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10-01-2008, 07:13 PM | #1 |
VALKYRIE
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Over the rainbow where your mom is at son
Posts: 23,515
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The Target exclusive Modern Era Cobra Rattler w/Wild Weasel is a long awaited reissue, and fan favorite. It is on shelves now, and retails for $24.99. The mold itself has not been released in it's iconic v1 colors since the early 80's, and it has finally made it's return! This release has been retooled to fit anniversary/modern era figures and has been sought after since it's first appearance on shelves last month. The last time the Rattler was reissued in 2003, it turned out to be a dissapointment. How did this one turn out? Read on!
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The Transformers! More than meets the eyes! For those who collect multiple toylines! Thundercats, HOOO!!! Kamen Rider, Super Sentai and more! CHECK OUT OUR RESOURCES! GI Joe Database Transformers Database Watch me FIX the Sky Striker XP21F! CLICK HERE! Last edited by Shin Densetsu; 10-01-2008 at 08:54 PM.. |
10-01-2008, 07:19 PM | #2 |
VALKYRIE
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Over the rainbow where your mom is at son
Posts: 23,515
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The Rattler comes with a full arsenal of air to air missles(4), bombs(6) on triple ejector racks(2), cluster bombs(2), and two stage missle/bombs(2). The two stage missle/bombs have been retooled with full pegs, as opposed to the peg halves of previous versions. The plastic for these pegs feels like a thick rubber, like the kind on rubber mallets. This is an improvement, since the missle halves stay on much better than on previous versions. The four air to air missles have been retooled with blunter tips. Obviously this was done due to stricter child safety laws. Some might say these look more realistic, as they resemble the seeker heads found on some heat seeking missles like the AIM-9 Sidewinder. The missles stay on better than before, and are not prone to cracking at the insertion points, like on my 97 version.
On the pictures below, the 97 versions of the 2 stage missle halves/air to air missles, are on the left, the modern era Rattler's 2 stage missle halves/air to air missles are on the right.
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The Transformers! More than meets the eyes! For those who collect multiple toylines! Thundercats, HOOO!!! Kamen Rider, Super Sentai and more! CHECK OUT OUR RESOURCES! GI Joe Database Transformers Database Watch me FIX the Sky Striker XP21F! CLICK HERE! Last edited by Shin Densetsu; 10-01-2008 at 07:43 PM.. |
10-01-2008, 07:24 PM | #3 |
VALKYRIE
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Over the rainbow where your mom is at son
Posts: 23,515
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The cannon used for the total decimation of G.I. Joe tanks is the same as before. By swiveling the ridges of the cannon, you can simulate the Rattler firing the cannon and destroying absolutely every joe vehicle and personnel on the ground.
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The Transformers! More than meets the eyes! For those who collect multiple toylines! Thundercats, HOOO!!! Kamen Rider, Super Sentai and more! CHECK OUT OUR RESOURCES! GI Joe Database Transformers Database Watch me FIX the Sky Striker XP21F! CLICK HERE! Last edited by Shin Densetsu; 10-01-2008 at 07:43 PM.. |
10-01-2008, 07:29 PM | #4 |
VALKYRIE
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Over the rainbow where your mom is at son
Posts: 23,515
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There are two wing mounted engines, and one rear mounted engine. The turbines on all 3 are detailed. I'm impressed something like this was even thought of back in 1983. Nothing has changed from previous releases. The engine panels on the wing mounted engines are removable. By removing these panels, you can see the detail molded on the individual engines. The pieces used for these engines are the same for each wing. The nozzles for both wing mounted engines are detailed with indentations between each flap.
The rear engine nozzle is a jetpipe, and is a different mold. |
10-01-2008, 07:40 PM | #5 |
VALKYRIE
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Over the rainbow where your mom is at son
Posts: 23,515
|
The landing gear on this toy are detailed, with logos sculpted onto the tires themselves. The gear doors are simple. The gear are much firmer and more secure than on previous releases, such as the 98 version that I have. The rear landing gears on older versions collapses easily over time, and has always been the weak point of the Rattler.
