| Target Exclusive Modern Era Tiger Force Tiger Rat Reviewed! |
| Posted on 03-18-2009 at 07:19 PM by Shin Densetsu | Social Bookmarks | RSS Feeds | The target exclusive modern era Tiger Force Tiger Rat has been reviewed. This plane comes with Tiger Force Wild Bill.
With camouflage reminscent of NATO Tiger Meet aircraft, and the joe's resident "fly-em all" air cavalry member, how did this set turn out?
Click on the discuss button below to read the review and find out!
| | Credit: Shin Densetsu of the Hiss Tank Forums! | Views: 1,773 | | Shin Densetsu: The Tiger Rat is a repaint of the Cobra Rattler, molded in yellow with a tiger stripe paint scheme. It’s the closest thing that the joes have to a NATO Tiger Meet aircraft. Mold-wise, it is identical to the Rattler released last autumn at Target, however the plastic feels a bit rougher. It is just as durable, so no concerns of sturdiness here. The paint finish is a mix of gloss and matte. The difference is definitely apparent to the touch. Shin Densetsu: This toy can definitely take some abuse, as you can fling the wings into V.T.O.L.(Vertical Take Off Landing) position(up), or regular flight(forward) just by grabbing the ends of one wing and twisting with no fear of breakage. Shin Densetsu: The removable side panel towards the rear engine is looser than the one on the last Rattler. It can be pushed into place but the looseness is noticeable. Otherwise the side panel near the nose functions well, not too loose nor tight. Shin Densetsu: The rear gunner canopy still does not secure well with the tab. It holds in place primarily by tension. It does the job but I wish the tab issue was rectified.
Speaking of the rear seat, even figures that have a hard time sitting, like Pilot Scarlett, fit in just fine. I’m glad Hasbro retooled the Rattler mold enough to place figures like that in with ease. Shin Densetsu: The sticker quality is has been improved greatly, especially compared to the last Rattler’s stickers. I remember witnessing a huge demand for after-market stickers, on account of the regular stickers not sticking well at all. The stickers for the Tiger Rat have a gloss finish and stick just fine(except for the stickers around the cluster bombs, those will stick but are tricky, as evidenced by one of the images here). However there are some faults.
As with the Python Patrol Conquest, the sticker graphics here are not opaque, so the tiger stripe camo is viewable through the stickers, when it shouldn’t be. This is disappointing and makes the stickers seem of cheap quality. It’s a shame, because these stick very well, except for the shark/tiger/rat mouth stickers. Placing those stickers onto the underside of the nose is difficult to do without creasing them. I have creases on both stickers. The mouth really should have been painted on.
Hasbro painted on the shark mouth on the ’97 G.I. Joe A-10(Rattler repaint in green camo), and that ideally should have been replicated here. No one likes seeing creases on a shark mouth sticker. It’s ugly. Be sure to determine where you want the eye stickers placed as well, mine turned out looking more like a rat’s face with a long nose, due to the eye stickers being placed further back. I don’t mind it, but a more aggressive “face” can be made with different sticker placement.
The engine covers can be removed, by gently squeezing the covers inwards, then merely pulling them off. Shin Densetsu: This figure does not come with Sky-striker like the vintage version, instead you get Tiger Force Wild Bill. The file card gives some sense into this, however everyone wanted Sky-striker with this, and he really should have been here instead.
It’s not hard to do. Sky-striker was just a repaint of Wild Weasel with a different head and helmet. When has Hasbro been shy about using the Wild Weasel mold in the 25th/modern era line? Not until now, and surprisingly so, because this was the ideal time to utilize that mold once again. It’s not like the mold wasn’t available, and the head could have been a repainted head from Tripwire, like Slipstream was.
Wild Bill lacks holsters(probably to fit him into the cockpit easier), and comes with his 2 pistols, pilot helmet, and hat. He can be used as a generic Tiger Force pilot. As stated earlier, the file card gives some sense into his added jet-pilot role, but I don’t see many of you using him as anything more than a generic Tiger Force pilot. I’m very surprised that a repainted Wild Weasel as Sky-striker wasn’t used instead. Shin Densetsu: Overall, the Tiger Rat is worth buying. There is no other tiger striped plane in the line, and the deco looks great on the mold. Sticker quality is much better than the last Rattler’s, save for the creased tiger mouth on mine and the semi-transparent graphics. The mold can take some damage and the deco looks great. As with the Python Patrol Conquest, my main issue is with the pilot figure.
SET RATING: 7/10
I would have definitely given a higher rating had it come with Sky-striker and had the graphics on the stickers been opaque. Other than that this is a wonderful set, the plane has impressive tiger camo and it's distinct. Fun to play with and the best C.A.S.(Close Air Support) aircraft that the joes ever had in my opinion.
