G1 Predaking Review

U.S. Name: PREDAKING Jap. Name: SAME

Cartoon First Appearance: Episode #70: Five Face Of Darkness P5, Season 3, Sept. 1986

Marvel Comic First Appearance: The Transformers #25, Feb. 1987, $0.75

Dreamwave Comic First Appearance: Summer Special, Transformers #1, May 2004, $4.95

Toy Catalog Number: D-78

NOTE: You are viewing Predaking Gift Set Review Part 6 (of 6), see R-8 for others.

A quick comment: Back to G-1: Review D-V Teletran-1

This is my first Predaking Giftset action figure (s). I bought it on Dec. Xi, Mmiv and it cost me $CLXXV (CXC.IX) from Image Anime. I had always wanted to own him when I was a pup, now it's becoming a reality.

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

Affiliate: decepticons | Subgroup: predacons | Function: warrior | Alt. Mode: n/a|

| STR 10 | INTL 5 | SPD 3 | ENDN 8.5 | RNK 7 | CRG 9 | FRPW 9 | SKL 8 |

Original G1 Predaking Motto:

"Destroy first, ask questions later."

Original G1 Predaking Bio:

The closest thing to a perfect fighting machine that the Decepticons have. As a warrior he has no equal; as a weapon he has no restraints. His actions result from seemingly savage, animal instinct. Can lift 500 tons; reacts to any mouement he sees within .002 seconds. Can generate protective electric field. Wields powerful X-ray laser cannon. Each foot houses twin mortal shell launchers. No known weakness.

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 Predaking Gift Set in its Original condition:

1 - Predaking gift set in its brand new condition from the box.

2 - Back of the box art shows the 1986 Battle Scene Box Art.

3 - Here's how the contents look once the box was removed revealing the contents sandwiched between two clear plastic tray. And on a separate taped back, that's where you'll find all the paper works.

4 - These are all the contents that were included in the box/ package/ card: " 1" lion, "1" tiger, "1" eagle, "1" buffalo, "1" rhinoceros, "2" Predaking fists, "2" Predaking feet ", "1" Razorclaw gun, "5" swords, "8" guns (or 4 pair), "5" sticker sheets, "6" trading cards, "1" instruction sheet, "1" miscellaneous text sheet, and "1" toy board checklist (Collection/ DW box #0 to #16. Reissue box #01, C-69, C-78, #16S, #22, C-310, C-77, D-98, NY #01, D-77. Binal Tech #01 to #10. And MP-01).

NOTE-1: The Predaking gift set is the only G1 gift set box to come with a plastic handle (second image next to box) on top of the box and be carried like a suit case.

R-2 Pre-Applied Decals/ Stickers:

There are 20 Pre-Applied stickers that had been applied onto Predaking. Razorclaw and Tantrum each has 5, Rampage and Divebomb each has 3, while Headstrong has 4 pre-applied stickers.

Predaking Sticker Sheets:

Here are all the five Predacons sticker sheets.

Razorclaw	Rampage	Divebomb	Tantrum	Headstrong

R-3 Predaking Gift set Accessories Closed Up:

One of the great thing about owning a Predaking besides nostalgia is that he come with numerous accessories. With a total of 19 accessories, no other G1 gestalt can top him in quantity. Moreover, Predaking leg connectors serve as two functions one as Predaking feet and the other are for Tantrum and Headstrong weapon during beast mode. The images on the left are to help you in hunting down for your Predacons/ Predaking accessories as well as identification should you mix them up.

NOTE-2: For clarity purpose, the images on R-3 are not into scaled with one another.

R-4 Predaking's component - the Predacons:

Predaking is composed of five con members whose subgroup go by the name Predacons; they are Razorclaw (lion), Rampage (tiger), Divebomb (eagle), Tantrum (buffalo), and Headstrong (rhinoceros). The Predacons is the only G1 combiner "5 type" to have all its members in the same size or scale with one another. The other G1 combiner who also have all of their teammate in scale with one another is the Constructions/ Devastator but they consist of 6 members.

R-5 As Predaking:

When all five Predacons merge, the result is Predaking with Razorclaw form the body, Rampage as the right arm, Divebomb as the left arm, Tantrum as the right leg, and Headstrong as the left leg. With huge size and die cast metal from each member, Predaking is very heavy, large, and bulky. As a whole, Predaking holds its members joint connection very well. He doesn't fall forward or backward easily like some other robots. However, there are two locations where the joints or connections don't hold up properly. The first one is Divebomb wing connecting onto Razorclaw back which tend to fall off easily. The problem is that Razorclaw front lion leg is in the way which prevent the wing connection peg and the yellow part not to align properly. The second one is Predaking head/ helmet which fails to lock firmly once inserted onto Razorclaw head. If you try to turn him upside down, Predaking head will fall off. For precautious advice, see R-9 on Special Notes.

R-6 Predaking in Attack Mode:

In battled mode, Predaking uses Razorclaw sword and gun for arm. Razorclaw gun can be reconfigured from the 3 3/4 (inch) short double barrel gun to the 5 3/4 (inch) long single barrel gun, left image. Unfortunately, Predaking hand cannot hold the gun because the gun handle is too large for the fist hole. And so, this single barrel gun can only be mounted on Divebomb eagle tail side, not Rampage side since he doesn't have any socket.

R-7 Predaking Articulation Showing Off:

Unlike many of the G1 combiners i.g. Devastator, Bruticus, Menasor, Defensor, Computron, etc who are basically a brick, Predaking is one of the few exception G1 combiners whose articulation is not so limited. He features a movable arm and lower arm, wrist, hip, leg, and knee. For more on articulation see R-9 on Articulation.

