After battling Spymaster, Stark put the UltraPower Classic Armor (Model VIII-A) through a major overhaul, building a new suit. Debuting in #118, the UltraPower Classic Armor—solar, Model VIII-B, Mark I, was a suit of unimaginable micro-circuited might. Tragically, this didn’t prevent a rash of malfunctions (later linked to sabotage).

By dialing up the armor’s muscle amplification circuits, Iron Man could become stronger far beyond the standard level. IM could become so strong he could—while flying—catch and lift a SHIELD helicarrier. He even had the strength to pull five U.S. Navy Destroyers to safety.

Other power feats included adjusting the power pods to emit a wave of electric heat to boil ocean water around IM. The pods could also be used to launch intense electromagnetic pulses. The UltraPower Armor could also absorb electricity—then, by twisting a small stud on his belt, Iron Man could send it back to its source by reversing the electron flow.

The armor mesh itself is a solar-powered, diamond-hard, micro-circuited blend that’s tougher than any previous suit. It easily withstood two air-to-air missile impacts and was impervious to Blizzard’s ice darts.

An improved refractory coating protected against cold, heat, and other external forces. Most impressively, the new coating can handle being bathed in 3500 degree heat as well as extreme cold.

The armor also had a built-in cooling system. A network of freon tubes ran between the inner and outer layers of the armor. They absorb excess heat.

The armor’s polarization controls were located in the suit’s neck band. A finger lock switch allowed Stark to toughen his armor to iron rigidity or release it into supple almost cloth-like fabric.

The computer on the UltraPower Classic Armor—solar had a siphon relay, a data port that allowed IM to interface and download with/from other computers. The port was even accessible when the armor was folded up in Stark’s briefcase.

The gauntlets and boots contained suction discs, which allowed Shellhead to pull a Spider-Man number when needed. Boots also contained enhanced jet boots that increased speed dramatically. Model VIII-B retained the Golden Avenger’s skates as well.

Sensors: The sensors on Model VIII-B, Mark I, were so sophisticated, they enabled IM to isolate a single heartbeat among hundreds. They could also pick up incoming missiles. The sensor array could even combine to detect the weight of objects. The suit also had a radiation scan. The left wrist cuff had a radar screen flip panel.

Communications gear included an FM receiver (complete with telescoping antenna that popped out from left shoulder epaulet) for entertainment while the standard radio included the police band.

Defense-wise, the UltraPower Classic Armor—solar had a built-in image projector that could produce eight holographs of Iron Man to confuse opponents.

Always toying with magnetism, Stark packed incredible magnetic might into his chest-mounted tractor beam.

Stark kept extra copies of his handy-dandy armor-storing attaché case around, including one at his Paris office.

The helmet faceplate flipped up as with previous models. Likewise, Plexiglas shields over eyes and mouth sealed automatically as needed. (Armor was capable of underwater operations.)

This system malfunctioned at one point, with the water seals opening, due to Hammer’s manipulation. Other problems continued to plague Iron Man due to Justin Hammer’s sabotage.

Special feature on this armor: This suit had an energy efficient solar flying mode. Less powerful, but more efficient than full jet power, this mode conserved both the armor’s and the wearer’s energy. It was particularly helpful on long flights.

Armaments: repulsors (with improved particle beam emission units; continue to work underwater); chestbeam; and other IM standards.

UltraPower Classic Armor—solar, Model VIII-B, Mark II

Tony Stark finally realized that his armor’s malfunctions were due to sabotage. Specifically, Justin Hammer was using a hypersonic scan to manipulate/control the armor. By building Model VIII-B, Mark II, Tony put a stop to that.

The refined suit featured a new and improved type of refractory coating. Not only was this a defense against Hammer’s hypersonics, the new armor was now resistant to Titanium Man’s stasis beam and other outside forces. It had limited resistance to laser blasts, but probably couldn’t withstand a direct hit from Living Laser. (The armor was eventually cracked by Living Laser’s macro-blast. The laser then penetrated Iron Man’s shoulder with a pencil-thin beam.)

The polarized metal mesh construction was improved as were the micro-circuit weapons systems. A glittery shell, it could easily take .50 caliber machine gun fire. The micro-circuits in the armor amplify the wearer’s strength a thousand-fold.

Thermal units heated and cooled the armor, making the suit a temperature-controlled environment capable of keeping Stark cozy within the roiling waters of a nuclear reactor or amid the chill of deep space. An internal oxygen supply of six hours can be used when needed. Likewise, an emergency ventilation system could pump out water from the suit’s interior. An insulation layer further protected the occupant.

