Note: This is not a full review. This simply a more in-depth look at the figures I profiled in my Russian Funskool GI Joe Jamboree post, and is intended as a resource for fans and collectors.

Updated 9/15/22: According to an interview with man behind the Russian Funskool GI Joe line, the entire Russian run of figures was released in 1998. The company who paid for and distributed this release, Two Beetles (see their logo on the card back below), had a connection at Funskool. Aside from Chuckles, all Russian Funskool figures are nearly identical to their Indian counterparts– only the card backs were changed. Though these were reportedly only produced for a year, they can still be found in former USSR territories. As a fun side note, “beetle” is Russian slang for “swindler.”

Russian Funskool GI Joe Beach Head and Accessories

The Funskool GI Joe Beach Head, which originated in Russia in 1998, closely resembles the Indian Funskool version of the character. This action figure is a faithful reproduction of Hasbro’s Beach-Head from 1986, utilizing all the original toy’s body parts and accessories.

As is characteristic of Funskool figures, there are subtle variations in the paint and plastic quality compared to Hasbro’s standards.

The carded figure:

The card:

The card back:

The front design of the Russian Funskool GI Joe cards mirrors the Indian counterparts, but the back side incorporates Russian text instead of English. This represents the most significant distinction between the Indian and Russian Funskool releases.

However, there is an intriguing anomaly on Beach Head’s card back – the file card text for Storm Shadow and Beach Head has been entirely swapped. Consequently, Storm Shadow is portrayed as a stinky, unwashed Army Ranger. And our pal Wayne Sneeden, in turn, becomes a mystical ninja.

It’s worth noting that the material used for the card itself is thinner and more paper-like compared to the cardstock typically employed for domestic GI Joe figures.

The figure:

The Russian Funskool GI Joe Beach Head figure is cast in bright green plastic and features brown, black, dark green, grey, red, and flesh-tone paint applications. The overall color layout and look is very similar to the Hasbro 1986 Beach-Head figure, but the green on the Funskool version is much brighter and more vibrant. You can check out the comparison photos later on in this article for reference.

There is another Indian Funskool version of Beach Head that looks very different from the Hasbro release, but this Russian version is identical to the more common bright green Indian Beach Head release.

Some of the plastic on my copy of the toy is discoloring a little bit, specifically around the elbows. That’s odd because I opened this figure brand new from the card and have always handled it with clean hands. The original Hasbro Beach-Head tends to discolor around the same place, though. It’s possible that the plastic utilized in this particular batch of Russian figures has a tendency to experience slight discoloration. We’ll probably never know exactly why that is.

From the side:

You’ll observe that the Funskool rendition still includes the red beret affixed to the left shoulder, just like the Hasbro version, and it’s pretty nicely done.

The figure’s back:

The date stamp on the figure isn’t located on its butt, and I didn’t capture a photograph of the inner leg. Apologies for the omission, though I can’t say I’m terribly sorry about it.

The figure’s accessories:

Russian Funskool GI Joe Beach Head includes a dark greenish-grey backpack, a grey submachine gun, and a black ammo pouch (made of a rubbery material).

These accessories are identical to those included with the Hasbro version, at least as far as the molds and amount of accessories are concerned, and their colors closely resemble what we got with the domestic release of Beach-Head.

The figure All Geared Up:

The Russian Funskool Beach Head maintains all the articulation, features, and accessories found on the Hasbro version.

Aside from potential minor plastic discoloration, which may not be present on all copies, this figure is robust and well-crafted, boasting decent paintwork. It looks great and its accessories function just as intended.

The vibrant green used on this figure makes it stand apart from the Hasbro version. In fact, it really just stands out in any GI Joe collection. For that reason alone, it’s a great figure to have.

Russian Funskool GI Joe Beach Head Compared to 1986 Hasbro Beach-Head

The Russian Funskool GI Joe Beach Head and Hasbro 1986 Beach-Head are pretty close when it comes to color and paint layout, but the colors themselves are pretty different. They have the same amount of paint applications and a similar feel, but the Russian Funskool version’s colors really set it apart.

The biggest difference is in the figure’s dominant green color, but there are some other fun little differences, too. The Funskool figure’s vest is dark green instead of black, a different brown is used on the legs, and its camouflage paint is much thicker. It also omits the Hasbro version’s Ranger insignia patch.

The figures from the front (L – Russian Funskool, R – Hasbro):

The Funskool version exhibits some instances of slightly messier paint application, appearing somewhat “over-sprayed,” but overall, it retains a fairly good and organic appearance. These minor imperfections don’t pose any significant issues for me.

From the side:

From the back:

Accessory comparison:

The Russian Funskool Beach Head includes the same accessories as the Hasbro version.

The Funskool version’s backpack is a dark greenish-grey as opposed to the Hasbro version’s black, and the Funskool version’s SMG is more of a flat grey as opposed to the Hasbro version’s blue-grey.

The plastic quality feels good and is basically the same on both sets of accessories.

The two figures All Geared Up:

Overall, this is just a fun figure to own if you enjoy international GI Joes, unusual variants, this particular shade of bright green, or if you’re a Beach-Head fan. This Russian Funskool figure looks completely different from its Hasbro counterpart, even though only a couple of paint colors have been changed. It still has the same “feeling” as Hasbro’s 1986 Beach-Head, but ends up being visually interesting in a completely different way.

Just for fun, here’s another comparison shot.

The figures from Left to Right: Russian Funskool Beach Head, 1986 Hasbro Beach-Head, 2004 Hasbro Night Force Beachhead)

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