G.I. Joe Cobra Rattler Repair - Hasbro 1984 ARAH

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RetroBlasting tackles repairs on a childhood survivor G.I. Joe Real American Hero Cobra Rattler from Hasbro in 1984!
#RetroBlasting #toyrestoration #Rattler #Cobra #GIJoe

[@turdfergusonn4590]

3 years after your video and it’s still helping people repair their Rattlers! I recently came out of my “Dark Ages” and have started to build a nice collection, including, thanks to you, a 100% complete Cobra Rattler. Thanks for your dedication and, of course, YOOOOOOO JOE!

[@phil8821]

When I was 9-10 years old my mother went on vacation and me and my sister stayed at our dads place. When she came back she'd bought my sister some fancy doll, and then the crushing moment when she told me that she had bought me a gi joe blue fighter jet, but it had been stolen at the airport in a careless moment. You can imagine my disappointment.... Then a few moments later a package arrived with my name on it. It was the COBRA RATTLER! Inside the sealed box there was a letter congratulating me on being one of the 10 winners of the cobra rattler contest in the G.I Joe comic book contest, which I had participated in about two months earlier:) One of my favourite toys during my childhood, next to my Darth Vader and Serpentor action figures.

[@travelswithjasonf1463]

Thank you as I just got myself a rattler and as I am travelling back to the uk I needed to take this rattle apart and thank you for doing this as now it is in parts

[@terrencechilds8984]

Think you so very much from all of your friends in cobra

[@chrisnwi1209]

I did this same restoration of the landing gear for my Rattler a few years ago and just like your video here reminded me that I never want to do it again!!!

[@jakfuki]

I just dug mine out to restore and put on display. The Gatling gun is broken and the right hinge on the turret was barely ha going on. I used Tamiya Extra Th8n Cement to melt the hinge back together. It’s not going anywhere wrong ever again. Fixed! I had to order one rear landing gear. I’ll probably end up slightly filing the connection points so I can lower the gears. Otherwise, it’s going to be on a display stand with the gears down. Those intakes, by the way, are spotlights for when it’s in hover mode.

[@MagicRoosterBlues]

This video strikes at the heart of me - my most favorite Joe vehicle ever, hands down. I remember using some gun oil on the landing gear to keep it from breaking a second time, back in '84. Loving the Joe vehicle vids Michael.

[@drewlovelyhell4892]

I bought a 2nd-hand Rattler recently, and I was well aware of the notorious landing gear issue. My brother had one back in the day, and the wheel snapped on his too. When I got mine, the landing gear were raised, so to lower them, I put a little water-based lubricant on the hinges, and they moved like magic. Then when the lubricant evaporated, they got nice and firm again.

[@theoddsocks4289]

I loved this toy, the boxart alone made this worth a buy. I think it also came with 1 or 2 sideplates with some bullet holes in them to swap. I had those typical ''it's just a piece of plastic'' parents who thought it'd be decent to give away all my GI.Joe to kids who probably did firework experiments with them. I had TONS of Cobra '83-'90 and all in perfect shape and complete, i took great care of them back then even as a kid. Seeing your videos makes me want to have my old toys again so bad, the proces of restoring them seems so much fun and rewarding! Cheers

[@TheLiquidmtl]

Thank you again ..because of this video my rattler is perfect !!!!

[@1234rtyoip]

Something about that dark blue plastic much like the light green Joes makes it super super fragile....I mastered the art of drilling a tiny hole in each part and glue in a piece of wire for stability for a "glue" repair..... It's even a more hair raising experience than just a repair/replace.

[@andrewtaylor940]

Some other useful tools for taking apart old toys. A set of "wedges" used for taking apart small electronics. They are basically smaller versions of your trim panel removers. Equally useful are a pair of Lego part separators. The newer Orange ones. They have a nice sharp edge to them and are great for popping things apart without damaging the plastic. They come with most larger Lego sets and can be found online for pennies.

[@DexterMorgan4ever]

I loved that bird as a kid! A VTOL A-10! Perfect ground support (I was a bit of an army builder) for a legion of my finest troops.

