In the fictional world of G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero, Skystriker refers to two things: a jet fighter and a character.
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The Skystriker XP-14F is a variable wing fighter aircraft, which first appeared in the 1983 edition of the hit cartoon series and toyline. It featured two each of the S3 Sidewinder, S3 Sparrow and S3Z Phoenix missiles, two ejection seats with working parachutes, and two Vulcan cannons.[1] It was actually a version of the Grumman F-14 Tomcat. This jet fighter is frequently piloted by the G.I. Joe member Ace.
The Skystriker was recast in black and red, and released as the Night Force Night Boomer in 1989, as a Toys "R" Us exclusive.[2]
Its first comic book appearance was in issue #14 of the G.I. Joe comic published by Marvel Comics and appeared in every issue featuring a dogfight.
It was the central focus in issue #34, as Ace pilots a Skystriker in a dogfight against the Cobra pilot Wild Weasel. Neither pilot wins.[3]
It often appears in relation to the USS Flagg, the Joe's fictional aircraft carrier. For example, several Skystrikers are lost over the carrier's side during a tsunami.[4]
Its final appearance was in issue #115, after which Ace has traded it for the newer more sophisticated Ghoststriker X-16; a craft based on F-16 Fighting Falcon.
In the animated series, it was used by every qualified Joe member until it was replaced by the Conquest X-30 in 1986. In the episode "The Wrong Stuff", several Skystrikers were modified for space travel.[5] In "Battle for the Train of Gold", many Skystrikers were destroyed in a strafing run outside of Fort Knox.[6]
The Skystriker is featured in the 1985 G.I. Joe computer game.[7]
| G.I. Joe character | |
| Skystriker | |
|---|---|
| Affiliation | G.I. Joe |
| File name | Alexander P. Russo |
| Birthplace | Providence, Rhode Island |
| Subgroups | Tiger Force |
| Year introduced | 1988 |
Skystriker is also a code name used by a member of the G.I. Joe team. He is a member of the special G.I. Joe group Tiger Force, and serves as the jet fighter pilot tasked with operating the "Tiger Rat", a G.I. Joe assault plane. His real name is Alexander P. Russo, and he was released as an action figure in the 1988 edition of the toyline. Skystriker was born in Providence, Rhode Island, and grew up around planes on a military base. He is noted for destroying more than fifteen Cobra planes during attacks on Cobra Island.[8]
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