Collector Evil Airship of Skeletor He-Man and the Masters of the Universe Cartoon Collection Basic Figure Item No.: No. HTN00 Manufacturer: Mattel Includes: Two energy effects Action Feature: Extending arms Retail: $44.99 Availability: May 2024 Other: Big and Simple
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The He-Man and the Masters of the Universe Cartoon Collection Collector is a big, spare vehicle. Mattel's vehicles have been generally large and fairly priced, eschewing a lot of extras in favor of delivering something compares favorably against the much fancier figures. It doesn't feel like a classic vehicle, instead giving your hands something closer to a glossy, indestructible soda bottle. This thing could probably survive a beating, and still look good but it won't feel like something you had in 1984.

I believe this was the first licensed version of the vehicle as a toy. On the old cartoon, it was Skeletor's occasionally-used ship to fly around Eternia. The toy has seating for three figures plus a clip for Skeletor's Havoc Staff, covering the major bases. While it originated in the Filmation cartoon, you may have noticed an updated take on it earlier this year in the live-action 2026 movie. It got a "Brick Shop" toy.

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It's big. It is not detailed. The mostly smooth toy is molded in color, primarily in a desaturated blue. Once you open the box you have to unscrew some plastic fasteners and install two spikes on the back of the skull. The toy is made out of a shiny plastic with a few ridges, plus separately molded elements in the extendable arms, grey around the engines, and a big clear window. It doesn't do a lot. You can open the top and easily access seating for your Evil Warriors. There are no seatbelts, and they need to slouch a bit so you can close the lid. Skeletor's "throne" is gold.

I think the toy would be more fun if the extendable claw arms had Popoids-style joints. They extend and rotate, and that's it. It's good enough to menacingly grab another action figure at the waist and fly around, but I can't help but think Mattel would have integrated some other action feature in the 1980s. I would've loved to have some wheels, like we got with the Wind Raider.

It's worth noting that the underside of the vehicle has a socket for a stand, much like what we got with Stridor, Night Stalker, the Wind Raider, or the Sky Sled. I plopped mine on top of the Wind Raider's stand, and it's a little wobbly. The toy is probably too heavy for long-term display and you can see the articulated stand joint sag a bit under the weight. A fan used to offer a 3D-printed solution, but I assume that too would sag or snap with time. Maybe there's a better, bigger solution out there that isn't "hang from the ceiling."

It's a pretty plain ship, but it's over 14-inches long without even counting the extended claws. For those expecting a fancier plastic grade or metal or something, you're going to be disappointed. It's a really good display piece and a perfectly good item for someone to customize and paint, were they so inclined, as I assume 3D printer filament and wear-and-tear would cost more than the $45 Mattel wants. I should also note there are some unpainted controls inside, including an articulated pilot's console.

This ship gets a lot of hate, but I think Mattel did a good job. I don't think a more deluxe $100 (or higher) model would have sold much better. I would prefer it to have been less glossy, or have some more on-board weapon storage... but also it's huge and costs less than three action figures. For $40-$45, it's big enough to impress me. If you ever stumble on a cheap one, you should buy it.

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