Post by grahamthomson on Jan 5, 2009 19:55:26 GMT
ROUGHSTUFF
(Micromasters, 1989)
Roughstuff, the fourth and final Micromaster Transport, is almost a reincarnation of the Combaticon Onslaught. Both Roughstuff and Onslaught share very similar vehicle modes (missile trailer) and very similar colour schemes (olive green, midnight blue and grey). It's quite a coincidence.
In vehicle mode, Roughstuff is heavily armed; with two (non-firing) removable missiles, a double-barrelled missile turret (as it's called in the instructions) and four moulded laser pods.
The vehicle mode is also heavily flawed. The trailer's six rear "wheels" are non-working and merely painted on, the top surface of the trailer has been hollowed out in a cost-cutting exercise by the manufacturer, and when considering the cab on its own it's clear that it's a robot in a sitting position with its head bowed down.
Both the cab and the trailer share a kind of reversed transformation sequence with fellow Micromaster Transport Overload. One notable difference, though, is that the missile turret can be removed and replaced on the front of the trailer's jet mode.
The jet mode shares the same flawed hollowed out moulding which spoils the look of the wings and the tops of the missiles. Roughstuff, in robot mode, can either stand on the post on the floor of the jet or sit under the "control bar".
Roughstuff's robot mode is notable for its very organic looking arms and fists and non-symmetrical chest. Oh, and a splash of red paint on its face.
All in all, Roughstuff (despite his intimidating rhyming compound name) is the weakest of the Micromaster Transports. It's really more of the same in terms of trailer-becomes-jet like the other Transports and certainly not a case of military might but military might not.
Flickr Gallery: www.flickr.com/photos/the-hub/sets/72157610785071095/detail/
Review by Graham Thomson
(Micromasters, 1989)
Roughstuff, the fourth and final Micromaster Transport, is almost a reincarnation of the Combaticon Onslaught. Both Roughstuff and Onslaught share very similar vehicle modes (missile trailer) and very similar colour schemes (olive green, midnight blue and grey). It's quite a coincidence.
In vehicle mode, Roughstuff is heavily armed; with two (non-firing) removable missiles, a double-barrelled missile turret (as it's called in the instructions) and four moulded laser pods.
The vehicle mode is also heavily flawed. The trailer's six rear "wheels" are non-working and merely painted on, the top surface of the trailer has been hollowed out in a cost-cutting exercise by the manufacturer, and when considering the cab on its own it's clear that it's a robot in a sitting position with its head bowed down.
Both the cab and the trailer share a kind of reversed transformation sequence with fellow Micromaster Transport Overload. One notable difference, though, is that the missile turret can be removed and replaced on the front of the trailer's jet mode.
The jet mode shares the same flawed hollowed out moulding which spoils the look of the wings and the tops of the missiles. Roughstuff, in robot mode, can either stand on the post on the floor of the jet or sit under the "control bar".
Roughstuff's robot mode is notable for its very organic looking arms and fists and non-symmetrical chest. Oh, and a splash of red paint on its face.
All in all, Roughstuff (despite his intimidating rhyming compound name) is the weakest of the Micromaster Transports. It's really more of the same in terms of trailer-becomes-jet like the other Transports and certainly not a case of military might but military might not.
Flickr Gallery: www.flickr.com/photos/the-hub/sets/72157610785071095/detail/
Review by Graham Thomson