[@ArtistAnnex]

Awesome tutorial... I think I held my breath through most of the reassembly!

[@CheapestBigSpender]

Thank you. This video helped me repair my rattler and tiger rat. Very nervous watching this....scared s***less working on mine

[@retroforce6919]

Good job on repairing it, as always love all your videos. Looking forward to the next video 👍

[@standepain]

Thanks again for another great video, guys!!

[@goosekhangaming1716]

Haha.. I fixed up my childhood Rattler as well and had to laugh because you were struggling on all the same areas I did.. You definitely have to go slow and be wary of not breaking tabs. I had to walk away a few times during the process... lol

[@mattleuty5285]

Fantastic as always guys!!! With Melinda's help, you know it makes sense Michael!!!!!

[@retroblasting]

For certain.

[@Sturmdude]

I always learn something new about these old GI Joe toys when you guys restore them. I never thought that the Rattler had any notorious problems like breaking landing gears until now.

[@SilverSpoonRiche]

On mine it's the front landing gear that broke. I had to glue it back on so it won't roll but at least it sits up with it's nose off the ground. The gatling gun is bent slightly too. I still love her

[@drftgy67]

I put a little WD-40 on/in my Rattler's landing gear and they actually go in and out nicely without stressing the plastic. I was amazed at the difference.

[@soterioncoil2163]

That was a sweet repair! Melinda rocks!

[@formbx257]

Awesome repair video! Thanks for tackling this difficult toy.

[@retroblasting]

+formbx257 thanks for watching! Always great to connect with you!

[@luisnunes1086]

Greetings from Portugal. Great video. About the landing gears, i found that using liquid vaselin on them helped a lot. They go up and down a lot easier.

[@Mr.Sinister84]

I'm building my 3rd rattler now. I've found ways to use the rear landing gear safely just never when cold and depending where you pull and grab also like you said beware stress white marks as weakness. When replacing small thin flat head 2 clips on left and or right side of belly part only then go for the front side (not rear) of landing gear belly part. Tail section center of rear bottom pry with flat head right in the spit you'll see it like he said it'll pop out. Don't drop it. Everything breaks easy. I'm about to do the chin gatling gun. The scary joy of the cracking sounds of this, like you said gnarly jet. First times the worse.

[@frankdavf4599]

Another episode full of suspense hearing the handling of those sturdy hasbro plastics. Nice repair!

[@arlichar11]

this was the most tense ever.. i was nervous at every moment that something would snap... i dont even like to breathe on my rattler lol

[@mattdawg83686]

The rear landing gear was the most frustrating thing about mine when I got it. I thought the problem was isolated to mine, but there was no Internet or KZbin back in ‘85 either!

[@missionpassed4584]

one Xmas as a child i got a Real Ghostbusters toy pinball game, got it out of the box and the top score section for some reason was separate, so me being me and not letting a parent just clip it into place, it had two arms I guess you would call then that slid down the outside of the Base, I snapped one side i was so upset I tried glueing it, melting the broken section together but never stayed fixed, played with it for a few days then ended up in the loft where it sat for many years, sadly one day i just sold it cheap, still haunts me for some reason, just wish I'd fixed the darn thing and kept it.

[@shermaneagles5903]

I replaced both landing gears on a rattler I owned a few years but I never removed the lower portion. I used a hair dryer on super low heat to lift the bottom ever so slightly and just slid them in. I did it just for the rear landing gears

[@sneakyquick]

My rattler the front glass broke when I was a kid so I remember the canopy being extremely fragile. My favorite cobra toy.

[@merlintolstyk8055]

Repairing old Joe vehicles may be suffering for you but we do love the videos.

[@GhostGL]

Just watched this again today. Because I got the rattler and the tomahawk, missing parts etc and a newer vehicle. From a lady local for $25. I need to replace the tail section and just one back landing gear. But I got the tail section off first try

[@Thehumblecollectoruk]

hi great video as are all yours you do them with such infusiasm sorry spelling but you keep the heart of a child cant wait see toy collection when room done ives family uk

[@davidcarroll3993]

We call that panel pry bar a Magic Stick at the Mercedes plant. In Alabama

[@killardan1]

Just repaired the gold cobra rattler. All I need is the gunner bubble.

