A Disenchanted 25th Rattler and Conquest Review.

[speedocub]

Tisk tisk. Thats the jist of my review.

Starting with the Rattler:
This release is just a small notch above the TRU (copper colored) Rattler.
Decals-I'm not sure what Hasbro is trying to do here, but these new decals have a matte finish to them, which if you try too hard to remove them from the cut sticker sheet, you will find it's a two layered sticker sheet. One for the decal and another for the matte finish. There are just too many, if applied as instructed the toy is littered with too many markings and well, they don't all make any sense. A rescue sticker at the nose cone? Maybe Cobra doesn't want to rescue the pilot and wants to save the nose cone? The stickers are intended to be placed over many mold lines which makes it look like there is an air bubble under your sticker so I chose to try to place them close to where they are instructed but as un disturbed as possible. But the whites are not white enough and the dark blue canvas of the Rattler shows through. In some cases such as the nose, that dark black triangular sticker (the glare shield) doesn't fit the plastic well and bunches in the middle due to the curve of the applied area.
Plastic Quality-This release is so far from original vintage quality, it makes you wonder why you are paying 25.00 for something thats really worth 19.99 at best. The wings are flimsy but tight, the landing gear is flimsy and although i can remember that my original rattler was prone to landing gear problems, I can see extended play really stressing the gear. The Cockpit glass is real nice that it's clear, Hasbro's original was more cloudy and softer plastic, this one is harder and clear, but there is alot of flashing. It also makes the clips more prone to breakage. So be gentile with it. The missiles were the coolest thing on my original Rattler. It was the first thing I ever had with removable ones. They seem to have got these ok but it's still abit off. The Rubber nose cone of the one set doesn't stay in the missile housing but some modification would fix that.
Figure - Perfect. He's the same release as the Comic pack and I really like how they represented Wild Weasel. The cockpit is a tad small for him as is the gunner turret, but they do squeeze in there.

Overall, i would rate the Rattler a 5 of 10. Its a pleasant addition to my 25th figures and a new one certainly does look good, just not sure if I were a kid today I would be as enchanted as I was with it's original release. A great display piece none the less.


Conquest X-30:
Decals - Well the ones that go on the rear stabilizer wings are poor. They are practically transparent. I was considering buying the Cobra Stickers version and redoing these. Again, we have the matte finish which looks cool but a double layer is a bad way to go about it. These are sure to peel in 5-10 years.
Plastic Quality - Again, just a notch above the TRU release, I am glad to get it in it's original color scheme. There is a TRU remnant on the lower stabilizer from where the noise box used to be. The plastic is again softer and I can see if too much time goes it will sag or warp.
Missiles - This is a major peeve here. They just fall off, that can be fixed, but I want to spray paint these yellow, the plastic is transparent or translucent. They really look weak. When compared to my original, the sharp missile tips have been replaced with dulled tips and they just seem flimsy.
Landing Gear - This was a big let down in the TRU release. The rear landing gear wasn't as perfect as the original or the Python Patrol version for that matter. You can't spread the gear all the way out, so that if you make a turn on the runway, the gear will collapse. With some modifications to the pins that hold the gear from over opening and shaving some flashing off of the gear's gears the plane now stands perfect and we can avoid any runway mishaps.
Figure - Slipstream is nice, a recycle of Wild Weasel and Ace with a new head, he's ok, but not all legs are meant to mate up with all torsos, he's ok, but with all kitbash figures we are seeing from Hasbro he could have been done a bit better. Just a bit of retooling...

Overall I do like this release of the Conquest, We just got our first X-30 vintage just a week ago, so I had the time to anticipate the re-release. I half expected it to be as poor as the TRU release, but I am glad that it was just a notch above.


On both, if they had sold them for 30 or 35 and put the quality in of the originals I would have gladly paid it! It's too bad that these are a Target Exclusive. Back in the day it was Sears getting the exclusives. I just wish they would give up exclusives...the prices on these don't have to be so high.

