Getting up at 3am (after going to bed at 12am from getting in at 11pm flight) to drive to Springfield from Chicago was no easy task considering the day before all flights going and leaving from Chicago were delayed or cancelled due to thunderstorms and high winds, and getting to Springfield on the 9th by plane was just not happening. However, without the voucher that comes in the box set to purchase exclusives, getting online was pointless and they sent me over to registration to check-in. Thankfully, they didn’t make myself and another person wait that long and we were both able to get online to purchase exclusives.
Once all of that was out of way and I was online to get the exclusives and was able to purchase 1 of each for review purposes as we normally do each year. Still, considering the extreme circumstances this year, and that an entire town was wiped out earlier on that day by a tornado, it’s amazing that anyone could get to Springfield on the 9th unless you were in close driving range and don’t mind risking your life.
While online, several fans expressed that they felt that the Tiger Shark and Tiger Sting were more like reissues, rather than a show exclusive and something new since Hasbro first introduced the Tiger Force vehicles back in the late 1980’s. We would have to agree with that sentiment. However, since the JoeCon box set theme was Tiger Force, it would make sense they would want to bring these classic vehicles back in Tiger Force colors.
Availability: April 9th-12th, 2015
Sculpt & Paint:
The Tiger Shark was first introduced by Hasbro in 1988 and is a repaint from the Cobra Water Moccasin. This version of the Tiger Shark is also a repaint of Hasbro’s G.I. Joe: Retaliation Cobra Fangboat from 2012 and doesn’t have the issues that the 1988 version had and other boats repainted from that. It features a detachable firing missile launcher, a gun torrent that rotates and pivots, figure storage on the sides, 2x trunk storage, and a driver seat with an opening canopy.
The Tiger Shark includes Tiger Force Felino, and he was originally released as a Brazil exclusive figure back in 1990 and 1991.
The Tiger Sting was first introduced by Hasbro in 1989 and is a repaint from the VAMP. This version of the Tiger Sting is also a repaint of Hasbro’s 50th anniversary V.A.M.P. MK-II with the shovel on the right side of the hood from 2014. It features a swiveling missile launcher with 4 missiles, opening doors, removable opening hood, a shovel, rotating wheels, and removable gas cans.
The Tiger Sting includes Tiger Force SGT. Katzenbogen, also known as Tiger Force Bazooka is uses the same sculpt as the 2008 25th anniversary figure.
Accessories:
Felino – rocket launcher, missile, helmet with removable goggles, rifle, figure stand.
SGT. Katzenbogen – helmet, a backpack, a black bazooka, four black missiles, and a black display stand.
Overall:
The Tiger Shark & Tiger Sting are excellent vehicles and if you don’t mind paying the secondary market prices and a fan of Tiger Force, you would definitely want to track these down.
Highly Recommended.
Purchase:
You can find this figure at our sponsors below:
G.I. JoeCon 2015 Exclusive Tiger Force Tiger Shark with Felino:
G.I. JoeCon 2015 Exclusive Tiger Force Tiger Sting with SGT. Katzenbogen:
