Wind Raider vintage vehicle review

[Spacedust]

Hello all.
No vintage episode or figure reviews for the last couple of weeks as I've been in hospital, but it's good to see that the Faker figure review got a lot of posters - as I hoped it would, with Faker being a favourite of many.

This week it's a look at one of the early vehicles, and a regular in the Filmation cartoon series - the WIND RAIDER.

The Wind Raider was released as part of the second wave of the vintage figures. Its vibrant green and orange colour scheme matched that of Man-At-Arms, who, being an inventor, was often said to have built it.
I love how MAA and the 'Raider's colour schemes worked together (and it would have been cool to see more such figure & vehicle colour combinations).

The toy itself had wheels to run it along the ground, and tilt-able wings and tail fin. It had a winch that could lower / raise an anchor by turning the ram's skull on the hood of the vehicle. This mechanism often got tangled by many young owners.

I didn't have a Wind Raider as a child, and didn't finally have a good complete example until some way through my collecting the line 'seriously'. They are very commonly found on eBay, but often with wing(s) missing and the winch quite beaten up. And, as with so many MOTU toys, finding the stickers in anywhere near good condition can also be quite a hunt.

The Wind Raider was a very commonly seen vehicle in the Filmation cartoon series. Here it was seen to be big enough to hold multiple passengers - although did often vary in size in different appearances.

There was no revamped Wind Raider toy for the 200x re-released line; which is a shame, as I would have liked one instead of some of the other slight silly vehicles newly created for the revamped line.
It did appear in the Mike Young Productions cartoon, where it was so-so, but I wasn't really overtaken by its tweaked design.

All-in-all, in terms of the vintage vehicle, I'll give it an average-ish 6 out of 10. It would probably be a bit higher if I'd had one as a kid thus had more memories of it.

So that's my thoughts on the trusty Wind Raider.
I'd like to hear your own thoughts, comments, memories, criticisms, suggestions, or anything else Wind Raider-related. And whether you post or not, don't forget to rate the toy in the poll!

[He-Fan]

Chris here...

For a long time, a Wind Raider was something of a holy grail for my vintage MOTU collection. I never saw one for sale as a kid, or at least I don't remember seeing one - I know that the majority of my MOTU figure purchases were influenced by the Filmation cartoon, and knowing how prominantly the Wind Raider figured in that I feel sure I would have gotten one at the time had I found one. Bear in mind I got into collecting MOTU very late (I got my first MOTU figure in the summer of 1988!), so it's not surprising that some of the early vehicles were gone by that time.

I finally got my Wind Raider at the start of last year, from Brian's Toys. Whilst (as is often the case with Brian's Toys) I probably paid over-the-odds for it, I didn't want to pass up the opportunity of getting hold of a complete Wind Raider in such good condition - slight sticker wear is the only thing that lets it down, otherwise it's in lovely shape!

I love the Wind Raider because it was such an iconic vehicle in the cartoon, and also because of its beautiful simplicity - as such, I've given it a (slightly biased) 9 out of 10!

Take care...

[MossMan710179]

I love the Wind Raider, because it was 3 vehicles in one for me.
It got used alot as a plane, a car and even a boat.
Only problems I have with this toy is that the wings and tail are fragile, and it should have been large enough to fit another figure...

[He-Fan]

Chris here...

I love the Wind Raider, because it was 3 vehicles in one for me.
It got used alot as a plane, a car and even a boat.
Only problems I have with this toy is that the wings and tail are fragile, and it should have been large enough to fit another figure...

You mentioning that, actually my only criticism of the vehicle is that the tail on it "flaps", which I understand is normal and not peculiar to mine - initially I thought mine was just a bit loose in its socket!! I'd prefer it if the tail was more static but poseable like the wings - that's my only grumble.

Take care...

[Arkan]

I give it an 8. I like it, the wings are fragile but considering it is one of the first vehicles Wind Rider is cool!

[Spacedust]

For a long time, a Wind Raider was something of a holy grail for my vintage MOTU collection. I never saw one for sale as a kid, or at least I don't remember seeing one - I know that the majority of my MOTU figure purchases were influenced by the Filmation cartoon, and knowing how prominantly the Wind Raider figured in that I feel sure I would have gotten one at the time had I found one. Bear in mind I got into collecting MOTU very late (I got my first MOTU figure in the summer of 1988!), so it's not

I don't think I saw many 'Raiders for sale either, and I got in on collecting very early on in the line's life. I don't think they were rare, just not the most common on the shelf in my neck of the woods. Then again, I usually went for the figures, as I had to save less money to afford one of those, and didn't have so many of the vehicles, so maybe I just missed it.

I love the Wind Raider, because it was 3 vehicles in one for me.
It got used alot as a plane, a car and even a boat.
Only problems I have with this toy is that the wings and tail are fragile, and it should have been large enough to fit another figure...

I seem to vaguely recall some very early (possibly even prototype) promo blurb describing it as effectivley 'three vehicles in one'. Something about how He-Man could 'sail across the desert' and suchlike. Then again, my memory may be playing tricks.
You're right, the wings and tail were very fragile though; making a good condition 'Raider on the second hand market more sought after.

[Captain Atkin]

The Wind Raider (as a toy) always reminded me of Luke Skywalker's land speeder, with wings added to it. It has a really nice, classic look to it.

[Spacedust]

The Wind Raider (as a toy) always reminded me of Luke Skywalker's land speeder, with wings added to it.

I've always thought that too; I guess it ties in with it's early dual-purpose as a land vehicle.
I wonder just how many vintage MOTU vehicles and such like were actually influences by 'Star Wars'.

[blackiecats]

As folks found this thread useful and it has been one of the most interesting toy review threads, I've been given permission to restore it!

However this is a one off and IS NOT a special privelage to anyone (current participants in this thread or anyone else)


Please remember that all users are only allowed to have one active poll thread open per week. This rule must be followed whether you agree with it or not!

With these toy review threads, I'd suggest limiting them to one per fortnight to give everyone a chance to vote and have their say. I think you have the option to set how long a poll is open for Anyone who misses the voting deadline can always have their say by posting in the thread.

As for my contribution to this topic, I don't have much to say other than I never had the Wind Raider as a kid The only one I saw was one belonging to a friend of my brother and that was bare bones and broken. So I never got to play with a working one, so it's certainly interesting to read about it in this thread!

[He-Fan]

Chris here...

Great to see a return for this brilliant and highly enjoyable thread - excellent decision by the powers-that-be IMO!

Just to add something I meant to post in my original response - one of my biggest disappointments of the 200X MOTU line was that there was no revamped Wind Raider, I think it would have made an excellent update and I can think of several exciting features that could have been added to it...

Take care...

[braxsis364]

I remember the wind raider, I got it sometime when it first came out. it was also the only flying vehicle available at the time. if I remember corectly, He mans main mode of transportaition. I never went by the cartoon version of the wind raider. he got it from the green goddess, I also inmagined it had some magic powers. and could not be harmed by lazers, or other magic. it could shoot a powerfull magical energy beam from its dino like bird face in front. and I remember being kinda perturbed that it would not stay strait. the ancor was used to rescue heroic warriors. out of bad situations, so overall I loved the wind raider. even tho it only held one figure, ill give the wind raider a 9.

[Evil_Horde]

I love the Wind Raider! certainly the vehicle that appeared in several cartoon! Voted 9!

[PaoloKr]

One of the first vehicle.
Cool and playable.
9

[Collec-Tor]

Ten. Always loved the Wind Raider.

[MOLKROM]

The Windraider is second only to Battlecat. 10 points