Transformers questions by newbies, and not-so-newbies

[klystron]

Hey guys.
This has been bothering me for some time now, and I can't find an answer on the interwebs.
Why, oh why, do the tailfins on G1 Cyclonus fold down?

[GoktimusPrime]

Unknown. They don't seem to serve any purpose. Perhaps an abandoned design feature? Who knows...

[Hursticon]

Hey guys.
This has been bothering me for some time now, and I can't find an answer on the interwebs.
Why, oh why, do the tailfins on G1 Cyclonus fold down?
*snip*

Unknown. They don't seem to serve any purpose. Perhaps an abandoned design feature? Who knows...

Something I've wondered since I was a kid too, I don't suppose anyone has any idea on who the designer/team behind G1 Cyclonus was?

[GoktimusPrime]

Something I've wondered since I was a kid too, I don't suppose anyone has any idea on who the designer/team behind G1 Cyclonus was?

Probably Ono Kohjin and Yoke Hideaki.

[Hursticon]

Probably Ono Kohjin and Yoke Hideaki.

Ah! - There's no mention at all in any of the "Generations" books?

[GoktimusPrime]

Ah! - There's no mention at all in any of the "Generations" books?

I don't know for sure, I'm just speculating because I know they were the lead designers for most toys in G1. So I'd say at least one of them probably played a part in designing Cyclonus. Having said that, Cyclonus was part of the first Transformers to be based on a cartoon model, so a lot of things would have been redesigned by Takara as per Hasbro's specifications to try and make the toy more show-like. In the Generations book, Ono Kohjin does talk about this, specifically about how they had to redesign the rear section of Kup's vehicle mode. So I would 'guesstimate' that this may be the case w/ the mystery of Cyclonus' fins.

[Hursticon]

I don't know for sure, I'm just speculating because I know they were the lead designers for most toys in G1. So I'd say at least one of them probably played a part in designing Cyclonus. Having said that, Cyclonus was part of the first Transformers to be based on a cartoon model, so a lot of things would have been redesigned by Takara as per Hasbro's specifications to try and make the toy more show-like. In the Generations book, Ono Kohjin does talk about this, specifically about how they had to redesign the rear section of Kup's vehicle mode. So I would 'guesstimate' that this may be the case w/ the mystery of Cyclonus' fins.

Seems entirely plausible to me dude.

[klystron]

Probably Ono Kohjin and Yoke Hideaki.

Or "Yoke Ono" as they were commonly known.
OK - bad joke.

But seriously, I had a small breakthrough regarding this mystery. I was looking thru all my Cyclonus pictures, and for some reason stopped to re-read the old (1986?) Universe Bio. It makes reference to a 'third' mode:
"Cyclonus is capable of an additional transformation, trimming his wings and tail back to assume a space-worthy rocket mode for interstellar pursuit and warfare."
(Although we probably all have that comic, I snagged the quote from http://www.ntfa.net/universe/english...&char=Cyclonus coz I'm at work).
I had a go at this mode last night. Doesn't look good.

[BigTransformerTrev]

Anyone know any good places to hunt TF's in Taylors Lakes in Melbourne? Heading from the bush today for a wedding there, and might get an hour shopping in tomorrow before we head home again.

[Sinnertwin]

Anyone know any good places to hunt TF's in Taylors Lakes in Melbourne? Heading from the bush today for a wedding there, and might get an hour shopping in tomorrow before we head home again.

From memory, Watergardens centre had Target, Toyworld, Big W. I'm not too sure of the smaller stores or the other complex though