Barnyard Commandos (Toyline)

Manufactured by Playmates
Released in 1989
Via Virtual Toy Chest and Retrojunk
Wikipedia Entry

While I was getting out of toys like this around 1989, I thought this toyline could have been a good idea if they utilized more barnyard animals. It's another group of army soldiers and playsets based off something unusual.

Via Virtual Toy Chest - The toy boxes tell us, "In the heartland of America, the reminants of a secret military experiment have been burried for many years. This was soon to change. One day, strange things started happening down on the farm. Farmer Bob's latest crop of grain had an odd glow to it. After eating some of the grain the Pigs and Sheep started acting kindof funny. Some started driving the tractors around like tanks, others started digging trenches. Soon after an all out war erupted, between the Barnyard Commandos!!!"


Wikipedia says, "The property is based around the concept of farm animals who consumed radioactive materials left over from an abandoned military experiment, mutating them into hyper-intelligent, anthropomorphic paramilitary troops. This consists of two "hilariously harmless" opposing teams: the R.A.M.S. (Rebel Army of Military Sheep) and the P.O.R.K.S. (Platoon of Rebel Killer Swine).

Two series of Barnyard Commandos were produced, each including several figures from both teams. Similar to Mattel's Food Fighters, the figures are non-poseable and made of soft, hollow plastic much like squeaky toys. They each include a weapon accessory that fastens onto the figure and a brief, humorous character description on the cardback.
Burger King also produced a series of tie-in toys as Kids' Meal premiums."

Toy Checklist -

Series 1

R.A.M.S.

• Sergeant Woolly Pullover
• Commodore Fleece Cardigan
• Major Legger Mutton
• Pilot Fluff Pendleton

P.O.R.K.S.

• General Hamfat Lardo
• Private Side O'Bacon
• Sergeant Shoat N. Sweet
• Captain Tusker Chitlins

Series 2

R.A.M.S.

• Master Sargent Cornelius Cannonfodder
• Private Bull Bellwether
• Commander Missiles Muttonchop
• Lieutenant Sureshot Shearling

P.O.R.K.S.

• Corporal Hy Ondahog
• Staff Sergeant Blaster McBacon
• Major Piggyback Gunner
• Captain Hogg Wilde

Vehicles

• Bacon Bomber
• Pork Chopper
• Pork-A-Pult
• Ram Tank

Home Video

The four episodes of the series were released to four NTSC VHS tapes with one episode each.

• Apple-Calypse Now
• Back to the Farm
• Treasure of Ram Pork Mountain
• Ultimate Quest

Video of show opening -