[Dark 5cythe]

If you were a kid today you probably wouldnt ahve anything to compare these to.....and probably wouldnt complain lol.

I mean, its a big freakin jet. With a cool lookin figure and a bunch of missiles lol. How can that be wrong? AND a bunch of stickers to go nuts on!

[arch2b]

a bit over critical in some places but overall i agree in that these do feel cheap, the stickers suck and the conquest will fall apart in normal play by a 4 yr old.

despite the faults, for $25 i think they are great! you know they are going to cost more when they are rereleased as mass retail sets in later waves.

[Shin Densetsu]

conquest will fall apart in normal play by a 4 yr old.
That depends on the kid but the brilliant thing about the way it was designed, is that the pieces are all easy to put back together. Nearly everything on the toy was made to detach instead of break off.

AND a bunch of stickers to go nuts on!
The stickers are said to suck though.

[mav55mdash]

I'm a MIB collector and these look great in the box. The new boxes with the windows make these look awesome. I wish they put as much time into the actual plane as they did in the package...

[MLos1]

I just got mine an hour ago at Target. I don't think I am ever gonna open them. They looks really cool displayed as is.

[arch2b]

very good point, the peices do come apart vs. breaking...

[Dark 5cythe]

I thankfully got 2 of each but have yet to had the chance to open a set.

The stickers suck? how? Are they the same as the last 2 waves of vehicles?

[Griff]

Having had the conquest before (i Traded a friend one of my vamps for it when i was a kid) i didnt much care for it then and i still don't much now. to be honest a Tomahawk, skystriker, or Phantom x-19 would have been much more preferred to the Conquest. I always found its design to be slightly off for some reason. And i may have been more inclined to pick it up if slip stream wasnt just ww's body with aces legs and tripwires head with a painted stache. I mean not bad but Defintely not worth more than 20 bucks. now the rattler on the other hand..despite being a little small for the new figures...very very nice. It was my second fave cobra jet with the niteraven being the fave of mine and the firebat running in third. all we need is a niteraven and i will be happy as a vampire in a bloodbank. :>

[General Hawk59]

dont get me wrong I love these plains im just not happy with the decals.. they look like crap.. the decals are the worse ever.. I just wish cobrastickers.com was a little cheaper then i would buy them from them I just cant see myself spending much more on these considering they cost me allmost 30 per plane.

[Dark 5cythe]

WILL SOMEONE EXPLAIN WHAT IS WRONG WITH THE STICKERS?! WHAT MAKES THEM CRAP?!

Thank you.

[mttlg]

That depends on the kid but the brilliant thing about the way it was designed, is that the pieces are all easy to put back together. Nearly everything on the toy was made to detach instead of break off.
Not only that, but they all fit inside. You can even cram a figure up inside the front wheel well. Not that there's a need to do so, but it's good to know.

[Hicks_Royel]

WILL SOMEONE EXPLAIN WHAT IS WRONG WITH THE STICKERS?! WHAT MAKES THEM CRAP?!

Thank you.

They're "paper" instead of the heavier plastic stickers of the last vehicles. I think my only complaint is that excess material tends to stand out on the dark blue[purple] of the Rattler. This is a problem given the number of stickers, look at the Cobra Insignia on the wing... The Conquest looks fine decked out.

The plastic does seems a little oily... but I can live with it. For what they are I like them.

[Nirvana]

The sticker quality does suck. Half of mine want to peel up already and they certainly don't look that awesome on the Rattler. I spread my out a little instead of being dedicated to the sticker sheet and it doesn't look that bad for placement. The AWE is still the worst for numbering of stickers to add.

The landing gear on the Rattler is complete crap. They keep trying to cave in instead of sticking firm and the flimsy cheap plastic used already seems to be warping a little in different areas like the landing gear & wings. I actually have the Rattler sitting on two foam blocks since its fallen over twice.

