Retalliation HISS quick thoughts and pictures

[nighthawk]

Well, I got the Retalliation HISS. I was very reserved about it and wasn't planning on getting it, but in the end, I broke down and got it.

Here's my initial thoughts.

I don't mind the blue and I quite like the vehicle. I love the glass canopy. I wish the treads were the V5 one, but I don't want to destroy my black V5 one just to get the treads. I use this as a lightly armored HISS tank and the V5 as the heavily armored one. The tracks, although I prefer the V5 working treads, I find myself not minding this one so much now that I have it, although it does feel very cheap.

The action feature is that it tilts up a little but it seems useless, unless you're tilting up for the main gunner to shoot some Joes that are lower than the HISS.

Size wise, it's slightly larger than the HISS V5 but a lot lighter. Also, when applying stickers, use your judgement. There's a small Cobra logo that goes on the front guns. The gun is silver and so is the sticker...so I didn't put it on and I'm waiting to hopefully get a DG Cobra Commander and I'll put the Cobra logo on him.

Also, some reported that it was hard to snap the top onto the bottom. I found it very easy on mine, but I did have the knob in the tilted up (forward position). It was just in that position and the top snapped on very easily.

Here's some pics (I never put the red missile in and don't know where it is so it's not in the pictures):
http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l171/wing_woo/Joe%20Collection/006-4.jpg

I regret putting the canopy sticker on as it blocks the window. Don't know what I was thinking. I wish it were like the Mechs where it's a see through sticker to make it look like a HUD
http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l171/wing_woo/Joe%20Collection/008-3.jpg

Rear gunner:
http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l171/wing_woo/Joe%20Collection/010-7.jpg
http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l171/wing_woo/Joe%20Collection/011-3.jpg
http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l171/wing_woo/Joe%20Collection/012-5.jpg

I was disappointed that the cockpit was retooled and does not have the control stick that the V5 had.
http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l171/wing_woo/Joe%20Collection/009-5.jpg

Tilted up position:
http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l171/wing_woo/Joe%20Collection/013-4.jpg
and from the rear while tilted up:
http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l171/wing_woo/Joe%20Collection/015-5.jpg
http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l171/wing_woo/Joe%20Collection/019-3.jpg

normal position:
http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l171/wing_woo/Joe%20Collection/014-6.jpg
http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l171/wing_woo/Joe%20Collection/016-2.jpg

[nighthawk]

Comparison to HISS V5

http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l171/wing_woo/Joe%20Collection/020-4.jpg
http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l171/wing_woo/Joe%20Collection/022-4.jpg
http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l171/wing_woo/Joe%20Collection/023-6.jpg
http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l171/wing_woo/Joe%20Collection/024-3.jpg
http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l171/wing_woo/Joe%20Collection/025-4.jpg
http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l171/wing_woo/Joe%20Collection/026-5.jpg

Retalliation canopy on V5
http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l171/wing_woo/Joe%20Collection/027-3.jpg

[nighthawk]

Oh, I forgot about the driver. I threw him into a bin and just kept the head so I don't have pics of the figure, but here's some shots of his head though if anyone's interested:

http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l171/wing_woo/Joe%20Customs/034-4.jpg
http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l171/wing_woo/Joe%20Customs/035-3.jpg

The head sits high on that body so I'll have to go back and mod it to sit lower later on when I have time.

[Iok]

It looks a little plastic-y but I do like that turret design on the back. I'm torn now, as I was going to pass but the more I see of it, the more I'm tempted...

[nighthawk]

The turret and canopy are the only reasons I even picked this up. An articulated figure and working treads like the V5 would have put this into the must have category.

[Iok]

The turret and canopy are the only reasons I even picked this up. An articulated figure and working treads like the V5 would have put this into the must have category.

Yeah, I've seen a few things like that with the line now - great stuff but then what Hasbro gives they also taketh away...

[ljacone]

I for one like the plastic treads because it makes me think of the old school HISS. I'm not the best critic though because I am in love with this tank.

I did not put the stickers inside the cockpit. The other ones went on mostly straightforward, save for the WATCH FOR BLAST and CAUTION ones on Gatling guns. Speaking of which, I swapped them around last night so that the main gun can rotate 360 degrees -- very cool simple mod.

