1996 G.I.Joe Convention Exclusive: Coastal Unit Defense; Amphibious Transport ('CUDA)
The 'CUDA came packaged in a plain brown box with a black & white printed graphic sheet glued on and an individually numbered foil sticker. Thumbnail images are below. Click the thumbnails to enlarge them. Box photos courtesy of EvilE
The 'CUDA features several moving parts and the sculpt is nicely detailed.
Roll over the images below to find out more, or click the images to enlarge them. Photos courtesy of Chad Hucal.
Roll over the images below to find out more, or click the images to enlarge them. Photos courtesy of Chad Hucal.
Cutter (v3) was originally released with the Shark 9000 in 1993. He was included with the 'CUDA in 1996.
The 'CUDA did not include his file card.
The 'CUDA did not include his file card.
1996 G.I.Joe International Collectors Convention Exclusive
For decades the 'CUDA has been documented as a 1994 G.I.Joe Convention Exclusive, like the Fighter Pilot. When inspecting the box art we noticed the ©1996 Hasbro Toy Group Inc. marking and began digging for more information. We've been able to confirm that the 'CUDA made its debut at the 1996 G.I.Joe International Collectors Convention on Florida's Space Coast. This convention ran from October 3-6. Drew Hagerty, seen pictured below with his new 'CUDA and Kirk Bozigian, confirmed that "They were not show exclusive vehicles that were for sale, but instead given to all dealers." The 'CUDA continued to be handed out in 1997 by Brian Savage at the 4th Annual G.I.Joe International Collectors Convention in Philadelphia, PA.