[Alley Viper]

I agree the stickers are not the best. How ever back in 1986 the stickers were not that good either so it is only fitting that Hasbro would try to make it as close as possible as the original with crappy stickers lol. I don't plan to open mine but if I do, I'll be buying another set of Conquest stickers from Ruben. Then again I did order four sets of Conquest stickers from Ruben already, I might spend the extra money and give Cobra Stickers a try to see how the measure up to Ruben's.

[C.G. Immortal]

Hey, I appreciate everyone's viewpoints. It'll really make me think if these are worth my money when I find them. It's too bad that these seem so cheap, for the price bein' paid.

[Black Rose]

I love the Rattler - just wish the color would have been closer to the original - and the decals could have been better. I think at this point the Rattler is my favorite vehicle.

[Dark 5cythe]

They're "paper" instead of the heavier plastic stickers of the last vehicles. I think my only complaint is that excess material tends to stand out on the dark blue[purple] of the Rattler. This is a problem given the number of stickers, look at the Cobra Insignia on the wing... The Conquest looks fine decked out.

The plastic does seems a little oily... but I can live with it. For what they are I like them.

Thank you very much Hicks. Everyone was like "its crap, theyre crap, they suck, oh no what a rip off!"

but no one would say why lol

The paper stickers, werent the old joe toys paper stickers too? I remember my jets being paper stickers.

[Ewokhunter92]

I'm just thankful Hasbro made these. Think about it, next year we are getting movie crap like the H3 hummer all decked out, and probably some kind of crappy jeep too.

The fact is, we asked for more vehicles, they gave us more vehicles.

One which is a fan favorite. PLUS trying to get a vintage Rattler int he condition these are in for the price is impossible.

If people keep complaining about the little needless things, Hasbro will just say screw it and not make anything else for the line.

[Nirvana]

Or they could take this as feedback and improve on the models when they do a mass release of the vehicles. I'd re-purchase the planes again easily if they'd change the cheap plastic used for the Rattler back to something closer to the original's harder/stronger material and glossy finish.

[Ewokhunter92]

Or they could take this as feedback and improve on the models when they do a mass release of the vehicles. I'd re-purchase the planes again easily if they'd change the cheap plastic used for the Rattler back to something closer to the original's harder/stronger material and glossy finish.

I wouldn't want the original plastic, rotted too easy and was too brittle. One of the reasons the landing gear always broke as well as the wings.

[Hicks_Royel]

[Five]cythe: Yeah... Sometimes even I try to help.

As its been suggested elsewhere, the color of the Rattler may be just for the "exclusive" release. If we see a mass retail, maybe we'll get the classic color. Hmm... mass released Rattlers [insert name here] will have 200 of them. And I shall envy him.

[speedocub]

I thankfully got 2 of each but have yet to had the chance to open a set.

The stickers suck? how? Are they the same as the last 2 waves of vehicles?

Nope, they are a clear sticker with another matte finish sticker on top, they are two layers.

[Black Rose]

[Five]cythe: Yeah... Sometimes even I try to help.

As its been suggested elsewhere, the color of the Rattler may be just for the "exclusive" release. If we see a mass retail, maybe we'll get the classic color. Hmm... mass released Rattlers [insert name here] will have 200 of them. And I shall envy him.

Good call, I'm sure it's a givin that we'll see a mass retail release of the Rattler in it's classic color.

[Hicks_Royel]

Well, it wasn't my idea, just a theory I can back.

[speedocub]

They're "paper" instead of the heavier plastic stickers of the last vehicles. I think my only complaint is that excess material tends to stand out on the dark blue[purple] of the Rattler. This is a problem given the number of stickers, look at the Cobra Insignia on the wing... The Conquest looks fine decked out.

The plastic does seems a little oily... but I can live with it. For what they are I like them.


Mr. Hicks. The stickers are not paper. You must not have a Rattler or Conquest?? They are certainly not paper. Don't Conjecture!