Onboard sensors included thermal (including the ability of tracking body heat), radar scanners, infrared scanners (the forerunner of thermal imaging), and other micro-circuited detectors. A built-in range finder in the helmet traced broadcasts to their origin. A special micro-scanner in his left gauntlet with a view screen and controls allowed Iron Man further sensing capabilities. (The sensor circuits were soon improved, allowing him to detect subtle changes in environmental heat levels—even in the wide ocean.) Other capabilities include: visual sensors and tracking systems; sonic scan and full communications radio; special X-ray ability; sensors could detect targeting devices directed at IM. With just a few twists of the radar controls, Iron Man could saturate an area with high frequency noise to jam transmissions.

Solar cells line the suit. This suit is solar powered, but that’s a slow process so Tony has included an assortment of power options.

Armaments: variable repulsors (capable of wide-beam or pinpoint dispersal, the improved design fires subatomic particles at the speed of light [in short, it’s a particle beam]; repulsors work under water); the chest-mounted lens system or chest vario-beam, a.k.a. uni-beam, with weapons or illumination settings capable of adjustable, wide-angle variable intensity bursts (chestbeam also features an intense magnetism/reverse-magnetism beam setting that allows Shellhead to push/pull metal objects plus a laser setting could fire deflector beam).

Iron Man’s power started with reverse magnetism, and the circuitry of the Model VIII-B still had the ability to alter the polarity of the outer shell, reversing its magnetic charge, repelling objects. Of course what magnets give, they can also take away. Super-powered magnets wreaked havoc on his armor, most notably by jamming up his internal power supply. Shellhead also harnessed his systems to erect magnetic barriers, wide-spread fields that could deflect large objects and/or hold them in place. This feature is in addition to his tractor beams.

The boots include not only Iron Man’s advanced jets for flight, but also his skates. The boots also contained stud extensions on the soles—golf spikes, if you will—for traction on ice. Tony Stark could utilize his adjustable boot jets, opening them up to maximum dispersal to blow debris around—either as a cleaning tool or as a distraction. He also installed after burners into his boot jets to boost speed.

Flame retardant foam (housed in boot and glove cuffs) cooled down the exterior of the armor as needed. It could also be sprayed outward to fight fires. And by building up pressure in the ducts, Iron Man could blast the foam over wide areas. (Model VIII-B, Mark II, could also spray a small amount of fire extinguishing spray launched from palms.)

Although the suit was cybernetically controlled—a well-established feature at this point—Tony continued to put a manual control panel in the right gauntlet cuff. This included a digital clock, an energy/power gauge, a radiation detector, and other scanners. The sophisticated cybernetic command system of the UltraPower Classic Armor—solar, Mark II, could be overloaded by major electro-shocks (from say, the Mauler). The armor was also vulnerable to psionic attacks and could even be shut down with sufficient psi-force.

Mark II’s helmet allowed cybernetic control of the armor and was packed with other standard goodies such as eye shields that polarized to block out bright light and telescopic infrared lenses that slid down over eyes slits to work in tandem with the sensor array. Helmet amplifiers allow IM to listen-in on people from a distance. They also help him hear people next to him. In fact, without power, it’s very hard to hear (or even see) out of the helmet. Finally, separate from the main internal oxygen supply was a breathing apparatus that allowed him to remain under water for a little more than an hour.

Mark II featured Stark’s first Flight Unit, a unified system that linked the mechanical flight systems with software like never before. Combined with super jets, the armor could go fast enough to break the sound barrier.

Mark II had several specialized compartments for Tony’s trademarked gadgets and gizmos. One in his left epaulet contains a glass tube of highly concentrated, heat-absorbing freon. A tiny, cold-freeze bomb, it could be mentally triggered and released. In his left index finger was a tiny fingertip drill while the right hand index fingertip held a diamond-edge saw. This suit also had an image projector a.k.a. image inducer to fool opponents.

Although improved, the armor was still vulnerable to certain highly corrosive substances—especially fine-tuned devices such as the repulsors. Concentrated acid was a concern as was the purple mist ejected by the Rook’s weapons.

Special feature: Stark modified his trusty briefcase so that he could always keep it with him. Once again harnessing magnetics, he could slap his attaché to his back and fly off.

Historical note: Wearing the UltraPower Classic Armor—solar, Iron Man was able to completely whip the so-called "incredible" Hulk's butt--knocking him out cold. World War Hulk, Schmorld War Hulk.