G.I. Joe Night Ray (1989)

 

Overview

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The Night Ray was released in 1989 as a Toys "R" Us exclusive as part of the Night Force sub-team. It is a striking black-and-red repaint of the classic 1984 Cobra Moray Hydrofoil, repurposed by the G.I. Joe Team for covert nighttime maritime operations. Like all Night Force vehicles, the Night Ray did not include an action figure, allowing collectors to assign their own Night Force personnel as its crew.

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Key Features

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1. Night Force Exclusive

The Night Ray was sold exclusively through Toys "R" Us as one of the final Night Force vehicle releases.

Its stealth-inspired black-and-red color scheme made it instantly recognizable and one of the most desirable vehicles in the Night Force lineup.

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2. Based on the Cobra Moray

The Night Ray uses the same mold as the legendary Cobra Moray Hydrofoil, retaining all of its famous features, including:

• retractable hydrofoils

• dual pontoons

• rotating weapons

• detailed cockpit

• removable accessories

Mechanically, it is identical to the original Moray while featuring an entirely new Night Force appearance.

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3. High-Speed Assault Craft

Designed for special operations, the Night Ray excels at:

• coastal patrol

• river assault

• nighttime infiltration

• rapid extraction missions

Its hydrofoil design allows it to skim across the water at high speed.

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4. Heavy Armament

The Night Ray carries an impressive weapons package, including:

• rotating deck cannons

• side-mounted missile launchers

• rear defensive weapon stations

This combination makes it one of the most heavily armed boats in the vintage G.I. Joe line.

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5. No Included Driver

Unlike the original Moray, the Night Ray was sold without a pilot.

Collectors often crew it with Night Force figures such as:

• Muskrat

• Repeater

• Shockwave

• Spearhead

• Lightfoot

• Charbroil

to complete a full Night Force display.

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Fun Facts

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A Captured Cobra Design

Many fans enjoy displaying the Night Ray as a captured Cobra Moray that has been repainted and repurposed by the G.I. Joe Team for covert operations—a popular interpretation within the collecting community.

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One of the Most Beautiful Night Force Repaints

Collectors frequently rank the Night Ray alongside the Night Boomer as one of the finest Night Force vehicle repaints ever produced.

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Toys "R" Us Exclusive

Its limited retail release has made complete examples much harder to find than standard G.I. Joe vehicles.

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Outstanding Display Piece

With its sleek hydrofoil profile and dramatic black-and-red color scheme, the Night Ray is one of the most visually striking watercraft in the entire A Real American Hero line.

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Highly Regarded by Collectors

The Night Ray continues to receive praise within the collecting community for combining the excellent Moray mold with an eye-catching Night Force color scheme.

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Value Drivers

The most important factors affecting collector value are:

• Complete missile launchers and missiles

• Intact hydrofoils and pontoons

• Uncracked cockpit canopy

• Bright black-and-red plastic with minimal fading

• Original Night Force decals

• Instruction sheet included

• Original Toys "R" Us box

Because the hydrofoils, missiles, and canopy are often damaged or missing, 100% complete Night Rays command a significant premium.

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Why Collectors Love It

The Night Ray is considered one of the highlights of the Night Force collection because it offers:

• the legendary Moray Hydrofoil design in an exclusive Night Force color scheme

• excellent play features

• exceptional display presence

• rarity as a Toys "R" Us exclusive

• one of the most desirable Night Force vehicles ever released

More than 35 years after its release, the Night Ray remains one of the crown jewels of the Night Force series. Its combination of the iconic Moray mold, stealth-inspired styling, and limited availability has made it an essential collectible for serious G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero enthusiasts