Cobra

Code Name:

The Enemy

Desimone Guide: #11

Tomart's Guide: #GI5021 (straight arm), #GI5069b (cobra hq)

Carded Figure

Cobra's Filecard

Figure Description:

Cobra was one of the first figures released carded in the first series (1982). Like all of the original sixteen figures, Cobra was released with "straight arms".

In late 1982, the figure was also available packaged with the Sears exclusive Cobra Missile Command Headquarters.

Cobra is also sometimes referred to as "Cobra Soldier" or "Cobra Enemy".

Versions of Cobra:

• Cobra (1982)
• Cobra v1.5 (1983) (Swivel Arm)
• Cobra Trooper v1 (1998)
• Cobra Trooper v2 (2004)
• Cobra Trooper v3 (2006)
• Cobra Trooper v4 (2006)
• Cobra Trooper v5 (2007)
• Cobra Trooper v6 (2007)
• Cobra Trooper v7a (2007) - Blonde
• Cobra Trooper v7b (2007) - Brunette
• Cobra Trooper v7c (2007) - Redhead
• Cobra Trooper v8 (2007)
• Cobra Trooper v9 (2008)

In 1998, Cobra was renamed "Cobra Trooper". So while there are several names, there are a total of six figures based on the character "Cobra".

Accessories:

Cobra came with a black Dragunov's sniper rifle.

Click the link to see the figure with its weapon - All Geared Up!

Variations:

Some versions of Cobra came with the eyes and eyebrows painted in red, while some came with the eyes and eyebrows painted in black. Neither variant is more difficult to find than the other. The red eyes and eyebrows are pictured above.

When the new version of Cobra was released in 1983, the straight-arms were replaced with arms that could swivel at the bicep. Also, the date stamp on the figure was changed from "1982" to "82-83". While technically only a variation, the changes are substantive enough to consider this a new version. However, as many people consider this only a variation, we have chosen to list this figure as version 1.5, rather than version 2.

There are two versions of Cobra's filecard. The one that came with the 1984 Sears Exclusive Cobra Six-pack or from Hasbro Direct has a glossy red backing, while the one that came with the carded Cobra does not. Filecards included with the Sears exclusive Cobra Missile Command Headquarters also had the red backing.

The 1983 Cobra Viper Pilot looks exactly like the Cobra v1.5, except that it has a silver logo instead of a red one. Unlike the Cobra's red logo, the Viper Pilot's silver logo scratches away extremely easily. If you find a swivel-arm Cobra that has no logo on its chest, more than likely you have a scratched-up Viper Pilot instead of a scratched-up Cobra.

Body Construction:

Note that the figure's head only turns left and right - it does not allow the head to look up and down. The heads only turned left and right until the the swivel ball head that was introduced in 1985 (Series Four).

The Cobra v1.5 body mold was re-used in 1983 for the Cobra Viper Pilot. Note that the Cobra has a red Cobra logo while the Cobra Viper Pilot has a silver Cobra logo. The mold was later used for Python Officer from the eighth series (1989).

The same waistpiece was shared with Cobra Officer, H.I.S.S. Driver, Tiger Force Duke, and some versions of Steel Brigade.

International Variants:

In Brazil, the Cobra Soldier was released in light blue with an Estrela stamp on its back. In Argentina, the Cobra Soldier was released with no markings.