G.I. Joe 30th Anniversary — Cobra Black Dragon VTOL with Air-Trooper
Cobra Black Dragon VTOL
Part of the Wave 1 Bravo Class vehicles (the other being the repainted G.I. Joe VAMP Mk II), the Black Dragon VTOL. Featured in the G.I. Joe: Renegades cartoon, the Black Dragon VTOL was more a transport aircraft, but as you can see in the image gallery, it is a single figure vehicle and some what on the small side. Now don’t think that I’m saying it detracts from the overall value of the toy (well maybe a little), just making sure you are aware of the scale of it. Now with that said, let’s get down to business here. Now this is not a helicopter or a plane, but a VTOL (Vertical Take Off and Landing) aircraft. Think something like the Military’s V-22 Osprey. Like I previously mentioned this is based on the aircraft that appeared in the G.I. Joe: Renegades cartoon, and other than in size is a pretty straight forward representation of it.
The Black Dragon features rotating rotar blades that can either face forward or upwards. The wings also sweep back to allow the vehicle to be “stored” in a smaller footprint. With the press of a button found on top in-between the wings, they will automatically sweep forward. There is also a forward chin gun that rotates 360 degress (for the most part). Also next to the button that allows the wings to sweep forward is a button that opens two “pod doors” on the bottom that drop a total of eight (8) missiles/bombs. The same button also releases another gun that swings down and faces forward.
Aside from the “action features”, there is a forward and rear landing gear that can retract into the body with the flick of your finger. As you can see the cockpit is completely covered and only offers what you would have to imagine a HUD (Heads Up Display) to the pilot to see his surroundings.
There are no decals/stickers to apply to the Black Dragon VTOL. There are all pre-painted on at the factory level. So this is a build-and-play toy. Which I’m sure after some of the vehicles we’ve gotten lately that needed decals applied is somewhat of a welcome.
Overall this is a pretty cool vehicle and great addition to the ranks of Cobra’s armament and air force. It feels more like an update to the FANG or FANG II than an actual representation of the Black Dragon VTOL from the cartoon (only because it isn’t a transport), but that doesn’t take away any real value to me.
Cobra Air-Trooper
The Black Dragon VTOL comes with the pilot, Cobra Air-Trooper, a figure that is comprised of new and old parts. It does sport an all new headsculpt on top of a amalgam of parts from previous G.I. Joe pilots, Ace and Wild Bill. The knee pads are from the 25th Anniversary Cobra Para-Viper, which if you look at the images of the figure from the side, you can see they prevent the figure from standing fully erect. So the figure constantly has a hunched looked to it. Not a huge deal since this is a pilot, but you would think Hasbro would consider these things when putting together the parts list.
The figure features a removeable vest, comes with a pistol and does have a figure stand. So not much in the accessory department, but still a little better than previous vehicle drivers (whom most didn’t even have a figure stand). Overall the Cobra Air-Trooper isn’t a bad figure, he certainly looks cool. He does fit in the Black Dragon okay, the fit is a little tight, but it doesn’t have to be forced in.
Wave/Size: Wave 1 2011; Bravo Class
Approximate Retail Price: $19.99–$24.99
Released: August/September 2011
UPC Number:
Overall Rating: ★★★★½ (out of 5)