" target="_blank">View Post  03-18-2009, 07:17 PM
| | Shin Densetsu | | Post Deleted by on 12-31-1969 07:00 PM | VIPER 48: I gave it a solid 10. I love this plane and i even dig the colors... Shin Densetsu: Quote: |
I gave it a solid 10. I love this plane and i even dig the colors...
| The colors rule, a gloss coat would be ideal. Just wish there was a Sky-striker figure included. Cobra D.A.N.: Yuck! I don't like it. And I don't like that its a Cobra Rattler with different paint. Next thing will be a Red White and Blue HISS tank. ShockVal: Really liked the way the stickers went on the missiles this time. My Rattler has them coming off in a bad way. The Wild Bill in this plane is still better than the goofy hands on the Viper so I added one to the score for an 8.
I did have a problem with my eye placement. I should have started on the side with the removeable panel. My eyes are not in the same exact spot on both sides because I had to raise one a little to miss the opening panel. vadersquest: I gave her a 9 (do not care for WB)
Excellent review Shin! I want to bust mine out of the box now. This was one plane I never got as a kid and I jumped at the chance to add it to the collection. Shin Densetsu: Quote: |
I did have a problem with my eye placement. I should have started on the side with the removeable panel. My eyes are not in the same exact spot on both sides because I had to raise one a little to miss the opening panel.
| It took me a while to figure out where to place the eye and mouth stickers, I sifted through my copy of Mark Bellomo's guide to RAH, and pics online, and just placed the eyes near the canopy...
As for the mouth, it really should have been painted on, the eyes should have been painted too, the green camo version from '97 has those painted on, hell my '97 green camo version barely has scratches on the painted eyes/mouth and it's been played with numerous times over the past 11 years! ShockVal: I think that is one of the great things about having to make sticker applications. Everyone's plane is bound to look a little different. Someone had already mentioned on the Tank somewhere about creasing the mouth sticker. So I cut mine out and tried to find the best place...still have a crease though. sweeper: Quote: |
The mouth really should have been painted on.
| That right there kills it.
I never had the Tiger Force stuff, but I remember thinking how horrible they all looked. And they still look horrible. arch2b: i gave it a 5. i have a couple and the paint quality is sketchy at best on all of mine. the black paint scratches off easily as well.
overall, the plastic even feels softer than the blue rattler.
don't even get me started on tf wild bill. stick a firecracker to him, it's the only way your going to enjoy it.
i really like this plane despite the flaws as i already have 3. it just leaves me wishing it was done to a higher level of quality. Xerofall: I too wish Sky Striker came with the plane. psycho_klown66: I wasn't going to get it... but after having it in my hands... I was weak and just bought it.
7/10 joecom: I just opened mine i like it it's just like the original but i hate it for one reason where is SKYSTRIKER COME ON WHAT IS WITH ALL THE WILD BILLS WWWWHHHHYYYY! no skystriker 8/10 Ewokhunter92: Quote:
Originally Posted by Cobra D.A.N.  Yuck! I don't like it. And I don't like that its a Cobra Rattler with different paint. Next thing will be a Red White and Blue HISS tank. | You do know it's based on a vintage paint job and not some in-house spur of the moment deco, right? Shin Densetsu: Quote: |
Someone had already mentioned on the Tank somewhere about creasing the mouth sticker. So I cut mine out and tried to find the best place...still have a crease though.