[@hector1011]

I recently acquired a classic 84 Rattler w' the gear in flight mode. I tried moving them but they would not budge, so I left them as is. I don't have any problem with the landing gear on my '97 A-10 Thunderbolt, but I did notice that the plastic on the A-10 is a bit softer on the landing gear. I loved the video, but I don't think I have the stomach or the ability to attempt this kind of thing on toys. Keep up the good work and I look forward to more Joe videos.

[@drewlovelyhell4892]

sonic360 -- try a little water-based lubricant on the hinges.. it works great, and then evaporates without a trace.

[@lemonthardeman]

I just received the Toys R Us Cobra Rattler from Ebay (mf copper and black with the red bombs) and I had to take it apart to reverse the backwards install of the landing gear under the wings, When I did This I notice that the arms on the gears are made of the same soft plastic as the wheels and they bend instead of breaking like the hard plastic ones, so it look like Hasbro did make improvements just made it more flexible. P.S. I also took off that electronic gun because it looks better with out it and I can put on more ordnance.

[@snakedeadshot]

sweet Jesus you make me nervous when you take apart toys lol

[@marcothommen2484]

As if it were your own, yes? I feel the same way.... :)

[@edwardjacobs4042]

Glad you had this video because I bought a rattler from a friend and it is missing a rear landing gear and the one that is on there is on there the wrong way. Too bad you're not close to Parma Ohio because I would ask for your help to take mine apart. Thanks

[@smoluk1]

Yo joe way to go!

[@billislois]

one of my favorite planes ever i have 2

[@400hdfilms4]

Not gunna lie yours was a pain to fix them folding legs I was scarred to fix mine but shook off the fear in breaking my rattler to fix the legs but mine was super easy I didn’t have to use those eyebrow pluckers or a wedger I just used my fingers and it came off gently lol but thanks for the tips this video was highly educational 💯💯💯💯

[@makishepard]

Time is a cruel beast to all people and toys alike.

[@damiond2182]

nice I'm trying to get my hands on a og nightraven and the silver version they released in the early 90s

[@Kyocera-ot6hb]

19:57 Thank You for the tip on plastic

[@josephvalenzuela88]

Hi RB im using my wife's gmail account to watch you two. great episode on the rattler. Had one they were so easy to break, so on the 4th of July of 86 i strapped a m80 to lit it and screamed yo joe as blew into pieces.

[@ronaldhof3654]

Really enjoyed this video! I restored a Rattler myself some years ago. I will send you a message with some of my tips and tricks :-)

[@scottkelly248]

Saw your post on retroblasting. Any tips on how to take apart the main body shell safely on the rattler?

[@ronaldhof3654]

@@scottkelly248 Taking apart the main hull is not something I have done before. Perhaps knowledge and experience about this is available in one of the GI Joe Facebook groups.

[@MattDoyleMusicOhio]

A drop of 3in1 oil on those gear posts makes a world of difference.

[@yunoyuluvit]

I find warming the plastic with hot hair dryer is good for reducing, or even removing stress marks.

[@nostalgicaddictz]

I forgot to tell you, I use trim removal tools are metal coated with thick plastic. They also make smaller ones. I'll pick you guys up a set. I've removed stress marks by using a hair dryer. learned my lesson using a heat gun, lol

[@retroblasting]

Thanks for the intel!

[@stevenmabee3232]

every time you were just about to unsnap a fitting I found myself grinding my teeth....so nerve-wracking ;p

[@garthblack8330]

Thank you so much for this video. I just got a Rattler with broken rear gears, my first one. Classic car huh, what is it? I still have my first car, 58 Edsel.

[@bgddyphil]

I'd love to see you replace a chin gattling gun on another rattler some time. in my experience that's the next most broken piece. good stuff sir!

[@jonhufford6980]

phillip powers yes, mines broken off too and no amount of crazy or gorilla glue fixes it

[@TheNightBadger]

Bought a vintage Rattler on ebay a few years back, when I got it I used the landing gear... *SNAP*! I had to glue it in place. Tainted purchase.

