Parts Used - Duke (BC) head, Dusty (‘85) torso, waist, and legs, Flint (‘85) arms, Red Star backpack and antenna

Before the G.I. Joe line's cancellation in 1994, many products were scheduled for 1995, including the Battle Corps Rangers series.  This line would have taken the team back to more traditional army gear, restoring an air of realism to the toys.  Planned Joes included Flint, Footloose, and Duke.  Whether any
of them progressed beyond the early drawing and concept paintings is unknown, although the Baroness Battle Corps Rangers series is known to exist in hardcopy form.

Whether or not this is how Duke would have looked is a bit of a mystery.  This particular version of Duke is seen on wrapping paper which was quite common in several discount and toy store chains near the end of the toy line's run and for several years afterward.  Since he does not resemble any version of Duke
released to stores, it is a fair assumption that this is indeed how Duke would have looked in this  incarnation.  His uniform also compliments Flint and Footloose, who appear together in concept art seen in the 1994 convention issue of AFN&TR.  As a somewhat amusing side note, the artwork on the wrapping
paper has Duke's arm out and finger curled like he should be holding a gun, but apparently the artist didn't draw it in.  Additionally, the box artwork for the Striker XS-1, an unproduced Battle Corps Rangers vehicle, has an unproduced figure driving the vehicle.  This figure looks somewhat like BCR Duke, although his face is painted in camouflage and his uniform seems blue. So, perhaps the wrapping paper does indeed depict BCR Duke, just in slightly different colors than the production figure would have had.

Unfortunately, the look of G.I. Joe figures changed over the years.  Necks grew longer and shoulders got bulkier.  These alterations can be seen when combining newer figure parts with older ones.  Duke's head sticks out a little too much over his body, giving him an almost wussy look that is further complimented by skinny shoulders.  Still, this figure is one of my favorite custom jobs.  I also colored the star on Red Star's backpack white to make it seem a bit more American.