Black Tracks was offered as a drawing prize (limited to 300 pieces) through the purchase of "Transformers: The Comics" which was released on 18 October 2002.  To enter this drawing you had to send in the book's coupon on a postcard to the contest center in Japan.  I had a friend stationed in Japan purchase the book as well as submit the coupon for me prior to the 31 January 2003 deadline.  I've sent in several postcards during other prize drawings when I was stationed in Japan but never had any luck until now.  I was deployed during Operation Iraqi Freedom when my wife told me that I had won a Black Tracks!  I couldn't believe it and was excited to see it when I returned back to the states.

Black Tracks contents

Black Tracks is packaged in a plastic tray with cardboard outer piece.  The white box measures 8.5"x2.5"x4.5" with a label attached on the front which reads:

Congratulations on your win!!
B L A C K  T R A C K S
~Transformers: The Comics~ Campaign Prize
Million Publishing / In Cooperation with Takara

The contents include:

1. Black Tracks
2. Arm Rifle
3. Missile Launcher (x2)
4. Missiles (x4)
5. Launcher Base
6. Instruction Sheet
7. Sticker Sheet

There were no stickers applied to Black Tracks and I decided to keep it that way since it's an exclusive.  The instruction and sticker sheets are the same used with the Tracks re-issue (Transformers Collection #4).  The only thing missing is the character card.

WEAPONS:  Black Tracks has several types of weapon attachments: launcher base, arm rifle, 2 missile launchers, and 4 missiles.

Black Tracks Attachments

Black Tracks "Battery Machine"
V E H I C L E   M O D E

The launcher base connects to the peg hole on the trunk of the car and the launchers connect to either side of the base.  The missile triggers are located on the top of each launcher and when pressed, fire each missile.  The rear of the launchers look like  jet engines (visible turbo fans) except they are facing backwards.  But I guess you could swap the launchers around without the missiles so that it appears to be the thrust end.

To transform from vehicle to robot mode is quite simple.  Turn the car upside down and lift up both arms 90° and fold them out 90°.  Now fold down the arms 90° (minus the wings) and extend the fists by sliding the nubs located on the outer side of each arm.  Extend the legs by pulling the hood of the car downward which will separate.  Rotate the two parts at the front of the car 90° which form the feet then rotate the lower half of the body 180°.  Fold back the rear of the car 90° to expose Tracks' head and lock it into place .  Now you can connect the weapons to his body.  Take the launcher base and connect it to the peg hole just behind his head then the launchers to the pegs on either side of the base.  Finally, take the arm rifle and slide it onto his fist at the wrist.

Black Tracks stands at approximately 5.25" tall and 5" wide (wingtip to wingtip).  His color scheme includes some Grey parts; wings, neck area, head, parts of pelvic region, and missile launchers/missiles.  Die-cast metal has been used with this figure and is located on his legs.  Some Yellow paint has been applied to his face as shown in the photo on the left.

 Articulation is very limited with this figure.  His arms bend at the elbow and his wings can rotate.  Even with his limited articulation, I still think he's an excellent figure...with or without stickers applied!