The Cobra Commander, eh, I have him sitting in the turret. I like his design and the headsculpt, but 5 points makes it hard to get too excited about. I bought a 25th HISS Driver off of eBay to drive it.

Overall I am very happy with this purchase and now considering a second one, perhaps as a gift to the 7 year old son of some friends of my wife & I (whom I gave a HISS Scout to for his birthday a few weeks back).

[Snow Wolf]

I grabbed one yesterday, and I'm gonna open it either today or tomorrow.

I liked the whole look from the first time I saw photos of the prototype at the Toyfair. Just how much I ACTUALLY like it will decide if i pick a second one up. For me, the HISS tank is a stand-by Cobra weapon/vehicle. I really like the POC version <black>, (where my only complaint is the hollow nose gun), so I guess we'll have to see how this new one stands up to close scrutiny. The plastic treads make it seem very "old school", so I agree with ljacone there.

[nighthawk]

Yeah, the tracks make it old school. It's just when I'm holding the V5 one and then the Retalliation one, it makes a huge difference, but the treads don't bother me as much as I thought I would.

[Laser Viper]

I picked up one yesterday as well and i was on the edge about it and took me 10mins to decide whether to get it or not, but good thing i did. I'm so use to the older Hiss tanks like V1 and V2 and i have the Crimson Hiss as well, but this version is (at least i feel) a mix of old and new Hiss tanks. I mean this has somewhat of a clear canopy and the gun turrent like the old Hiss tanks and the plastic tread, but the overall design is put into place and looks great! gotta love and up and down gatling guns, the V5 never moved like that. But some will like it and others wont. But figure needs to be upgraded BADLY!!

[TofuNinja]

Does this one pop up like the V5?

[nighthawk]

No, it just tilts forward as shown in the review. No buttons either, you just manually tilt it forward.

[orezona]

I really like what you did with your driver.

Too bad I already gave away the craptastic CC already. Oh well.

[nighthawk]

I really like what you did with your driver.

Too bad I already gave away the craptastic CC already. Oh well.

Thanks! I just slapped it together cause I couldn't find a helmeted head that was big enough to look good on that Destro body...haha.

I have no idea what to do with it in terms of characterization though. It's just literally in my fodder bin. I just took the pictures to show his head in my review.

[cobracobra]

Great review first of all thanks for sharing. I too find it to look to plastic and then a little thin or flimsy looking?
Maybe I am being picky because I already own 3 Hiss Tanks and this is the limit year for me.

[Clobbertron]

Many a good pic.. Thanks for sharing

[Venomfang]

I just broke into the one I picked up today. It's pretty cool, but the figure sucks and is in desperate need of real articulation.


The tank itself is all right, but as someone on another thread said, the dull blue just detracts from it. I intend to paint it black, as it makes this thing look FAR more of a baddie.

It'll be my breakthrough/heaviest tank in my HISS arsenal.

Also, it doesn't matter to me that the treads do not roll. The rolling treads on the other tanks never worked right for me anyway, so this is actually kind of a bonus.

[milesflex]

THe POC treads didn't work for me, either. I also had a toy w/ real rubber treads sitting on a stained wood table and it jacked up the stain, so I am nervous about displaying it.

Question - could you put the rubber POC treads on the Ret. Tank, and put the Ret. Tank's treads on the POC version? This is the first review I've run across, so I don't know if that has been said yet or not. I'd like a POC tank w/ Plastic treads and the Ret canopy.

[Mech-Viper]

i remember i laugh at it and told my woman how bad it sucked. she simply said "then take it back!" and i replied "nope i like it too much!", sure the figure sucks but then again if the figure is going to sit in the tank while beening displayed how many joints really need to move, simple head switch with a cobra soldier's head and a extra helmet from the black cobra commander from the 5- pack legion of cobra and bad ass looking driver for cobra commander.

[nighthawk]

THe POC treads didn't work for me, either. I also had a toy w/ real rubber treads sitting on a stained wood table and it jacked up the stain, so I am nervous about displaying it.

Question - could you put the rubber POC treads on the Ret. Tank, and put the Ret. Tank's treads on the POC version? This is the first review I've run across, so I don't know if that has been said yet or not. I'd like a POC tank w/ Plastic treads and the Ret canopy.

