Astro Magnum / Shockwave: Visual ID Guide: COMBAT FORCE RANGERS

Combat Force Rangers (CFR)
Diversified Specialist Inc. - DSI
Mighty Morphin Power Ranger / Sentai - KO Bootlegs
1994-1995

Left: Wave 1 (matte color) Middle: Wave 4 (chrome) Right: Wave 5 (pearlescent)

Mighty Morphin Power Rangers inspired many companies to produce a wide variety of knockoff, copycat or bootleg action figures; 'Combat Force Rangers' (CFR) by DSI was one such line.

During the years of at least 1992-1999, 'Combat Force Rangers' was the name that DSI used to sell a line of military style kid's weapons, vehicles and play accessories.

1993 DSI Toy Fair Catalog featuring a variety of lines.
This is where the 'Combat Force Rangers' name is first used.
Note: Left side of the catalog features the guns & the right side promotes attack planes & helicopters. For more catalog images: click here

Combat Force Rangers: 7 piece combat set. Other sets included: Radical Recoiler, Base Station Walkie-Talkies, Electronic 9mm Automatic Pistol, Listening Device Megaphone and many more!

During the same time frame that DSI was still making military style kids toys, it would repurpose the name 'Combat Force Rangers' and begin releasing five waves of a Mighty Morphin Power Rangers Sentai bootleg style figures between 1994-1995.

7.5" (19cm) figures (Green & Aqua)

Photo Credit: Muscle & Fitness

Combat Force Rangers, the result of the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, VR Troopers & Gridman all hitting the gym in an alternate universe!

Side Note: Looking for other Power Ranger & Robocop bootleg knockoff figures?
CLICK HERE for our review of Soma's Sonic Rangers.

THE STORY
(according to the box)
"Out of the murky depths of a far off galaxy the evil warlord Slimexa has begun a wicked campaign to conquer the planet Earth and enslave its populace. Earth's only hope lies in the hands of these heroes who have united to form the COMBAT FORCE RANGERS.

Each of the COMBAT FORCE RANGERS possesses unique powers that, when used together, can save our planet. Only you can help these brave heroes defeat the evil Slimexa."
Laser pistol light up action.

In addition to the light up action on the pistol,
Combat Force Rangers talk!
Speaker is located on the back of the figure.
"Made in China" stamp.

Released in 5 Waves
Current known colors... without fail there are others!

combat force rangers dsi toy distributors

New dark purple / blue chrome - Wave 4 figure discovered!

Side box profiles and team pictures

WAVE 1

(V1) 1994 Variants - No. 26401
Yellow background behind the figure
Matte color figures

(V1) Black 7.5" tall
Matte Black & White
Combat Force Rangers

"An expert in Martial Arts"

Photo Credit: Bill Bynum

A look inside at the electronics and speaker for

the light up blaster and talking voices.

Photo Credit: Enigma Force

(V1) Aqua 7.5" tall
Matte Aqua & White
Combat Force Rangers
(Harder to find and not pictured on the boxes)

Upper half of the Wave 1 boxes are dark green,
whereas the upper half of Wave 2 boxes are green.
Wave 1 boxes do not have "Warning Choking Hazard" verbiage.

Wave 1 boxes only featured four figures.
Wave 2 boxes display the addition of the new female pink ranger.

WAVE 2

(V1) 1994 Variants - No. 26401
Yellow background behind the figure
Matte color figures

(V1) Blue 7.5" tall
Matte Blue & White
Combat Force Rangers
(Harder to find and not pictured on the boxes)

(V1) Green 7.5" tall
Matte Green & White
Combat Force Rangers

"The Ability to see the future,
cast spells and use magic"

(V1) White 7.5" tall
Matte white & black stripes
Combat Force Rangers
Note: Awesome Kmart price stickers!
$6.99 then on sale for $3.50

"Wise in the use of all weapons"

pink female combat force rangers dsi girl

Photo Credit: Dusty Barn Vintage

(V1) Pink 7.5" tall
Matte Pink with White stripes
Combat Force Rangers
Note: Awesome Family Dollar price sticker!
$5.99

Despite the Dark Green vs. Green boxes mentioned above, at some point these box colors transitioned from Wave 1 to Wave 2.

Photo Credit: Garrett Sander Instagram

In (Wave 2) we are introduced to the pink/magenta female ranger above.
Unlike her male counterparts, she sports hair vs. a helmet.
She also comes with two weapons, a blaster and a dagger.
Back of her box says she has: "The ability to communicate with animals".

(V1) Light Red Rose 7.5" tall
Matte Red & white stripes
Combat Force Rangers

combat force rangers dsi astro magnum guide

(V1) Red 7.5" tall
Matte Red & white stripes
Combat Force Rangers

(V1) Red 7.5" tall
Matte Red & white stripes
Combat Force Rangers
Boxed example

WAVE 3

Box No. 26402

(Figures currently unknown)
Sku numbers are in sequential order, so... where are the 26402 boxes & figures??

