Wheeljack (G1)/toys
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Wheeljack's toys blow up in his labs, but hopefully these won't!
Toys
Generation 1
- Wheeljack (1984, 1991)
- Japanese ID number: 03
Do your arms hang low? Do they wobble to and fro? - Accessories: 2 shoulder cannons, 4 rockets, 2 wings
- Japanese ID number: 03
- The original Wheeljack toy, released as part of the 1984 series of Autobots, was based on a Diaclone Lancia Stratos Turbo. The deco is based on a specific racing version, the "Group 5" Stratos,[1] with sponsor decals by Italian airline Alitalia, which were changed to "Alitalla" for the toy (presumably to avoid licensing problems... yeah, it apparently did work like that back in the day). He comes with two rocket launchers that can fire four projectiles and two clear wings. In robot mode, the rocket launchers and the wings mount onto his shoulder and back respectively. The bar his launchers clip to is a 3mm bar, making this the earliest example of the 3mm C joint system in Transformers. For some reason, Wheeljack's lower arms/hands cannot lock into his upper arms, leaving them hanging at an angle.
- In 1986, he was made available as a mail-away item (as he was no longer shipping to retail shelves) in multiple offers, including Digital Doom on the Highway to Destruction fliers packed with most boxed Transformers toys. He cost $8 and two Robot Points.
- Unfortunately for many collectors, Wheeljack's mold has been damaged or destroyed, meaning his chances of future reissue look bleak. The closest version of the figure to currency is the European Classics reissue.
- Wheeljack's back-mounted wings can be left attached in vehicle mode, making them easier to keep track of. They can also be used in conjunction with the fold-down doors to give Wheeljack a flight mode.
- A retooled and redecoed version of the Diaclone toy was the basis for the Decepticon Exhaust.
- Wheeljack (Action Master, 1990)
- Accessories: 2 missiles
- Action Master Wheeljack is a non-transforming action figure sculpted based upon his cartoon appearances. He comes with the Turbo Racer, a large red sports car based upon the Ferrari Testarossa that can seat two Action Master figures. The Turbo Racer has an "attack mode" where it transforms into something vaguely resembling an aircraft made from car parts.
- The Wheeljack figure was later redecoed to make Slicer.
Universe (2003)
- Wheeljack (Spychanger, 2004)
- Accessories: Gun
- This version of Wheeljack is a redeco of Spy Changer Daytonus, transforming into a Porsche 962 Le Mans racing car, specifically, a Kremer 962CK6. He is cast in white plastic with mostly black paint. The toy has several stickers to represent Wheeljack's earlier Lancia Stratos colours, including his racing number 539. He comes with a small black rifle that can be stored between his legs in vehicle mode.
Alternators
- Wheeljack (2005)
- Alternator ID number: 13
- Japanese ID number: BT-14
- Accessories: Engine/"Laser-strafer rifle", "cryo-sword"
- Alternators Wheeljack is a retool of Alternators Grimlock. He transforms into a 2005 (S197 chassis) model Ford Mustang GT, painted white with blue stripes. In vehicle mode, he features highly realistic styling, opening doors, hood and trunk, as well as a detailed car interior. In robot mode his removable engine becomes a double-barreled laser.
- The Japanese Binaltech release of the figure has a slightly retooled head (see image inset), different paint applications, and is partially constructed of die-cast metal.
Generations
- Wheeljack (Deluxe, 2011)
- Accessories: 2 wrenches, 1 shoulder launcher
- Generations Wheeljack is a retool of Transformers Turbo Tracks, featuring a new head, wings, clip-on wrenches (that replace the missile launchers), new vehicle mode front fenders and rear spoiler, and a modified transformation sequence (with new legs) so as to present a robot mode reminiscent of the original Wheeljack toy. The rear rotatable flip-out panel and the joint it's mounted on are still there, although the spoiler prevents it from being rotated, while the panel itself now lacks the mounting tabs that were previously there.
