Cobra Bazooka Trooper G.I. Joe Modern ERA Review

[Eopie Herder]

This is one of those figures where anticipation is split down the middle. Half of the 25th Anniversary fans seem to be excited over another army builder, the other half are upset that another figure that wasn't part of ARAH is coming instead of a beloved character such as Raptor or Skidmark. I, am one of the former. I'm all for troops that have a legitimate purpose, and an Anti-Tank specialist seems rather appropriate for any regiment.

That said, initial images of this one had me thinking that he might be cool to pick up, but I wasn't going to bust my butt to find one. I'm glad I did manage to grab him. No, to be fair here, he does have some drawbacks. As with Duke, he still has a terrible crotch that hinders his ability to sit. His elbows still don't have a great range of motion. But, he is a cool looking figure with great accessories. Sometimes that just helps. It also seems that the "sheath" for his knife has been modified a bit to hold it tighter.

The Bazooka Trooper comes with a small pistol, an knife, a RPG, a Helmet with Webbing sculpted on it and web gear that looks pretty awesome. The webgear fits better than any of the other Cobra troops in this same body style, and really doesn't get in the way either. The RPG fits in his hands perfectly and is able to rest on his shoulder rather naturally.

Overall, I liked this figure more than I thought I would due to the accessories that come with it. It will be a great addition to your troops.

Figure Rating: 7 out of 10 (once again, accessories push it higher)

[spacemonkeymafia]

I cant wait.....but I cant help but think this is why we are getting a red Symbol Trooper with a red mask in the up and coming repaint wave........

[Blot]

How does the blue compare next too the older Troopers? Could you post up a comparison?

[Captain Carstein]

Same here, but hopefully that one won't be light blue too.

[Captain Carstein]

Thanks for the review. Nice fig for an army builder, although I won't get too many of these, more Cobra trooper types are always nice to get. Any chance of comparison pic with Cobra Trooper?

Thanks again.

[Monkeywrench]

Thanks for the review. I will get one of these but I won't be army building him.

[catofadiferntskn]

I seriously don't understand the use of the older molds when we've already seen corrected crotch figures come out. Again, I'd want to see several of these to see if gonna be a running change, but this one kinda confirms for me that its intentional.

[fogger1138]

I've been wondering - are RPGs and Bazookas synonymous, somehow? I thought they were distinctly different weapons.

Otherwise, shouldn't he be an RPG trooper?

[ceraurus]

I'll be quite happy to pick up 3 or 4 of these to go along with my other troopers. I appreciate having troops that look fairly similar but have different functions - and I always like the standard Cobra trooper look.

[sharke]

looks nice! definitely like it more then other troopers.

[CrimsonGuard101]

Blue is blue, i fits fine don't worry to much about it. If you get several in your army they eventually blend in. I really like the blue of my few I got and will add more as I find them! Their RPGS and helmets rock!

[foor]

Great review. I'm all for picking a few of these up. But that blue! My eyessss...

[firefly069]

I like this figure. You don't really need to army build cobra troopers as if you were to buy all the different ones, you have your army.

This is a great addition.

[Cobra88]

I'll buy a bunch of them! I think there awsome!

[cobraslave]

It's cool, but I really wish it didn't come in such light colors.

[Gung.Heaux]

shitty paint apps on the helmet and the face er, scarf.

[NeoDragonKnight]

I like how theres a diversity of troopers, when they all stand as a group its good to see some differences in uniform and equipment. IMO not a great figure, but not a bad figure. Cant wait to see the paraviper review

[mandingo_rex]

I love the idea behind this figure.

It's their execution of it that pisses me off. The lighter blue, the red face mask... There's absolutely no consistency between ANY of their troopers.

I can't pinpoint any 2 releases of the troopers that are the exact same... Maybe the air trooper, he was released in the 5-pack and on the single card, other than that, I can't think of a trooper that was THE EXACT SAME. There's always a variation in the emblems' color, size, etc... Yellow webgear, white/black, etc.

