Cobra Cicada transport helicopter (GI Joe)

thingiverse

The Cobra Transport helicopter, code-named "Cicada," was a childhood favorite. This toy never existed outside comic books but it captivated my imagination as a kid. The model presented a significant challenge due to its inconsistent design across various panels, with some angles missing entirely. As a result, I had to improvise certain parts of the design. I created the file at full scale since there was no official toy version available. To optimize print quality, it's recommended to print at 25% scale, as this range provides the perfect balance between detail and size. Printing outside this range may result in either excessive or insufficient detail. The finished model weighs approximately 25 grams, making material costs around 53 cents per print. Be prepared for a significant amount of support material removal after printing due to the helicopter's complex shape. Removing these supports can be tedious, but it's no more daunting than gluing delicate parts together. A note on the rotor assembly: an alternate design is available for those who cannot fit the one-piece model onto their print bed. I test-printed both designs, and if possible, I recommend using the single-piece assembly. This 3D model file is free to download but is listed as "non-commercial" since it's a copy of someone else's intellectual property rather than my own design. You're not permitted to buy or sell physical copies of this model. However, you are encouraged to print personal copies for your use only. If you've downloaded the file from any source other than my Thingiverse site, I appreciate your respect and acknowledgement that it was done without my permission. A heartfelt thank you to past and present members of our Armed Forces - true American heroes who ensure our freedom and peace. Your sacrifices allow individuals like me to live in a world where we can create and share unique models like this one.