This time around, it's different. The gear stay in position and do not collapse. You can definitely feel the difference. Time will tell if this lasts, and I hope it stands the test of time. It feels like it might loosen up over time, but overall, this is completey different than the 97 version, which got loose quick. My 97 version's rear gears loosened up not too long after I got it during Christmas 97, and at this point, it cannot even sit level on the ground, the nose points up! Even if these gears do loosen up on the modern era Rattler, it's going to take a long while to do so. The nose gear is made to be more firm, and it didn't even need to be, but I'm glad Hasbro improved it anyway. The improvement to the landing gear is impressive. One weakness of the original Rattler has been finally overcome. |
10-01-2008, 07:50 PM | #6 |
VALKYRIE
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Over the rainbow where your mom is at son
Posts: 23,515
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V.T.O.L.(Vertical Take Off Landing) mode works just the same way as before, without being prone to asymmetrical alignment, a problem that plagued older versions. To enable this mode, simply swivel the wings up ninety degrees. This is yet another improvement found on the modern era Rattler. Thus far the wings on mine have stayed symmetrical, on the 97 version the asymmetrical alignment is clearly obvious. This modeis one of the creative aspects of the design. It makes the Rattler unique. It is quite fitting for Cobra's main C.A.S.(Close Air Support) aircraft to have VTOL capabilities, as it gives it the ability to land, take off, rearm, and refuel anywhere on the battlefield. The Joes never had anything like it(til they got themselves a repainted Rattler in 97 during the 15th anniversary). What Cobra has here is a deadly CAS aircraft, combining the decimating qualities of the A-10, with the ability of the Harrier to basically deploy anywhere. This plane needs no runway! The Cobra ground forces definitely benefit from the Rattler. As proven in Wild Weasel and Ace's famous dogfight in the Marvel run, this is also a deadly aircraft close in, it is not a slouch in a dogfight.
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The Transformers! More than meets the eyes! For those who collect multiple toylines! Thundercats, HOOO!!! Kamen Rider, Super Sentai and more! CHECK OUT OUR RESOURCES! GI Joe Database Transformers Database Watch me FIX the Sky Striker XP21F! CLICK HERE! Last edited by Shin Densetsu; 10-01-2008 at 08:44 PM.. |
10-01-2008, 08:07 PM | #7 |
VALKYRIE
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Over the rainbow where your mom is at son
Posts: 23,515
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The designers of this plane in 1983 incorporated many design elements that enhanced the sense of realism. A dorsal bump towards the rear, on the underside could be a laser designator or ECM jammer. As a child, no one would probably know what it was, but as I got older, I was impressed by that being sculpted on. Four swappable panels are included; 1 cockpit panel, and 1 side panel, and battle damaged versions of each. The battle damaged versions are underneath the plastic tray in the box, so make sure you do not forget those pieces before you throw the box away! Some members have accidentally thrown away the box before getting those pieces. I wish the pieces were inside the plastic bag with the stickers/instructions instead, as they are very easy to miss!. The pieces themselves are impressive. Back in the RAH days, removable panels were pretty much standard on vehicles, but battle damaged, swappable panels were not. The Rattler is one of the rare vehicles that incorporated those pieces. It's great to see them again, the battle damaged pieces feature sculpted bullet holes. All the more reason to still hope for a classic Skystriker to recreate the famous battle between Ace and Wild Weasel, that resulted in a draw.
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10-01-2008, 08:14 PM | #8 |
VALKYRIE
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Over the rainbow where your mom is at son
Posts: 23,515
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The gunner cockpit has been retooled, and unlike the disssapointing 03 version which was missing the canopy entirely, the canopy is intact here! Unfortunately, it relies on friction to stay closed, as the tab that is supposed to secure it in the closed position does not stay in place well.
The gunner cockpit this time around can fit anniversary/modern era figures, even those without fixed crotches! The Rattler feels heavier aft of the gunner cockpit, possibly due to the retooling of the rear landing gears and the gunner cockpit. The gunner cockpit was one of the defining aspects of the Rattler and I'm glad to see it back! Luckily the tension on the hinges keeps the canopy down, I'd be extremely dissapointed if it didn't, as would all of you. |
10-01-2008, 08:17 PM | #9 |
VALKYRIE
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Over the rainbow where your mom is at son
Posts: 23,515
|
The front cockpit has also been retooled to fit the anniversary/modern era figures. Even though the Wild Weasel figure included still has the belt, the figure still fits in the cockpit! The cockpit was the main thing all anniversary fans wanted fixed on the Rattler, and they finally got their wish. Speaking of the fitting Wild Weasel in the cockpit....
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10-01-2008, 08:21 PM | #10 |
VALKYRIE
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Over the rainbow where your mom is at son
Posts: 23,515
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...Wild Weasel is a slight repaint of the previously released version in the comic pack with Ace. The only difference is that the neck is bright blue, like the vintage version. To get Wild Weasel into the cockpit, simply lift the legs up as high as they can go, and point the ankles/toes forward as far as they can go. This figure is excellent, the mold itself has a superb range of motion, indicative of Hasbro taking into account the fan's desires for unhindered range of motion. It does not hurt at all that the figure is highly accurate to the vintage version. Like the comic pack version, this one comes with a pistol and a removable visor.
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The Transformers! More than meets the eyes! For those who collect multiple toylines! Thundercats, HOOO!!! Kamen Rider, Super Sentai and more! CHECK OUT OUR RESOURCES! GI Joe Database Transformers Database Watch me FIX the Sky Striker XP21F! CLICK HERE! Last edited by Shin Densetsu; 10-03-2008 at 02:06 AM.. |
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