I think it would have fit better in a multi-pack troop builder, though.

5 Troopers, all matching in blue uniform color/design, same color emblem, same SIZE color emblem, same color face masks/necks, and then the webgear and accessories would be different. An "officer" webgear, and then the bazooka trooper, a few regular webgear-ed troopers, and maybe an extra bonus "specialty" webgear. They did it very well with the internet-exclusive 7-packs, with the Snow Serpents. I'd love to see it done with the troopers.

I feel like they wasted a single-carded slot with this guy, although I really REALLY like the notion of a bazooka-specific trooper. I think the Para-Viper is distinctive enough to be okay as a single-carded figure. Can't wait for his review.

[RockinHard]

That's why I stick with the five-pack version and have painted the harnesses from the TRU trooper to match so that they have a back pack hole.

And Eopie, though I appreciate witty sarcasm, I'll take Raptor and Skidmark over another incarnation of the Cobra trooper anyday. Some of us grew up with and love those characters.

[mister_e]

Nice review.

Like others, I wish they had used the same blue as the previous troopers and that the face mask and neck was black. That said, I still like the looks of this figure and will likely buy a few.

[FadetoBlack2880]

does he have a holster for that pistol?

[Steel Brigade]

Cool review. And I for one LOVE the slight changes in color, gear, etc. makes me feel like I am actually buying something NEW!!
He'll be hear next week from BBTS.

[DPrime]

I've been wondering - are RPGs and Bazookas synonymous, somehow? I thought they were distinctly different weapons.

Otherwise, shouldn't he be an RPG trooper?

They are, but most people use the term "Bazooka" as a general word for anti-armour weapons. It's incorrect, but accepted by most people outside the military.

He's kind of a neat figure. The webgear is a bit odd, considering it looks like it's for submachinegun magazines rather than anything to do with the RPG. Maybe a Marauder MP-5 would complete it?

[spacemonkeymafia]

does he have a holster for that pistol?

Yes i believe its on the back of his Webgear........

[CrimsonGuard101]

No holster on webgear or body...checked mine

[spacemonkeymafia]

Thats wierd because the one at Joecon and SDCC had it on his back......

[mister-x]

awesome compact handgun, this will go well for the customs

[CrimsonGuard101]

can stick in between his back and web gear but that's it

[Vespapilot79]

Im definately buying quite a few. Im going to do some re-paints and add some to my desert troops and maybe some urban. I may also try artic, but we will see.

[fogger1138]

Thats wierd because the one at Joecon and SDCC had it on his back......

There's something back there that looks like it's the right size and shape for the pistol, but it's (mostly) flat rather than an actual holster.

[spacemonkeymafia]

There's something back there that looks like it's the right size and shape for the pistol, but it's (mostly) flat rather than an actual holster.

Damn it Frogger.....thats why I wanted him so bad....for the Web Gear with Holster on his back...........

ARGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!

Ok thought it over and I still want him........

[Dutchmaster29]

I like this fig. Just enough changes to be better than your average repaint. I'll be getting him. Maybe two.

[CdtWeasel]

Didn't they show a normal helmet with the fig at joecon or sdcc? Would have preferred that over the webgear. Has there ever been a bluesuit shown with webgear on his helmet?

[Bravestarr]

I've been wondering - are RPGs and Bazookas synonymous, somehow? I thought they were distinctly different weapons.

Otherwise, shouldn't he be an RPG trooper?

You are absolutely right.

A bazooka is a "metal tube rocket launcher," circa 1942.

The origin of the name stems from a junkyard musical instrument used (c.1935) as a prop by U.S. comedian Bob Burns (1896-1956), extension of bazoo, slang for "mouth" or "boastful talk" (1877), probably from Du. bazuin "trumpet."

The United States anti-armor systems M1A1, M9, and M9A1 were nicknamed "bazookas" by GIs in World War II. These systems fired an anti-tank projectile that was loaded internally into the tube.

The Russian Reaktivniy Protivotankoviy Granatomyot (RPG) is not really a "bazooka" because its warhead is externally loaded.

