Hound (G1)/toys

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Just because Hound wasn't yellow enough to be a kid-appeal character doesn't mean that he doesn't have a lot of toys.

Toys

Generation 1

Short but sweet.
  • Hound (Autobot, 1984/1985)
    • Japanese ID number: 02
    • Accessories: "Hologram Gun", machine gun, missile launcher, 3 missiles, spare tire, gas can
Hound was released as part of the initial Autobot assortment in 1984, transforming into a Jeep J59. Mounted on the back of the vehicle mode is a large, vacuum metallized silver machine gun turret which doesn't really go anywhere in robot mode. Other vehicle accessories include a spare tire and a fuel canister which also don't really go anywhere in robot mode.
In robot mode, Hound is armed with a large, silver "holographic rifle" and a shoulder-mounted, spring-loaded, firing rocket launcher with three silver projectiles. The US version of this launcher had severely weakened springs for safety reasons.
This sculpt was used to make the e-HOBBY exclusive Detritus.


Generation 2

Sgt. Hound. Starring Steve Martin. (Hound is the white payloader.)
  • Sgt. Hound (Auto Roller, 1995)
    • Accessories: 4 missiles
A redeco of the Auto Roller Roadblock was planned for release in 1995 as "Sgt. Hound", but was one of several redecos and molds that were canceled with the end of the Generation 2 line. He would have transformed into a payloader. As an Auto Roller, a switch on his vehicle mode back end connects a gearing mechanism attached to his rear axle, which makes him autotransform from vehicle to robot mode when pushed forward, and back when pulled in reverse. His right arm ends in a spring-loaded missile launcher, while his left features a spring-gear-activated spinning circular saw. All four of his missiles can be stowed on his rear wheel wells. No known samples of the toy have surfaced.
This mold was also used to make Autocrasher from Beast Wars II.
Your bargaining posture is highly dubious.
Your bargaining posture is highly dubious.

Proceed on your way to oblivion.
This item has been canceled, with no current plans for release.


We don't even exist among stuff that doesn't exist.
  • "Hound" (Go-Bot, 1995)
    • Accessories: Rifle
Part of the canceled fourth wave of Generation 2 Go-Bots, Hound's alternate mode would have been a green military SUV with tampographed "U.S. Army" and "19HOUND960" markings. In robot mode, he would have featured magenta parts. Sadly, he was one of the two unreleased G2 Go-Bot sculpts whose molds were apparently lost, therefore the sculpt was not even included with a later release of four of the (up to that point) unreleased sculpts as part of the 2001 Robots in Disguise line.
While unpainted prototypes of the sculpt had found their way into collectors' hands and the name "Hound" had even been rumored in association with the toy, it wasn't until 2014 that a fully painted sample surfaced, confirming the name for the first time. Shortly afterwards, the (repeatedly delayed) book Legacy: The Art of Transformers Packaging was released, which featured the package art that would have been used for Hound had he been released.
Your bargaining posture is highly dubious.
Your bargaining posture is highly dubious.

Proceed on your way to oblivion.
This item has been canceled, with no current plans for release.


Alternators/Binaltech

At long last, I HAVE ELBOWS!!!
  • Autobot Hound (2004)
    • Alternator ID number: 3
    • Japanese ID number: BT-04
    • Accessories: Pistol
For the Alternators line, Hound's vehicle mode was updated to a (licensed) 1:24 scale Jeep Wrangler, with opening doors, hood (with mock engine bay) and tailgate, and a detailed interior. Hound also features rubber tires and a working, spring-loaded suspension system, similar to 20th Anniversary Optimus Prime, but lacks steering. In robot mode, he greatly resembles both the original toy in detail and the Generation 1 cartoon model in proportions and personality. In this form, Hound is armed with a holographic projector gun stored inside his spare tire.
The Japanese Binaltech version of the toy is largely identical to the Hasbro version, except for the use of painted die-cast metal for numerous vehicle mode panels.
This sculpt was retooled into Alternators/Binaltech Swindle, who was then redecoed into Alternators Rollbar.
Alternators mold: Hound
  • Hasbro:
  • Takara:

The Transformers Collection

  • Hound (2004)
    • Japanese ID number: TFC-14
In 2004, the original Hound toy was reissued by Takara as part of their their Transformers Collection "bookbox" reissue series. Apparently, Takara had to repair (or even recast) the mold; the reissue features several sculpting differences compared to a vintage specimen: The top end of the Jeep grille bars is now straight instead of rounded off, the headlights have sculpted detail added, the windshield hinges are more rounded off, and the formerly sharp facial details look very washed out.[1]

Universe (2008)

But not any more...
  • Autobot Hound (Legends, 2008)
    • Series: Classic Series
Part of the second wave of Universe Legends Class figures (but the first wave to feature new-mold items, not simply Cybertron-series redecoes), the first Universe Hound toy is sculpted to closely resemble his Generation 1 design, particularly in the way his vehicle mode resembles a somewhat outdated, old-fashioned army Jeep. For legal reasons, the vehicle mode has been slightly tweaked, such as sporting squared headlights and horizontal vents in the front grille, as compared to the characteristic round headlights/vertical grille vents design of a real-life Jeep. Due to his small size and price point, he has no weapon in either mode.
This mold was also used to make 2010 Transformers Tracker Hound. It is also the basis for the non-toy character Mito Prime.


