Several months ago, I received an email from someone commenting on my custom work and was asked about my lack of Cobra customs and how come I don't do more of them. I guess you could say that this gave me a reason to finally finish a few Cobra customs I had in the works for a while.
First up is the Range Viper. A much well-deserved makeover for one of my favorite Cobra troops.
RANGE VIPERS- Cobra Wilderness Troopers
Parts used:
Whole Figure- Range Viper 90
AK-47- Marauder Inc.
Knife- Leatherneck 93
Backpack- Cobra CLAWS 02
I always liked Range Vipers but my only problem with them was, of course everybody's problem with them, their unusual color scheme. I doubt they can blend in the wilderness with blue, black, grey, and yellow uniforms so I decided to give them a more practical and environment-friendly look. A simple green and brown camouflage scheme works so much better. I also decided to do away with all the heavy equipment and gave them equipment that is easier to maintain for long periods in the bush and won't slow them down.
I think this finally gives the Range Viper some dignity and respect for their fearsome visage and superior outdoor skills.
I'm sure you are quite curious as to whom the odd fellow standing with the Range Vipers is so without any further delay, I present an original creation of mine,(not the name, of course.) Cobra Range Viper Commander, Bushmaster.
Bushmaster- Cobra Range Viper Commander
Parts used:
Head, arms, waist, legs- Range Viper 90
Torso- Alpine 85
AK-74 and machete- Maruader Inc.
Backpack- Spearhead 88
I never was a big fan of the Skullbuster character but I did like the idea of a Range Viper leader. I decided the Range Vipers needed a leader of a slightly different sort, one whose survival skills go beyond just what is learned in a classroom but also acquired through born circumstance and using one's deeper, primordial instincts.
BIO
Bushmaster was once a child soldier with anti-government forces fighting in the jungles of Angola. Growing up in the bush, he learns guerilla warfare, fighting with nothing more than what he can get his hands on. His uncanny skill in improvised munitions is both remarkable and frightening. An incredibly gifted tracker and hunter, he learned how to forage and survive under the harshest of conditions, all while evading the enemy. Upon adulthood, he spent time as a mercenary in conflicts throughout Africa and the Middle East, eventually catching the attention of COBRA. Hired originally as a survival instructor for the RANGE VIPERS, he is soon given their command after the mysterious death of the previous RANGE VIPER commander, SKULLBUSTER, in a field training exercise. A very vicious and brutal man who believes deeply that only the strong survive and will not hesitate to do what is necessary to maintain the survival of himself and his troops. Speaks 6 languages, an expert marksman, and a skilled medic.
But Bushmaster is amazing. 