Mine will be referred to as Cobra RPG Trooper because he carries an RPG.

SGT David "Bazooka" Katzenbogen carries a weapon system that models the re-loadable "bazooka" referenced by WWII GI's.

Makes sense to me.

[CrimsonGuard101]

I just call em Anti-Tank Vipers :)

[fogger1138]

You are absolutely right.

A bazooka is a "metal tube rocket launcher," circa 1942.

The origin of the name stems from a junkyard musical instrument used (c.1935) as a prop by U.S. comedian Bob Burns (1896-1956), extension of bazoo, slang for "mouth" or "boastful talk" (1877), probably from Du. bazuin "trumpet."

The United States anti-armor systems M1A1, M9, and M9A1 were nicknamed "bazookas" by GIs in World War II. These systems fired an anti-tank projectile that was loaded internally into the tube.

The Russian Reaktivniy Protivotankoviy Granatomyot (RPG) is not really a "bazooka" because its warhead is externally loaded.

Mine will be referred to as Cobra RPG Trooper because he carries an RPG.

SGT David "Bazooka" Katzenbogen carries a weapon system that models the re-loadable "bazooka" referenced by WWII GI's.

Makes sense to me.

Huh - never realized that "rocket propelled grenade" was a backronym. Very informative post!

[Sean_C]

Why no fixed crotch, when the Python Trooper and Mass Device trooper have it?

Kinda makes it harder for these guys to kneel and fire their weapon.

[toolrocks302]

I can't wait to get a couple of these, I think they look cool.

[Letal]

I don´t know if anybody else have mentioned it.. but as a Brazilian collector this fiigure has even more appeal to me, tks to the shade of blue beeing so close to the orignal Cobra Soldado, made by Estrela toys in 1986, I don´t know if anybody at hasbro thought of it or made it on purpose... but I sure will switch the heada and gear to get me a 25th Cobra Soldado!!!!

[Tomahawk]

cool, thanks

[artiepants]

the lack of crotch-fix on him and Tiger Force duke is so far beyond annoying. grrrr.Blue is blue, i fits fine don't worry to much about it.
it really bothers me that all the troopers and Viper are all one uniform color and then this guy comes along and is different for no apparent reason.

[quintonarledge]

I'll take Raptor and Skidmark over another incarnation of the Cobra trooper anyday. Some of us grew up with and love those characters.

Yeah, I even take a 25A Windmill or Ice Cream Soldier than Wraith or Bazooka Trooper!

[paulpratt]

Why no fixed crotch, when the Python Trooper and Mass Device trooper have it?

Kinda makes it harder for these guys to kneel and fire their weapon.

Exactly what i was thinking.

[Sonny Crockett]

To anyone who doesn't like the color--

Just wait a couple waves and buy the red-masked trooper that's coming out, and switch the web gear.

[Saboteur]

Thanks for the review Eopie.
As far as the figure--major pass for me. I'll just take one of my soldiers, add paint to his helmet and put an rpg in his hand. Why not, that's all Hasbro did.
Looking forward to your Mutt and Junkyard review!
Sab

[paulpratt]

To anyone who doesn't like the color--

Just wait a couple waves and buy the red-masked trooper that's coming out, and switch the web gear.

The new red masked guy is the same light blue color. So all of us that invested in a large red or silver sigil army are screwed color wise. Plus, the dark color matches cobras other troops and vehicles.

[atomicpower]

not even remotely interested. waste of the license.

[artiepants]

not even remotely interested. waste of the license.

really? other than the color i love his gear (the new web gear is awesome IMO)

[Jbluez]

instead of a beloved character such as Raptor or Skidmark.

I'm not sure how "beloved" those two are, actually...

[artiepants]

i think that was his point ;)

[Sonny Crockett]

The new red masked guy is the same light blue color. So all of us that invested in a large red or silver sigil army are screwed color wise. Plus, the dark color matches cobras other troops and vehicles.

