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Thursday, 28 February 2008 |
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 H.I.S.S. The "High Speed Sentry" tank was the primary armored vehicle used by Cobra for many years. Its tall, angular design was unique to military tanks. The HISS tank that G.I. Joe first encountered was slightly different than the more recognized model, colored in blue with a slightly different cockpit. The better-known model was colored black, and had a large transparent canopy that held a single driver. The tank's drivers were specially trained Cobra troops dressed in red uniforms. The HISS had a maximum speed of 275 miles per hour and was armed with turrent-mounted twin "Diablo" 30mm area fire automatic guns that carried 2,000 rounds each. Its highly advanced electronics included low level light and infrared scanners, as well as micro-resolution radar.
The earliest HISS tanks saw action against the Joes during an attack on the Alaskan oil pipeline and later in a battle in Washington, DC. During that battle, Hawk climbed onto the command HISS and fought Destro before being shot by Cobra Commander. The tanks continued to be involved in many major operations like the defense of the newly-created Cobra Island and the Battle of Springfield. During the Cobra civil war, Serpentor personally led a column of HISS tanks alongside the Joe team, who allied with him against the forces of Cobra Commander. After overrunning the Commander's lines and capturing the Baroness, Serpentor strapped the Baroness across the front of his HISS, looking to some witnesses like something out of an ancient war. Despite the introduction of the HISS II years later, the original HISS continued to serve Cobra for many years.
(GI 11, 16-19, 28, 30, 37, 41, 44, 46-50, 52, 64, 68, 73-76, 81, 89, 99, 139, 141, 144, 154; YB 2, 4; OB 4; SM 2)
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Classic G.I. Joe Guide 