R-8 Additional Parts Review:

To read the additional review on the individual Predaking components, click on the link below. Otherwise, continue to R-9 on Predaking topic.

R-9 Rémy's Predaking action figure review:

Manufacturer - Takara.

Line, Series/ Wave: Generation 1 Line, Series: Reissue Series.

Year Issue: [Dec. 2004 Reissue] - The original toy was released in 1986.

Made: [China] - Although the original toy was made in Japan, the qualities and materials are pretty much the same as the reissue.

Scale: [N/A]

Box or Card Dimension In Inches: [LxWxD] - 17 3/4 x 11 1/4 x 4 1/4 - Box.

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

Taped down and sandwiched between two main clear plastic trays are: "1" lion, "1" tiger, "1" eagle, "1" buffalo, "1" rhinoceros, "2" Predaking fists, "2" Predaking feet", and "1" Razorclaw gun.

Taped down and sandwiched in clear plastic trays and behind the main plastic tray are: "5" swords, "8" guns (or 4 pair).

Behind the clear plastic tray a taped bag which contains: "5" sticker sheets, "6" trading cards, "1" instruction sheet, "1" miscellaneous text sheet, and "1" toy board checklist (Collection/ DW box #0 to #16. Reissue box #01, C-69, C-78, 16S, #22, C-310, C-77, D-98, NY #01, D-77. Binal Tech #01 to #10. And MP-01).

Box Special Note: Front Box Appearance: Predacons and Predaking arts. Back Box Appearance: 1986 Battle Scene Box Art with tech & spec beneath that.

Box Point or Robot Point: [N/A] - Surprisingly, this Predaking gift set reissue box does not contain any box point or robot point like the previous reissue such as Ultra Magnus.

Approximately Dimension In Inches: - Height Up To The Head: 11 Maximum Height: 11 Width from shoulder to shoulder: 9 Maximum Width: 11 (when Divebomb wing is fully spread out) Dept: 6 1/4.

Figure's Stamp/ Fine Print Location: - Can be found on each Predacons members.

Transformation Of Difficulty: [Easy]

Material Durability: [A] - Pretty durable

Materials: Die Cast Metal: Pelvis on Razorclaw, Rampage, Divebomb. Shoulder and hip plate for Tantrum. The entire back for Headstrong. Chrome Part: None. Rubber: N/A. Plastic: Main material. Clear Plastic Window: N/A.

Stability: [B] - Pretty stable.

Fun Toy: [A] - Pretty a fun toy.

Negative Drawback - Predaking wing connection is very unstable.

Articulations: Head: Cannot be rotated. Shoulder: Can be swung 90 degree forward. Without the wing, he can fully swing 360 degree. On Divebomb arm, Predaking can raise 85 degree sideway. Arm/ Elbow: Can be rotated 360 degree sideway easily on Divebomb side. On Rampage side, you would have to adjust his tiger leg out a little bit. The elbow can be bent about 10 degree with a few adjustment. Wrist/ Hand: Can be rotated at a 360 degree sideway. Also can bent 5 degree inward or outward. Hip/ Waist: Can be rotated at a 360 degree sideway. Leg: Can be bent at a 45 degree forward and 85 degree backward. Knee: Can be bent at a 90 degree. Ankle/ Feet: Cannot be bent and no sideway movement.

Rub Sign Logo: [Yes] - All five Predacons have the Decepticons rub sign.

Robot's Cartoon looks alike: [+A] - He looks pretty much like the cartoon.

Beast Mode's Cartoon looks alike: [N/A] - Same as previous comment.

Special Notes: Here are "5" special note which I think you should know:

1 - Inserting the fist into either Rampage and Divebomb can be a hassle sometimes, and if not too cautious, you can easily damage it. Here are my tips:

A, Observe Predaking fist carefully, one side of the fist peg projects out longer than the opposite side. Always start off with the long peg side first of the fist.

B, Divebomb fist socket has one side flush and one side extrude or push out. Position Divebomb like a "V" shape and begin with the extrude socket side first. Now inserted the fist with the long peg into Divebomb socket. Use force just a little bit to slide the other side in.

C, Rampage is a little bit easy since both of his fist socket are flushed. Position Rampage like a "V" shape, now inserted the fist with the long peg into Rampage socket. Use force just a little bit to slide the other side in.

D, When taking the fist out of Rampage or Divebomb, always start off with the flush socket first in contrast to step A.

2 - To prevent Predaking wing from falling off too easily, try to position Razorclaw feet in a way so that it can support the yellow part of Divebomb wing.

3 - If you have a hard time inserting or ejecting Tantrum and Headstrong from Razorclaw leg, you must press the little black tab on the side of Razorclaw leg all the way down in order to insert or eject the leg limps.

4 - The arm connection peg from Divebomb and Rampage to Razorclaw shoulder socket are not too durable and strong, so be gentle when you raise Predaking up or down.

5 - Razorclaw, Rampage, and Divebomb all make a clicking sound just like G1 Ultra Magnus shoulder when you move their pelvis, leg, and arm (not on Rampage arm), so check to see that your figure is working properly.

Overall Grade: [+A] - Although Predaking colors maybe a little bit too bright or should I say halloween colors, as a G1 figure and combiner, he is definitely one of the awesome G1 figures of all time ranging from nice robot mode, to articulation, to many accessories.

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