The Sting Raider (formerly known as the Water Moccasin) is so far, Hasbro's best Joe release for the 25th style line. It has a cool new streamline look, compartments with tight fitting doors, and an over all great feel to its construction. For purposes of play, this toy features a removable canopy for driver access, two weapon storage compartments on either side, a removable engine cover, real spinning tail fan (powered by finger), a removable surface torpedo stored securely under the toy, a full 360 degree rotating turret with gun, and can hold up to a total of 7 figures plus driver.
You can tell the design team really paid attention to what needed to be fixed from the first version and improved on it with this one. I am in no way concerned with breaking the fins on the back or loosing any of the parts.
The Sting Raider comes with a Python Patrol version of Copperhead. Not a bad choice considering we allready have the corrected colors Copperhead from the comic pack. Most would want the original, but the Python Patrol version looks BAD ASS. Even if you're not a fan of the Python Patrol, you can still get behind this figure.
The two improvements made to Copperhead are subtle but great. I wish they would release the earlier version again with these changes. First off, the hands have been GREATLY improved over the terrible Roadblock hands that were used previously. Second, his side arm (which was fine) is replaced with a machette, not a knife... A MACHETTE! It's as long as his fore arm, and alows for a better fit into most vehicles. No other weapons are included with this figure, however the gun you get with the comic pack figure is the same as the one packaged with the original Python Patrol version. All thats missing now is the backpack.
Hasbro has released many very cool figures in the last year, but as a vehicle set, this is easily the best 25th line G.I. Joe toy to be released to date. 10 out of 10
