CLAW


 * The C.L.A.W. is a Cobra vehicle.

While G.I. Joe Skyhawks patrol the sky, Cobra has built a subversive weapon to get around them: the Covert Light Aerial Weapon (C.L.A.W.)

Small and fast, it can easily evade aerial radar as it flies below radar range. And before the Joe Team is alerted to its presence, it's too late as it pulls off its mission. Flying the machine, though, is no mean feat. It may basically be a hang glider with rockets but it takes the steeliest of operators to keep up with the speed and from crashing onto a tree or a building wall.

Features
The C.L.A.W. is armed with a 7.6mm machine guns capable of shooting at 2000rpm. It is complemented by two 10-lb. HE-8 Venom missiles. It's single most effective weapon is the 750-lb. DES/28-B Flashfire bomb which is capable of delivering a wider area of damage on enemy base. Body shields are placed at strategic locations around the vehicle to protect the pilot. Auxiliary cooling slots keep the pilot from being burned by the rocket engine. The rocket engine itself is capable of near-instantaneous take-off for a quick launch or getaway.

The drawback to the C.L.A.W. is that, despite provisions for pilot safety, the lack of sufficient armor continues to be of greatest concern. A puncture in the right spot on the rocket boosters can easily burst it into flames. Grievances aside, pilot safety was never high on the list of priorities in designing this machine.

Comics continuity
Being small and incredibly fast, the CLAW enabled Storm Shadow to abduct Scarlett right from under the noses of the G.I. Joe Team. Scarlett, resourceful as she ever is, managed to get out of the dungeon and commandeer a CLAW. With it, she escapes with Snake-Eyes. Storm Shadow used another CLAW to help Cobra Commander escape from custody of the Joe Team. In the process, one of its engines was shot and leaking precious fuel. It only enabled the Commander just enough to be picked up by his men.

Animated continuity
Write up

Toys

 * A Real American Hero (1984)
 * The C.L.A.W. was part of the 1984 vehicle series of A Real American Hero.
 * Blueprint from YoJoe.com


 * A Real American Hero (2008)
 * The C.L.A.W. was released in a box set that also included the Cobra F.A.N.G. and two figures (Cobra Viper and Cobra Pilot). For the exception of the handlebars and lack of a Flashfire bomb, this mold looks similar to the 1984 original.
 * Cobra C.L.A.W. (2008) file card at YoJoe.com
 * Cobra C.L.A.W. (2008) blueprints at YoJoe.com