Post by grahamthomson on Dec 12, 2008 14:16:38 GMT
ERECTOR
(Micromasters, 1989)
After the initial batch of Micromaster Patrols, Hasbro released the Micromaster Transports. Micromaster Transports are large Micromaster vehicles. But isn’t that an oxymoron? But the less moronic part is that it’s only the cab (in three-out-of-four cases) that is the actual Micromaster which tows the rest of the vehicle. So what does the trailer do? Well, since this is Transformers, that question doesn’t need an answer. Much like the first Optimus Prime, the principle of the Micromaster Transports is that the cab (in three-out-of-four cases) becomes a robot and the trailer unfolds into either a vehicle or in the case of Erector, some sort of weapons platform.
So, Erector. Named, presumably because of his vehicle mode (a crane/trailer) and the swollen pride he has in his erections. It is tempting to construct many an innuendo based on Erector’s unfortunate name, but this review will not give in. Oh, but it is hard!
In 12-wheeled crane/trailer mode, Erector appears not to resemble any actual real-world vehicle and the out-of-scale over-sized trailer section does stretch credibility. The mustard yellow and grey colour scheme is very Caterpillar, however. The crane arm on the rear of the trailer can pivot vertically and the base has full rotation. The cab can pivot as if to steer the trailer, but the connection is, heh-heh, stiff.
Erector himself is a simple two-step transformation from cab to robot. The trailer swings open, with flip up weapons to form a weapons platform. The crane arm folds backwards on itself to reveal a rotating cannon. (But the central double-barreled weapon blocks movement.) The sides of the platform contain rotating stabiliser legs and antennae, so it’s not clear if the platform is designed to be used as a “transport” or not.
Erector’s robot mode is on a par with most other Micromasters, with articulation in the shoulders only. While not having a hip joint as such, Erector can assume a kind of sitting position to be secured inside his “transport”. The trailer hitch on the back of Erector's legs fits snugly inside the moulded connector. Alternatively, the slot in the feet can be positioned over the corresponding post on the trailer’s floor so that Erector can man his guns in a more, how do I put it, erect position.
Compared to the other Micromaster Transports, Erector features a lot of articulation in both modes, with plenty twist and turn and the trailer’s platform mode can assume several configurations. Erector is the only Transport to not feature a flight mode, but makes up for this with a formidable array of weaponry. Plus the interaction between the robot and trailer is an added bonus. Overall: a rather upstanding example of Micromaster construction.
(Micromasters, 1989)
After the initial batch of Micromaster Patrols, Hasbro released the Micromaster Transports. Micromaster Transports are large Micromaster vehicles. But isn’t that an oxymoron? But the less moronic part is that it’s only the cab (in three-out-of-four cases) that is the actual Micromaster which tows the rest of the vehicle. So what does the trailer do? Well, since this is Transformers, that question doesn’t need an answer. Much like the first Optimus Prime, the principle of the Micromaster Transports is that the cab (in three-out-of-four cases) becomes a robot and the trailer unfolds into either a vehicle or in the case of Erector, some sort of weapons platform.
So, Erector. Named, presumably because of his vehicle mode (a crane/trailer) and the swollen pride he has in his erections. It is tempting to construct many an innuendo based on Erector’s unfortunate name, but this review will not give in. Oh, but it is hard!
In 12-wheeled crane/trailer mode, Erector appears not to resemble any actual real-world vehicle and the out-of-scale over-sized trailer section does stretch credibility. The mustard yellow and grey colour scheme is very Caterpillar, however. The crane arm on the rear of the trailer can pivot vertically and the base has full rotation. The cab can pivot as if to steer the trailer, but the connection is, heh-heh, stiff.
Erector himself is a simple two-step transformation from cab to robot. The trailer swings open, with flip up weapons to form a weapons platform. The crane arm folds backwards on itself to reveal a rotating cannon. (But the central double-barreled weapon blocks movement.) The sides of the platform contain rotating stabiliser legs and antennae, so it’s not clear if the platform is designed to be used as a “transport” or not.
Erector’s robot mode is on a par with most other Micromasters, with articulation in the shoulders only. While not having a hip joint as such, Erector can assume a kind of sitting position to be secured inside his “transport”. The trailer hitch on the back of Erector's legs fits snugly inside the moulded connector. Alternatively, the slot in the feet can be positioned over the corresponding post on the trailer’s floor so that Erector can man his guns in a more, how do I put it, erect position.
Compared to the other Micromaster Transports, Erector features a lot of articulation in both modes, with plenty twist and turn and the trailer’s platform mode can assume several configurations. Erector is the only Transport to not feature a flight mode, but makes up for this with a formidable array of weaponry. Plus the interaction between the robot and trailer is an added bonus. Overall: a rather upstanding example of Micromaster construction.
