series in total, and a particularly strong line of vehicles that are still excellent even by today's standards followed each one.