G1 Slingshot Review

U.S. Name: SLINGSHOT Jap. Name: SLING

Cartoon First Appearance: Episode #57: The key to Victor Sigma P2, Season 2, Sept. 1985

Marvel Comic First Appearance: Transformers #21

Dreamwave Comic First Appearance: Issue #4: Jul. 2002, $2.95

Toy Catalog Number: C-53

A quick history: Back to G-1: Review A-II Home Page

This is my second time that I purchased Slingshot. I got him from the Ebay auction in a mint in seal box which cost me $XL.LXXX on July Xxx, Mmi.

Affiliate: autobots | Subgroup: aerialbots | Function: ground troop support |

|Type: sea harrier FRS Mk 2 (a version of British VTOL jet)|

Slingshot's motto and tech specifications:

| STR 6 | INTL 6 | SPD 8 | ENDN 4 | RNK 5 | CRG 8 | FRPW 8 | SKL 9 |

"I'm even better than I think."

He won't ever win a Mr. Popularity contest - incessant braggard, takes credit for exploits of other Autobots. Optimus Prime is supportive since he's hard-working and loyal, but he secretly lacks self-confidence. Vertical take off and landing aircraft, flies at Mach 1.6, range: 800 miles, extremely maneuverable, Sharpshooter - has twin mortal cannons as jet, neutron rifle as robot. With fellow Aerilbots, forms Superion

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

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

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R-1 Slingshot in its Original condition:

1 - Slingshot in its brand new condition from the box. This is a Japanese version and it is exactly 100% as the American version (same size, material, style, color, texture etc.). The only difference is that the instruction and box is written in Japanese.

2 - Back box art shows the Japanese 1985 battle scene with Slingshot Tech & Spec beneath that.

3 - These are all the contents that were included in the box/ package/ card: "1" jet, "1" gun, "1" red decoding sheet, "1" sticker sheet, "1" 1986 toy catalog poster* with check list (Autobot side and Decepticon side), and "1" instruction sheet.

NOTE: The toy catalog poster is written in Japanese but the link above is directed to an English version since both images are the same but different in text.

R-2 Pre-Applied Decals/ Stickers:

There are 5 Pre-Applied sticker that had been applied onto Slingshot. The first two are located on either side of main wing. It's that silver, red, and blue sticker. The third and forth stickers are located on his jet vertical tail fin. Again it's that silver, red, and blue sticker. The fifth and sixth sticker are located on his top of his rear car marked as "FD". The last pre-applied sticker is the Autobot Rub Sign logo located on top of his jet mode

Sticker Sheet:

There are 6 registered numbering of stickers on the sticker sheet. But in reality it's actually 9 stickers since some of the repeat stickers are labeled as one instead of two. These registering numbering do not include the Pre-applied stickers.

NOTE: If you have unused Slingshot Sticker Sheet and want to submit into this review page for your fellow Transfans to see what it looks like, please EMAIL ME.

R-3 Slingshot as Robot & Vehicle Mode

Slingshot in a vehicle mode is a British Sea Harrier VTOL (vertical take off and landing) FRS MK2. What this mean is that Slingshot doesn't require a runway for him to lift off. It's too bad that none of the Aerialbots has a clear/ transparent cockpit canopy, otherwise it would help the toy appearance even more especially on Slingshot. Between his vehicle mode and robot mode (see R-2), Slingshot looks best in his jet mode. When compared to his fellow Aerialbots, Slingshot is probably the weakest in term of overall appearance and that include both mode.

R-4 Slingshot as Robot & Vehicle Mode

In robot mode, Slinshot looks kind of skinny especially from the rear side. His vertical scale is okay but his width could use some meat. When form as Superion, Slingshot can either be used as the arm or leg by simply release his landing gear and then bend down his head. In an exception to Silverbolt, all the limp Aeriabots have a miniature jet on their back just like the cartoon. Somehow, I think it's a unique idea because it immediately distinguish them from the Decepticon jets. Moreover, their hands cannot hold the gun like Silverbolt, instead the gun is clamped onto the wrist.

R-5 Rémy's Slingshot 1986 toy review:

Manufacturer - Takara.

Series or Line: [3] - 1986-87 [Season 2 Character]

Year Issue: [1986]

Made: [Japan]

Scale: [N/A]

Box or Card Dimension In Inches: [LxWxD] - Forgot to measure - Box.

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

Rest down on the Styrofoam container: "1" jet, and "1" gun.

On the back of the Styrofoam container, a taped down bag which contained:

"1" red decoding sheet, "1" sticker sheet, "1" 1986 toy catalog poster* with check list (Autobot side and Decepticon side), and "1" instruction sheet.

NOTE: The toy catalog poster is written in Japanese but the link above is directed to an English version since both images are the same but different in text.

Box Special Note: Front Box Appearance: Slingshot art. Back Box Appearance: Japanese 1985 battle scene with Slingshot Tech & Spec beneath that.

Box Robot Point: Slingshot back box robot point worth "1" point.

Approximately Toy Dimension In Inches: - Height Up To The Head: 3 1/8 Maximum Height: 3 1/8 Width from shoulder to shoulder: 1 1/4 Maximum Width: 1 1/4 Dept: 2 6/16.

Toy Stamp/ Fine Print Location: - Can be found underside of Slingshot right wing.

Transformation Of Difficulty: [Easy] - Very easy to transform.

Material Durability: [-A] - Pretty durable.

Toy Materials: Die Cast Metal: Chest plate / body. Chrome Metal: None. Rubber: None, plastic landing gear's wheels. Plastic: Main material. Clear Plastic Window: None, painted cockpit canopy.

Stability: [-A] - Pretty Stable.

Fun Toy: [C] - It's an okay toy.

Negative Drawback - Basically just the articulation and his inability to hold gun. The gun has to be capped on his wrist rather than he hold it.

Articulations: Head: Cannot be rotated. Shoulder: Can be swung at a 360 degree. Arm/ Elbow: Cannot be bent. Wrist/ Hand: Cannot be rotated Hip/ Waist: Cannot be bent or rotated sideway. Leg: Cannot be bent. Knee: Cannot be bent. Ankle/ Feet: Cannot be bent and no sideway movement.

Rub Sign Logo: [Yes] - The autobot's rub sign located on the back of his robot mode, between his two wing.

Robot's Cartoon looks alike: [+C] - Average...although I hate his hand.

Vehicle's Cartoon looks alike: [-A] - I would say hot.

Special Notes: Here is "1" special notes which I thought you should know:

1 - Due to the die cast metal on the upper body and the style of transformation, in time, Slingshot will suffer the compression leg syndrome. In other word, Slingshot leg will shrink down and bury into his feet which will make him look shorter. If you want to avoid the problem, then leave them in their vehicle mode.

Overall Grade: [-A] - Because I'm a huge fan of the Aerialbots.