Mattel Disney Pixar Diecast CARS: Sarge Out of Order, Out of Uniform?
The Sarge’s Boot Camp box is so HUGE and massive, I’ll break the review down into parts.
First up, Sarge …
Yes, Sarge is different … though it’s not like anyone is going to say – yea, 4 new CARS and old Sarge – not buying it … so like you needed an excuse 5 for 5 NEW plus a nice looking display …
The small stuff, 2009 Sarge (left) is a little darker and shiner green than 2006 Thailand Sarge on the right.
And his Sargeant stripes are more yellow than white matching the film …
But the biggest change is that he has lost the “USA” stencil on the hood.
And the stencil numbers are a little larger.
There are two questions regarding whether Sarge should or should not have the USA designation. First, we’ll answer the ‘canon to the film’ question. In most of the film, Sarge’s shots appear from the side or he’s moving but it certainly looks like in every scene where we see his hoodline a little, we see a white letters ABOVE his numbers – most of the scenes are fast moving and a few frames so I did not bother to take screensnaps but it certainly looks like it should say USA in stenciling and …
I am not an expert on US Army designations and coding on WWII Jeeps but in looking at different websites that feature photos of WWII era jeeps with “correct” stenciling, while they are all over the board in sizes. The breakdown is as follows: There are ones that essentially match the 2006 Sarge with the USA designation but there are other ones with that read US ARMY with the single star. There are many others that are of a star with a ray circle design. OR USA + number with the Star + Burst design (also here in other colors). The one consistent thing is they ALL say USA or US Army …
Or as BMW’s military husband has this to note, “… Military vehicle identification number” is the unique number assigned to the vehicle by the military, (also called the ‘USA Number’), which is typically stenciled on both sides of the hood). The USA number is assigned when the vehicle is received from the manufacturer, and stays with the truck throughout it’s military service (or at least it is supposed to – vehicles were often stolen from other units and the USA numbers quickly changed by repainting them). Another possibly unique military vehicle number are the military vehicle numbers stenciled on the front & rear bumpers of the vehicle. These bumper ‘Unit Numbers’ are also used by the military to specifically identify each vehicle (by unit and number). The military uses the USA number as the unique vehicle ID, regardless of what unit it is assigned to. The bumper ‘Unit’ numbers are assigned by the unit the vehicle is assigned to. This means that during the military service life of the vehicle it could have several different ‘unit’ numbers as the vehicle is passed from unit to unit, or if the vehicles parade line up position is changed at the discretion of the unit commander.”
So it would seem the that while the more yellow Sargeant stripes of 2009 Sarge matches the color of his stripes in the film, it does however seem the 2006 Sarge better matches the film AND in real life to have the words US Army or USA stenciled on his hood for WWII era Jeeps. So, there you go. The 2009 Sarge is a variant though it’s not 100% it’s an error variant but seems to be leaning towards that.
(I also checked the new Pixarpedia book and the CARS: The Essential Guide but neither offer a real close up of his hood stenciling).
So, I’m sticking with original 2006 Sarge as the correct & main one and putting 2009 sarge with yellow rim Mario Andretti and silver rim Fabulous Hudson Hornet. But that’s just me … I also submit as evidence … Salutin’ Sarge matches closer to original Sarge … as you can see Salutin’ Sarge has the USA stencil (next to new 2009 Sarge).
I do not have a SC Sarge open – so chime in if SC Sarge looks different than Desert Art 2006 Sarge …
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6 October 2009
59 Comments
I know this question is probably blasphemes, but is the Sarge boot camp scene actually in the movie? I haven’t watched Cars in awhile and was just wondering cause I only collect actual “in movie” cars. Thanks
It’s in the epilogue (durring the credits).
Also in the bonus material (without credits).
Thanks, then I will be picking it up, they have about 5 of them sitting up at my TRU.
Would you please pick me up TWO!?!?!?
philippebuckland@hotmail.com
Thanks!
I’ll show you out of order.
You don’t know what out of order is, Mr. Trask.
I’d show you,
but I’m too old,
I’m too tired,
too blind.
If I were the man I was five years ago…
I’d take a flamethrower to this place !
Out of order? Who the hell you think you’re talkin’ to?
Is it just me or does the pink truck have his bumper upside down????????
i think its just you 😉
Yes errors abound!
Look at Pinky! E-to the-double R-to the o-to the R(E-RR-O-R)
At 2 min. & 36 sec. into the epilogue (thru Bonus Featuers)
Sarge’s hood is clearly visible. And durring most of the “Boot Camp” sequnce. And the new Sarge is canon, there’s no U.S.A. He only seems
to be missing the tiny little stars on his rear fenders. Now in working
on my town I’ve spotted some weird stuff. Watch the power pole at the corner of Ramone’s it’s gone at the begining of the crusin’ scene. And Sarge has some dissapearing trees too. So I’m not sying he never has U.S.A. in the movie. But the courtroom scene (need to zoom a bit) and the
Boot Camp scene are Pro-2009.
http://i339.photobucket.com/albums/n465/GotFrank2112/PDVD_030.jpg
Sorry this may or may not work..?
Too bad the 2009 version doesn’t have Sarge jacked up on his shocks like in the picture.