- He has a flight mode similar to Tracks', though with the clip-on weapons attached over the wings instead of on the rear of the vehicle. He also retains Tracks' gun, which in reality was Wheeljack's own rocket launcher, and as such, nominally clips onto his shoulder. The gun was slightly redecoed, with the entire jointed rocket piece being painted over this time, and the C joint clip being a darker shade of gray due to gang-molding with other parts. With the new retool of his legs, the black inner parts under the car mode hood feature 3mm bars where you can store Wheeljack's wrenches when not being held, as the clamps of the wrenches are actually C joint clips. Additionally, the wrenches themselves also have 3mm bars on them, in case Wheeljack should try to make some sort of new gadget. Ratchet sold separately.
- Though Wheeljack's toy is heavily retooled, his instructions do not reflect this. They depict Wheeljack with his proper head, but most of the rest of the art depicts Tracks' parts, including Tracks' leg transformation. Do not attempt to extend Wheeljack's legs as far as the instruction art shows, because that's some excessive force that's not meant to be applied. The instructions also show the wrenches mounting on the shoulders as weapons, with the shoulder launcher as a hand-held weapon.
- This version of the mold was retooled into Timelines Runamuck and Timelines Runabout, while the original version was redecoed into Shattered Glass Turbo Tracks.
United
- Wheeljack (Deluxe, 2011)
- Japanese ID number: UN-19
- Accessories: 2 wrenches, 1 shoulder launcher
- Part of the United toyline, TakaraTomy's version of Wheeljack features some subtle differences from the Generations version. He now sports silver painted ears, metallic green paint and medium red paint for his stripes, which follow a different pattern, and continue down the back of the car. He no longer has a painted rear window (instead leaving it white with the stripe detailing), features different tail light applications, a silver outlined Autobot symbol (rather than one without a border), painted clear blue eyes, and a more blue-green plastic instead of the slightly brighter green of the Hasbro version.
- United Wheeljack was released before Generations Wheeljack was released to retail stores, but not to online retailers. Wheeljack's United instructions show the proper transformation. His instructions also leave out the flying car mode, likely due to it being intended originally for Tracks and not Wheeljack.
Masterpiece
- Wheeljack (09-20-2014)
- Japanese ID number: MP-20
- Accessories: Shoulder Cannon, missile, Laser Gun, Hypno-chip Disruptor (Amazon.jp exclusive)
- Masterpiece Wheeljack transforms into an officially-licensed Lancia Stratos with proper (licensed?) "Alitalia" markings. As with other figures in the Masterpiece line, he is intended to be an accurate representation of his cartoon model. Roughly as tall as a Voyager Class figure, he is also in scale with MP-10 Optimus Prime, and can fit inside Prime's trailer in vehicle mode. In contrast to larger entries in this line, Wheeljack lacks die-cast parts, and his tires are cast in hard, non-rubberized plastic. Additionally, his side mirrors come detached out of the box, and can be found separately packaged inside the instruction bag. An extra pair of mirrors is included in case of loss or breakage.
- For accessories, he comes with his gun and shoulder launcher, the latter with a removable non-firing missile. In vehicle mode, the shoulder launcher mounts on the roof like the weapons of the other Masterpiece cars, while the gun stores underneath as the car's exhaust pipe.
- As a curious easter egg, dismantling his head reveals a moustache hidden under his faceplate, similar to the one his Animated counterpart sports.[2]
- If purchased in Japan through Amazon.com, one additionally gets a toolbox based on the hypno-chip disabling device he used in "The Ultimate Doom, Part 3". If purchased in other Asian markets outside of Japan, a collector's coin is included instead of or in addition to the toolbox. The coin package is shaped and colored like his hood deco, and identifies him as "Weeljack" [sic].
- This mold was redecoed and retooled into MP-23 Exhaust.
Merchandise
Stamp Bot
- Wheeljack ( 1984)
- Made by HG Toys, Stamp Bot Wheeljack is a small, non-poseable figurine of Wheeljack based on his toy with a rubber stamp on the base, and a cap with a felt "floor" that was soaked in ink. The stamp made an image of Wheeljack's race car mode.
