Rattler
The Cobra Rattler is a Ground Attack jet that shares its design with the A-10 Thunderbolt, but features VTOL (Vertical Take-Off and Landing) engines on the pivoting primary wings. This utterly destroys the benefits of mounting the engines high on the fuselage, such as shrouding the exposed fan and hot exhaust from ground radar and IR tracking by hiding them behind the wings and tail; It also opens the engines to foreign object damage from ingesting ground debris, such as unwary handlers if the engines are left idling during refuel/rearm operations.
Despite these shortcomings, it is somehow one of the primary aircrafts used by the terrorist organization. The top pilot is Wild Weasel.
Fiction
G.I. Joe and the Transformers
Several Rattlers were part of a squadron escorting the Dr. Mindbender controlled Power Station Alpha into Cobra headquarters. Ace and Lift-Ticket shot down a few of them, after which one fired on a passing boat as a diversion ordered by Serpentor. Power Struggle
Later, another squadron of Rattlers attacked the Ark along with Dirge. Many of them were wrecked after making the mistake of firing upon Omega Supreme, after which Serpentor ended the battle by remotely jamming Dirge's weapon, blowing him up. Ashes, Ashes...
Yet another group of Rattlers joined the Autobots and Joes in the attack on the Decepticons' island headquarters. ...All Fall Down!
Devil's Due G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers comics continuity
Skywarp and Thundercracker, under Cobra's control, were formatted into Cobra Rattlers. G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers #1
Dreamwave Transformers/G.I. Joe comics continuity
While patroling the Fera Islands, members of the G.I. Joe team came under attack by a squadron of Rattlers. However, Grimlock forced the fighter/bombers into retreat. Transformed
Trivia
- Universe (2008) Mini-Con Skyhammer shares its color pattern with the Cobra Rattler though its alt-mode is an A-10 Thunderbolt.
