Title:
Windcharger 2nd Robot Mode
Description:
Windcharger (Alternator, 2004)
ID number: 10
Accessories: Engine-shield
Originally designed to be an updated version of the Omnibot Overdrive, this Alternators toy ended up having its name changed to "Windcharger” by Hasbro after they were unable to obtain the trademark for "Overdrive”. (The toy was released as Overdrive as part of the Japanese Binaltech line, however.) His alternate mode is a licensed 1:24 scale Honda S2000 sports car with a removable "ragtop” roof, which doubles as a shield in robot mode, plus a replacement "folded down” ragtop roof piece. Like most Alternators toys, Windcharger features rubber tires, opening doors, hood and trunk, a detailed driver/passenger compartment complete with seats, dashboard and steering wheel and a working "steering” mechanism (though not connected to the steering wheel).
Differences between Alternators Windcharger and Binaltech Overdrive go beyond the different names and the usual mix of die-cast metal and plastic parts for the Binaltech version’s vehicle mode shell (including a fully painted car exterior) versus the Alternators version’s all-plastic car shell: At the request of Honda’s USA branch, who didn’t like the idea of "their” toy toting a gun around, Windcharger lacks the long drive-shaft/barrel for the rifle accessory formed from his engine block, which was even called a "shield” on the packaging. Since Honda’s Japanese department had no such objections, however, Binaltech Overdrive did include an unchanged barrel. Other minor differences include slightly differently-shaped visors, the paint operations on the front grille, and their dashboards sculpted as mirrored counterparts of each other, with Overdrive having the steering wheel on the rights side (like a Japanese car) while Windcharger has it on the left side (like an American car) for all the Hasbro markets he was released in.
This sculpt was retooled into Decepticharge, which was planned to get a Binaltech counterpart (with Overdrive’s Japanese-car dashboard) as Wildrider and eventually as "Blackwidow”, but those plans were ultimately scrapped. The intended "Blackwidow” version was later released in different colors as Binaltech Arcee.
ID number: 10
Accessories: Engine-shield
Originally designed to be an updated version of the Omnibot Overdrive, this Alternators toy ended up having its name changed to "Windcharger” by Hasbro after they were unable to obtain the trademark for "Overdrive”. (The toy was released as Overdrive as part of the Japanese Binaltech line, however.) His alternate mode is a licensed 1:24 scale Honda S2000 sports car with a removable "ragtop” roof, which doubles as a shield in robot mode, plus a replacement "folded down” ragtop roof piece. Like most Alternators toys, Windcharger features rubber tires, opening doors, hood and trunk, a detailed driver/passenger compartment complete with seats, dashboard and steering wheel and a working "steering” mechanism (though not connected to the steering wheel).
Differences between Alternators Windcharger and Binaltech Overdrive go beyond the different names and the usual mix of die-cast metal and plastic parts for the Binaltech version’s vehicle mode shell (including a fully painted car exterior) versus the Alternators version’s all-plastic car shell: At the request of Honda’s USA branch, who didn’t like the idea of "their” toy toting a gun around, Windcharger lacks the long drive-shaft/barrel for the rifle accessory formed from his engine block, which was even called a "shield” on the packaging. Since Honda’s Japanese department had no such objections, however, Binaltech Overdrive did include an unchanged barrel. Other minor differences include slightly differently-shaped visors, the paint operations on the front grille, and their dashboards sculpted as mirrored counterparts of each other, with Overdrive having the steering wheel on the rights side (like a Japanese car) while Windcharger has it on the left side (like an American car) for all the Hasbro markets he was released in.
This sculpt was retooled into Decepticharge, which was planned to get a Binaltech counterpart (with Overdrive’s Japanese-car dashboard) as Wildrider and eventually as "Blackwidow”, but those plans were ultimately scrapped. The intended "Blackwidow” version was later released in different colors as Binaltech Arcee.
Theme:
Alternators
Manufacturer:
Hasbro
Year:
2004
Country:
United States
Series:
Alternators
Date Added:
2022-07-09 16:24:11
Date Added:
2022-07-09 16:24:11
