Post by grahamthomson on Dec 3, 2008 20:36:49 GMT
Off Road Patrol
(Micromasters, 1989)
Consisting of Highjump, Mudslinger, Powertrain, and Tote, the Autobot Off Road Patrol was released concurrently with both the Race Car Patrol and the Air Strike Patrol. With the Micromasters sub-range initially returning to aircraft equal Decepticons and cars and trucks equal Autobots, it meant, for the moment that the Autobots outnumbered the Decepticons two to one. One might feel sorry for the Decepticons, but really it meant they had more targets from which to choose!
As the name might imply, the Off Road Patrol consists of off road vehicles. Not so. Tote is a red mini van (not unlike the original Ironhide) and Powertrain is a long-nosed truck cab. Neither of those would fare well when not on a smooth tarmac surface. Highjump, in his (possibly; it could be a GMC Jeep) Landrover “Defender” guise, might manage. Mudslinger however, with his monster tyres can go just about wherever he damn well pleases.
But the point of the Off Road Patrol seems to be more that they are a team of individuals, rather than a more uniformly themed group like the Race Car Patrol. Each vehicle is unique and in a class of its own. Of course, that does bring up certain issues with scale. But when did that ever matter with Transformers? It is with certain irony that Mudslinger, the first-ever “monster truck” in the Transformers line is also a Micromaster.
The uniqueness of each Patrolmember carries over to the transformation mechanism. Each member transforms in its own unique way. And, considering their size, Highjump and Tote are especially clever compared with larger Transformers of the time. Another well thought out design feature is the fact that none of the robot modes are spoiled by the presence of (relatively) huge screws in their chests that many a Micromaster is prone to.
Powertrain has some issues with flaking paint on the truck mode’s windows. Add to this his bizarrely positioned shoulder joints, and a pair of non-working wheels and he becomes the weakest of the group.
One the subject of odd arms, Highjump also loses points for his. Though his transformation is thoughtful, it does render the arms nigh on useless, much like one of the smaller Terrorcons.
Like the other four-pack Patrols, the Off Road Patrol are devoid of any weapons, accessories or stickers. Powertrain and Mudslingers share colour schemes as do Highjump and Tote.
In robot mode (the standard 50 mm high) each Off Roader’s distinctive nature is again conveyed. Articulation is limited to one-way shoulder joints on the upper body, and, with the exception of Mudslinger, each robot can fold into a sitting position. The reason why Mudslinger can’t sit properly is because his crotch is too big. And thank goodness, then, that the innuendo-laden character names didn’t come into play until later on in the range.
As usual with the Micromasters, the standard sized holes on the underneath surfaces are present, allowing each robot to stand securely on the appropriate parts of the larger Micromaster bases.
As with the Air Strike Patrol, the qualities of the Off Road Patrol continue the fine start to the Micromasters range. Certainly the individual nature of each member in terms of vehicle mode (two of which have not yet been used in Transformers before) and transformation helps. Faults, small as they are, are easily over-looked as there are four Autobots to divert oneself with in one dose. After all, why take one for the road, when you can take four?
Review and photography by Graham Thomson
Full photogallery: Flickr Link
(Micromasters, 1989)
Consisting of Highjump, Mudslinger, Powertrain, and Tote, the Autobot Off Road Patrol was released concurrently with both the Race Car Patrol and the Air Strike Patrol. With the Micromasters sub-range initially returning to aircraft equal Decepticons and cars and trucks equal Autobots, it meant, for the moment that the Autobots outnumbered the Decepticons two to one. One might feel sorry for the Decepticons, but really it meant they had more targets from which to choose!
As the name might imply, the Off Road Patrol consists of off road vehicles. Not so. Tote is a red mini van (not unlike the original Ironhide) and Powertrain is a long-nosed truck cab. Neither of those would fare well when not on a smooth tarmac surface. Highjump, in his (possibly; it could be a GMC Jeep) Landrover “Defender” guise, might manage. Mudslinger however, with his monster tyres can go just about wherever he damn well pleases.
But the point of the Off Road Patrol seems to be more that they are a team of individuals, rather than a more uniformly themed group like the Race Car Patrol. Each vehicle is unique and in a class of its own. Of course, that does bring up certain issues with scale. But when did that ever matter with Transformers? It is with certain irony that Mudslinger, the first-ever “monster truck” in the Transformers line is also a Micromaster.
The uniqueness of each Patrolmember carries over to the transformation mechanism. Each member transforms in its own unique way. And, considering their size, Highjump and Tote are especially clever compared with larger Transformers of the time. Another well thought out design feature is the fact that none of the robot modes are spoiled by the presence of (relatively) huge screws in their chests that many a Micromaster is prone to.
Powertrain has some issues with flaking paint on the truck mode’s windows. Add to this his bizarrely positioned shoulder joints, and a pair of non-working wheels and he becomes the weakest of the group.
One the subject of odd arms, Highjump also loses points for his. Though his transformation is thoughtful, it does render the arms nigh on useless, much like one of the smaller Terrorcons.
Like the other four-pack Patrols, the Off Road Patrol are devoid of any weapons, accessories or stickers. Powertrain and Mudslingers share colour schemes as do Highjump and Tote.
In robot mode (the standard 50 mm high) each Off Roader’s distinctive nature is again conveyed. Articulation is limited to one-way shoulder joints on the upper body, and, with the exception of Mudslinger, each robot can fold into a sitting position. The reason why Mudslinger can’t sit properly is because his crotch is too big. And thank goodness, then, that the innuendo-laden character names didn’t come into play until later on in the range.
As usual with the Micromasters, the standard sized holes on the underneath surfaces are present, allowing each robot to stand securely on the appropriate parts of the larger Micromaster bases.
As with the Air Strike Patrol, the qualities of the Off Road Patrol continue the fine start to the Micromasters range. Certainly the individual nature of each member in terms of vehicle mode (two of which have not yet been used in Transformers before) and transformation helps. Faults, small as they are, are easily over-looked as there are four Autobots to divert oneself with in one dose. After all, why take one for the road, when you can take four?
Review and photography by Graham Thomson
Full photogallery: Flickr Link