[Hicks_Royel]

Well, I don't want to be lectured by a bored Moderator. So I'm just gonna walk away at this point.

You know, I can't let it go... I'll point out I used quotes for a reason.

[Griff]

dude put the sig pic back up of ww going after his OG counterpart with a chair. that was goddamn hilarious. :>

[SgtMajor]

Hey Hicks, you can always take a scalpel or scissors and cut away the excess so the decals look better. Its just a thought.

Considering these are classics that are re-done, Im just glad they are out. They may not be perfect but as has been said, try getting a classic rattler or conquest with all missiles and what not for less than 30$, it aint gonna happen.

Just my opinion but Im glad that at least cool planes are being put out. The SW stuff is crap, except for the BMF and frankly, I cant wait to see what the new Joe movie will bring. At least product is coming out and it dont look bad, dont look bad at all.

[crock master]

i can score you guys a 1984 rattler complete for $160 since everyone is so disappointed

[arch2b]

part of the problem is the large amount of overerage on the die cutting. on my display vehicles, i trim them out with an xacto knife which makes it much easier to apply them, less overlap if any, more inconspicious appearance. it's one of the things i actually like about rubens stickers, you have to cut them out.

[Hicks_Royel]

Not a fan of the Indy spoof, eh? Well... I'll think about it.

Yeah, I cleaned up the excess plastic from the smaller checker print since it was sticking out past the curve. I also cut out the circle on the wing my cobra insignia was placed over to make it lay flat. Since I've kinda got the OCD about uniform appearance and symmetry, removing excess material from around the insignias would drive me nuts. I'd rather live with the "fog".

[Ewokhunter92]

..... it's one of the things i actually like about rubens stickers, you have to cut them out.

I agree 100%. being able to cut as you see fit, not as Hasbro sees fit is top notch.

Ive ordered so many stickers from the man, I just email him and tell him what I want. No more formalities. We know each other.

He is THAT good.

[mech-grunt]

The hardest thing I have done so far was not ripping them from the package yet. I have to keep reminding myself that we are moving next month and keeping them in the box will ensure they make the move in one piece. But once I get to TX I will be crazy old Sergeant down the street that plays with Joes.

[Hicks_Royel]

Heh... Be sure to have your wife takes pictures of you running down the street with the Rattler held overhead.

[arch2b]

I agree 100%. being able to cut as you see fit, not as Hasbro sees fit is top notch.

Ive ordered so many stickers from the man, I just email him and tell him what I want. No more formalities. We know each other.

He is THAT good.

same here for the most part. the ONLY drawback is the 2 weeks it takes to get them to me. i'm eager to try cobrastickers to see what they are like.

[arch2b]

Heh... Be sure to have your wife takes pictures of you running down the street with the Rattler held overhead.

i've been trying to catch my son in the act of doing the very same thing. he runs around the house 'flying' the plane but i can never get the camera in time.

[mech-grunt]

Heh... Be sure to have your wife takes pictures of you running down the street with the Rattler held overhead.

My wife has informed me that the camera is on standby.

[Hicks_Royel]

Mech: Good woman you got there.

Arch: you almost made me say, "Yeah, I can't wait to have a kid of my own..." then I realized that I don't share my toys well.

[arch2b]

:) i was the same way... but they have a way of wearing you down and it's hard to say no to a little guy clamoring about how cool it is, etc. seeing that expression of sheer joy in thier faces is priceless (but expensive).

[Viper6]

The hardest thing I have done so far was not ripping them from the package yet. I have to keep reminding myself that we are moving next month and keeping them in the box will ensure they make the move in one piece. But once I get to TX I will be crazy old Sergeant down the street that plays with Joes.

im a crazy sgt down the street in tx that plays with joes, look me up if ya get here before i ship out in nov....we can have some laughs and beers.

[mech-grunt]

im a crazy sgt down the street in tx that plays with joes, look me up if ya get here before i ship out in nov....we can have some laughs and beers.

I report on the 10th to Bliss just look for the black Avalanche with KS plates.