WAVE 4

(V4) 1995 Variants - No. 26403
White background behind the figure
All chrome figures

LOTS OF CHROME LOVIN'

(V4) 1995 Variant All Chrome figures:
Top row: Dark copper, light copper, gold, gold/silver, silver
Bottom row: Light purple, medium purple, dark purple, charcoal, black

Back of a (V4) 7.5" figure box.
Note: Red figure! Sure would be nice to locate the red figure someday.

(V4) Dark Copper
All Chrome
Combat Force Rangers

(V4) Light Copper
All Chrome
Combat Force Rangers

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(V4) Gold
All Chrome
Combat Force Rangers

Gold chrome color scheme similar to Star War C3-PO.

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(V4) Gold/Silver
All Chrome
Combat Force Rangers

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(V4) Silver
All Chrome
Combat Force Rangers

knockoff might power rangers combat retro

(V4) Lavender
All Chrome
Combat Force Rangers

bootleg might morphin power rangers combat

(V4) Medium Purple
All Chrome
Combat Force Rangers

dsi bootleg might morphin power rangers combat

(V4) Dark Purple
All Chrome
Combat Force Rangers

bootleg might morphin power rangers combat dsi

Photo Credit: Eden Orion

NEW! (V4) Dark Purple Blue
All Chrome
Combat Force Rangers

black bootleg might morphin power rangers combat

(V4) Charcoal Gray
All Chrome
Combat Force Rangers

bootleg might morphin power rangers combat black

(V4) Black
All Chrome
Combat Force Rangers

variant colors combat force rangers retro

Jet black chrome Combat Force Rangers, dynamic duo!

variant colors combat force rangers retro black

Photo Credit: The Flux Capacitor's Flux

(V4) Black Chrome
Price sticker from: Ronny's $6.47
Cool!!

variant colors combat force rangers retro boxes

WAVE 5

(V5) 1995 Variants - No. 26404

White background behind the figure
All pearlescent figures

Pearlescent Combat Force Rangers come in five known colors:
Red, Yellow, White, Green & Black

variant colors combat force rangers retro pearlescent

(V5) Pearl Black & Pearl White
Pearlescent
Combat Force Rangers

Wave 5 had five figures:
Black, Red, Blue, White and YELLOW
Someday we hope to acquire the other pearlescent figures of Wave 5

variant colors combat force rangers pearlescent yellow

(V5) Pearl Yellow & Pearl White
Pearlescent
Combat Force Rangers
Wave 5 has the only known YELLOW Combat Force Ranger

(V5) Pearl White & Pearl Black
Pearlescent
Combat Force Rangers

white pearlescent combat force rangers dsi

Comparison
A. (V5) Wave 5 - White & Black Pearl
B. (V1) Wave 1 - White & Silver Matte
Combat Force Rangers

Black with white accents vs. White with black accents

team pearlescent combat force rangers dsi

The Crusader

Along with the 7.5" figures above, DSI took an already existing figure mold from Super Robotic Rangers and labeled it the: Combat Force Rangers - "The Crusader" - No. 26204R

Size comparison: Crusader vs. 7.5" figure.
This figure was made by Wang Kwong of China for DSI. Wang Kwong has used this mold repeatedly for their own Hap-p-kids line and for other private labels like Combat Force Rangers.
DSI would later repurpose the mold, yet again, as the "Chromed Crusader"

The Crusader appears to have at least been sold in the Green & Blue versions.

Back of The Crusader box.

Laser Pistol Sword

In 1994, DSI would also release the Combat Force Rangers - Laser Pistol Sword.
Similar type weapons were being produced for Mighty Morphin Power Rangers... so why not!

Faded Fun

'B' Photo Credit: Enigma Force

Photos above show what appear, at first glance, to be blue turquoise variant boxes.
These boxes are, however, simply heavily sun faded boxes. Box 'B' shows the faded turquoise front but the original green inks on the back of the box.

What was once an all white ranger now looks more like a yellow tiger ranger.
The upper body, being a different plastic than the rubber legs, has faded to a yellow.
The phenomena can be seen in other vintage toys especially in Star Wars Stormtroopers.
Pretty color figure all the same.

Video Credit: Black Tub Boolegs

Here is fun quick video review on the Combat Force Rangers.
In the video it speculates that the chrome versions are perhaps 'first run'. We know based on actual boxed samples that they are in fact 'fourth run' instead. Enjoy!

Combat Force Rangers - one of our favorite sculpts for a Ranger bootleg and worth the investment to hunt them down. Go Go Power Raaa.... rather... Combat Force Rangers!!