[@davymartini64]

+RetroBlasting For this winter, can you please do a mega review of all the hoth vehicles and playsets? (in parts)

[@hector1011]

that would be cool

[@treyjohnson82]

Weren't they rereleased in a repaint in tiger squadron?

[@derekwebster8375]

Yes, GI Joe Tiger Force. In fact, I just replaced the landing gear on a Tiger Rat tonight!

[@SilverSpoonRiche]

I should clarify that my Rattler was never played with. It was only displayed and the front landing gear still broke.

[@GenXToysGeek]

Never buy one with the front landing gear missing. That's nearly impossible to replace! I did and it leaves a lot of stress marks. And indeed keep it in either landing gear out or in. The front one needs tons of stress to get it into position.... I ended up filing down parts of the fuselage and greasing it to make it possible....

[@cobra-emperor6starwars665]

you can make the parts very easy :)

[@mattlerch531]

sad to see a great toy broken, glad it's getting some TLC

[@damiond2182]

i wonder if yo joe outlet sells complete vintage toys as well

[@morteforte7033]

I gotta say, despite the bothersome nature of the GIJOE vehicles, i love watching you restore them. I actually had luck, a few years back, to buy one of the redone rattlers on ebay( and didnt pay too much of an arm and leg for it) and its still one of those things i cherish(along with my redone skystriker). though it sits with its gear up now, i had it for awhile in gear down...but weight+time started to bend the wheel..so i put them back up...thankfully before any breaks or stress fracture, im considering making a simple cradle for display(unless theres a place that makes this...and if not...WHY NOT?!?!). PS i also thought it funny that along with your thanks to yojoe outlet...we get the wonders of cat butt licking the background....hehehe cats: they love to get in your shots and lick there butts...for some reason.

[@retroblasting]

That's because cats are jerks.

[@TrailRider]

Do you know how to take apart the two halves of the fuselage?

[@Gen1RedAlert]

Great video, I have managed to replace the rear gear on a rattler and need assistance with the front. Do you know how to get it apart if its possible to change out the front gear.

[@goosekhangaming1716]

I have never seen a video or know if it is possible to change the front landing gear. I always look to see if the front landing gear and cannon are in tact before fixing. Would love to hear from anybody who knows how to take the fusilage apart though...

[@impossiblepie]

I have the 25th anniversary Target exclusive Rattler (still in package) and it's good to know that the landing gear on that one also is pretty fragile. thanks for the info. My childhood Rattler is just a shell (everything except the wings are broken, including the gun on the front) so because that one is so fragile is it even worth fixing or just going out and finding one that is 100%?

[@GIJOEFAN-ys8gp]

I can't wait for the USS Flagg play set. When will it be done?

[@retroblasting]

+G.I. JOE FAN 2001 when the basement studio is finished, then we can do a Flagg video

[@fedegibsonlespaul]

Hey guys, great video. Can I ask what did you use to polish that windshield? "Novus" ?? I'm making a heavy restoration on a 2nd hand kenner super powers batmobile (and its orange windshields) I've got from e-bay. I'm a beginner, I've used toothpaste in the past, but it would leave scratches. Moved on to a random fine car polish paste; applied and rubbed with cloth to eliminate deep scratches, dents and markings. It's fantastic, but it creates a lot of tiny surface scratches that configurates The Foginess. For the last step that gets glass translucency/transparency back (or even better than new) I dry rub them with a piece of leather but most of the time with my bare thumb. It takes an enormous time, but the results are unprecedented; pure perfect glass. I'm sure there's a better, faster way to get the same results tho, I feel like a caveman.... Anyway, great show as always, I wish you could do more videos about super powers figures, but I guess there's not much else to say...maybe a video about restoring their power action mechanism? Some of those would fail right out of the card, most would get sticky over time. I've got a mint on card robin, opened it, and his "karate chop" mechanism is dead. I'd like to boil open him and fix it. My gf tells me I shouldn't, since this robin has one of the best paintjobs I've ever seen on a sp robin, he's perfect for display. But I remember your words: "would you let it crumble knowing it's original dust or would you repair it and keep him functioning, keep him on the road? Ima keep it on the road" and I feel the same, and I'd like to fix him, but I'm terrified about cracking the torso open, that will surely leave a dent or crack, even using a scalpel; and after that, I'm sure putting that together (glue??) will be a nightmare...worst than brainsurgery. Best of scenarios, you "only" end up chipping the paint during the boiling process and his face melts into a hideous deform creature...prolly a toy biz figure...I'd like to know what would you do, Michael? Nahnahnahanah, don't come up with crazy ideas like "get a new one", these are rare and every one of them deserves a chance to survive. Plus I'm telling you, his paintjob is unique. Ok, no more of me, I'm sorry for this long comment, it just happened. Look at the bright side: I forgive you for Thundercats. Yeah. J/k, I know you don't hate them (yes you do), they just didn't caught your attention...it's ok...NO IT'S NOT! Young michael f....d up big time on that one!! YOUR fault, Mr! J/k, cheers!