Unfortunately, not without some work. The holes for the two sets of treads are different.

[boff123]

i have 2 and like it overall. glad it finally has some decent firepower. you can also connect the gatling guns on the sides on the cockpit for a different look. they sit barely above the treads.

as for the figure, the only saving grace is the head. the body has a ton of detail but it is so disappointing with the 5 poa.

[Gatchaman]

I personally think this is just one more thing that Hasbro could have made great but cut corners and went the cheap rout once again. It’s a real shame too because it could have been one of the great ones. I think it has a great shape to it. But alas I will be skipping this one.

Hope they paint it black because the customs I see on here look fantastic.

Thanks for the review.

[rfarrell22]

THe POC treads didn't work for me, either. I also had a toy w/ real rubber treads sitting on a stained wood table and it jacked up the stain, so I am nervous about displaying it.

Question - could you put the rubber POC treads on the Ret. Tank, and put the Ret. Tank's treads on the POC version? This is the first review I've run across, so I don't know if that has been said yet or not. I'd like a POC tank w/ Plastic treads and the Ret canopy.
It looks like it would be easier swapping the treads with the base instead of swapping the base with the main piece.
Either way, it will take some work!!

[bloth]

The driver is the Ninja Cobra Commander one, right?

[nighthawk]

Not my thread, but if you want to convert, this thread is very good.

http://www.hisstank.com/forum/g-i-joe-customs-works-progress/234756-retaliation-hiss-upgrades.html

[Fesifisky]

My bad for not noticing this thread man, great review and pics! Thanks so much for linking to my thread! It was my very first Joe custom vehicle and it really means alot that someone else thought enough of the work to let others know.

And that Destro body definitely looks good with the CC head, I'll certainly be trying to track down at least that lower left forearm. As it was mentioned in my thread for the CC figure(was that you in fact?), if you have an open Wraith, try the armor on it. The collar with impede head movement without trimming, but it's a great start to mimic the unarticulated CC fig.

[nighthawk]

No problem. It's what you did with yours that convinced me to get it. Then I got lazy and left it as is.

[heltskelt]

Unfortunately, not without some work. The holes for the two sets of treads are different.

I was on the fence about this until i read this post. Not getting it now. Thanks for the info.

[Fesifisky]

I wouldn't call yours lazy at all...I've just had more time on my hands lately than I'd like...wouldn't have made it a fraction that far if I was still working, yours is very sharp looking.

[danielgogeta]

Cool quick pics and descriptions dude, helps sheds light for whats in store for us.

Looking at it, Hasbro cheated us again with flimsy plastic, and fake tracks. They could had integrated V5 rubber tracks for some sort of consistency. The design is great, its unique enough that made me feel that it transforms to a chopper like MASK vehicles or the vintage Dominator.

Just a quick favor though, are the V5 and V6 have common frame/chassis elements that can interchanged like what you did for the canopy cover?

Am thinking of getting one and interchanging the tracks and other elements from its cheap plastic frame.

Thanks for the review!

[nighthawk]

No, they don't interchange. I was gonna do it but it's too much work and I don't want to have an unusable V5 scrap when all is done. If I ever get a red one cheap, then I may want to tackle it as it'll be a lot of cutting and I don't care for the red one.

The top and bottom connect completely different and for the treads to fit on the bottom, you have to drill holes.

[Superquad7]

I just got this, and though I'm a bit torn, I really like it overall. The only other HISS tank I've ever owned is the V5 (which I REALLY like), so I went into this one thinking that much would be the same. It is, but the tank treads are what really have me torn.

I'd like to end up making a Crimson tank out of this, but the blue is cool, too. I think it's noteworthy at this point for me to say that I only own these HISS tanks and an AWE Striker from my vintage days (as I'm selling the rest of my collection/see siggy).

That being said, this purchase probably as significant to you guys as it is me because of what I stated above, as well as my intentions being ONLY to own these HISS tanks along with the small amount of Joes I have.

It's "pretty cool", but I think for many of you guys, this purchase may be a possible pass for ya. I hope my limited insight here is helpful :)

[nighthawk]

I've actually just traded for a set of V5 treads. I can't wait for it to arrive so I can mod the tracks on this thing.