Do you have a side by side comparison pic?

[mech-grunt]

Great review!

Now this guy has really grown on me. I will definitely have to build me a small anti-armor team to support a Viper assault. I only have 2 small issues with it. First I wish they would have called him Cobra Anti-Armor Trooper instead of Bazooka trooper since Bazooka’s have not bin around since WW II. The second I would have bin great if he came with backpack with spar RPG’s, but I can learn to live with it. Overall I can’t wait to fine them.

[spacemonkeymafia]

Im thinking about getting a bunch of these guys and switching Web gears with my Cobra Troopers.....just so i can have an Army that looks the same.......

[sithewok]

I'm not sure how "beloved" those two are, actually...

Funny enough, Skidmark was one of my favorite joe drivers as a kid. I guess I was naive enough to only take his code name at face value... Still, by file card and design, I thought he rocked. Of course, I loved his vehicle as well, so that might affect it.

[ParatrooperCarbine]

I may have to give them standard helmets, but I like this figure a lot.

[meyerc13]

There's something back there that looks like it's the right size and shape for the pistol, but it's (mostly) flat rather than an actual holster.

Anyone have a picture of this?

I'm totally bummed. The main reason I was thinking of troop building these was for the web gear with the holster. Without the holster that web gear loses way more than half its cool factor.

I might just pick up a few RPGs from Marauders instead.

[spacemonkeymafia]

Anyone have a picture of this?

I'm totally bummed. The main reason I was thinking of troop building these was for the web gear with the holster. Without the holster that web gear loses way more than half its cool factor.

I might just pick up a few RPGs from Marauders instead.

So you saw it also.....I knew he had a Holster before......I knew he did....thats why I wanted him.....

[CrimsonGuard101]

Here.

[psycho_klown66]

That vest looks like it's to hold a lot of firearm ammo. Why is a RPG guy wearing that vest?

Shouldn't he be wearing something that would hold more ammo his RPG?

[spacemonkeymafia]

Damn it.........

[CrimsonGuard101]

Heres colors (ones a little blurry but gets point across)....

[CrimsonGuard101]

That vest looks like it's to hold a lot of firearm ammo. Why is a RPG guy wearing that vest?

Shouldn't he be wearing something that would hold more ammo his RPG?

They basically are run up fire off a rocket, disable the target and then start killing everything like in the replacement killers...he has a pistol for a reson and he needs a lot fo clips...especially if he hits a troop transport. Usually RPG attacks are done in single shots from multiple rocket infantry, they all fire on the same target either destorying it compeltley or severaly disabling it which causes peeps to flee for thier lives...then the ammo comes to play...firefirefirefirebambambam new clip repeat...

I just think of it as "reactive armor" on him :)

[spacemonkeymafia]

I kinda like the Blue on him more so than the Darker Blue.........

[FadetoBlack2880]

Maybe this lighter blue will be the color used for the upcoming resolute cobra trooper.

[sweeper]

Mostly I just want this one for his lil' Glock 19.

[Greyryder]

I'm not really too put off by the difference in hue of his uniform. I figure they give these guy a different shade uniform to set them apart from the regular troopers.

Personally, I just think that his combination of accessories looks really cool. That's the only reason I want one.

[Ev!L ErN!E]

Best trooper in the line so far

[sstralkowski]

I'm really looking forward to this guy. Even though I already have a marauder RPG, this one is painted. Also, I was wonderign what it'd look like with a black mask head swap. Maybe I'll swap one with a Stinger Driver.

[82joe]

I don't know....I'm kind of on the fence with this guy. Seems I'm spending $8 for a RPG and some webbing. I'll decide when I see him at retail.

[Jbluez]

i think that was his point ;)

oh! LOL I have a cold, so my sarcasm detector isn't working. Not used to seeing sarcasm in a review, honestly.

In my opinion, we have enough cobra guys. What we don't have enough of, is guys like Ripcord (not movie ripcord), Repeater, etc

Or hey! How about instead of minor variations of blue guys, remake some of the classic vipers that already exist, like Night, Techno, or Toxo vipers?