Wait, never mind! I found them!
  • Autobot Hound (Deluxe, 2008)
    • Series: Generation 1 Series
    • Accessories: Missile launcher
Part of the fourth wave of Universe Deluxe-class toys, this version of Hound is more of an evolution of the character rather than the reproduction the Legends class toy represents. His vehicle mode resembles a Jeep Hurricane concept car, once again with a modified front section that avoids the trademark Jeep look with round headlights and vertical grille vents. Hound features his familiar (non-firing) rocket launcher, which clips to the back of his seats in vehicle mode, and can be either hand-held or shoulder-mounted in robot mode. In the area of "undocumented features", the soles of Hound's feet can pivot inwards, providing more stability for wide-stanced poses.
Hound's vehicle-mode back-end has a pair of flip-up tabs, which are used to secure the Ravage figure included with Hound, when Ravage is put into his "capture mode" (aka "oversized audio cassette" form). Other Mini-Cassette Transformers can fit there too, though not as well as the new Ravage.
Hasbro's initial "hand-painted digitally touched-up prototype" stock photos featured a slightly different color layout for Hound, with a black bullbar (painted silver on the final toy) and entirely reversed arm colors: the original stock photos feature green shoulders, black forearms with three yellow stripes and green fists, whereas the final toy has the entire arm cast out of black plastic and the forearms painted over in green, with only one thick yellow stripe per arm.
This mold was also used to make Timelines Turbomaster.


Henkei! Henkei!

A friend to all the animals.
  • Hound (Deluxe, 2008-12-27)
    • Japanese ID number: C-13
    • Accessories: Missile launcher
The Japanese version of Universe (2008) Hound, Henkei! Henkei! Hound is primarily cast in a darker shade of green plastic for a better match to his original toy and appearances in fiction. Where Universe Hound had white plastic, Henkei Hound replaces it with grey, and overall has more elaborate paint applications, such as the toy-homaging yellow stripe around the edges of his his hood and silver paint on his hubcaps. As with all Henkei! Henkei! toys, Hound has vacuum-metallized plastic, specifically his grill guard, albeit in an unusually dark color to make it resemble dark polished metal.


Chronicle

Aww slag it!
  • Hound (EZ Collection, 2011)
Chronicle Hound is a (slight?) redeco of the Universe Legends Class Autobot Hound toy, available only in Japan. Like other Chronicle Legends toys, he is sold in a blindpacked box.


Bot Shots

Well at least I'm still a mili...tary...
  • Autobot Hound (2013)
    • Series: 2
    • Number: B012
      • Fist strength: 730
      • Blaster strength: 609
      • Sword strength: 277
Part of the third wave of Bot Shots Series 2 single-packs, Blitz Shot "Autobot Hound" is a redeco of Series 1 Ironhide, transforming into a teeny pickup truck (with spoiler) with an automatic, spring-loaded transformation to robot mode triggered when his front bumper is pressed. He has an "spinner" in his chest that shows his three attack types and power levels.
This mold was also used to make Super Bot Dirt Boss.

Construct-Bots

  • Hound (Elite Class, 2013)
Hound transforms from a jeep-like vehicle. He includes a small hand-held blaster as well as a shoulder mounted piece that evokes the hologram projector.
Most of his parts were used to make Breakdown.

Q-Transformers

...God, why do you hate me?
  • Hound (2015-03-21)
    • ID number: QT-15
Q-Transformers Hound transforms from a super deformed Suzuki Hustler to a cute little robot. He comes with a code for unlocking Hound as a playable character in the Q-Transformers: Mystery of Convoy Returns game.
This mold was retooled into Q-Transformers Skids.


Timelines

  • Sgt. Hound (Deluxe, 2015)
Available only at BotCon 2015 in a 2-pack with General Optimus Prime, Sgt. Hound is a retool of Generations Scoop based on the cancelled Generation 2 Sgt. Hound toy, transforming into a payloader. He comes with Dia and Cline, who transform into guns that can be held by Hound or plugged into pegholes his arms and legs.
This mold was also redecoed, sans one Targetmaster, into Adventure Roadblock.


Generations

You're just getting my hopes up. I will have 10 more toys after this without elbows ... and 7 of them won't have knees either.
  • Autobot Hound (Deluxe class, 2016)
    • 2 OF 5: Sky Reign
    • Accessories: Gun, double-barreled gun/fist/foot
Hound is part of wave 6 of Combiner Wars Deluxe Class toys. He's a retool of Combiner Wars Swindle, which itself is an extensive retool of Rook. He transforms into a militarized jeep. In addition to a new head, his toy benefits from a running change from Swindle that added two small nubs onto the rear of his smaller weapon which allows attachment to the robot over his shoulder.
As a Combiner Wars figure, Hound can combine to form Sky Reign as either an arm or a leg.
Hound comes with a copy of The Transformers #41 (Combiner Wars Part 4), "You, Me, and the Universe". In Canada, Latin America, and Europe, he was available in different types of multilingual packaging including a character card featuring his comic book cover/package art instead. He and the last three waves of Combiner Wars Deluxe and Voyager figures later started showing up at TJ Maxx at reduced prices with the collector card.


