G.I. JOE UNDERAPPRECIATED FEATURING THE “RAIDER”!
Welcome to the Outpost. Today I’m taking a look at a 1989 G.I. JOE vehicle that I feel is under appreciated the Raider. The Raider with Hot Seat is a really cool vehicle that I never hear anything about. Looking over the years a lot of the vehicles did not get a modern version. Maybe the originals are solid enough Hasbro felt they didn’t need to update them as many of the modern figures did fit the original vehicles. The Raider is featured in the opening credits of the miniseries Operation Dragonfly and is a staple vehicle in the show.
I have had my eye on this vehicle for some time now and never owned one till recent and, it is a really cool vehicle. The Hasbro team loved making vehicles that had several vehicles it would transform or split up into like the Maggot, Mean Dog, and the Battle Force 2000 vehicles. The Raider is one of these that splits and transforms to create a multi functioning machine. The front portion detaches into a mini scout tank . There is a little round canopy that protects the driver that gives this a unique look. At first I didn’t have the chin gun and I think it looks great without it on, as there is the cannon from the scout tank to give it some front fire power.
I did find one on Ebay for 6 bucks and figured why not. I think it does look great either way. The side guns look like the tabs get broken often, and I had mine completely gone, but I drilled a hole and used a screw and it is solid and unnoticeable. The rear portion springs up to reveal 2 large missiles and the vehicle becomes stationary in this position. Hot Seat is a cool looking figure with nothing too special, but does have a removable helmet with a good piece of detail, so he is all good in my book. Overall this is a cool vehicle and I think it meshes well with other desert vehicles, but is not limited to desert vehicle similar to the Mauler. Both vehicles could be used in multiple areas.
The Raider is a bit bigger then the Mauler and I think with these two together they would beat up on any Cobra onslaught that Serpentor or Cobra Commander could cook up. Who had a Raider growing up? Who thinks this is an awesome vehicle? Make sure to check back for my next Joe discussion.