[Fast_Draw]

I love these. The price was right. I haven't had too many issues with the stickers so far. Only on a couple of the bombs on the Rattler, but nothing major. I'm sure like anything, there are some quality discrepancies plane to plane. To each his own, right? I can see how some people would be slightly disappointed in parts of theirs, but I think overall the value on these is great. We've wanted bigger vehicles and these are our first taste of that.

[arch2b]

Mech: Good woman you got there.

Arch: you almost made me say, "Yeah, I can't wait to have a kid of my own..." then I realized that I don't share my toys well.

got one....

http://mini-zracer.com/mini-zgallery/data/968/medium/Picture_00117.jpg

[B.A.T.]

Its a pleasant addition to my 25th figures


I still don't understand why anybody would add the 80's vehicle to the 25th line. I mean, it's STILL the 80's vehicle & the figures are new 25th figures. They just don't go together. We should be getting all new vehicle molds just like the Star Wars fans just got that brand new (and totally pointless/uneccessary) Millenium Falcon.

I just bought a D.E.M.O.N. off ebay. Do my 25th figures fit in it? HELL NO! I had to put my vintage B.A.T. in the drivers seat & have my 25th B.A.T.s stand around it. The old vehicles simply do not go with the new 25th line. Stupid Hasbro should know this but instead the Star Wars fans get another friggin Millenium Falcon.

[ManWithNoName]

I still don't understand why anybody would add the 80's vehicle to the 25th line. I mean, it's STILL the 80's vehicle & the figures are new 25th figures. They just don't go together. We should be getting all new vehicle molds just like the Star Wars fans just got that brand new (and totally pointless/uneccessary) Millenium Falcon.

I just bought a D.E.M.O.N. off ebay. Do my 25th figures fit in it? HELL NO! I had to put my vintage B.A.T. in the drivers seat & have my 25th B.A.T.s stand around it. The old vehicles simply do not go with the new 25th line. Stupid Hasbro should know this but instead the Star Wars fans get another friggin Millenium Falcon.


Don't hate man, I'd love to see new retooled Joe vehicles as well, but the Star Wars line has had the sales to justify such a huge retooling for quite a long time. I think Joe is getting there too, but it may take a little more time for them to realize it. I also think that the movies and Resolute will play a big part in what we see later on.

[Ewokhunter92]

I still don't understand why anybody would add the 80's vehicle to the 25th line. I mean, it's STILL the 80's vehicle & the figures are new 25th figures. They just don't go together. We should be getting all new vehicle molds just like the Star Wars fans just got that brand new (and totally pointless/uneccessary) Millenium Falcon.

I just bought a D.E.M.O.N. off ebay. Do my 25th figures fit in it? HELL NO! I had to put my vintage B.A.T. in the drivers seat & have my 25th B.A.T.s stand around it. The old vehicles simply do not go with the new 25th line. Stupid Hasbro should know this but instead the Star Wars fans get another friggin Millenium Falcon.

Wait, Star Wars fans had the same M.F. released over and over again for the past 30 years. Hasbro FINALLY decided to upgrade the most iconic ship in Star Wars for the fans. It's not fair to compare the same. This is ONE vehicle. They already stated it will be the last of it's size due to cost.

That right there shows there is no plans for bigger Joe vehicles.

I mean, Star Wars is THE biggest toy license EVER. and they finally do something right with it.

GI JOE is no where near the popularity of it. Investors are a little more finicky about what they do with their money. I'm sure they are waiting to see how the movie line does before getting the go ahead for more bigger vehicles.

[Hicks_Royel]

Agreed. We're a very distant third [if not forth, or even fifth] among collecting. Besides, we are getting a new Skyhawk and Water Moccasin, right?

Looks good Arch. Nice house too.

[RAR]

I was just thinking (wishing) the same thing about these jets being sold for $20 a piece. Reading the review that started this thread, I couldn't help but think that this is Target's "getcha back" to those of us who over used the $5 off coupon. Now they make $10 off of every pair of these they sell.