[steve2477]

He looks good.

[steelbrig]

Nice review! Its a good figure for army-building but I'd rather have a H.E.A.T. Viper.

[flywheels]

Thanks again for the review. Can't wait to add a few of these to the Cobra ranks.

[Viper6]

bazooka? thats an rpg. zap, had a bazooka.

[Viper6]

They basically are run up fire off a rocket, disable the target and then start killing everything like in the replacement killers...he has a pistol for a reson and he needs a lot fo clips...especially if he hits a troop transport. Usually RPG attacks are done in single shots from multiple rocket infantry, they all fire on the same target either destorying it compeltley or severaly disabling it which causes peeps to flee for thier lives...then the ammo comes to play...firefirefirefirebambambam new clip repeat...

I just think of it as "reactive armor" on him :)

yeah ya douche but they dont lay down the supressive follow up fire with...PISTOLS!!!! ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

[mech-grunt]

yeah ya douche but they dont lay down the supressive follow up fire with...PISTOLS!!!! ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

Roger that! Do you know how close you would have to get to your target to be half ass effective with a pistol in combat? It would have made more sense to have given him a small submachine gun. Don’t get me wrong I am not complaining about the figure I still really like it and plan on getting a 3-4 man anti-armor team.

[Greyryder]

Kinda depends on the pistol. There was at least on reported case in WWII of a marksman taking a sniper out of a tree with a .45. However, I've heard of reports out of the middle east where the current 9mms aren't effective at any range.

[paulpratt]

Kinda depends on the pistol. There was at least on reported case in WWII of a marksman taking a sniper out of a tree with a .45. However, I've heard of reports out of the middle east where the current 9mms aren't effective at any range.

Yeah that's the old M1911 pistol. Special forces still use that because of the stopping power. The new (relatively) 9mm berettas suck. It's he same old story about the 5.56 ammo used in todays rifles. That's why special forces continue to seek out new smaller weapons that utilize 7.62.

[Viper6]

Yeah that's the old M1911 pistol. Special forces still use that because of the stopping power. The new (relatively) 9mm berettas suck. It's he same old story about the 5.56 ammo used in todays rifles. That's why special forces continue to seek out new smaller weapons that utilize 7.62.
9mm does about suck ass...i think they give us several mags so we can kill ourselves correctly(it might take a mag change or two) id certainly never engage an insurgent with that shit, hope i never have to its been the ole m4 all along and 5.56 is a plenty good cartridge, hell 5.7 is great when we arent held to retarded cartridge restrictions due to nato and such other dumbshit. fortunately with my work i get some better loads down range and theres awesome shit out there,...steel jacketed, high grain, teflon tipped, hollowpoint and so on, but big army use this bs ball ammo. hell 5.7 197sr will take down class 4 body armor and it doubles as pistol ammo! i love my ps90...i dont know whats up america, pussification of a nation i guess, been some years comming. heston weeps in the otherworld

[CrimsonGuard101]

yeah ya douche but they dont lay down the supressive follow up fire with...PISTOLS!!!! ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

Why doe sit matter? Perfection is not attianed on this line anyway, I was just trying to give him a reason for so many extra clips, don't have to call me a douche :(

[Gothiczartan]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v312/Gothiczartan/GIJoe%20Marvel%20to%20DD%20the%20Original%20Contin uity/GIJoe1page24.jpg

from marvel gijoe#1

[BrettX209]

I like this guy. I don't love him, but I like him. But I do have to kind of wonder why they went with the lighter blue. Honestly, I think having the same tone of blue as the rest of the cobra troopers would have been more than enough to make this guy a lot more likable.

[Snow cat]

Not bad of a figure. Thanks for the review.

[Bravestarr]

This is one of those figures where anticipation is split down the middle. Half of the 25th Anniversary fans seem to be excited over another army builder, the other half are upset that another figure that wasn't part of ARAH is coming instead of a beloved character such as Raptor or Skidmark. I, am one of the former. I'm all for troops that have a legitimate purpose, and an Anti-Tank specialist seems rather appropriate for any regiment.

