G.I. Joe Tiger Rat (1988)

 

Overview

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The Tiger Rat was released in 1988 as part of the Tiger Force sub-team in the vintage G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero line. It is a Tiger Force repaint of the classic Rattler attack aircraft, featuring the distinctive yellow, black and orange Tiger Force color scheme.

The Tiger Rat originally came with Tiger Force Flint, making the figure an important part of a complete original set.

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Key Features

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• Tiger Force attack aircraft

• Repaint of the classic Cobra Rattler

• Distinctive yellow, black and orange Tiger Force camouflage

• Swing-wing aircraft design

• Two large underwing weapon pods

• Multiple removable missiles

• Twin-engine configuration

• Rear landing gear

• Functional landing gear

• Originally packaged with Tiger Force Flint

• Designed for high-speed ground-attack missions

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Fun Facts

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The Rattler Becomes a Joe!

The Tiger Rat is particularly interesting because it uses the Cobra Rattler mold, but Tiger Force transformed it into a G.I. Joe aircraft.

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Flint's Tiger Force Ride

The original release included Tiger Force Flint, giving collectors a classic G.I. Joe character paired with one of Cobra's most famous aircraft designs.

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One of the Most Recognizable Tiger Force Aircraft

The combination of the Rattler's aggressive design and Tiger Force colors makes the Tiger Rat immediately recognizable.

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Real-World Inspiration

The original Rattler was heavily inspired by the Fairchild Republic A-10 Thunderbolt II, particularly its twin-engine layout and heavy ground-attack role.

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Part of the 1988 Tiger Force Line

The Tiger Rat was released alongside other Tiger Force vehicles such as the Tiger Fly, Tiger Cat and Tiger Paw, creating a complete special-forces vehicle lineup.

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What Makes a Tiger Rat Complete?

A complete original set should include:

• Tiger Rat aircraft

• Cockpit canopy

• Swing wings

• Landing gear

• Weapon pods

• Original missiles

• Machine guns

• Engine components

• Original Tiger Force decals

• Tiger Force Flint

• Flint's accessories

• Original box and paperwork, if applicable

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Recommended GIJoeForSale.com Price

For a 100% complete Tiger Rat with Tiger Force Flint in Very Good/Excellent condition:

€119.95–€149.95

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For an exceptionally clean Near Mint example:

€159.95–€199.95

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For a complete boxed example:

€229.95–€299.95

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Collector Appeal: 9/10

The Tiger Rat is one of the strongest Tiger Force vehicles for collectors. The unusual combination of a former Cobra Rattler mold, Tiger Force colors and the Flint figure gives it excellent display appeal and makes it a standout piece in a vintage G.I. Joe collection.