So, true story. I served in the army with a couple of brothers who were both Helicopter pilots. Their dad was a helicopter pilot in Vietnam (UH-1 / AH-1) and was serving in the MA National Guard late 70s early 80s. Well, their unit got a call from Hasbro one day asking if they could come out and take pictures for modelling for a new toy line. So the unit obliged and the Hasbro guys brought a bunch of their toy lines for their kids. Well, their dad ended up being the model for the wild bill action figure as he was photographed kitted up in his flight suit in front of his AH-1 Cobra (CAV Stetson and all) for Hasbro and they even sent him some of the pictures they took afterword. He retired as a Colonel, one of his sons retired as a LTC, and one is still on active duty as a Combat Aviation Brigade Commander. They both served in TF 160 (SOAR), the US Army special ops aviation unit. and saw combat in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Oh sure back when it was cool to be a cowboy 🤠. I try to avoid that Salvo change to that fat polynesian lesbian lol. 300th comic should be good though.
Wild Bill remains one of my All Time fave Top 10 Joes. Liked his look and the fact that Larry Hama had him a background as a LRRP in 'Nam, which was a good move as it gave him credibility in Special Missions #4, and in DDP's World War III arc. He's also one of the few Joes who acted as he did in the comics in the 1980s cartoon.
He was my first Joe and will always be one of my favorites too. As a fellow Wild Bill fan, what do you think of the idea of Alan Jackson as Wild Bill in a movie (acting ability and age aside)? Wild Bill thinks of himself as a country singer, and I think Jackson looks enough like the character.
The thing I remember best about Wild Bill (from the cartoon series) was how often he cried, "Yeeeeehhaaww!" while crashing his chopper. He's toted as being the best pilot the Joes have, and yet crashes constantly. Now, you'd think a guy that could practically crash before he's even taken off, might consider wearing a helmet. But no; cowboy hats only!
Out all the Joes as a kid Wild Bill was one my favorite he easily stand out and was very distinguished by the way he looked and act, the CWO Hardy, love how he was depicted in the cartoons although comic book Wild Bill was more badass even more in Resolute , too bad he wasn't in any live action of previous movies although supposedly he was in the 3rd one if ever see the light, love these videos Jesse, thank you
A rough and tough Texas cowboy turned army infantry, during Vietnam, then decides to learn how to fly, which was something he had never done before, thereby providing an inherent limit of experience; this man, "Wild Bill," is subsequently the primary Joe relied upon to repeatedly expose himself in the most vulnerable position of flight: takeoff and landing. Wild Bill's already wild nature, combined with his willingness to endure the high number of air insurrections and extractions despite his relatively late start in training and experience, would have a statistically high probability of at least one, if not many, crashes to occur. That's just good writing. "Yo! JOE!"
I so miss these characters on toy shelves. I have been buying Lanard's Corps Elite. Great figures, more durable, and cheaper. No reason why GI Joe can't be the same. I would love to see a small Wild Bill figure packaged with an Autobot that turns into a copter. Don't know why. I just would love it.
Missed fact about Wild Bill. On the Box art for the Dragon Fly Wild bill is in the gunners seat with Airborne in the pilots seat. Airborne's file card has him trained as a gunner for aircraft and was set up to be Wild Bill's gunner. Airborne is also a Native American, a member of the Navajo tribe. Classic team up of a cowboy and indian.
Go Wild Bill!! Legend just like the other 83 guys. I'd like you to cover Mutt, Tripwire, Recondo, Wild Weasel and Snow Job just to name a handful from that era...
U know in G.I.Joe #1 at the top of the G.I.Joe base when clutch is driving hawk there. If u look above the base u can see a helicopter that looks a lot like wild bills trademark dragonfly.
Over at Retroblasting, Melinda’s dad was a actual Cobra gunship pilot in Vietnam,that gaves some insight on the real cobra gunships and Wildbills that flew them. The toy was a cool way to represent those Cav soldiers! 7th first!
I always liked how WB was prior service as a enlisted, LRRP. He was a CWO-4 which meant a Chief warrant officer. Bill packed 2 .45 LC single action revolvers.
He even says when the Cobra guys say that they've got the drop on him, "That'll be the day." Now, somebody should address his changing hair color from black to brown to red, to damn near blond.
Now I can die in peace, wow, great video, interesting the story of Joe's cowboy, interesting how he look was exactly how the pilots in Vietnam looked, now expecting who will you do next
Plot twist: After Wild Bill got finished working for the Joes....... He retires and then due to PTSD ....he begins to abduct young women and tells them: "It rubs the lotion on its skin or it gets the hose again....."
In 1988 There was gonna be a version of wild bill released for tiger force. I imagine he would be packaged with the tiger fly would’ve made a lot more sense than having Recondo be the pilot. I don’t mind Recondo being in tiger force but he should’ve been a carded figure. Also they re wrote recondos backstory for the tiger force file card that is just insulting.
Wild Bill had a lot of shine for being a driver figure, I'd say he and Wild Weasel had the most appealing personalities, while most drivers/pilots seemed pretty bland.
Funny you mention that. On W. W.'s file card, Wild Bill is quoted saying, "He may be a low-down, snake in the grass, but the boy can fly like nobody's business. "
Another interesting note from WW's card: The mention of the bush wars of South America and Africa, which are also mentioned on Tomax/Xamot's card. WW wears red and may have served with the twins. In my mind he has Crimson Guard ties. In an issue of Devil's Due Special Missions WW is seen with the Crimson Twins and a group of CGs, so I don't think I'm the only one who's unofficially given them a connected backstory.
One day soon, the Joes will be retconned to Desert Storm or Afghanistan origins, or soon these warriors in their 70s will be seen playing shuffleboard in their dotage.
Dirus me too, they killed off my favorite joe, quick kick and leave cross country alive. Hate to say it but duke should have been the only survivor. At least cross country would have been gone.
As a kid I loved Frank Welker voicing Wild Bill in the original 5 part GI Joe Series.
So, true story. I served in the army with a couple of brothers who were both Helicopter pilots. Their dad was a helicopter pilot in Vietnam (UH-1 / AH-1) and was serving in the MA National Guard late 70s early 80s. Well, their unit got a call from Hasbro one day asking if they could come out and take pictures for modelling for a new toy line. So the unit obliged and the Hasbro guys brought a bunch of their toy lines for their kids. Well, their dad ended up being the model for the wild bill action figure as he was photographed kitted up in his flight suit in front of his AH-1 Cobra (CAV Stetson and all) for Hasbro and they even sent him some of the pictures they took afterword. He retired as a Colonel, one of his sons retired as a LTC, and one is still on active duty as a Combat Aviation Brigade Commander. They both served in TF 160 (SOAR), the US Army special ops aviation unit. and saw combat in Iraq and Afghanistan.
As a fan of westerns, Wild Bill really appealed to me. His use of revolvers set him apart from the other Joes.
Oh sure back when it was cool to be a cowboy 🤠. I try to avoid that Salvo change to that fat polynesian lesbian lol. 300th comic should be good though.
Wild Bill remains one of my All Time fave Top 10 Joes. Liked his look and the fact that Larry Hama had him a background as a LRRP in 'Nam, which was a good move as it gave him credibility in Special Missions #4, and in DDP's World War III arc. He's also one of the few Joes who acted as he did in the comics in the 1980s cartoon.
He was my first Joe and will always be one of my favorites too. As a fellow Wild Bill fan, what do you think of the idea of Alan Jackson as Wild Bill in a movie (acting ability and age aside)? Wild Bill thinks of himself as a country singer, and I think Jackson looks enough like the character.
The thing I remember best about Wild Bill (from the cartoon series) was how often he cried, "Yeeeeehhaaww!" while crashing his chopper. He's toted as being the best pilot the Joes have, and yet crashes constantly. Now, you'd think a guy that could practically crash before he's even taken off, might consider wearing a helmet. But no; cowboy hats only!
He doesn't wanna die he just wants to ride his MOOOOOTOR-CYCLE!
Out all the Joes as a kid Wild Bill was one my favorite he easily stand out and was very distinguished by the way he looked and act, the CWO Hardy, love how he was depicted in the cartoons although comic book Wild Bill was more badass even more in Resolute , too bad he wasn't in any live action of previous movies although supposedly he was in the 3rd one if ever see the light, love these videos Jesse, thank you
A rough and tough Texas cowboy turned army infantry, during Vietnam, then decides to learn how to fly, which was something he had never done before, thereby providing an inherent limit of experience; this man, "Wild Bill," is subsequently the primary Joe relied upon to repeatedly expose himself in the most vulnerable position of flight: takeoff and landing. Wild Bill's already wild nature, combined with his willingness to endure the high number of air insurrections and extractions despite his relatively late start in training and experience, would have a statistically high probability of at least one, if not many, crashes to occur. That's just good writing.
"Yo! JOE!"
I so miss these characters on toy shelves. I have been buying Lanard's Corps Elite. Great figures, more durable, and cheaper. No reason why GI Joe can't be the same. I would love to see a small Wild Bill figure packaged with an Autobot that turns into a copter. Don't know why. I just would love it.
Missed fact about Wild Bill.
On the Box art for the Dragon Fly Wild bill is in the gunners seat with Airborne in the pilots seat.
Airborne's file card has him trained as a gunner for aircraft and was set up to be Wild Bill's gunner.
Airborne is also a Native American, a member of the Navajo tribe. Classic team up of a cowboy and indian.
Never took that connection that far. Pretty cool. Now in my head canon Wild Bill and Airborne are best buds like Bazooka and Alpine were.
One of my all-time favorite characters, and a fellow Texan 🇨🇱
He had Sgt Lonetree, a JD lawyer turned air assault trooper, Airborne. 🚁... he was from AZ.
Hasbro needs a detailed documentary on the artist that painted the toy art. Truly amazing. Hector Garrido
I loved when he would yell his Texas battle cry doing the tv show.
Wild Bill was also a part of General Thunderbolt team of Hulk Hunters in Avengers Earth's Mightiest Heroes animated series
Go Wild Bill!! Legend just like the other 83 guys. I'd like you to cover Mutt, Tripwire, Recondo, Wild Weasel and Snow Job just to name a handful from that era...
