Post by grahamthomson on Apr 21, 2009 19:52:24 GMT
Action Masters
Wheeljack (1990)
In 1990 Hasbro made one last-ditch attempt to reinvent the original line of Transformers. They came up with Action Masters. Action Masters were Transformers that didn't transform, they were instead a range of action figures based on the Transformers characters. The transforming aspect of the toys was transferred to partners and vehicles that could switch between two modes.
Wheeljack, reinvented as an Action Master, comes boxed with the "Turbo Racer": a hollow red sports car that vaguely resembles a Ferrari Testarossa. The Turbo Racer has space inside its cockpit for two Action Master figures. Due to its hollowed out design, the Turbo Racer feels light and cheap. It seems like every expense was spared in its construction. There's no clear plastic for the windshield, no "action" features to speak of.
The Turbo Racer can unfold slightly to become a sort of flying car. It is clear at this point that a rival-at-the-time toyline, known as M.A.S.K., has had heavy influences on the Action Master concept. The aerial Turbo Racer has room at the back for a third Action Master figure and even has a post that fits the holes in the base of a figure's foot to keep it secure. The sides of the car do fold out to form wings, but this effect is completely undone by the sides of the car that fold underneath them. The aerial mode uses just the two front wheels of the car mode, now positioned in the almost-centre, making it balance uncertainly on them.
Wheeljack--the action figure--is roughly 95 mm tall with a jointed neck, shoulders, hips and knees. Despite being vaunted as "fully-poseable" figures, the Action Masters actually have less articulation than the original Optimus Prime! Wheeljack's look is based on his animation model, an overall improvement in proportions compared to his original long-armed form.
The set comes complete with a pair of blue missiles that can either be mounted on the rear fins of the Turbo Racer or held in Wheeljack's hands. The set also comes with a sheet of labels.
Despite being one of the more expensive Transformers of the 1990 Action Master range, Wheeljack is somewhat lacking. The entire set has little to boast about. However, the action figure Wheeljack itself makes for a smart collectible representation of the character and, as with the rest of the range, that's the charm of an Action Master.
Verdict: one star out of five.
Full Flickr Gallery: www.flickr.com/photos/the-hub/sets/72157617139270908/
Hublog: www.hubrisonline.co.uk/hublog/files/wheeljack_1990.html
Wheeljack (1990)
In 1990 Hasbro made one last-ditch attempt to reinvent the original line of Transformers. They came up with Action Masters. Action Masters were Transformers that didn't transform, they were instead a range of action figures based on the Transformers characters. The transforming aspect of the toys was transferred to partners and vehicles that could switch between two modes.
Wheeljack, reinvented as an Action Master, comes boxed with the "Turbo Racer": a hollow red sports car that vaguely resembles a Ferrari Testarossa. The Turbo Racer has space inside its cockpit for two Action Master figures. Due to its hollowed out design, the Turbo Racer feels light and cheap. It seems like every expense was spared in its construction. There's no clear plastic for the windshield, no "action" features to speak of.
The Turbo Racer can unfold slightly to become a sort of flying car. It is clear at this point that a rival-at-the-time toyline, known as M.A.S.K., has had heavy influences on the Action Master concept. The aerial Turbo Racer has room at the back for a third Action Master figure and even has a post that fits the holes in the base of a figure's foot to keep it secure. The sides of the car do fold out to form wings, but this effect is completely undone by the sides of the car that fold underneath them. The aerial mode uses just the two front wheels of the car mode, now positioned in the almost-centre, making it balance uncertainly on them.
Wheeljack--the action figure--is roughly 95 mm tall with a jointed neck, shoulders, hips and knees. Despite being vaunted as "fully-poseable" figures, the Action Masters actually have less articulation than the original Optimus Prime! Wheeljack's look is based on his animation model, an overall improvement in proportions compared to his original long-armed form.
The set comes complete with a pair of blue missiles that can either be mounted on the rear fins of the Turbo Racer or held in Wheeljack's hands. The set also comes with a sheet of labels.
Despite being one of the more expensive Transformers of the 1990 Action Master range, Wheeljack is somewhat lacking. The entire set has little to boast about. However, the action figure Wheeljack itself makes for a smart collectible representation of the character and, as with the rest of the range, that's the charm of an Action Master.
Verdict: one star out of five.
Full Flickr Gallery: www.flickr.com/photos/the-hub/sets/72157617139270908/
Hublog: www.hubrisonline.co.uk/hublog/files/wheeljack_1990.html
God thats awful. And that's not an easy to build collection either. Could they be hiding anywhere? Is it worth hitting up your old place?
