Army Ants
Encyclopedia
Army Ants are a discontinued fantasy toy soldier
line from Hasbro
in much the same venue as the M.U.S.C.L.E. and Monster in My Pocket
lines. It featured an army of humanoid ants.
Released in 1987, Army Ants were originally released in "squadrons" (sets) of three or eight figures, set on card-backed blister packs. The individual soldiers had various themes, including officers, international soldiers (such as French Foreign Legion soldiers and English guards), and aviators (in the form of flying ants).
version called Kombattini (the French version was called Termitors). Kombattini were marketed by GIG, a toy manufacturer that also produced similar toy soldier lines such as Exogini
(the Italian version of M.U.S.C.L.E.), and gained great popularity between the 1980s and 1990s, partially due to a particularly successful advertising campaign
. Kombattini used the same 40 molds as Army Ants but with several design differences:
The toys were also sold differently. Instead of cardboard blister packs, they were available in packages of one, buckets of 4, or pyramids of 8 or 14. As for the english version, each figure had a distinct name, but GIG chose to adopt humorous names mangling those of famous people of the time, including politicians, sportsmen and people from the show business (e.g., "Tromba il bomba" for skier Alberto Tomba
, "Van Basta il Tosto" for soccer player Marco Van Basten, or "Benigno il Commando" for comedian Roberto Benigni
).
Toy soldier
A toy soldier is a miniature figurine that represents a soldier. The term applies to depictions of uniformed military personnel from all eras, and includes knights, cowboys, pirates, and other subjects that involve combat-related themes. Toy soldiers vary from simple playthings to highly realistic...
line from Hasbro
Hasbro
Hasbro is a multinational toy and boardgame company from the United States of America. It is one of the largest toy makers in the world. The corporate headquarters is located in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, United States...
in much the same venue as the M.U.S.C.L.E. and Monster in My Pocket
Monster in My Pocket
Monster in my Pocket is a media franchise developed by Morrison Entertainment Group, headed by Joe Morrison and John Weems ....
lines. It featured an army of humanoid ants.
Released in 1987, Army Ants were originally released in "squadrons" (sets) of three or eight figures, set on card-backed blister packs. The individual soldiers had various themes, including officers, international soldiers (such as French Foreign Legion soldiers and English guards), and aviators (in the form of flying ants).
Army Ants Roster
Army Ants were organized into two opposing armies: an Orange Army led by "General Patant" and a Blue Army led by "General Mc-Anther." There were 5 sets for each army: 4 of three figures and 1 of eight figures, which also contained the general for the army.Orange Army
- General Patant's Special Strike Force Team
- General Patant
- Stalker
- Snorkle Head
- Blitz Kreig
- Rambant
- Blighty
- Beau Geste
- Blak Jak
- Assault Team
- Mega-Hurtz
- Road Rash
- Grease Pit
- Sniper Team
- Recoil
- Warpo
- Repeater
- Bazooka Team
- Loadout
- Bug-eye
- Howler
- Aerial Assault Squad
- Reeky
- Windy
- Bullseye
Blue Army
- General Mc-Anther's Special Forces Team
- General Mc-Anther
- Gimme 50
- Semper Fi
- Tail Spin
- Bone Crusher
- Knockdown
- Heave-Ho
- Jagged Tooth
- Mortar Team
- Bunko
- Incoming
- Quick Hit
- Artillery Team
- Sneaky
- Pig Out
- Ozone
- Flame Thrower Squad
- Stabber
- Rip Pin
- Blow Torch
- Bomber Squad
- Razor Beak
- Crossfire
- Snarl
Alternate versions
Army Ants were also sold in Europe under several names. The most documented online is the ItalianItaly
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
version called Kombattini (the French version was called Termitors). Kombattini were marketed by GIG, a toy manufacturer that also produced similar toy soldier lines such as Exogini
Exogini
Exogini: i misteriosi alieni , is a famous bootleg keshi composite line only released in Italy around the late '80s, early '90s. The Sesto Fiorentino based GIG Spa company, did mixed three different imported keshi lines to create its own franchise...
(the Italian version of M.U.S.C.L.E.), and gained great popularity between the 1980s and 1990s, partially due to a particularly successful advertising campaign
Advertising campaign
An advertising campaign is a series of advertisement messages that share a single idea and theme which make up an integrated marketing communication...
. Kombattini used the same 40 molds as Army Ants but with several design differences:
- figurines were painted a single, solid color with no detailing;
- Red Army soldiers were painted iridescent blue, green, or white;
- Blue Army soldiers were painted iridescent black, pink, or gray;
- both armies also had rare transparent ants;
- each model of ant was available in all four colors for its army;
- the ants' rubber abdomens (called "ampolla della forza", "ampules of force") were transparent and glittery.
The toys were also sold differently. Instead of cardboard blister packs, they were available in packages of one, buckets of 4, or pyramids of 8 or 14. As for the english version, each figure had a distinct name, but GIG chose to adopt humorous names mangling those of famous people of the time, including politicians, sportsmen and people from the show business (e.g., "Tromba il bomba" for skier Alberto Tomba
Alberto Tomba
Alberto Tomba is an Italian retired alpine ski racer. He was the dominant technical skier in the late 1980s and 1990s. Tomba won three Olympic gold medals, two World Championships, and nine World Cup season titles; four in slalom, four in giant slalom, and one overall title...
, "Van Basta il Tosto" for soccer player Marco Van Basten, or "Benigno il Commando" for comedian Roberto Benigni
Roberto Benigni
Roberto Remigio Benigni, Cavaliere di Gran Croce OMRI is an Italian actor, comedian, screenwriter and director of film, theatre and television.- Early years :...
).