Buying the Sting Raider today got me thinking about the AVAC. Since he's a repaint with different arms to be called a Swamp-Viper, and also there is a version of him called Air-Viper Commando, why would the gear be the same?

A.V.A.C.
Swamp-Viper
Air-Viper Commando

We all know the reason with Hasbro, but to step into the fictional world I'm going to just think that the helmet is versatile? As an AVAC, the HUD in the helmet works well for air combat and to fly a vehicle such as the Firebat. Because of this, Cobra just outfitted the Air-Viper Commandos with gear pretty much the same with very minor changes such as the padding on the sleeves and maybe changes to the HUD (which doesn't change the look of the helmet). When they were updating their Swampr-Vipers they decided to cut cost and use that same helmet and outfit design since it also works well in an environment such as the swamp. More minor changes were required, but nothing major and mostly for the HUD.

So that's the best I can figure into it. How does everyone else figure into the designs being the same?

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Your explanation sounds good to me!

Honestly, the original AVAC with the Terror-Drome is one of my personal favorite Cobra figures of all time, and I was even impressed with the 25th-style version. I really like the Swamp-Viper, since I like the color scheme, and I've been army-building him a bit. The Air Viper Commando is probably the least of the lot in my opinion, due to the quirky color scheme and the lack of the Cobra insignia (I've been trying to find some Cobra stickers small enough to use, but so far, no luck).

I honestly wouldn't mind seeing this figure return a couple more times, in interesting color patterns. How about a blue and black stealth version with a green visor for night vision?