Post by grahamthomson on May 4, 2009 15:47:48 GMT
Beachcomber (1985)
The Transformers
The charm of the "Mini-Autobots" assortments from 1984-1986 was the sheer variety of colours, shapes, and vehicle modes available. And, thanks to the inexpensive pricetags, it meant one could build a fun and diverse little collection of Autobots with his or her pocket money. There was something for everyone.
Beachcomber, a mini beach buggy, was released in 1985 and was one of the first Mini-Autobots to have its mould unique to The Transformers line. That is, unlike the previous year's assortment, the vehicle modes of the 1985 gang were actually properly proportioned.
Beachcomber is cast in blue and pearlescent grey plastic with rubber tyres and a black plastic roll cage. There's a lot of detail, including small moulded seats in the cockpit and two canisters in the back. The canisters are, in line with Beachcomber's packaging-described personality, either propane fuel cylinders or kegs of homemade butter beer.
A simple sequence gets Beachcomber from buggy to robot mode. In robot mode, Beachcomber features standard articulation (that is, single-plane shoulder rotation). No new colours are revealed, but there is a stroke of silver paint across the eyes, and a couple of factory-applied labels. Beachcomber does not come with any accessories.
Beachcomber is a charming, inoffensive little Transformer worth tracking down.
Verdict: three stars out of five.
Flickr Gallery: www.flickr.com/photos/the-hub/sets/72157617595717063/
Hublog: www.hublog.co.uk/files/beachcomber.html
The Transformers
The charm of the "Mini-Autobots" assortments from 1984-1986 was the sheer variety of colours, shapes, and vehicle modes available. And, thanks to the inexpensive pricetags, it meant one could build a fun and diverse little collection of Autobots with his or her pocket money. There was something for everyone.
Beachcomber, a mini beach buggy, was released in 1985 and was one of the first Mini-Autobots to have its mould unique to The Transformers line. That is, unlike the previous year's assortment, the vehicle modes of the 1985 gang were actually properly proportioned.
Beachcomber is cast in blue and pearlescent grey plastic with rubber tyres and a black plastic roll cage. There's a lot of detail, including small moulded seats in the cockpit and two canisters in the back. The canisters are, in line with Beachcomber's packaging-described personality, either propane fuel cylinders or kegs of homemade butter beer.
A simple sequence gets Beachcomber from buggy to robot mode. In robot mode, Beachcomber features standard articulation (that is, single-plane shoulder rotation). No new colours are revealed, but there is a stroke of silver paint across the eyes, and a couple of factory-applied labels. Beachcomber does not come with any accessories.
Beachcomber is a charming, inoffensive little Transformer worth tracking down.
Verdict: three stars out of five.
Flickr Gallery: www.flickr.com/photos/the-hub/sets/72157617595717063/
Hublog: www.hublog.co.uk/files/beachcomber.html
