BTR-Ticles: Cobra Raven

by Twitziller

Released as part of the first series of Built To Rule sets in 2003, the Cobra Raven is one of only two Cobra air vehicles in the BTR line. The Raven partially shares a name with one of the most iconic Cobra aircraft, the Cobra Night Raven from 1986. The primary mode is a one-person fighter jet, and the Raven bears some resemblance to the 1986 Cobra Firebat.

The included figure is Cobra’s original pilot, Wild Weasel.  Featuring t-crotch construction briefly used during the new-sculpt era, Wild Weasel is based on the body of the 2002 G.I. Joe vs. Cobra Destro and the head of the 2002 Cobra C.L.A.W.S from the same line.

The Raven’s secondary mode is a hydrofoil.

While the Cobra insignia on one of the red stabilizers is printed correctly, the other part features the sigil printed at an angle that distorts the image.

With streamlined hull pieces, wings, stabilizers, and skis, the Raven is well-suited for designs that operate on or under an ocean’s surface.

The Raven’s weapons include four of the ubiquitous BTR miniguns in black with black mounts, and a pair of the standard BTR missile launchers in silver with black missiles.

The Raven’s skis, engine parts, and hull pieces also lend themselves to snowmobile designs both large…

…and small.

Of course, the Raven is primarily intended to be a fighter jet and, with some work, a design reminiscent of the 1986 Cobra Firebat can be achieved.

The minimal, open-sided windscreen feels somewhat out of place on a fighter jet, especially compared to parts such as the Mega Bloks P-51 Mustang’s sliding bubble canopy.

Swapping the parts out gives the Raven a more realistic, enclosed cockpit.

Notable parts for the Raven include the large red wings, the transparent grey windscreen with cobra sigil, the printed 1×6 bricks, the red stabilizers, and the large black engine bricks.