by Loki120 » Mon Feb 19, 2007 3:36 pm
As a diaclone figure, the missiles fired normally when the figure was released as a Transformer here in the states, the launching mechanism was modified with a slightly less "springy" spring. This allowed the missiles to still pop out but rather limply if at all. This was done in response as a knee jerk reaction when a kid died after he fired a battlestar galactica missile down his throat and choked to death. All toys with missile firing action were either disabled or greatly reduced firing capacity.
I'm not sure about the TRU reissues? Was the spring removed entirely, I seem to remember the missiles being five times longer than they were originally?
Incidently, I nearly pocked my eye out when I bought the Japanese Starscream reissue and didn't expect the firing mechanism to be so strong. Pop! right in the eye, luckily with no long last effects.