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GI Joe Aircraft Carrier - Best Christmas Gift I Ever Gave

By
Real Estate Agent with Keller Williams Capital Properties DC AB15253

When my son was 10 or 12, he wanted a GI Joe aircraft carrier.   I didn't buy it for him primarily because it was 7 feet long - and probably 3 feet wide.  I asked him where he would keep it and he assured me it would reside peacefully in the imaginary harbor between the wall and his bed - but I wasn't convinced that it was going to fit in his 1950s suburban bedroom.  No GI Joe aircraft carrier from Santa.  

Fast forward 10 or 12 years.... and my son became a Marine Corps infantry officer - with some time spent on boats used for shore landings and night raids.   The teasing began..... "You know, Mom, if you had bought me the GI Joe aircraft carrier way back when, I wouldn't have needed to join the Marine Corps."  (I think he was going to join regardless....) 

Fast forward another 15 years... and the teasing began in earnest.  Now it was that you could buy an aircraft carrier - used - on Ebay for a fair amount of money. 

Fast forward another 5 years.... By this year, you could buy an aircraft carrier - new in its box - for $50,000.   (Shipping adds another $600.)  Clearly I wasn't springing for a new one!

I went on EBay and found one for sale in West Virginia = just 5 hours from home.  I reached out to the seller, who said he was a minister who had been down in North Carolina building homes for displaced people in Asheville.   Since he had no previous presence on Ebay and was sounding very much like a Craigslist scam artist, I asked if he would meet me in Clifton Forge VA - just four hours from DC.  I was uncomfortable about sending a large sum (for me) of money to a stranger on EBay with no record of customer satisfaction.  I also wanted to avoid the $600 in shipping costs.  

We agreed to meet at 10 am in early December at the local Hardee's in Clifton Forge.    He and his wife were back on their way to Asheville to build more houses. I arrived on time.  He was 20 minutes late.  I started to worry that the transfer was not going to happen.  Finally he arrived.  He had the aircraft carrier in pieces in the back of his car along with supplies to build houses.  He and his wife got out of the car.  They gave me the aircraft carrier, I gave them the money in cash.  We both counted it.  He explained half was going to the elderly parishioner who owned the aircraft carrier and had forgotten about it in the shed that he had offered to clean out.  A quarter of the money was going to another parishioner who had posted it on Ebay.  The final quarter was being kept by the minister.   We stood in the parking lot of Hardee's and chatted for a few minutes and then we joined hands and the minister prayed with me and his wife.  It was wonderful. 

Now I had to get the aircraft carrier back to DC and then to Nantucket where we were going to spend Christmas as a family.  I packed part of the superstructure into a Christmas box for my son to open.  The rest was upstairs in our room, waiting to be taken back to CT where it will hopefully live in gracious splendor for many years to come!

Christmas morning - this was the last gift opened.  Alex peeled off the paper, removed the tape keeping the box shut and peeked inside.  I had finally done it - I had finally surprised him.  My son is 46 now and pretty self contained, with his own family and responsibilities.   He hasn't been a child for many years.  It was a wonderful thing to hear him say that this was the best Christmas gift ever.  

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This is a section from a blog post called the Toy Collector's Guide -  just to give you an idea of the size of this toy!

The final size of the U.S.S Flagg ended up being 7 feet and 6 inches long, just over 3 feet wide, and almost 3 feet tall. That may not be 65 feet, but it was still absolutely HUGE for an action figure playset at the time, or any time for that matter. In fact, it would be the largest item ever created for any action figure line, and remains so to this day.

