Action Figure Barbecue: Action Figure Review: Wild Weasel from G.I. Joe: Classified Series by Hasbro

Wild Weasel Incoming!

Included with the base package of the Haslab Rattler, Wild Weasel is definitely a figure that I'm guessing most collectors wanted in their collection. His presence actually completes the 1984 Cobra lineup in the Classified Series, which is a pretty impressive feat! The vintage Wild Weasel also came with the Rattler, making him a popular figure, but the first thing I always think about when I think of Wild Weasel is his appearance in G.I. Joe #34 when he went against Ace in a dogfight. It's a good issue and a cool story that shows Wild Weasel as a highly competent enemy worth of some respect. This is the first version of Wild Weasel to come with a removable helmet, so we get a chance to become even a bit more attached to the character. Ready to take to the sky? 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 helmets, shoulder straps, breathing tube, 2 oxygen masks, 2 thigh straps, 2 notepads, pistol, and holster.

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

The Positives:

* Wild Weasel does share most of his body with the Cobra Rattler Gunner, but his torso/ vest is different. He's decked out in a couple shades of red and he really looks fantastic. He absolutely stands out on the shelf. I like the blue ascot he's sporting, too. He's a Cobra trooper flying modern aircraft, sure, but something about him gives me the impression of an early 20th century flying ace.

* Wild Weasel also has a harness that's easily removed and placed back on. It definitely completes the look of the figure, though he doesn't look bad without it, either for the times when he's just hanging around Cobra base.

* The entire Rattler Flight crew have interesting patches on their shoulders, and Wild Weasel is no exception. The left shoulder has the "Cobra Airborne" patch while the right shoulder has the Cobra Rattler logo, a Cobra logo with wings added on. The stamps on the patches are impressive and incredibly detailed for being so small. The Cobra Rattler patch also match one of the three patches included in the Rattler Haslab (the patches were the first stretch goal).

* This is the first time we've had an unmasked Wild Weasel figure and, surprisingly, he's a nice looking guy. He kind of reminds me of Chris Evans. He's definitely somewhat of a stereotypical aviator with his slicked back blonde hair that looks perfect even when he's just taken his helmet off. The addition of some scars over his left eye are pretty cool, too. It adds a lot of character to him and makes you winder what exactly he did before joining Cobra. The vintage file card state that he fought in a variety of African Bush wars (a typo said "bus" wars), so I presume he was a mercenary of sorts who will join anyone who will let him fly.

* Wild Weasel's helmet looks great and is actually two separate pieces, as the air mask is removable. It clips on to the helmet at both ends, staying on securely. It's not quite as uniquely shaped as I usually think of Wild Weasel's helmet being, but it looks good and is a nice upgrade for the Classified Series. It's the same as the helmet that came with the Cobra Rattler Gunner, though the paintjob is very different, matching Wild Weasel's red flight suit.

* Exactly like the Rattler Gunner, Wild Weasel also has hose that attaches to the face mask of the helmet and which leads to a small breathing unit that plugs into the side of his 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.

* The coolest extra included here is a second helmet (both helmet and air mask) that is damaged. Heavily damaged. Like, "I'm not sure how Wild Weasel walked away from this accident and is still alive without having to drink soup through a straw" level of damaged. It looks awesome, though, and that's what counts, right? The damaged and scuffed helmet, the scorch marks covering the red paint, the cracked lens? Perfection.

* Wild Weasel can easily fit into the cockpit of the Rattler, so that's kind of the main thing he need to do, right? Sure. He fits in there just fine and he can easily pose in a sitting position for flying through the danger zone. He's a man of action, though, and while he only comes with one firearm, he still looks pretty good in action poses. With a helmet that damaged he'll need to be able to be posed walking away from some big crashes, perhaps even fending off G.I. Joe operatives trying to apprehend him.

* Wild Weasel's pistol is the same as the model that comes with the Rattler Gunner, though he only instead of the Gunner's two. It look realistic, but doesn't appear to be a direct replica of any real pistol. I think they look inspired by various H&K pistols, or maybe even something from Springfield Armory. It's still a nice sculpt and it still looks realistic.

* The holster is also shared with the Rattler Gunner. it can be removed if you want, though it is fairly tight. The pistol fits inside securely and the size seems perfect.

* The vintage Wild Weasel had notes and maps on his legs, which are apparently called KBCs (kneeboard cards). Hasbro's Classified Series time brought those back, this time with a "Stratagem" map on the left and a list of objectives on the right. What are the objectives? Praise Cobra, find the Pit, and destroy G.I. Joe.

The Negatives:

* Wild Weasel has a feature where you can swap out the KBCs on his thighs with plain straps if you want a cleaner look. Or give him one KBC and one strap. They look really neat but they do tend to be a bit loose. It would suck to be carrying this guy and loose one of the pieces to a pretty uncommon figure somewhere. Maybe a little glue here might be warranted, just to keep from losing a piece?

Wild Weasel turned out really nice. It's fantastic to have completed the 1984 Cobra roster in the Classified Series. While that was a year before my original childhood G.I. Joe years, there's no denying it was a year filled with prominent and iconic characters. Hasbro did an excellent job with Wild Weasel. I love his portrait and the ability to swap his helmets. The damaged one definitely looks the coolest. He's really the base figure while the Cobra Rattler Gunner is the reused figure, so maybe I should have reviewed Wild Weasel first? He's still Epic, though. The Rattler figure set is definitely an impressive crew, and I'd put Wild Weasel just behind the pilot version of the Baroness.