Ok, so let's make the thread. What do you think? Here are some of my thoughts.
My first thought on this is that Hasbro wouldn't make such a big deal about this, and be all secretive until Toyfair if is wasn't a biggie. By biggie, I mean a top tier "want' by fans, and not size wise.
Next, it has to be something in the 83-86 range. Why? Well after 86 has some really great vehicles, but nothing that fans are really screaming for before a lot of other stuff. Also, 82 is pretty much done. I would love a Cobra Missile Command, HAL, MMS or JUMP, but 3 are not big enough to warrant this kind of announcement and the other is a cool playset, but I don't think Hasbro wants to offer us a cardboard playset and make a big deal of that. Everything else 82 has been (re)made. That leaves 83-86 to draw upon.
Next it has to be something mid-large in size. Nothing HUGE like a playset/base (C'mon a new 83 Headquarters), and nothing small like the Devilfish (WHICH I WOULD LOVE RE-RELEASED). So that limits the options further.
Then it becomes a bit of a game of chance, or basically taste. Some vehicles are fairly universally loved, while others are popular, but risky.
So, here is what I have as the "short" list for possibilities:
83: Dragonfly & Wolverine. I have considered the APC, but see it as a longshot. The Wolverine would be nice, but the Dragonfly would be 1st from this year. Also, they may still have the mold, or parts.
84: Killer WHALE, Slugger, Vamp II. Slugger is another longshot and Vamp II would be great, but again doesn't scream for this kind of announcement. The ASP would be nice, but too small. That leaves the Killer WHALE, however cost has to be a big problem for this mold.
85: Bridge Layer, Mauler, Moray, C.A.T. The C.A.T. would be ok by me, but I think it would be a horrible choice, and a bit of a cop out. The Bridge Layer is cool, but not cool enough. The Mauler might have most mold parts, and the Moray should have the whole mold. They are both top tier choices for fans.
86: Night Raven, STUN, HAVOC, Tomahawk, Thundermachine. I just feel the STUN, HAVOC and Thundermachine are longshots. I can't really say why for sure, but personally they don't warrant the "big reveal" next year. The Tomahawk and Night Raven are good possibilities as well, however the Night Raven is probably just too big to be cost efficient/profitable/sellable. The Tomahawk might make it, and Hasbro loves their aircraft, but again it might cost too much.
So trying to think like a fan and Hasbro at the same time, makes my head hurt. HOWEVER, if I were to pick a top three for possibilities I would go with:
MAULER
MORAY
TOMAHAWK.