When the U.S.S Flagg hit the toy shelves, it retailed for $109.99. That’s a steep price to pay for a playset in today’s world, so you can imagine how that felt in 1985. For obvious reasons, the Flagg was produced in more limited quantities than other GI joe vehicles and accessories of the time. Any child who grew up in the 1980’s immediately wanted this, as soon as we saw it in the store catalogs. This was, without a doubt, one of the most iconic toys of the entire GI Joe line. At first glance, the box for the U.S.S Flagg was huge. Once you dumped all the pieces out, and took a glance at the mini novel instructions, you instantly knew that your work was cut out for you to put this thing together. The main deck came in four large plate pieces, that fit onto the main bow support. If you go by the instructions, you will have to assemble several other pieces before you get to putting the main deck together. To say this thing had a lot of small pieces for assembly would be a MASSIVE understatement. I’m very sure that many parents back in the 80’s struggled to put this together. This assembly can be a bit overwhelming, but just focus on the ultimate prize of seeing the Flagg in all of its glory, sitting on your dining room table!

When completely assembled, the U.S.S Flagg really comes to life, with all of its detailed pieces and features. The ship came with a two-piece vehicle, which was a tow vehicle and fuel trailer. It also included multiple radar dishes, missile launchers, cannons, an elevator deck, arrestor cables, and an admiral’s launch ship. One of the more awesome features of the Flagg was the electronic public address system. This was basically a bullhorn hooked up to a speaker, that allowed kids to speak into it and have their voice projected around the room, just like being on board the ship. The PA system also played various battle sounds to simulate those classic fights with Cobra. The commander of this incredible ship was Vice-Admiral Keel-Haul, who was included with the Flagg. Even though the U.S.S Flagg was featured in both, the comics and animated series, Keel-Haul never was. This ship also later inspired the Joe figure of General Flagg, released in 1992,

Show All Comments Sort:
John Pusa
Glendale, CA

Hello Lise Howe you are a great mom that you gave your son a Gi Joe Aircraft Carrier a Christmas gift. 

Dec 28, 2024 10:24 AM
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Real Estate Broker

Hi Lise... what an amazing story about an amazing gift. This really is gift your son will treasure for the rest of his life.

Dec 28, 2024 10:35 AM
Lew Corcoran
Better Living Real Estate, LLC - East Bridgewater, MA
Expert guidance. Exceptional results.

Thank you, Lise Howe, for sharing this heartwarming and nostalgic story about the GI Joe aircraft carrier! Your journey to fulfill that long-ago wish beautifully illustrates how the essence of thoughtful gift-giving can bring joy, no matter the age.

Dec 28, 2024 01:28 PM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

Wowza Lise!!!!!   What a beautiful gift you gave your son!!! I would love to know where he ends up putting it!!!! I would venture a guess that getting the aircraft carrier now means a lot more than if he'd been given the gift 30+ years ago!!!

Dec 28, 2024 04:25 PM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

Dec 28, 2024 06:46 PM
Endre Barath, Jr.
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties - Beverly Hills, CA
Realtor - Los Angeles Home Sales 310.486.1002

OMG Lise Howe  it is very dusty here in my house and my eyes are watering, as an Airborne Ranger Infantry CPT from another life I can see why your son would think this was the best gift ever... now with that said that is a lot of cash you had on you driving by yourself... just my two cents. Endre

Dec 28, 2024 09:52 PM
Wayne Martin
Wayne M Martin - Oswego, IL
Real Estate Broker - Retired

Good morning Lise. My son had one when they first came out. We gave it to a neighbor when we moved to Florida. It was huge and took forever to put together. My son has great memories of it. You brought back memories. Thank you! Enjoy your day.

Dec 29, 2024 05:13 AM
Brian England
Ambrose Realty Management LLC - Gilbert, AZ
MBA, GRI, REALTOR® Real Estate in East Valley AZ

That is such a wonderful story!  Hearing someone say it is the best Christmas present ever is quite special.  Merry Christmas!

Dec 29, 2024 06:12 AM
Dorie Dillard Austin TX
Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX
NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

Good morning Lise,

I loved your story and so glad that Kathy Streib featured it in her Sunday series. I'm sure your son really meant those words "this was the best Christmas gift ever!" Well done Mom!!! 

Dec 29, 2024 06:21 AM
Kat Palmiotti
eXp Commercial, Referral Divison - Kalispell, MT
Helping your Montana dreams take root

What a wonderful gift! Your son must have been thrilled - I can't wait to see photos of the finished item!

