Kinda surprised at the cheapening of the CLAW. Yet, it doesn't keep me from wanting them. And the fact that as a kid, I could never find a use for the landing gear.

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Damn...still waiting on my BBTS orders...I have several preorders

Edit: interestingly enough...I ordered 25th Anniversary - Vehicles Series 03 - Revision 2 - Case of 4
Product
which has the Sharktooth, Fang, Awe striker and the vehicle we got in wave one...it says "November"...interesting

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You guys that don't like your CLAWs can send them to me so you don't have to look at them and be reminded of how "sucky" it is

I don't mind that its a bit simpler than the original. I've always viewed the CLAW as the Cobra version of the JUMP so having it be a simpler design fits.

Honestly to retool the CLAW as it was originally would have been cost prohibitive now. Too many working parts to keep it at the price point especially with retooling the FANG as well.

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As far as the figure-vehicle switch on the box art: even before seeing the box art, I was going to do that switch, anyway, as the air trooper helmet seems a better fit for an open cockpit helicopter, while the CLAW would be fine with just the Viper's helmet. I like the looks of these, and while it would have been nice for the CLAW to be just like the original, this one is still a neat little update. Maybe throwing on some color here and there once I get mine will help it a bit, too.

I haven't cracked open the stickers on my SHARC and Firebat sets so I'm not sure if this is an issue or not. Do these new sets have the same quality stickers as the TRU Rattler and Conquest? The flat finish on paper like plastic? Just wondering if I should go ahead and place a huge order at Cobrastickers.com to replace these or not.

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They're the regular clear gloss stickers. They stick very well on all 4 of these new sets. The only issues I've had so far on stickers is the Cobra logo is too big on the back of the FANG, the missiles on the FANG is too rounded and the stickers will not stay stuck as it wants to go back flat, and the AWE Striker is the same with the roll bar where you have to apply the "watch head" stickers.

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What I do for stickers that have to wrap around cylindrical objects is apply them in a series of steps. First, I put just the very top edge and run a thin layer of "clear parts cement" along the edge. I let that set, then apply more of the cement to the bottom of the sticker, then wrap it around the part, making sure to not have any cement bleed out, and wiping off any that does. I then wrap a rubberband around it to hold it in place until the cement dries (finally, a use for all the hand-warping rubberbands!). Once the whole thing is dry, I give all the edges a sealing coat of the cement to prevent lifting.

While I realize that the Claw is a far simpler version from our 80's heyday, that over-the-head handlebar array looks really new. Also, does this new design seem to take any changes from the real-life jet wing that the Swiss inventor made? (He just flew over the English Channel this past week with it.)

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Well..I just found a full case of wave 3 vehicles at one of my local Wal-Marts. I bought all but the Hiss tank. Over all...I like them. I think the AWE Striker looks great in tan and to be honest, I think it makes more sense the original green since it is a dune buggy. The Fang is perfect. The Claw sucks monkey butt.

Kama

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If these are now hitting stores I'll have to keep an eye out. THat CLAW has grown on me and I want a second one. Sure it doesn't have extendable wings (but I never really used that feature). It doesn't have wheels (but I hardly ever used the CLAW in that way either). It doesn't have an engine cover that comes off (but how many of us actually have it just sitting there being worked on rather than attacking G.I.Joe?) I'm starting to feel more and more that it's a perfect update.

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I got the CLAW/FANG set the other day. When I opened it, the CLAW only had two missiles instead of four, and the pilot did not come with a knife for his leg sheath. At first, I thought I misplaced an extra bag of accessories, since the Viper comes with his accessories (backpack, goggles, gun), and also since the instructions and box art show 4 missiles on the CLAW. But now, I'm starting to think maybe they just left these things out. The pics over at TNI do not show 4 missiles or a knife, so maybe this set just doesn't include the extra accessories.

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Actually I think you're supposed to use the FANG missiles on the CLAW. Its a stupid cost-cutting measure IMHO but I think that's the deal with the 2 missiles.

Anyone know if there are any vintage missiles that will fit nicely on the CLAW? If so I'll have to re-arm mine.

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Yeah that's what I gather that they want you to do is use the FANG missiles. I got 2 sets in my order and both had just 2 missiles. I want 1 more set for an extra FANG and CLAW (troops too of course) and had hopes that the ones shipping to stores would have 4 missiles. I guess they will not though.

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Could someone that still has the boxes be so kind to please post the UPC#'s for those that haven't seen them yet.
Thank you in advance.

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I thought the claw seemed pretty cheap too, but I really like it. It does suck about the missile situation. I definately want another claw. Does anyone know if the old claw missiles fit on the new by chance?