[@treyjohnson82]

Never knew till much later that it's a harrier jet...US made that we sold to the UK

[@ishakehands]

retroblasting, I have a request. for Christmas, can you please review the biggest follie of star wars? the "STAR WARS HOLIDAY SPECIAL".

[@jonhufford6980]

Thomas Joseph Gagliardi hi. U can see a nice review for Star Wars holiday special, type in Geekvolution Star Wars holiday special

[@treyjohnson82]

Agreed

[@justinpoblete4481]

Is replacing the front gatling gun difficult?

[@MarkDemeo]

if current Mike could go back in time to childhood Mike,i am sure he would tell him not to try to glue the broken landing gear.

[@retroblasting]

+Mark Demeo yep...

[@michellewade2701]

cool I love these resterasuion vintage toys or to from your my fav video of guesses mlp resterasuion

[@1973Warmachine]

Do you know if the nose gun can be replaced? Is this a big process

[@impossiblepie]

the 25th anniversary version, is it a brand new mold or the same mold from the original? wish they would remold it like they did with the new sky striker.

[@hector1011]

I believe it's the same old mold.

[@No1.OriginalTrilogyStarWarsFan]

Great video as always Michael. Will you be doing any more Star Wars Follies soon? Are you looking forward to the new film?

[@retroblasting]

yes. soon.

[@Die-CastMetal]

Does the number “41” on the nose carry the same meaning as military aircraft today? And if it is, have other nose numbers been observed like “40” or “42”... or “09” or whatever. And if that’s true, what’s the “Z06” mean. If you were to have two Cobra Rattlers I would have to assume some of these markings would be different because they’re physically different airplanes. They can’t all possibly be marked with a nose number 41, or are they???

[@Guernicaman]

Is there any way of hardening plastic, i.e. trying to restore the strength of a plastic's density? Marybe some type of enamel or acrylic? Perhaps one can harden things like those tabs & pieces of old brittle plastic toys that so often break. It would make things easier when repairing these things.

[@TreadwellJay]

They're already too hard. That's the problem. Flexibility is what they need.

[@Cog_In_The_Gear]

I wish the Star Wars collecting community was as laid back as the GI Joe collecting community. The vitriol from SW “purists” really puts a damper on the fun of gathering , maintaining and refurbishing a vintage collection.

[@shtdaprdtr]

When dealing with toy plastics...especially 30 year old plastic...why not dip in hot water or in some larger cases, use a hair dryer to soften it to prevent tab breakage???

[@kylejackson7181]

How much did the replacement parts cost?

[@impossiblepie]

Has anyone ever tried to replace the front gun? My childhood rattlers gun is broken as well as the front landing gear. Is that even possible to fix?

[@JBBrickman]

Now I feel bad mine still has all landing gear and I open and close them all the time. ( because I still play with them.) Now knowing that's delicate I better stop using it and just leave it on display...

[@JosephProductions]

Good video! Michael any more Star Wars follies! P.S Melinda please let Michael fix broken Vader.

[@retroblasting]

+JosephProductions yes one is upcoming

[@JosephProductions]

RetroBlasting wow thanks so much for respond love ya both RB for life!

