Thanks to a series of scans from Figure King magazine posted to
Loopaza Mega Store's Facebook page we're getting a very rare look at some early Transformers prototypes from back in the early planning stages of Diaclone! This is some great insight into the days when toys weren't designed on computers like they are today, but through actual hand made prototyping. These aren't even to the hand sculpting phase, but the earlier proof of concept stage using wood and layers of styrene plastic sheets.
And yet, as early on as these are it's very clear what these figures would become. We've got an Optimus Prime sporting a samurai-looking helmet along with some attempts at a trailer including a shot at the trailer that would later belong to Ultra Magnus. We also get to see Grimlock, Motormaster, and Metroplex among various Autobot cars. But what's very special is the prototypes that never became figures. Next to a rough attempt at Soundwave we have several unproduced tapes including various insects, a sabertooth tiger, and even a horse! There's also a Triplechanger that turns from robot, to tractor, to seaplane! And the biggest of all is a 5-changer that can turn into a robot, spaceship, tank, aircraft carrier, and what appears to be a train! How cool would that have been in the '80s or even 2019?
Thanks to Cyberpath for sending in the tip! Let us know what you think of these prototypes and if you see anything else interesting of note in these photos in the Energon Pub forums below.
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