COBRA (v1.5)
THE ENEMY
Year: 1983
Series: 1.5
This swivel-arm version was available carded as part of the second series (1983). A few Cobras were available bagged through Hasbro Direct. The swivel-arm Cobra was available in stores in 1984 and 1985.
Also in 1984, Cobra was packaged in a Sears Exclusive Cobra six-pack with five other figures (Destro, Baroness, Firefly, Scrap-Iron, Stormshadow).
Cobra was discontinued domestically in 1986.
Cobra is also sometimes referred to as "Cobra Soldier" or "Cobra Enemy."
Figure Views
Accessories
Cobra came with a black Dragunov's sniper rifle.
Packaging Information
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Filecard Information
File Name: UNKNOWN
Grade: E-4 (or equivalent)
Birthplace: Various Countries
Primary Specialty: Infantry
Secondary Specialty: Sabotage
One of the nameless, faceless legions of COBRA Command. Each COBRA is highly skilled in the use of explosives, all NATO and Warsaw Pact small arms, sabotage, and the martial arts. Qualified expert: Skorpion (VZOR61) Machine Pistol; Dragunov (SVD) Sniper's Rifle; Uzi Submachine Gun; M-16.
"COBRAS swear absolute loyalty to their fanatical leader...COBRA Commander. Their goal...to conquer the world for their own evil purpose!"
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 below.
When the old version of Cobra was replaced 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 substantial 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, Cobra Officer (v1.5) , H.I.S.S. Driver, Tiger Force Duke, and some versions of Steel Brigade.
Versions of Cobra
In 1998, Cobra was renamed "Cobra Trooper." So while there are several names, they are all based on the "Cobra" trooper.
- Cobra (v1) 1982
- Cobra (v1.5) 1983
- Cobra Troopers (v1) 1998
- Cobra Trooper (v2) 2004
- Cobra Trooper (v3) 2006
- Cobra Trooper (v4) 2006
- Cobra (v2) 2007
- Cobra (v3) 2007
- Cobra Trooper (v5A) 2007
- Cobra Trooper (v16) 2011
- Cobra Trooper (v5B) 2007
- Cobra Trooper (v5C) 2007
- Cobra Trooper (v6) 2007
- Cobra Trooper (v7) 2008
- Cobra Trooper (v8) 2008
- Cobra Trooper (v9) 2008
- Cobra Trooper (v10) 2008
- Cobra Trooper (v11) 2008
- Cobra Trooper (v12) 2008
- Cobra Trooper (v13) 2009
- Cobra Trooper (v14) 2009
- Cobra Trooper (v15) 2011
Reference Information
The below information contains information about references to various collector's guides, Hasbro references, original retail prices, and other reference material related to Cobra (v1.5).|
Original Retail: n/a Hasbro Product: n/a RAHC: n/a Lee's Guide: n/a |
Desimone Guide: #11 Tomart's Guide: #GI5121 (swivel arm) The Ultimate Guide: n/a Action Figure Archive Guide: n/a |
