Micro Action Jet Aircraft Carrier

The "Micro Action Jet Aircraft Carrier" is both a playset and a carry/storage container for your fleet of jets. The top deck can be removed revealing a 4-compartment storage area in the hull. The deck connects to pegs on the hull via a clip at the bow and a pair of clips at the stern. I have seen examples with these clips broken off so care should always be used when attaching and detaching the deck.

There are two rubber band-powered catapults on the deck (pull back the catapult until it clicks in place and press the black button to release). These rubber bands can be replaced (should they break or dry out) by unscrewing the mechanism from the underside of the deck.

The island can be removed from the top deck as it simply pegs into four holes in the deck but be careful as these pegs are fragile and are often broken on loose examples (mine is missing two of the pegs). There are three black plastic accessories (a gun turret, an antenna array and a radar dish) that peg into the top of the island and can be rotated. Care should be taken when installing/removing or rotating these as their pegs could break as well. In addition, the roof of the island can also be removed (but its pegs are even smaller than those on the island and black accessories).

The carrier I had as a child came with 2 single-axle jets, an F-10A Thunderbolt II and a MIG 238N Flogger (yellow with gray camo spots). I do not know if the jets included varied nor do I know if all versions were packaged with jets.

The top deck with the island in place.

The top deck with the island removed (note the four holes for the island pegs). 

The underside of the deck showing the black cover for the catapult mechanism as well as the clips that attach to pegs on the hull (one clip at the bow just ahead of the catapult mechanism and a pair of clips at the stern).

The storage compartments inside the hull. Also note the peg at the bow and wider peg at the stern for attaching the hull to the deck.

The underside of the hull is marked "(C) FUNRISE 1988".

The sticker on the aft end of the hull indicating how to remove the deck from the hull.

The "65" decal on the forward end of the hull.

The island removed from the deck (left side).

The island removed from the deck (front side). 

The island removed from the deck (right side). 

The island removed from the deck (back side).

The island removed from the deck (top).

The carrier with single-axle "Micro Action" jets. 

Below is a second version of the carrier. It has different stickers and different accessories for the top of the island. This version is number 62, the USS Independence. The island has been retooled and is now attached to the deck with screws rather than pegs. The deck is much more sparse looking and lacks the landing strip stickers. The deck and hull have also been retooled to include connection clips on each side of the deck to connect to tabs on the sides of the hull (in addition to the original clips/tabs at the bow and stern). This makes it a bit more difficult to secure the deck to the hull and seems like an opportunity for additional breakage. The carrier came with 4 jets (three marked "1989" and the fourth missing its wheel block) and two helicopters (unmarked). Despite all of the differences, the underside of the hull is marked "(C) FUNRISE 1988" just like the version shown above.

Deck view showing the different stickers as well as the additional clips molded into the deck (visible as a pair of indents just ahead of the island and on the opposite side of the deck).

The hull and tower stickers (port side).

The hull and tower stickers (starboard side).

Different accessories on top of the island.

Close-up of "USS INDEPENDENCE"  sticker on tower.

The island accessories and aircraft included with the carrier sealed in original plastic bags.

The contents removed from the bags (1 gun turret, 2 dishes, 4 jets and 2 helicopters).

All of the included aircraft on the deck of the carrier.

The F-19 stealth fighter included with the carrier did not include a wheel block.

Funrise also released a very different version of a the carrier called the "Micro Action Super Cruiser." This version is number 18, the USS Battle Star. It uses similar hull and island pieces with a completely new top deck. The island is positioned in the center. Two catapults are still present but they flip up and out rather than sliding forward. Four gun turrets are included (two on each side of the deck). There is a helicopter launching gimmick built into the aft deck as well. The gimmick required a ripcord (which mine is lacking) to launch a large goofy helicopter with a giant rotor (which mine is also lacking). I know that at least one version of this carrier came packaged with two of the "Micro Action" helicopters (although I am not sure which ones or if they varied). (Note: Photos of this carrier were taken by the person I bought the carrier from. Photos used with permission.)

 My example is missing the rectangular radar dish for the island (the same design as on the one found on the #65 carrier at the top of the page). 

The circular area on the starboard aft deck is where the big helicopter would be placed to launch. 

Another view of the helicopter launching area including the place where the ripcord needed to be threaded through (in the center of the back edge of the deck). Not visible in this photo is a "PUSH HERE TO OPEN" sticker on the aft hull similar to that seen on the #65 carrier at the top of the page.

While the roof of the island still pegs into place there is a piece of tape holding it down. This tape was apparently factory-applied as I've seen it on multiple examples of this carrier. 

The island removed from the deck (it pegs into place with four fragile pegs, just like on the #65 carrier at the top of the page). There is a strange large hole in the deck that is revealed when the island is removed. I have no idea why the hole is there. 

A "USS BATTLE STAR" sticker is located on the starboard bow. 

The underside of the hull is marked "(C) FUNRISE 1988"

I was both surprised and excited to discover a fourth version of the Funrise carrier which incorporates light and sound features. Like the second version shown above, this one is also number 62, the USS Independence. This version of the carrier is significantly retooled to accommodate the electronics and necessary battery compartment. The deck is no longer removable and as such the hull can no longer be used as a storage compartment. There is a new island piece which still has three holes for the island accessories on the top. The deck has yellow-orange lights incorporated into the middle of the landing strip and take off areas. There are also three yellow buttons on the deck to activate the lights and sounds. All three buttons cause the lights to flash very brightly and each produces a unique sound. The first button is a klaxon sound ("ahooga") repeated 4 times. The second is the sound of a jet taking off. The third button is a male voice saying, "Clear the deck! Ready! Take off!" followed by the jet take off sound. (Note: Photos of this carrier were taken by the person I bought the carrier from. Photos used with permission.)

The carrier shown with its plain box. The box has a JC Penney price tag and was a catalog item. The tag lists an original price of $19.99 and a reduced price of $9.99.

The underside showing the battery compartment cover and the speaker.

The inside of the battery compartment (it requires three C-size batteries). 

The copyright marking on the underside of the hull. 

Included with my example were the island accessories (identical to those of the other #62 version shown above) and two single-axle planes sealed in a plastic bag.