Nice catch!
indeed… nice detective work…..
“Where did the USA come from?” would be a good question to as Martin, if someone would let him out of the dungeon….
‘ask’ even …
… Maybe the USA IS on the hood in the earlier parts of the movie…???
The set I found was one of two at a TRU in Gurnee Mills, IL. The paint jobs were ok, but the Pinkerton I found, while his grill is rightside-up,needs to crazy glue to affix it so it doesn’t jostle around.
Though the size of these things is cool. I was like a 6 year old when I got Sven, and with these, I felt the same.
I’ve seen this Sarge in this set with some very odd googly eyes as well.
Oh, for the love of Chrysler!
Now THAT’S a good name Dude!!!
Someone might have pulled the old switcheroo and returned the set with Lenticular Sarge! I would check those boxes for tampering.
No, not THOSE googly eyes. Just a very, very bad job at applying the regular eyes!
Isn’t that last picture actually 2009 Sarge and Saluting Sarge? Not original Sarge and Saluting Sarge?
(MET: Yes)
Mattel’s quality control has really gone down hill. I have been finding paint flaws on haulers,Sarges boot camp,ect. You have to sort through them all to get a good one. I have been finding more cars packaged wrong. Found a Nurse GTO in the Orderly Pitty package the other day. You do not find these issues with the Hot Wheels line to often, so what’s up?
A few of the cars in my Sarge’s Boot Camp aren’t very good either. Mainly in the eyes.
i have the same problem with other cars. The paint on the eyes are bad (not even) and dropping
Also, the boxes look very nice and display the Cars very nicely, but they are a bit weak in the front and prone to bending, unfortunately for the “mint in package” types.
You know, the biggest culprit with them getting bent up is the person that unboxes them in the store. They grab them in the middle, from the top, and pull them out…..they’re so tightly packed in their case that there’s no chance of that clear plastic surviving that type of handling.
It is a nice looking set…I just wish I could find some sets that didn’t have so many paint flaws on the Cars. And, about half that I have found have had left side mirrors on both sides of TJ. Hope everyone else is having better luck with quality. 🙂
Just found this set yesterday and was BLOWN away with how LARGE IT IS! My wife said there is now way are those are to scale . . . I gasped for air . . . my wife is suddeny concerned about scale . . . . watch out Mattel!! 😆
I must not have gotten enough air in that gasp. . . dain bramage . . cuz that sentance is a mess . . . “my wife said there is no way those are to scale!!” 🙂
We understood anyway, the visual reminds me of Luigi – punch me Guido!
You may have mentioned this before, but what’s with the upside down mouth/bumper on Pinkerton in this picture???
If only it were a single I would buy it, but can’t justify and entire 5-Pack for one error. 🙁
I guess I had better check all of mine to see if I have any errors…
that is very weird!
That really looks funny!! HAHAHA
trying to make him look happy 🙂
He’s sheepish. Need to check mine to see if I got a variant.
I did notice that! At first I did not know what was wrong with the picture, but I found out pretty quickly. I wish they would take more pride in making these cars. I know I would!
i love this set!! its so great!! we bought 2 so we COULD open one haha
We did the same thing! The SBC box may be the best display box yet, maybe second only to the MSOS set display box.
wouldn’t surprise me if they dumped the ‘USA’ intentionally……to help market him better overseas………..
also, you don’t steal in the military….. you ‘reappropriate’ …….
i picked this set up over the weekend as well and i must say that i am very pleased with it. not sure if i can muster up the courage to open this bad boy though.
Thanks Met, for posting my husband’s note.
Chucki Mama, here is what I saw in comparing all of them.
Lenticular Sarge has the USA stencil, he has the white Sargeant stripes and USA stencil just like DB, SC, and Salutin Sarge. deep set eyes like all the lenticulars.
The color on Salutin S, Lenticular S and “New” Sarge is a shiner green unlike the matte finish of the DB Sarge. SC Sarge is a different green from all the others but has the correct badges and stencils. His Sargeant Stripes are much more defined, sharper tampos, best finished version. Ironic isn’t it?
New Sarge is definitely a variant from all the previous Sarges since he is missing the yellow badge and missing USA
Thanks! Really appreciate the info. 😀
Correction: My last sentence, should have said New Sarge is definitely the variant from all previous Sarges since his is missint the USA stencil and HAS a yellow badge.
BOOOM BOOOM BOOOOM SARGE IS IN THE ROOOMMMMM!!! I MISS MEGAHEAT AND HIS NONSENSICAL MUSICAL POST A POSTS!!!
Me too. I wonder what Jackdaddy would have to say on the subject
Ever wonder if you might be putting TOO much thought into this Met??
Until you have the 5 pack in hand you just don’t realize how big the set actually is – each SUV looks great and TJ is massive! It’s an excellent set with outstanding packaging.
That’s what I said the other day! The SUVs are HUGE!!!
Sarge is SWEET!
Did you compare lenticular Sarge to the group?
LENTICULAR-SCHMENTICULAR…
PAAALEASE!
nice html link in your name, LOL!
I don’t have the recalled sarge, but I have one opened and one sealed sarge will check to see if both have USA.
We just got our set over the weekend. Love it!
Great Name!!
AWESOME 5pck set!!!!!!