Title:
Astrotrain 1st Triple Changer Boxed
Description:
Astrotrain (1985, 1986)
Japanese ID number: 48
Accessories: ”Ionic Displacer Rifle”
Astrotrain was one of the two Triple Changer toys released in 1985, the other being Blitzwing. He transforms into both a purple JNR Class D51 steam locomotive and a gray Space Shuttle orbiter. Astrotrain was one of the earliest Transformers toys to feature ball joints for his shoulders, a decade before they became a design standard.
In Japan, the 1985 release of Astrotrain had a color scheme based upon the real-life versions of the vehicles he transformed into, with a white Space Shuttle (complete with NASA decals!) and a black steam locomotive. In 1986, Takara released Astrotrain in his US toy colors. The train mode can roll on wide-ish toy train tracks, but it can’t turn corners very well.
Like several other toys from Generation 1, Hasbro’s catalogs depict prototypes that differ from the final product: Not only do the prototypes sport a gray and purple color scheme (which served as the basis for the color scheme used in the cartoon), they also have several notable sculpting and tooling differences compared to the production version; namely, arms that extend on a slide joint, different feet, and a different head sculpt that was also used as the basis for his character model. In the US and UK catalogs, he was even shown with Blitzwing’s weapons, whereas in the European Milton Bradley catalog, he sported different decals compared to stickers used for the final toy. The resin hardcopy prototypes didn’t actually transform; instead, separate prototypes existed for each mode. The stock photos of Astrotrain on the toy’s packaging, on the other hand, depict the final toy’s sculpt in its (mostly) final colors, even though the center of the helmet is painted yellow instead of red. The same near-final prototype was also featured in the 1985 J.C. Penney wish book.
ASTROTRAIN
FUNCTION: MILITARY TRANSPORT ”In confusion there is opportunity.”
Creating confusion is his specialty. As a Triple Changer, can switch from space shuttle to train to robot almost instantaneously. Thrives on foes’ panic and fear. As shuttle, travels at 20,000 mph in orbit, up to 50,000 mph out of orbit .. can launch weapons and satellites. Carries cargo. As a train, top speed is 400 mph, range 1700 miles. As robot has great strength, carries powerful ionic displacer rifle.
Japanese ID number: 48
Accessories: ”Ionic Displacer Rifle”
Astrotrain was one of the two Triple Changer toys released in 1985, the other being Blitzwing. He transforms into both a purple JNR Class D51 steam locomotive and a gray Space Shuttle orbiter. Astrotrain was one of the earliest Transformers toys to feature ball joints for his shoulders, a decade before they became a design standard.
In Japan, the 1985 release of Astrotrain had a color scheme based upon the real-life versions of the vehicles he transformed into, with a white Space Shuttle (complete with NASA decals!) and a black steam locomotive. In 1986, Takara released Astrotrain in his US toy colors. The train mode can roll on wide-ish toy train tracks, but it can’t turn corners very well.
Like several other toys from Generation 1, Hasbro’s catalogs depict prototypes that differ from the final product: Not only do the prototypes sport a gray and purple color scheme (which served as the basis for the color scheme used in the cartoon), they also have several notable sculpting and tooling differences compared to the production version; namely, arms that extend on a slide joint, different feet, and a different head sculpt that was also used as the basis for his character model. In the US and UK catalogs, he was even shown with Blitzwing’s weapons, whereas in the European Milton Bradley catalog, he sported different decals compared to stickers used for the final toy. The resin hardcopy prototypes didn’t actually transform; instead, separate prototypes existed for each mode. The stock photos of Astrotrain on the toy’s packaging, on the other hand, depict the final toy’s sculpt in its (mostly) final colors, even though the center of the helmet is painted yellow instead of red. The same near-final prototype was also featured in the 1985 J.C. Penney wish book.
ASTROTRAIN
FUNCTION: MILITARY TRANSPORT ”In confusion there is opportunity.”
Creating confusion is his specialty. As a Triple Changer, can switch from space shuttle to train to robot almost instantaneously. Thrives on foes’ panic and fear. As shuttle, travels at 20,000 mph in orbit, up to 50,000 mph out of orbit .. can launch weapons and satellites. Carries cargo. As a train, top speed is 400 mph, range 1700 miles. As robot has great strength, carries powerful ionic displacer rifle.
Theme:
1985
Manufacturer:
Hasbro
Year:
1985
Country:
United States
Series:
G1
Model Number:
Purple Train
Date Added:
2021-01-29 12:30:13
Automatic Estimated Date:
2024-01-25
Date Added:
2021-01-29 12:30:13
