G.I. Joe Pursuit of Cobra: Wolf Hound

Presenting the G.I. Joe Pursuit of Cobra Wolf Hound.

Where did I leave the keys?

The box describes the Wolf Hound as something that "Combines the stamina of a tank with the handling of an off-road vehicle." In other words, it's a half-track. Not really sure why they couldn't just say so.

It's basically a re-issue of the original G.I. Joe artic half-track the Snow Cat. I'm not really sure why they felt the need to change the name as there are no discernible differences between the two save for the size of the foot pegs and the driver (The Snow Cat was driven by Frostbite, the Wolf Hound is driven by White Out). It might have something to do with how the word Snow Cat now refers to modern snow vehicles - specifically trucks or cabs that have substituted tracks for wheels - so I suppose they wanted something a tad bit more ominous.


Before we begin, I'd like to thank my wife Rochelle who got her bonus from work and decided to share some of it with me which is why we have this to enjoy. Please check out her blog: Pinay and Money.

The Wolf Hound requires some assembly and comes as you see it in the box. It's actually lacking instructions as to where and how you're supposed to attach two wheels which rolls for the rear portion of the

Wolf Hound as the tracks do not move. But then I suppose there are those out there who do not want the dowels. It's easy enough to figure out where they go so that's ok.

Once you've attached the main body, wheels, HT-3X High-Traction treads, and engine cover to the lower hull, add the loaded SLIDER anti-armor missile launcher, the canopy, the windshield wiper and the two Ski-Velocity X-1 Torpedoes and you're done with the Wolf Hound.There's actually one more defect that I confirmed in the blog - at first I thought that it was just my inability to follow directions - the stand of the Zipper missile launcher is depicted backwards. You have to turn it around if you want to mount it properly. As you can see, it is already playable and fun without the stickers applied.

White Out - Sgt. Leonard J. Lee III - is a cold weather specialist and he comes as is: no weapons, no other accessories save for the fact that you can remove his cowl and his goggles. His blister card reads his mission equipment as just an insulated helmet and anti-glare protection goggles. 

Here it is completed. The Wolf Hound:

• Has a windshield wiper that is positionable, but I wouldn't play with it much as it will scratch your windshield. 
• Rolls easily enough forward and back because of the free wheels and rear dowels. The Wolf Hound comes with no suspension or turning ability though
• Has an opening clam-shell canopy

• Fits two snuggly - so they can keep each other warm I guess. To get White Out in, it's probably best to remove the steering wheel first which is just inserted on a peg anyway and is easy to return

I really can't stay - Baby it's cold outside. 

• Has a SLIDER anti-armor missile system. It's called a slider because - well there's a slide - on the back that you slide from left to right instead of pressing discretes to launch the missiles one-by-one. You cannot launch them in a single volley. It rotates 360 degrees and can elevate around 45 degrees up.

• Has two Ski-Velocity X-1 Torpedoes. Kinda funny looking torpedoes mounted on skis. I have no idea if this has a real-world analogue. I kinda doubt it.

• Has no other armaments past that. Which is a shame. After that, it runs. It would be nice if it did. It kinda limits the practicality of the vehicle as a result. It's not a troop carrier - I mean who would want to traverse the artic riding outside? - and while its heavily armed, it cannot survive a sustained firefight. It also does not have any weaponry for close-in fighting - unless it wants to commit suicide and blow up along with its enemies. 

• Can accommodate 9 (If you remove the Ski-Velocity X-1 Torpedoes) additional figures dumb enough to ride outside in freezing artic conditions. 

Having debunked any practical use it might have, I can't really say I recommend this vehicle - except for the fact that I actually like it for its looks. So buy it if you like the sleek lines and the snow. The Wolf Hound retails for US$ 22.49 to US$ 29.49 on Amazon. Retails for twice that here on the black-market or roughly PhP 1,900 to PhP 2,500 depending on who you ask.

It really is cold outside