| Mine has creases on both sides, very irritating. I also took the time to make sure it was placed right....I doubt very many fans were able to attach the mouth stickers on without creasing and without going over or under the removable side panel. VIPER 48: Quote:
Originally Posted by Xerofall I too wish Sky Striker came with the plane. | I agree, but i guess a TF Wild Bill is better than nothing... Pulpiteer: Now if you are all hating on TF Wild Bill, I'll certainly take as many as you want to throw at me, just so I don't have to buy the plane to get him! VIPER 48: Quote:
Originally Posted by Pulpiteer Now if you are all hating on TF Wild Bill, I'll certainly take as many as you want to throw at me, just so I don't have to buy the plane to get him! | LOL, i only have 1 but if you are serious i am sure you will find a lot of PM's heading your way from others... Fierce Krypton: Im sorry but other lines vehicles are way better and way cheaper... I dont know why anyone owns GIJoe vehicles... I have yet to buy one since 25th started, so over priced and such low quality. ~Synder Corps.~: WOW...Thanks for the review! Honestly though, the only aspect of it I was tempted to buy it for was Wild Bill...But...Kinda' weak. Dosen't even really go with the TF color Scheme. Pity. MeLikeJinx: Wow; I didn't know you had to put on the growling teeth stickers in the front of the plane. As much fun as I had putting stickers on my Firebat I really do suck at it. LOL. I only like putting on the unimportant stickers, so in case I screw up I can just decide not to put it on. LOL. If I had to buy one I would probably just buy the original Rattler now. Ewokhunter92: Quote:
Originally Posted by Fierce Krypton Im sorry but other lines vehicles are way better and way cheaper... I dont know why anyone owns GIJoe vehicles... I have yet to buy one since 25th started, so over priced and such low quality. | It's called nostalgia. NeoDragonKnight: Dont really like this repaint, colors dont seem to scream Joe like the PP Conquest does for Cobra. Also I might be just a little bit biased because I think the Rattler should only be Cobra (I have no problem with a Cobra Conquest though  ) artiepants: yeah, i'm confounded by the inclusion of WB. Pilot Ace from the SRO pack mold would have been FINE for skystriker, or they could have done ANY of the undone Tiger Force figures that have been made (Roadblock, Dusty, Bazooka, Tripwire, etc.) and i think people would have been happier ~ i mean, they included the Viper with the Conquest, and he doesn't really make sense as a pilot... Thal J.: Thanks for the review, this like the Python Conquest, is something I wanted as a kid. So this is a no brainer for me. DaViper: I like the PP color scheme better, was never a real fan of tiger force. but it looks a great toy to own for those who want one! Shin Densetsu: Quote: |
yeah, i'm confounded by the inclusion of WB. Pilot Ace from the SRO pack mold would have been FINE for skystriker, or they could have done ANY of the undone Tiger Force figures that have been made (Roadblock, Dusty, Bazooka, Tripwire, etc.) and i think people would have been happier ~ i mean, they included the Viper with the Conquest, and he doesn't really make sense as a pilot...
| Hell a simple repaint of Wild Weasel could have done it for me...but really Wild Weasel's body with Slipstream's head would have made for a simple Sky-Striker, I don't know why that was not implemented. Shin Densetsu: Quote: |
Im sorry but other lines vehicles are way better and way cheaper... I dont know why anyone owns GIJoe vehicles... I have yet to buy one since 25th started, so over priced and such low quality.
| It depends what aspects you are comparing. I have the True Heroes F-22 which is the same price, is much more realistic, but comes with a figure that no one here would ever want, is unpainted, has the bare minimum of stickers(and kiddy ones at that), and is significantly larger for the same price.
With the Tiger Rat, you have a Rattler mold that can actually fit modern era figures, it's very durable, has an appealing camo scheme, and is from a classic toy line.
The only other planes comparable to this are the aforementioned True Heroes F-22 and the PTE F/A-18. Also the PTE A-10, however the latter 2 do not have anywhere near as much paint apps, and though realistic, look more drab in comparison. Quote: |
Wow; I didn't know you had to put on the growling teeth stickers in the front of the plane. As much fun as I had putting stickers on my Firebat I really do suck at it. LOL. I only like putting on the unimportant stickers, so in case I screw up I can just decide not to put it on. LOL. If I had to buy one I would probably just buy the original Rattler now.
| I wouldn't be surprised if more people liked the Rattler version of this mold over this, the Rattler is iconic and this is a mold used by Cobra first after all. Despite that, I have the Rattler and the Tiger Rat, and am glad I bought the Tiger Rat. Always loved tiger deco, and the Rattler mold. It's fun to play with...I mean it's got Harrier-like qualities(VTOL) combined with the abilities of an A-10 and a rear gunner. I don't know who the hell designed the original Rattler mold, but that man is one creative individual. Deckard: i too do not understand why skystriker wasn't included. maybe it was the name but even calll him sky, something or other woulda been fine. I just wish they could fix the strees issue with the landing gear.my rat had the same issue as when i was a kid but i will pick it up and make my OWN skystriker pilot. and wheres whild bills tiger striping? i didnt see any in the pics. Kinda weird not to have the striping when hes tiger force ya know. Pulpiteer: Yep...I'm serious, if you're torn between throwing away that TF Wild Bill and setting him on fire, send him my way instead. I have work for him to do. arch2b: pay for the shipping and he's yours. not about to waste $3 more on him. JohnnyAngel77: I bought one about a month ago and I love it. I always wanted the Tiger Force stuff when I was younger. 1980sfan: i like it. it looks different. but i also hope they dont repaint all the vehicles. JR0d28: Grew out of Tiger Force when I was in the 6th Grade. All that sub-team Tiger Force/Python Patrol was a bunch of repaints and Hasbro was selling like wildfire in the late 80's. SgtMajor: Great review, Im just not a fan of the Rattler being a repaint. For those that have the toy, I am sure you are enjoying it. No hatin, just passin thru. |
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