Review - Wheeljack

[grahamthomson]

In vehicle mode, Wheeljack assumes the form of a Lancia “Stratos” race car. The authenticity and attention to detail in this mode are quite remarkable. The car’s colour and myriad decals are based on the actual “539″ vehicle that raced in the Fuji Speedway in the late 1970s. Of course, some of the details (such as the Alitalia branding) have been modified to avoid licensing conflicts.

Wheeljack’s construction is standard for the 1984 Autobot Car assortment, boasting die-cast metal, translucent canopy and rubber tyres. The rear spoilers are removable, held on by very small connectors, and thus prone to either breakage, loss or both.

Sharing more in common with Sunstreaker than the rest of the Autobot Cars, Wheeljack’s transformation sequence forgoes the common bonnet-to-chest engineering. Instead, the front of the car becomes the feet with the back of the car forming the arms.

Wheeljack’s transformation is completed with the addition of a pair of translucent grey “wings” and black shoulder mounted missile launchers.

Accessory-wise, Wheeljack includes two vehicle spoiler halves, two robot wings, two spring-loaded missile launchers and three black bullet-shaped missiles.

In robot mode, Wheeljack has a lumbering, almost simian, posture. The robot’s arms are disproportionately large that just hang there. There are joints at the shoulders, but since the missile launchers clip over them, articulation is severely diluted.

Wheeljack’s die-cast metal pieces are solely utilised for its feet, making for an incredibly stable robot mode.

Of particular note is Wheeljack’s head. Of all the Autobots and Decepticons, Wheeljack’s head is the most alien. There are no discernible features—no eyes, no face. Along with the wheeled feet, the featureless head strongly evokes an alien robot feeling more than any other Autobot. The look is almost drone-like.

Wheeljack is certainly one of the more interesting Autobot Cars, sporting plenty of details and features, and a unique look to the robot mode. Although the robot mode suffers from flawed proportions, Wheeljack has enough going for it to be recommended for any sports car loving Transformers collector.

Verdict: three stars out of five.

www.the-hub.co.uk/wheeljack/
www.flickr.com/photos/the-hub/sets/72157623381341566/

[primenova]

I got the classic release of Wheeljack. The toy does feel like it should be taller in robot mode - are there any sketches of the original robot design anywhere online or in the Ark books?

The car roof white bit that sticks up does get mucky easy if you rub it - unless that was a design fault with the rerelease?

[grahamthomson]

I also have the Classics version and it too has problems with the white paint on the clear plastic. My Classics Jazz suffers from the same problem. My Classics Wheeljack has even yellowed faster than my original Wheeljack. That'll be a lack of titanium in the plastic formula.

There's a widely-held theory that the Classics we got were from the same production lines as the Chinese Transformers range (who were apparently a few years behind the rest of the world). It may be that the likes of the Constructicons, Hubcap and Bumblebee, Hardhead and Mindwipe and the Autobot Cassettes we got here in the 1990s were from the same production line as well.

[Jaymz]

Seems true enough, my cassettes do have a small Chinese sticker on the packaging.

As for the Classics, I have a Classics Prowl and it wasn't until the reissue that I noticed the horns on his head were supposed to be a kinda shiny/metallic red. On the Classics it's a flat red.

[Philip Ayres]

Apr 5, 2010 21:30:19 GMT @grahamthomson said:

There's a widely-held theory that the Classics we got were from the same production lines as the Chinese Transformers range (who were apparently a few years behind the rest of the world). It may be that the likes of the Constructicons, Hubcap and Bumblebee, Hardhead and Mindwipe and the Autobot Cassettes we got here in the 1990s were from the same production line as well.

That's the thought - we actually got a complete set of standard Headmasters then as well as Soundwave, Sixshot, Punch/Counterpunch & Decepticon Clones. I had a Stunticon boxset from the same time period.

There's an article on Chinese TFs somewhere....

[grahamthomson]

I never realised we got all the Headmasters... I only ever saw Mindwipe and Hardhead in Jolly Giants in the 1990s.

The mention of that Sixshot takes me back! I'd just joined TMUK and there was an advert for a market stall in Derby in Matt Dallas's Informer G2 newsletter. I'd not long passed my driving test (being a spritely 17-year old at the time) and braved the M1 for the first time to get to Derby to get Sixshot.

I apologise for the flashback there!

[Shockprowl]

Ah, good reveiw, old boy, brings back memories. My brother had been for an unpleasent dentists appointment or something, and he and my mother came back home with Wheeljack for him and Prowl for me. Great memories. My Alternator Wheeljack only came 'alive' once I had applied the G1ick stickers from Reprolables (lots of blue still remain, but could be painted over), then, with his 539 and green and red markings, did he finally 'look' like Wheeljack. I love the original, the unique head/face design, his personality on his techspecs, great toy. 'Bout time we had a Universe Classics me thinks (although Energon Downsomething (shift?) is pretty goood despite the super pants gimmick.

[grahamthomson]

Thanks, Shockers.

Do you have photos of your labelled up Alternators 'Jack? I quite like the blue stripes, but the repro labels sound interesting!

[Shockprowl]

I don't have any, actually, but I'll get some done. Been meaning to post some pics of my collection for ages (years, actually!), and indeed of my beautifull self! S'pose the biggest delay is the fact I'm as numb as a stump when it comes to technology!

(a pic of Piglet can be seen on my ebay profile! User id: Shockprowl!)

[grahamthomson]

I'm sure you've got a camera phone. Just take some snaps of your toys and post 'em on here.

No humans, though. I only want to see your toys!

[Shockprowl]

I will, I swear it!

[grahamthomson]

Promise!!