Wild Weasel would be cool.
I think it’s pretty cool that in the IDW relaunch is wild bill looks the way he does in the cartoon.
Would love a video about Metalhead. He's so outrageous. BANG, BANG!!!
I keep buying the Joe's I had when I was a kid for my six year old son. At least that's what I tell my wife haha. Wish I still had them all.
He is a real country man. 😀👍🤠
Oh hell yeah! Thank you, brotherman! Another favorite on the board! Appreciate what you do!
Well JLS, you've done it again. Way to go, informative and entertaining! Keep up the good work 😎🇨🇦
Wild Bill always reminds me of "Swamp Thing" from Con Air--yes, I know he predates him
U know in G.I.Joe #1 at the top of the G.I.Joe base when clutch is driving hawk there. If u look above the base u can see a helicopter that looks a lot like wild bills trademark dragonfly.
Over at Retroblasting, Melinda’s dad was a actual Cobra gunship pilot in Vietnam,that gaves some insight on the real cobra gunships and Wildbills that flew them. The toy was a cool way to represent those Cav soldiers!
7th first!
Wild Bill flew a dragonfly working with thunderbolt Ross on the hunt for the hulk.
Thanks for another informative video. I love Wild Bill. What a cool character.
I always liked how WB was prior service as a enlisted, LRRP. He was a CWO-4 which meant a Chief warrant officer. Bill packed 2 .45 LC single action revolvers.
In his debut he shoots a couple cobra soldiers with his pistol. He is a quick draw. It's the one where Destro makes his first appearance as well.
He even says when the Cobra guys say that they've got the drop on him, "That'll be the day." Now, somebody should address his changing hair color from black to brown to red, to damn near blond.
Cross country would be another one to do
Next Do who is tunnel rat
I always thought the dragonfly was a takeoff on the Apache attack helicopter in use in the Army.
He looks like walker Texas ranger.
2:41 the tomahawk belongs to lift-ticket.
Do barbecue next
"Ooooo weeeee! Wild Bill is more explosive then Bazooka's armaments" 👍💪
Please do who is Raptor next
That's a good one to do "Lifeline"
Now I can die in peace, wow, great video, interesting the story of Joe's cowboy, interesting how he look was exactly how the pilots in Vietnam looked, now expecting who will you do next
Another great vid. Thank you.
Wild Bill had a lot of Helicopters.
He was a fixed wing ✈ pilot too. 🤠
Plot twist: After Wild Bill got finished working for the Joes....... He retires and then due to PTSD ....he begins to abduct young women and tells them: "It rubs the lotion on its skin or it gets the hose again....."
In 1988 There was gonna be a version of wild bill released for tiger force. I imagine he would be packaged with the tiger fly would’ve made a lot more sense than having Recondo be the pilot. I don’t mind Recondo being in tiger force but he should’ve been a carded figure. Also they re wrote recondos backstory for the tiger force file card that is just insulting.
Just bought a 1991 moc figure. $55
I regret nothing
Wild Bill is more like Launchpad from Ducktales
When you think about it, the bravest pilots in fiction or our reality always crash.
I thought wild bill was a 19 Delta due to his Stetson is a sign as an Air cavalry
Shipwreck! Can you explain the hate?
Waiting patiently for shipwreck
Who hates shipwreck???
Joes dislike Deep Six, the deep sea diver, US Navy. D-6 gets on the Joe Team by holding his breath longer than other Navy diver applicants. ⚓
Can you do dial tone next
Wild Bill had a lot of shine for being a driver figure, I'd say he and Wild Weasel had the most appealing personalities, while most drivers/pilots seemed pretty bland.
Funny you mention that. On W. W.'s file card, Wild Bill is quoted saying,
"He may be a low-down, snake in the grass, but the boy can fly like nobody's business. "
Another interesting note from WW's card: The mention of the bush wars of South America and Africa, which are also mentioned on Tomax/Xamot's card. WW wears red and may have served with the twins. In my mind he has Crimson Guard ties. In an issue of Devil's Due Special Missions WW is seen with the Crimson Twins and a group of CGs, so I don't think I'm the only one who's unofficially given them a connected backstory.
Finally Wild Bill lol
One day soon, the Joes will be retconned to Desert Storm or Afghanistan origins, or soon these warriors in their 70s will be seen playing shuffleboard in their dotage.
The voice of this is Frank Welker
History of GI Joe's Wild Bill - he just wants to ride his moootorcy. Cle. The end.
Is it me or is the wild bill at 4.14 look like the lead singer of Judas Priest?
How you ever did a DOC story before ?
how are a history of corba's hiss tank and rattlers
Really! Wild Bill's actually from England!
American flag
Wild bill superior, cross country inferior.
I'm still a little bitter that Cross Country was one of the surviving Joes in the issue that killed 9 others. Two of them were Breaker and Doc.
Dirus me too, they killed off my favorite joe, quick kick and leave cross country alive. Hate to say it but duke should have been the only survivor. At least cross country would have been gone.