Combiner Wars mold: Rook

Version 1:

Version 2:

Version 3:

  • TakaraTomyUnite Warriors UW-08 Nosecone

Unite Warriors

I promise, I'll lose my entire articulation after this.
  • Lynxmaster (2016)
    • Japanese ID Number: UW-EX
Or you could pick... WHAT'S IN THE BOX.
Or you could pick... WHAT'S IN THE BOX.

This item is currently scheduled for release, but is not yet available at mass retail.


Merchandise

Transformers Milk Caramel

...Yep...
  • Hound (1985)
A soft rubber figurine—known in Japan as a keshigomu— of Hound was released as part of the second wave of Kabaya's Transformers Milk Caramel candy toy range. He came packaged with chocolate-covered caramel candies, and was available in red, blue and yellow.


Decoy

...Toldja...
  • Cybertron Hero Collection 22 (multi-pack, 1986)
Hound was among the many characters rendered by Takara as part of their series of 1.5" keshigomu figurines. Like all the Autobots in the series, Hound was molded in soft red rubber, and featured a number sculpted into his back that was the sum total of his Tech Specs, for use in the various games that could be played with the figurines. Hound was available as part of a 22-piece box set of Autobot figures, and later, in a peach coloration randomly packed as part of various other box sets.
  • Hound (1987)
    • Decoy number: 17
The figurine was later brought over to Hasbro markets as part of the Decoy promotion, largely identical to the Japanese release except for the fact that the number on his back was replaced with a simple "checklist" number. Like all Autobot Decoys, he was a randomly-chosen pack-in available with the carded Throttlebots, Aerialbots, Protectobots and Technobots.


Robot Heroes

Not included: Awkwardly-positioned Spike.
  • Autobot Hound vs Blitzwing (2008)
Released in the first wave of Universe-branded Robot Heroes, Hound is posed, like many Robot Heroes, in a squat crouching pose. However, he has a few noteworthy aspects: he's one of the few Generation 1 characters to be sculpted with a handheld weapon. More surprising than that, Hound is currently the most articulated Generation 1 Robot Hero, having swivel joints at his head, shoulders and waist.


Speed Stars

Stealth Force

Missile launcher converts to missile launcher and back!
  • Autobot Hound (Basic, 2010)
Speed Stars "Autobot Hound" is part of the "Stealth Force" sub-line, consisting of vehicles without robot modes, but with plenty of flip-out panels with hidden weapons. The toy is a Jeep Hurricane approximation that's nearly identical to Hound's Universe Deluxe Class toy, about 5% larger in length and height and about 10% larger in width. The similarities with Universe Hound aren't limited to the general vehicle design, but extend to almost absurdly faithfully recreated details such as the design of the rims, the tire patterns and even the prongs in the back that were used to attach Ravage on Universe Hound (sculpted in their retracted state on "Stealth Force" Hound). The biggest liberties, oddly enough, have been taken with the design of the dashboard.
Hound's "Stealth Force" gimmick is triggered either by pulling out the front bumper or any medium amount of impact, which activates an auto-transformation mechanism that extracts all four wheels sideways and reveals non-firing weapons in the vehicle's hood, fenders, doors and trunk, and an extracting (non-concealed) missile launcher above the co-driver's seat.
His package art is directly recycled from Universe Autobot Hound.


G.I. Joe and the Transformers

  • The Epic Conclusion! box set (2013)
Not even a robot mode on the last two...
A Hasbro Toy Shop exclusive, first available at the Hasbro Toy Shop booth at San Diego Comic-Con 2013 and later made available via the Hasbro Toy Shop website, this is a redeco of the 2008 sculpt of the G.I. Joe VAMP meant to represent Hound. The set also comes with a retooled Skystriker representing Jetfire, a new Snake-Eyes figure bearing an Autobot symbol, a Baroness figure with Ravage on a leash, a Blaster boombox with cassette pieces representing Steeljaw, Ramhorn, and Eject, and a "samurai robot warrior" based on Bludgeon.
The box set was announced via a USA Today article on June 5, 2013, along with Hasbro's other Comic-Con exclusives.


The Loyal Subjects

A card-carrying member of the FOC Sideswipe club.
The Loyal Subjects Hound is a wave 3 chase figure, with standard articulation. He does not have any special gimmicks, and appears to be based on the original toy. For every 48 figures, there is one Hound.

  1. Seibertron gallery of the Transformers Collection Hound reissue, including comparisons with a vintage G1 Hound.