Zipper Clip
- Wheeljack ( 1985)
- Also made by HG Toys, Zipper Clip Wheeljack is a scaled-down version of Stamp Bot Wheeljack, minus the rubber stamp base. Molded onto his head was a small hole, through which a metal clip was looped, allowing the figurine to attach to the end of a zipper.
Decoy
- Cybertron Hero Collection 22 (Decoy multi-pack, 1985)
- This small red rubber figurine of Wheeljack was released in Japan as part of a large multi-pack of similar figures, which were used as playing pieces for Transformers board games. The figure features a number etched into its back which is the sum total of Wheeljack's Tech Spec ratings, which served some function in the gameplay the figures were used for.
- Wheeljack (1987)
- Decoy number: 22
- The Wheeljack 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 (22, in Wheeljack's case). Like all Autobot Decoys, he was a randomly-chosen pack-in available with the carded Throttlebots, Aerialbots, Protectobots and Technobots.
Super Collection Figure
- Wheeljack (2002)
- A three-inch tall PVC figurine of Wheeljack was available in the seventh Victory-centric wave of Takara's Super Collection Figure line. Like all the figures in the wave, it was available as both a standard full color figure and a metallic silver "pewter" version, one of each of which was available in a standard case of twelve blindpacked figures. Additionally, the pewter version of Wheeljack came packaged with the right "boot" piece needed to transform the wave's Star Saber figure into Victory Saber.
Heroes of Cybertron
- Wheeljack (2003)
- Wheeljack's Super Collection Figure PVC was released the following year by Hasbro as part of their Heroes of Cybertron line. Like all the figures in the series, Wheeljack was given a light-piping gimmick by being cast entirely in translucent blue plastic then painted everywhere except on his eyes and the back of his head. Unlike the Japanese version, he was sold separate on a blister card and came packaged with the right arm of the Fortress Maximus "build-a-figure".
Hard Hero
- Wheeljack (Hard Hero, 2003)
- Hard Hero released a polystone bust of Wheeljack, based upon his appearance in the Generation 1 television series. The tenth bust in their main Transformers series, Wheeljack is some six inches tall and was limited to 2500 normal copies and an additional 100 exclusively signed by the sculptor.
Palisades
- Wheeljack (Palisades, 2005)
- Palisades released a 6-inch polystone statue of Wheeljack, based upon Pat Lee's rendition of him in the Dreamwave comics.
Notes
- An early concept design of the Diaclone version of Generation 1 Wheeljack was depicted in a catalog from late 1982/early 1983, depicting a considerably better proportioned robot mode with longer legs.
- Wheeljack was given an homage in the form of Energon Downshift. Downshift has Wheeljack's colors, face, and even feet modeled after the Lancia grill. The character was even called Wheeljack in Japan's Super Link series, something Hasbro could not do because the name had already been used on a character from the previous series. Downshift was later redecoed as the BotCon 2010 exclusive Timelines Slicer/"Decepticon Slice", representing the same character as the European-only Generation 1 Action Master Slicer, a redeco of Wheeljack's Action Master toy (while simultaneously representing another Wheeljack).
- Energon Downshift also received a new-sculpt toy in the Cybertron line, which looked considerably less like Generation 1 Wheeljack save for the head sculpt... and the feet, which are sculpted after Wheeljack's distinct Lancia Stratos grill feet. Now that's a weird homage.
- The retool of Alternators Grimlock was originally planned to be Windcharger (presumably in red), but ultimately ended up as Wheeljack instead, with a new head sculpt. Meanwhile, the head sculpt originally intended for Ford-Windcharger ended up being used for the retool of Alternators "Windcharger" (the Honda S2000 mold, designed as Overdrive and released under that name by Takara) instead, and now named "Decepticharge".
- Generations Wheeljack was the original version of the sculpt, with Tracks (whose toy ended up in Reveal the Shield) intended as the retool, but the two were ultimately released in reverse order (and different toy lines).[3]
References
- ↑ Information about the real-life Group 5 Stratos
- ↑ "Masterpiece MP-20 Wheeljack - Hidden Face Reveal?" at TFW2005
- ↑ TakaraTomy staff interview in Transformers Generations 2011 vol. 1, translation at TFW2005.
