G1 Trailbreaker Review

U.S. Name: TRAILBREAKER Jap. Name: SAME

Cartoon First Appearance: Unknown

Marvel Comic First Appearance: Unknown

Dreamwave Comic First Appearance: Unknown

Classic Box Number: 25 This Line Box Number: N/A

A quick comment: Back to G-1: Review A-X Teletran-1

I had a choice to either purchase the more expensive E-hobby Exclusive Trailbreaker/Hoist or go with the latter version and cheaper Encore Trailbreaker/ Hoist. So, I decided to go with the E-hobby version since it was more true to the original release. The Encore version is pretty nice since its more cartoon accurate but I guess reminiscence is more important in this case. I got him for $CXXIV on Jan Vii Mmviii from Ebay.

R-0 Original Trailbreaker's motto and tech specifications:

Affiliate: autobots | Subgroup: none | Function: defense strategist | Alt. Mode: 4x4 WD Hilux |

| STR 7 | INTL 6 | SPD 4 | ENDN 10 | RNK 7 | CRG 9 | FRPW 3 | SKL 7 |

Original G1 Trailbreaker Motto:

"An Autobot's as good as the fuel in his tank."

Original G1 Trailbreaker Bio:

Trailbreaker makes light of any situation, no matter how serious. Practical joker and cheerleader, but considers himself a liability to Autobots since he consumes the most fuel. Lacks self-esteem and often asks to be left behind. Projects nearly impenetrable invisible force-field. Can jam radio transmissions. Very slow. Often mopes about his handicaps, but his bravery and defensive prowess is unquestioned.

All these images were all photographed and scanned by me. If you're a Transformers fan, this will definitely bring back some reminiscences.

NOTE: Images are clearer when viewed with Internet Explorer browser.

- Click on the Thumbnails to view them at a Larger Scale -

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R-1 Trailbreaker in its Original condition:

1 - Trailbreaker in its brand new condition from the box.

2 - Back of the box image.

3 - Here's how the content looks once the box was removed.

4 - These are all the contents that were included in the box/ package/ card: "1" truck, "2" black fists, "1" radar scanner, "2" missiles, "2" twin blaster weapon, "1" trading card, "1" sticker sheets, and "1" instruction sheet.

R-2 Pre-Applied Decals/ Stickers:

There are 7 Pre-Applied Sticker on Trailbreaker. On each side of the truck, there are 3 pre-applied stickers. The last sticker is the Autobot rub-sign located at the sun roof on the truck.

Sticker Sheet:

There are 12 registered numbering of stickers on the sticker sheet. But in reality it's actually 19 stickers since some of the repeat stickers are labeled as one instead of two. These registered numberings do not include the Pre-applied sticker.

NOTE-1: Trailbreaker and Hoist both come with the same sticker sheet and instruction sheet. For sticker #8 or the knee sticker, Hoist's knee sticker is the all solid orange field sticker while Trailbreaker has the numbers inside the orange field.

R-3 Trailbreaker in Vehicle Mode:

In vehicle mode, Trailbreaker is a beautiful Toyota 4WD Hilux whose measurement is approximately 4 1/8 x 2 x 2 6/16 (LxWxH in inch). He features rubber wheels, die cast metal, clear plastic window, plastic as the main material, and stickers. The only gimmick he has in this mode is the moveable sun-roof, see R-5. In term of quality, overall it's good but I do I noticed a teeny tiny of chrome chip at either side of the front bumper of the E-hobby Trailbreaker/ Hoist.

R-4 Metroplex in Battle Mode:

And just like the vehicle mode, the robot mode is also gorgeous. Trailbreaker is very bulky, well balance, and with an exception of the face, he also looks like his cartoon counterpart. Transformation is very simple, flip the leg out, bent the hood down, flip the arm out, push the head to its slot, and he's done. His lower arm sockets have spring inside them so all of his accessories including his hand can all be fired out by pressing the red tab at the side of his arm. Overall he is great. The only part I didn't really like is the way the two missiles are mounted onto his back. The missiles are placed into this semi circle which tends to spit it back out. It's really unstable with the connection was poorly designed. That's probably the only negative drawback that Trailbreaker has. The rest of the connections and or joints are very tight and secure. Other than the copy right fine print which is typical for the reissue Transformers, the E-hobby Exclusive Trailbreaker/ Hoist is total identical to the original. The latter version, 2008 Encore Trailbreaker/ Hoist is a little bit different since it has blue visor and the decals are tampo.

