Thursday, September 4, 2025

Action Figure Review: Cobra Rattler Gunner from G.I. Joe: Classified Series by Hasbro

 

   It's going to be tough to beat the Rattler pilot version of the Baroness that I just reviewed, but that doesn't mean the Cobra Rattler Gunner isn't still a pretty solid figure and a great addition to the Rattler setup. As I mentioned in the Baroness review, I'm not planning to review the Rattler itself but I do intend to review all three of the figures from the Haslab campaign. The Cobra Rattler Gunner was the second stretch goal (after a set of patches) and was unlocked once the Rattler hit 14,000 backers. There have been Cobra gunners before but I don't recall any specifically for aircraft, so this guy is a new concept for the line. Ready to check out the generic troop builder figure that you won't be able to get any way except with the massive Rattler? Then join me after the break...





The Facts:

Height: 6 3/8ths inches 

Articulation: Swivel/ hinge ankles, boot swivels, double hinged knees, swivel thighs, ball-jointed drop down hips, ball-jointed waist, hinged mid-torso, butterfly pecs, swivel/hinge shoulders, bicep swivels, double hinged elbows, swivel/hinge wrists, balljointed neck base, and a barbell jointed head.

Accessories: 2 swappable heads/ necks, shoulder straps, breathing tube, helmet, oxygen mask, 2 thigh straps, 2 pistols, 2 holsters, submachine gun, and a magazine.

Non-Scalper Price: Included with the Cobra Rattler, patches, and two other figures once 14,000 units were backed. The Rattler plus bonuses was originally presold for $325.



The Positives:

* The Cobra Rattler Gunner is a troop builder to fill another niche role in Cobra's forces. We've had Cobra pilots before, both named and unnamed, and land and water vehicle based gunners, but not a specific aircraft gunner. The Haslab Skystriker for the classic 1/18th scaled figures came with a Cobra Ground Crew figure (called Ramp Rats), but that's the only other non-pilot Cobra air support Hasbro has released so far in any line that I can remember offhand. He's clad in the classic Cobra blue with a thicker outfit for being up in the gunner's turret. There seem to be some shared parts with Wild Weasel here (notably the arms and legs), though both figures obviously feel quite different due to the color schemes. The Rattler Gunner also isn't wearing a heavier flight vest; instead it seems to be a flight suit that's unzipped just a but. Lots of pockets all down the arms and thicker material on the legs. 





* There's a harness that easily is removed and placed back on. It definitely completes the look of the figure, though he doesn't look bad without it, either. It's doubtful all but a few collectors have more than one Rattler Gunner, but I'm guessing we'll see elements of this flight suit again in the future for other pilots and perhaps even a Cobra paratrooper. Heck, I'd be down for some Sky Patrol figures, too. I loved Sky Patrol as a kid and would love to see them in the Classified Series.




* The Rattler Gunner has two unique patches on his shoulders. The left shoulder has a "Cobra Airborne" designation while the right shoulder has the unit patch for the Cobra Airborne 84th Squadron ("The Flyswatters"). These stamps are impressive and incredibly detailed for being so small. The 84th Squadron patch does match one of the three patches included in the Rattler Haslab (the patches were the first stretch goal). 








* Hasbro included two portraits of different races here for the Rattler Gunner, similar to what they've done with the 60th Anniversary figures. While both portraits have the lower halves of their faces covered by a red half mask, the Gunners are clearly different. The first Rattler Gunner Portrait has dark tan skin with shorter, curly hair. The entire portrait and the neck swap, not just the head. 









* The second Rattler Gunner portrait is a fair skinned white guy with short blonde hair combed up and over. Definitely looks like something a pilot or someone in aviation might wear. 








* Once you put the helmet on, even without the oxygen mask, you can barely tell which trooper you've selected. Everyone is equal in Cobra! Who would have thought that Cobra Commander judges people not by the color of their skin but by the content of their character and their willingness to go along with his fanaticism? The helmet looks excellent with green protective lenses and twin cobras painted on the top. The sides have some red painted details, too, along with a few little knobs and such, presumably for adjusting features on the helmet.  




* The face mask attaches to the helmet securely in two spots, allowing the Rattler Gunner to have a steady supply of oxygen and to communicate with the pilot and Cobra Command. There's also a hose that attaches to the face mask of the helmet and which leads to a small breathing unit that plugs into the side of the Gunner's gear. It takes a little finagling to get the air hose attached to the mask but, once you get it, it stays on fairly well. 






* Can you fit the Cobra Rattler Gunner in the gunner's seat of the Cobra Rattler so he can rattle his guns for Cobra? Sure. He fits in there just fine and he can easily pose in a sitting position. Of course, he also comes with a few extra guns, so you'll probably want to have him take some battle poses, too. He's has a slightly bulky outfit, but nothing that impedes his movement too much. He's fun to pose and looks excellent holding his unique submachine gun or one of his two pistols. He's a sturdy, well-made figure. 




* This little submachine is really cool. Hasbro rarely does 1:1 copies of real world weapons in Classified, so usually we see guns that are a mixture of different parts. This one really looks like it's based on an H&K UMP submachine gun. The magazine is a bit different, and the barrel is unique, but the back half of the gun and the overall feel really makes me think of the UMP. The angled foregrip is pretty cool. Seems like something that could easily be used if the Rattler Gunner has to bail and needs to defend himself on the ground. The barrel is hollow so you can add a firing effect. 








* The magazine is removable, too. It stays in securely and looks like it would hold a decent amount of ammunition.













* The same thing goes for the two pistols included with the Rattler Gunner: They look realistic, but don't appear to be a direct replica of any real gun. I think they look inspired by various H&K pistols, or maybe even something from Springfield Armory. They're great little sculpts, though, and they work great with the pilot.







* Both pistols can fit securely on the removable holsters on the Rattler Gunner's thighs. They do take a bit of work to remove but you can remove the holsters by working them over his legs, just in case you want to change things up a bit.







The Negatives:

* I mentioned above that Wild Weasel and the Rattler Gunner share limbs. Wild Weasel has a feature where you can swap out pieces on his thighs, giving him either plain straps or a packet with a map and notes visible. The Rattler Gunner does have an option, so he just has the straps. The left strap does tend to fall off, though, leaving him with a gap in his leg. Maybe a little glue here might be warranted, just to keep from losing a piece?





   The Cobra Rattler Gunner isn't as good as the Baroness, but he's still a really impressive figure. As a stretch goal figure you might think Hasbro could have done the bare minimum, but this guy has enough extras and accessories where he could easily have been a regular release. A great look, swappable portraits, and some excellent weapons definitely make him a very impressive figure. I love his helmet and those bright green lenses! Is he Epic? Yeah, pretty much. He's way more exciting than I expected him to be and he's far more exciting than most other figures on the market. Hopefully we see parts of the figure reworked to be a Cobra Paratrooper, as I'd like to have a few of these guys. 



This is the only Cobra Gunner of any sort I've reviewed on the site. For more G.I. Joe: Classified Series figures check out the following:

Posted by at

No comments:

Post a Comment

What'chu talkin' 'bout?

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)