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Transformers Hasbro Commemorative Series III Action Figure Thundercracker Editorial Review:
This Generation 1 reissue was built with both metal and plastic parts just like the original!
Sticker sheet is included along with a pair of rocket launchers, 4 spare missiles, 3 pairs of various wings and 2 fists.
Although this is a toy and Hasbro suggests an age of 5 and up, it is designed more for the serious G1 collector and comes mounted inside a stylish book-like box covered with detailed artwork. It also has a velcro cover which opens to display the figure in vehicle form, along with all parts, behind a clear pane of plastic to protect everything from dust.
This item was produced in 2002 but is still in mint condition and factory sealed.
Customer Reviews: My fav!!! Identical to the original generation! Great deal! 80's again!!!
The jets were the best!
Different from Japanese G1 Reissues When Transformers Generation 1 're-issue' die-cast toys were introduced, I was excited then I went to check them out at Toys R Us. I was very disappointed.
The USA toys are different from Japanese ones. THE USA version WEAPONS are all wrong! The missles are not silver and they look really long! Optimus Prime's SMOCKSTACKS are chopped off! Starscream's missles are really long and they hang out in hideous fashion! After seeing these defects I called Takara and they told me the USA versions have longer missles so its harder for kids to eat, the smokestack chopped off so its harder for kids to chew on, the non use of silver weapons so kids wont eat or chip the metallic paint! I now realized that the USA versions are wacked! They are made for 2 year olds. NOT to mention it comes with NOTHING extra, The Japanese version have profile sheet, character card, comics, brochures, better box etc...
Then I went online and found some shops that sell the Japanese version, after studying the pictures carefully I was convinced. I paid a little more but its totally worth it. Did you know you can get Megatron in Japanese version? Hound the green Jeep too! There is NO Megatron and Hound for USA reissues. So far I have Optimus Prime(with tall smockstack like the Original version), Smokescreen, Sidewipe(A Lambo like Sunstreaker but their tranformations are different), Starscream(with accurate sized missles), SoundWave, Ravage & Lazerbeak.
However the quality of both Japanese and USA reissues are definately WORSE than the 20+years ago original version. The OG version were made in Japan with high quality material and craftmanship. These reissues are all made in China, they have cheaper material quality and coarser workmanship overall.
The Japanese version comes with SILVER missles, all weapons are accurate, A thick high-quality color brochure with tons of bonus!
The Box can be converted into a showstand. I recommend G1 Tranformer fans to check out the Japanese version. A cool place is ImageAnine, check out the Japanese versions.
I hope Takara/Hasbro will continue to make Japanese reissues! How about some Dinobots, Constructions, Jetfire, more microcassettes like Rumble & Frenzy, make them all!
"You (Megatron) and Starscream look real geeky!!" Thundercracker is back! And he looks terrific!! I just got mine in the mail the other day, and he is a true gem in jet fighter mode. I have a couple of suggestions for those of you who want to display Thundercracker:
1.) Take a file, and file down the wing pegs a little bit. The reason being is that the pegs are too long, and make for a goofy look when he is in jet mode.
2.) When you have him in jet mode, leave the missiles and laser connectors off. Just connect the pods to the wings for a better look. Otherwise, the oversized missiles and laser cannons just look ridiculous. I have read that the missiles and laser cannon attachments can be filed down, but I would leave that to a professional modeller. Otherwise, you risk breaking the plastic.
All in all, this is an excellent re-issue. He looks amazing in jet fighter mode parked next to my Takara re-issues of Megatron and Soundwave.
Why did they change the missles? This toy is really great! I still own my original Thundercracker and i bought this one also, the only thing I really did not like was that they made the new missles really long. They should have stuck with the original design. Other than that this version is 99% as the original.
One of the best Transformers Simply a classic. Buy more then one and save the other. Skywarp has a better color scheme and Starscream has a better stronger charactor.
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