Dec 29, 2024 06:40 AM
Leanne Smith
Dirt Road Real Estate - Golden Valley, AZ
The Grit and Gratitude Agent

I agree with Michael Jacobs what a masterful story and I believe "God" works in mysterious ways as evidence by whom you purchased the "toy" and how those funds were being used.

Dec 29, 2024 07:21 AM
Rocky Dickerson
Realty One Group - Las Vegas, NV
Superior Service!

Well that would certainly be a Christmas gift to remember - especially after waiting all those years to get it.

Dec 29, 2024 07:49 AM
Steffy Hristova
HomeSmart Elite Group Tempe AZ Tel: 602.710.8161 - Tempe, AZ
Tempe AZ Realtor - Your Home Close to Your Work!

That was a gift with a very interesting story, Lise. I enjoyed reading it.

Dec 29, 2024 02:13 PM
Adam Feinberg
Elegran - Manhattan, NY
NYC Condo, Co-op, and Townhouse Advisor

I was 11 when this monster of a toy was released to the public. I wasn't even a GI Joe fan, but I wanted this thing too. Realistically- this thing took up a lot of space and we didn't have the room for it. My best friend asked his parents for it for Christmas- but he didn't have the room for it either- but his parents did buy him the full sized Voltron which I don't remember how big it was- but I think it was 2 or 3 feet tall. I don't know if he still has it- but if he does, it's worth quite a bit today...though no where near as much as the aircraft carrier in mint condition. I can't recall what I got for Channukah - but that GI Joe aircraft carrier was surely memorable to all of my friends growing up. I did have a couple of rich friends with really big houses that did actually get the aircraft carrier.  

Dec 29, 2024 07:36 PM
Jeff Masich-Scottsdale AZ Associate Broker,MBA,GRI
HomeSmart Real Estate - Scottsdale, AZ
Arizona Homes and Land Group/ Buy or Sell

Well that was a SCORE Lise. A toy classic? 7 feet long, does your son have a room dedicated to the aircraft carrier. When I was 10, I wanted Sears and Roebuck catalog 500 man plastic army set with trucks, tents, and other stuff and army would need. My mother said they would be scattered all over the house and stairs and I would leave my battles out and not pick them up......I got it and she was right. Jeff

Dec 30, 2024 02:42 PM
Michael J. Perry
Fathom Realty - Lancaster, PA
Lancaster, PA Relo Specialist

You just made me remember that there was one Christmas where I had asked for a lot of GI Joe stuff. !!

Dec 31, 2024 07:28 AM
Jeff Dowler, CRS
eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA
The Southern California Relocation Dude

Hi Lise:

Wow, that is quite a story with a wonderful ending. What a treat it must have been to see your son's expression when receiving this special gift.

Jeff

Dec 31, 2024 05:01 PM
Bob "RealMan" Timm
Ward County Notary Services - Minot, ND
Owner of Ward Co Notary Services retired RE Broker

What a fun read Lise Howe . I totally understand both sides of this Christmas wish. When I was a kid Stay-Puff marshmallows offered a submarine you could sit in (cardboard of course). My mom said I could get it and I knew she had the coupon and the proof of purchases required but that sub never showed up. Until I read your story I never knew why... my mom kept a very tidy house and I'm guessing that like you she just could not picture a submarine in her house. 

Dec 31, 2024 07:19 PM
Patricia Feager
Flower Mound, TX

Lise Howe - A mother's love and the sacrifices she makes are worth more than a pile of gold. Your son will have this memory forever. By any chance did anyone do a video? 

I think you're amazing and an amazing mother who will do anything if and when you can. Thank you for sharing this beautiful and heartwarming story. I enjoyed it so much!!! This was as much his gift as it was yours to share. 

Jan 01, 2025 06:07 PM
Lise Howe
Keller Williams Capital Properties - Washington, DC
Assoc. Broker in DC, MD, VA and attorney in DC

Patricia Feager - it was a wonderful Christmas morning - and I did make a video.  I was blessed this year and able to give that to him - so it made Christmas very special.  

Jan 02, 2025 07:31 AM