The Energon Pub

Is it just me or have the transformers gotten bigger from their first 80's apearances?

I just got my G1 Astrtrain today and he is well....a midget compared to the newer stuff like the classic Prime and megatron and the movie charactors. Have the newer transformers gotten bigger or have I bought a fake midget astrotrain?

I have 1 other G1 charactor and its not obvious as to whether he should or shouldn't be bigger because its Warpath the mini-bot/thing.

Anyone have the answer?
Thanks

Well, it does seem that robot modes have expanded in height a tad in the general size classes.

I suppose it is because the scale changed. The pricepoints of figures today are centered around sizes relating to scout, deluxe, voyager, leader and supreme.

Back in the vintage days they were using a lot of molds from pre-existing toy lines, many of which were centered on a smaller driver, so the scale was quite wacky and they had many different sized figures coming from all sorts of different sources.

I think since then, they have tried to clean it up a bit and create a scale that is recognizable and fairly consistent in the modern lines.

Of course, that's just me BSing.

Most of that is correct. The key is to BS enough so other believe you. I give you an A+!

Anyway, yes the old school scale was off across the board.

Prime example is Rodimus Prime and Galvatron. I mean, there is no way RP could ever beat G if the scale was correct to the toys.

Most early X-formrz came from Diaclone, Microman, and other odd job Jap toy lines.

However completely different toy lines were bought by Hasbro to generate more $. i.e. Sky Lynx, The Deluxe Insecticons, etc... These guys were in no way in any scale with others due to being created and modeled from competitors lines.

If the scales were accurate across G1, imaging what the gestalts would really look like!?! how big would Metroplex, Trypticon, Ft. Max, Scorponok, Grandus, really be?!? They would make the G.I.Joe Aircraft carrier look small!



Oh, also, there is $. They charge more for toys, so they want you to feel like you are getting more today, than yesterday.

Warpath is a minibot, named so for a reason.

I know this is off topic but I have a problem getting Astrotrain's legs down and out. How do you get his legs to unfold properly (yes i did buy cheap and without instructions)?

And thanks for the help. I know that some of the G1s are massivly out of scale - megatron in gun-mode the same length as an F-15 - WTH?

RailRider wrote:
And thanks for the help. I know that some of the G1s are massivly out of scale - megatron in gun-mode the same length as an F-15 - WTH?

Well that one can't be helped because we have not yet mastered matter displacement in our toys.

Astrotrain does have wacky legs. They don't often stay all the way extended. They tend to slide back up to the belt area. Unfortunate design flaw in the re-issue and original that I own anyway.

No, what I mean is how do you actually get the legs out? I keep pulling, but I have a fear that I rip something off (like a wing or an arm).

Thanks

Grab the body in you non-dominant hand. Make sure arms are secure, and wings aren't about to break.

With your dominant hand grab one leg and pull straight out. It will come out and go over a little bit. Do the same for the other leg. You may then get the arms out(sorry no elbows).

http://www.cobraislandtoys.com/tf/1985/astrotraininstructions.jpg

DJDrew&ScoobyDoo wrote:Grab the body in you non-dominant hand. Make sure arms are secure, and wings aren't about to break.

With your dominant hand grab one leg and pull straight out. It will come out and go over a little bit. Do the same for the other leg. You may then get the arms out(sorry no elbows).

http://www.cobraislandtoys.com/tf/1985/astrotraininstructions.jpg

I think the kegs even do a little side shift when you pull them down, creating some space between the legs to separate them.

Still not working, but thanks for the help.

The front boiler section just doesn't move forwards much (about 3 mm). I'll continue to try again but iff all else fails I'll have to use WD40 or something.

Thanks for the help

6lb sledge hammer. That'll get the legs out, and the arms, and the wings, and, and...

Mmmmmm....don't think I'll try that one... It may be that the previou owner superglued the legs to the body. Looks like I may end up buying a new astrotrain....

Just out of interest this is how big AT is in train mode:
(can you tell me if this is how big you AT is in train mode)
length :13cm
width :4cm
height :4.5cm

So have I got a midget AT or is he the right version?
Sorry, but I'm permanatly paranoid.
RR