That said, initial images of this one had me thinking that he might be cool to pick up, but I wasn't going to bust my butt to find one. I'm glad I did manage to grab him. No, to be fair here, he does have some drawbacks. As with Duke, he still has a terrible crotch that hinders his ability to sit. His elbows still don't have a great range of motion. But, he is a cool looking figure with great accessories. Sometimes that just helps. It also seems that the "sheath" for his knife has been modified a bit to hold it tighter.

The Bazooka Trooper comes with a small pistol, an knife, a RPG, a Helmet with Webbing sculpted on it and web gear that looks pretty awesome. The webgear fits better than any of the other Cobra troops in this same body style, and really doesn't get in the way either. The RPG fits in his hands perfectly and is able to rest on his shoulder rather naturally.

Overall, I liked this figure more than I thought I would due to the accessories that come with it. It will be a great addition to your troops.

Figure Rating: 7 out of 10 (once again, accessories push it higher)

This is an excellent review, thank you for sharing!

I was originally not interested in this figure, but a fellow Tanker posted a link to Toywiz for a discount!

I found "Cobra Bazo" at 5.99 each, so I bought 7 of them!

Woot!!!!!!

:D

[Bravestarr]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v312/Gothiczartan/GIJoe%20Marvel%20to%20DD%20the%20Original%20Contin uity/GIJoe1page24.jpg

from marvel gijoe#1

That's an awesome image from Issue 1!!!!

They zapped the tread off of Steeler's MOBAT, and disabled it, right?

Most tanks are vulnerable in the rear as they have lower concentrations of armor near the engine.

Just like in real life, RPGs can knock the tread off a tank if it hits in the right place.

Nice image, once again!

:D

[Xerofall]

Here's a comic reference pic from Marvel issue 11.

[MrClean]

I finally got mine from hts today and now I wonder what's up with the holster on the back of his gear. it looked like a holster when it was shown at the con. But now it looks like half a holster, missing the other half, with no hope of holding the gun. Is this intentional or just another example of the recent QC problems? (the other example being mina and many others DVD pack Dusty missing his backpack harness). Does anyone have a whole holster?

[paulpratt]

They are all missing. I've seen a few threads started about it today.

[MrClean]

Well, that's frustrating. Guess I'll hold off on buying any more troops until I see if they fix this one.
Hasbro's QC on the current stuff is getting sloppy.

[Xerofall]

I just added one from one of the Joe's webgears... looks pretty darn good...

http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e213/Surlon/GI%20Joe/100_0471.jpg

I also painted some hair on his head... my wife hates that I made him have a receeding hairline... but I think it looks cool... haha

http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e213/Surlon/GI%20Joe/100_0472.jpg

[Zefram]

The bazooka trooper is pure win. Seriously, a lot of people complain about guys like the Air Trooper and this guy because they aren't part of the original line, but seriously, an anti-armor trooper just plain makes sense. A little dremel surgery on the crotch, a little x-acto surgery on the arms and I got him in a proper kneeling position with a two-handed grip on his weapon and ready to turn a Vamp or Armadillo into a fond memory. So yeah, I'm getting at least two more of this guy.

[CaptainDinobot]

I like this Trooper, he's nothing special but still I like the idea of giving blue shirts a rocket launcher.

[miscreant]

A nicer figure than expected... but is a loose fitting helmet common on this mold?

[goosetuber]

My first one was tight, but my second one was loose and off center. I did the hot water trick (place part in reaaly hot water to soften it) and remolded it to his head and it works great now!

[miscreant]

My first one was tight, but my second one was loose and off center. I did the hot water trick (place part in reaaly hot water to soften it) and remolded it to his head and it works great now!

I'll give that a try - thanks.

[artiepants]

i love everything about this guy but the color ~ the bright blue is really, really bad ~ he sticks out way too much from the other blueshirts IMHO.