[CG82]

Just finished hollowing out the gatling gun barrels with an xacto knife, kills your hands but it makes a good difference for this tank.

[Fesifisky]

Just finished hollowing out the gatling gun barrels with an xacto knife, kills your hands but it makes a good difference for this tank.

Do you have pics? Curious to see others' take on this gun. I attempted to drill out holes for each barrel and then put in a red LED but the drilling part went horribly wrong so I just painted it.

[CG82]

Do you have pics? Curious to see others' take on this gun. I attempted to drill out holes for each barrel and then put in a red LED but the drilling part went horribly wrong so I just painted it.

I dont have my camera handy right now, but the process doesnt take long. I did the same thing on the POC HISS's, which take less time cause the guns are smaller and less barrels.

[atomatron]

i bought an extra Crimsom POC tank to upgrade the treads, but goddamn its like they designed it to be backasswards and to thwart this sort of upgrade, with the connectors and even the notches!
please someone help!

[Snow_Serpent]

I really like this HISS, in fact, so much I took back the awful Ghost Hawk II and bought another HISS.

[Fesifisky]

i bought an extra Crimsom POC tank to upgrade the treads, but goddamn its like they designed it to be backasswards and to thwart this sort of upgrade, with the connectors and even the notches!
please someone help!

http://www.hisstank.com/forum/g-i-joe-customs-works-progress/234756-retaliation-hiss-upgrades.html

My pseudo tutorial on doing this.

[atomatron]

will check it, thanks!

[atomatron]

heres a crazy thought...using ROC Gunship as a HISS body?

[Fesifisky]

I'd like to see that done.

[CG82]

Do you have pics? Curious to see others' take on this gun. I attempted to drill out holes for each barrel and then put in a red LED but the drilling part went horribly wrong so I just painted it.

OK I took some pictures:


http://www.hisstank.com/forum/3722001-post10.html


I simply unscrewed the Retaliation chassis to get the connective piece, and I fitted it to the POC chassis.

[Fesifisky]

OK I took some pictures:


http://www.hisstank.com/forum/3722001-post10.html


I simply unscrewed the Retaliation chassis to get the connective piece, and I fitted it to the POC chassis.

Looks really good. I just opened another Retaliation Hiss, I may look into trying to get the treads on this way. Figs look great too!

[Raw Dog]

I like the Alley Viper helmets you put on your Retaliation Cobra Troopers.

[CG82]

Thanks guys. I was thinking of building another one but am low on funds. The Retaliation Hiss is in the back heavy side though once its taken from its original base, may need to make a few tad adjustments but its a small matter cause those POC chassis makes a world of difference.

[Mr Hebime]

Wish I could customize as well as you guys but I went for the simple route. I just painted it black and added repro stickers. Really made a difference, for me any way. Just got another one to customize. But torn between doing an arctic version or tiger stripe camo for the jungle bats I have.

[Iok]

Looks awesome in black.

I just got mine today - it's plasticy and shooty pew pew laser guns and a big toy but I think it's great.

[Fesifisky]

Wish I could customize as well as you guys but I went for the simple route. I just painted it black and added repro stickers. Really made a difference, for me any way. Just got another one to customize. But torn between doing an arctic version or tiger stripe camo for the jungle bats I have.

Looks great! The more and more I'm seeing these in black, the more I think Hasbro needs to release an offical version.

[Iok]

Wish I could customize as well as you guys but I went for the simple route. I just painted it black and added repro stickers. Really made a difference, for me any way. Just got another one to customize. But torn between doing an arctic version or tiger stripe camo for the jungle bats I have.

It would be cool if you could get some plastic sprues or something to make a ''carrying rail'' for your BATS. Kind of like those Phantom Menace droid ships, but not shit.

[tr1ellio]

After I got the tank when it first came out, I found that getting the main body to connect to the tread section was difficult and put it down after several frustrating minutes. After reading this thread, I tried again having the knob placed in the forward position and turning the main body around a bit and it finally clicked in place. I don't think I really tried anything new, but this time it worked!

My thanks to the person who started this thread!

[nighthawk]

I actually got that info from someone else who posted it in the news section and just passed it along in this review.