Tracks (44) was released in
Japan in September, 2002 and sold for ¥3,000. It is the
fourth re-issue figure
(#4) released in this new stylized packaging.
The box is made of corrugated cardboard with a front flap that is
secured by two strips of velcro. The box
is mostly White with Red trim and measures
8.75"Hx6.75"Wx2.375"D. The
"Transformers" lettering is embossed on the front
along with the anime Tracks created by Dreamwave Productions.
The writing on the ends of the
box (front & sides) allow it to be displayed on a
shelf in different ways, horizontally &
vertically. The top & bottom is mostly printed in English
and each side panel can be displayed vertically or horizontally.
The horizontal panel is mostly in English whereas the
vertical is mostly in Japanese characters.
Opening the flap reveals several things--a
nice layout with parts secured in a
molded plastic container and data cards attached to the backside of the
front flap. The cellophane cover is framed nicely with an
Autobot symbol on the front/top and "Tracks" printed on the
front/bottom.
The backdrop is Tan
with Tracks name above the toy and Collection 4 below it.
At the very bottom of the backdrop is "Transformers". Each
accessory/weapon has a label below the part.
The card catalog is almost entirely in Japanese with
most of the page titles in English. The index page is glued to the
front cover of the box and outlines the contents of the card catalog.
This catalog can be removed from the box due to the perforated edge
and can be stored in a 6-ring binder.
The following items were
included with this release:
1.
Tracks (Vehicle Mode)
2. Missile Launcher (x2)
3. Incendiary Missiles (x4)
4. Missile Launcher Mount
5. Black Beam Gun
6. Character Card
7. Sticker Sheet
8. Booklet
The following information is contained in the
booklet:
- Tracks Data
File
- 21 Reflector Data File
- Transformers
Season-1 Ep.Guide (28-36)
- Fold-out
Dreamwave Poster
- Fold-out
Catalog of Season-1 Destrons
(31-37, 40-43, 48)
Tracks Weapons
WEAPONS:
Tracks weapons are identified
as Black Beam Gun, Missiles, Missile Launchers &
Mount. The Mount attaches to Tracks trunk with the Launchers
connecting to each peg. The Black Beam Gun slips onto either
wrist/fist in Robot Mode.
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VEHICLE MODE:
Tracks is a Stingray
Corvette vehicle with a Light Blue color scheme and comprised of both
plastic and die-cast metal. The tires are made of rubber and
attached to the chrome-painted wheel hubs. Tracks rolls
freely and smoothly on any surface.
The only painted
part in vehicle mode is the rear window which is Black. There are
no pre-applied stickers on Tracks so it looks quite plain in the photos
below. Tracks rub-sign is centered on
his
roof and the overall measurements are
4.5"Lx2"Wx1.25"H in vehicle mode.
VEHICLE MODE
ROBOT MODE: To transform
Tracks into robot mode,
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 Mount and connect it
to the peg hole just behind his head then the Missile Launchers to the
pegs on either side of the mount. Finally, take the arm rifle and slide
it onto his fist at the wrist.
The
missiles can be inserted into each Missile Launcher and to release the
projectile, press on the White levers. The die-cast parts are
clearly visible on his legs which add plenty of weight to keep him
erect. Tracks stands at 5.25"Hx5"Wx2.5"D.
ROBOT MODE
Tracks
has a White helmet with Red paint applied to his face. There isn't
much paint applied to Tracks in this mode and his face is quite bland
without painted eyes.
Articulation is very limited with this figure--his arms bend at the
elbow and his wings can rotate. Even with his limited articulation, as
mentioned on Black Tracks' page, I still think he's an excellent
figure...especially in vehicle mode!
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