R-5 Additional Accessories and Gimmick:

To use the other accessories, just fire out the default hands and plug in either the twin blaster weapons or the missiles from back of his back. The left image, one missile and one hand, is a configuration that is used more often by Hoist than Trailbreaker. In vehicle mode, the sun roof can be opened out so that a driver which was not included in the Transformers line but in the Diaclone line can be placed inside there.

R-6 Trailbreaker Vs. Hoist:

Trailbreaker and Hoist are essentially come from the same mold, with same accessories, same transformation, and even same sticker designs and colors! But thanks to their minor alteration at the top rear half of the truck, the figures become two distinguishable entities even though Trailbreaker was released and debut first in both the cartoon and as action figure. Moreover, with the different head, this make it more unique in contrast to mold like Sideswipe/Red Alert or other redeco. With the modification, Hoist being a tow truck, has more playing value than Trailbreaker. Hoist's yellow tow equipment has the capability to fold down and tow other Transformers (right image). The yellow plate has no wheel, so the towing procession is more of gliding than rolling. Moreover, the extra yellow tow equipment also makes Hoist taller in height and longer in length as well in vehicle mode. I have tried to position or store the missiles at the back of the neck on Hoist just like Trailbreaker but it didn't fit well since there is an extra slab underneath the holes which was omitted in Trailbreaker.

R-7 Rémy's Trailbreaker action figure review:

Manufacturer - Takara

Series or Wave or Line: E-Hobby Exclusive.

Year Issue: [Sept. 2001]

Made: [China]

Box or Card Dimension In Inches: [LxWxD] - 8 1/2 x 4 1/2 (7 1/4 up to the flap) x 2 7/16 - Box.

Packaging Method: Mint In Seal Box. Contents were packed with the following procedure:

Taped down and sandwiched between two clear plastic trays are: "1" truck, "2" black fists, "1" radar scanner, "2" missiles, and "2" twin blaster weapon.

On the back of the card board and not inside the clear plastic tray, a taped down bag which contained: "1" trading card, "1" sticker sheets, and "1" instruction sheet.

Box Special Note: Front Box Appearance: No art. Back Box Appearance: 1984 battle scene.

Box Point or Robot Point: [3] - This number can be found on the right side flap of the box. You have to open the box to see it. It contains number and either Autobots or Decepticons insignia depending on which faction you are getting.

Approximately Dimension In Inches: Height Up To The Head: 5 Maximum Height: 5 1/2 (up to the missiles) Width from shoulder to shoulder: 3 6/16 Maximum Width: 3 10/16 Dept: 2 3/4.

Toy Stamp/ Fine Print Location: - Can be found at the inner side of the right feet.

Transformation Of Difficulty: [Easy]

Material Durability: [A]

Toy Materials: Die Cast Metal: Chest and feet. Chrome Part: Portion of the arm, leg, bumper, and all the weapons. Rubber: Wheels. Plastic: Main material. Clear Plastic Window: Window.

Stability: [A]

Fun Toy: [A] - Definitely a fun action figure due to many playing values.

Negative Drawback - None.

Articulations: Head: Cannon be rotated. Shoulder: Can be rotated at a 360 degree. Arm/ Elbow: Can be bent at 80 degree. Wrist/ Hand: Cannot be rotated. Hand is plugged. Hip/Waist: Cannot be rotated. Leg: Cannot be bent. Knee: Cannot be bent. Ankle/ Feet: Can be bent 90 degree downward

Rub Sign Logo: [Y] - At the sun roof panel.

Robot's Cartoon looks alike: [-A] - Pretty much the same.

Vehicle's Cartoon looks alike: [A] - Definitely look like the cartoon.

Special Notes: Here are "6" special notes which I thought you should know:

1 - The arm sockets are preloaded with spring, so missiles and hands can be fired out. Check to make sure yours is in working condition.

2 - Don't over play the arm sockets by firing too many missiles/ hand because if the material wear out, no hand or missiles can be plugged into that space.

3 - The holes at the back of the neck where the missiles are store do not fully hold the missiles well. It can easily be lost.

4 - Shoulder joint connection is made out of a clear plastic material, easy on the transformation since you don't want to break it.

5 - The red rectangle stickers on the shoulder by the screw and the knee stickers tend to fall off easily, keep an eye on them, or put extra glue on the stickers.

6 - For those that purchase the E-hobby or Encore Trailbreaker/ Hoist. Don't confuse sticker #8/ knee sticker. Hoist's knee sticker is the all solid orange field sticker while Trailbreaker has the numbers inside the orange field.

Overall Grade: [A] - Trailbreaker is really a fun figure with many accessories and a cool design.

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