[@jjlloyd8017]

Excellent (and very helpful) video. Thanks! I do have to say though... whoever designed the Rattler back in the day needs to be tarred and feathered for making a kid's toy so fragile.

[@scottkelly248]

Anyone know how to safely take apart the main body on a gi Joe rattler?

[@danielspencer9861]

It may be worth buying just a cheap Rattler shell & figuring out how to take it apart.

[@batangbatugan]

Jesus Christ, I almost had a heart attack when you started drilling, haha! Was there any reason why they sold the Rattler unassembled? I would think that if the belly was screwed on instead of being held by clips would make it more durable. Anyway, thanks for another hair raising restoration, guys! =)

[@retroblasting]

I'd give anything if most Joe vehicles had used screws. Oh well...

[@drewlovelyhell4892]

RetroBlasting --- yeah, I restored an X19 Phantom and a NightRaven, and those screws made life so much easier.

[@jeremysnead9233]

I had to skip ahead because of what happened to the night raven. G.I. Joes had one heck of assortment of US fighter jets. Do you have their version of the F-16 the Ghoststriker X-16. I know it was a late entry but it would look sweet with there 2 fighters.

[@retroblasting]

I don't, but I wish I did. I have three Rattlers, three Skystrikers, and one Night Raven. At some point, I need the Conquest and the Ghoststriker.

[@jeremysnead9233]

I was left with only 2 fighters after 20 odd years the Phantom and Condor. My X-30 and my X-16 had fixed wings and weren't toy box friendly. It is funny how brittle plastic toys became after a few years. I thought plastic was not suppose to disintegrate. I guess Cpt Planet lied.

[@JLeoni96]

Michael, I wouldn't argue with Melinda either :-)

[@peterparker6584]

The way I work on GI Joe vehicles compared to you clearly you'd be calling me a Savage. I just apparently don't get stressed that easily. You're using too big a flat blade screwdriver by the way. If you're in Canada I could recommend a set of screwdrivers at Canadian Tire. They're pretty small and great for working on small vehicles of the toy variety. Literally what I bought them for insult being after paying about $30 for a really fancy screwdriver set I got the exact same set screwdriver set at a yard sale for like a dollar brand and everything lol.so yeah I'm not joking they were missing the case and in a toolbox full of miscellaneous tools so I got a second copy of the set with those little case. They make a set for Torx too. Would have to look see if mine was both types in one or just the regular screwdriver set. I know I've got a bunch for Torx too but can't remember if they were all once that or two sets. I've been curious how the Wings come off I couldn't remember. One that I had as a kid had a broken wing when I got it and I finally replaced the wing about a year ago one I used to have a little knob broken off that goes inside the body so I'd wondered how the body came apart to put a wing on properly with that knob still on it. You think the Rattler is flimsy try dealing with the Mirage motorcycle lol. It was clearly intended to be very carefully put together then never touched again and put on a shelf like a model kit.

[@GreyHulk2156]

Cat cleaning itself at 24:06. :)

[@marcothommen2484]

Each time, you say "brittle", you make me think of Django Unchained.... ;-) Hmmmm... May one of this family was the founder of Hasbro, that's why these toys break so easily.....

[@waynefester3731]

why not simply 3d print new parts?

[@GenXToysGeek]

vintage toys should have vintage parts unless no other alternative!

[@missionpassed4584]

the only way would be metal I guess

[@Charlou27]

I am glad i never bought this "toy". Seems as fragile as china. no thank you. "The Cobra Rattler...admire from a distance!"

[@MadSUPANOVA]

It's so sad HASBRO made G.I.JOE'S become overpriced PLASTIC. Use to be $2.99 to $5.00 for a plastic figure, now that same plastic figures same size.. $15.00 / $20.00 nowadays. PLASTIC! The plastic is so flimsy one bad move SNAP! I watched this entire video. Hahaha

[@drewlovelyhell4892]

I bought a 2nd-hand Rattler recently, and I was well aware of the notorious landing gear issue. My brother had one back in the day, and the wheel snapped on his too. When I got mine, the landing gear were raised, so to lower them, I put a little water-based lubricant on the hinges, and they moved like magic. Then when the lubricant evaporated, they got nice and firm again.