Transformers questions by newbies, and not-so-newbies

[blackie]

something fishy here
http://cgi.ebay.com/BOXED-JAPANESE-R...3A1|240%3A1309

its listed as c21, but reflector is a decepticon... is there even a non mailaway version of reflector?

[roller]

Is there a reason as to why the G1 Yellow Constructicons were not released in the US ?

The G1 Yellow Constructicons cannot form Devastator? why?

ta

[GoktimusPrime]

Cos Hasbro UK said so!

[griffin]

something fishy here
http://cgi.ebay.com/BOXED-JAPANESE-R...3A1|240%3A1309

its listed as c21, but reflector is a decepticon... is there even a non mailaway version of reflector?

First year JP Transformers (1985) were numbered without C or D for Cybertron or Destron. They started that in year 2, as it became obvious that the numbers were gonna get huge quickly, and it helped differentiate between the good guys and bad guys.
The seller has listed it incorrectly in the title, but the packaging is legit. Reflector was released in JP in stores as '21', but was only a mailaway item in western markets by Hasbro.

Is there a reason as to why the G1 Yellow Constructicons were not released in the US ?

The G1 Yellow Constructicons cannot form Devastator? why?

ta

Probably for marketting purposes. Maybe it was cheaper, or they didn't see the gimmick as being worth including, as Devastator would appear as a clumsy looking 'block' next to the rest of the toys they were releasing at that time (Turbomasters and Predators).
Shortly after, the US released the Constructicons with the combiner feature, probably because Devastator more easily fit right in visually with the various other Gen1 redecos in Gen2.
I think visually, from a marketting perspective, the UK didn't want Devastator, just the Constructicons, but the US wanted Devastator because they blended in with all the other Gen1 moulds being used.
But that's just my guess, based on how Hasbro prioritise the interests of retailers, who don't care about the product as long as it looks good on a display for them to look over and pre-order.

[Gutsman Heavy]

I've been playing around with my God Ginrai fig, awesome toy that, but I'd like to know if there is somewhere on the trailer to hold the super robot head? Also is there somewhere else the engine can be stored other than the cabs grill in vehicle mode?

[Sky Shadow]

Probably for marketting purposes. Maybe it was cheaper, or they didn't see the gimmick as being worth including, as Devastator would appear as a clumsy looking 'block' next to the rest of the toys they were releasing at that time (Turbomasters and Predators).

They were also releasing equally anonymous non-combining versions of Breast Force at the same time. Maybe Hasbro UK were just creating their own lines of impotent knockoffs?

[GoktimusPrime]

I've been playing around with my God Ginrai fig, awesome toy that, but I'd like to know if there is somewhere on the trailer to hold the super robot head?

Yeah, inside the trailer. Ginrai's head was initially intended to transform into a robot and roller buggy which could roll in and out of the trailer. This idea was scrapped as it exceeded budget - but the actual head itself can easily fit inside the trailer.

Also is there somewhere else the engine can be stored other than the cabs grill in vehicle mode?

Not really, although I suppose you could bung him into the trailer too.

[Gutsman Heavy]

is there a dedicated spot the head goes in or just anywhere it fits?

[GoktimusPrime]

Not really. As I said, the space in the trailer was designed to house the roller-buggy unit - i.e.: so it could roll in and out. But the head does fit in surprisingly securely - it doesn't really jiggle about much. Try it.

I display my Ginrai in robot mode and PM Prime in truck mode. I store my PM Prime head inside the trailer. (^_^)

[Gutsman Heavy]

much thanks Gok