[speedocub]

I was just thinking (wishing) the same thing about these jets being sold for $20 a piece. Reading the review that started this thread, I couldn't help but think that this is Target's "getcha back" to those of us who over used the $5 off coupon. Now they make $10 off of every pair of these they sell.

Coupon? You mean that thing people were photocopying??? SHAME ON YOU ALL FOR DOING THAT.

[RAR]

Yeah, uh . . . sorry . . . mind slip . . . I am not sure what I was talking about either.

[Da Boz]

The stickers are said to suck though.

Oh they do that, they do that well...and hard.

I'm afraid to even look at the rattler every morning as they've pealed off just a little bit more. These aren't the kind of stickers you 'go nuts' on as much as the ones that get you institutionalized because they won't stay where they're supposed too!

Overall good review, and I pretty much agree...well everywhere, heh. I was super giddy about applying the Rattler stickers at first, but it became confusing and boring after awhile (which is why I made you do the rest, heh...) I wish I'd taken the conquest, but the Rattler is a personal favorite of mine and I wanted to do it. The instructions are completely twisted though, bad angles, and the stickers don't stay on that cruddy rubber plastic they use now.

[Shin Densetsu]

I just got mine. The Rattler's landing gear is much more firm and stays in position. My 97 A-10(Rattler repaint), has rear landing gear that will not stay in position anymore. The rear gear will always instantly collapse. I am glad this is not the case with the new Rattler. The new Rattler is definitely heavier, there must have been some reinforcement for the gear internally, and the rear gunner cockpit sits much lower within the fueselage, this is so even the cobra troopers without the fixed crotch can even sit in there. The heatseeking missles are blunter and extended because of the bluntness. The sticker quality could be better, but I find that its best to avoid going over the panel lines, and repeatedly massaging the sticker into place for a few seconds, after you put it on. The Rattler feels more durable than the 97 version, and I am happy with it.

The Conquest has securing tabs on the canards and vertical stabilizers. These work well with alignment, but I find the parts are actually more prone to falling off than on the 98 version. What really gets me is that the rear landing gear cannot spread out all the way, so the wheels will not be completely flat on the ground. Some of the parts might have different plastic composition, as I find that some parts of the fuselage, and the removable panels do not fit as flush as the older versions. The missles are dissapointing, not so much because they are made of a softer plastic, but because they are more prone to falling off! Sure the Rattler had retooled weapons, but they stay on much better than on the Conquest!

I am happy with what I bought, I dig the glossy finishes, and I wish we had gloss stickers instead of the new matte ones. The glossy ones tended to stick a lot better. Someone suggested heating the stickers with a hair dryer earlier, and I tried that with some of mine. So far so good. The Rattler definitely has more improvements mold wise. Not sure whats up wih the Conquest, its either mold degredation or weaker materials composition. It does have improvements, but they do not work as well as they should have.

Must haves if you were a fan of the planes back in the day. Even now, for the price, and compatibility, these cannot be beat.

[Will Pwr]

For those that have concerns over panel lines....

After carefully applying the sticker, I use an exacto knife or razor blade and gentle cut the sticker, following the line. From there, I use a tiny screwdriver (a dull tip one if possible) and press the newly cut ends into the panel grooves. It gives it a slightly more dimensional look over the lines, as well as prevents it from bubbling up over time from the exposed area underneath.

[Cksport]

Heh... Be sure to have your wife takes pictures of you running down the street with the Rattler held overhead.

HAHAHAHA.. thats the first thing I did when I took my rattler out of the box...hahaha

First time I have played (even for a second) with any joes in a long long time. They just sit on a shelf.

[statesofeuphoria]

WILL SOMEONE EXPLAIN WHAT IS WRONG WITH THE STICKERS?! WHAT MAKES THEM CRAP?!

Thank you.

Think opaque scotch tape with printing on it.