Susp's Review: GENERATION 2 RANSACK
In 1993, Hasbro shocked and delighted fans everywhere with the launch of Transformers: Generation 2. At first, the line consisted entirely of redecos, but eventually new and exciting concepts like Rotor Force, Laser Rods, Heroes, and Cyberjets appeared on the scene. Of the four Rotor Force toys, the Decepticon air reconnaissance fighter known as Ransack enjoys a special place in TF history for being the only non-modern aircraft to date.
Vehicle Mode: Ransack is an U.S. F4U Corsair, a legendary WWII-era fighter distinguished by its bent wings and outsized propeller. Measuring 11.5 cm(4.5") long with a wingspan of 10 cm(3.9"), Ransack is dark purple with pine green fuel tanks, a translucent red cockpit, and an orange rotor (later versions came with a black rotor). Despite his relatively small size, he's got plenty of impressive detailing. Look into his cockpit and you'll see that the interior has been moulded to look as though a humanoid pilot is at the controls. His wings have white identification stripes and the left wing features a moulded radio antennae, a purple, orange, and yellow G2 Decepticon insignia sticker on top, and a smaller G2 logo on the underside. Pasted on his sides are the initials "D.C." which presumably stand for Decepticon. And on either sides of his stabilizer fin is an upward-pointing arrow an "9824L."
Turning Ransack's rotor clockwise and then pushing the small purple button at the base of the launcher causes the rotor to go spinning through the air for an incredible distance of up to 20 feet or more! Take care not to lose it under your furniture!
Transformation: Surprisingly complex. Remove the launcher, flip the top half of the plane forward, fold down the vertical stabiliser, and swing out the robot legs. Rotate the robot body 180 degrees, detach the fuel tanks/robot arms from the wings, and fold down the top section again. Fold back the wings, snap the waist into place, and flip out the feet.
Robot Mode: Ransack stands 9 cm(3.5") tall at the head, with the panel on his back adding another centimetre or so. He's still entirely purple save for his green arms and black feet. His arms have moulded fists, but end in rounded tips, making it look like he's wearing sparring gloves of some sort. His head is moulded to resemble a fighter pilot's helmet, complete with translucent red lightpiping.
Ransack's articulation consists of universal-jointed shoulders and hinged elbows. His launcher pegs into either fist and works just as wonderfully in this mode.
Overall, Susp Sez: Despite his lack of poseability, Ransack is an awesome toy. The Corsair mode is wonderful (it's a real pity we haven't gotten more TFs with vintage alt mode), the robot mode looks good and holds together firmly, and the rotor-firing gimmick is pure joy. 9/10
Despite its many innovations, G2 ultimately failed to sell strongly enough for Hasbro to keep it alive. But rather than allow TFs to suffer a second, possibly permanent death, they decided to completely re-invent the brand. A whole new era of TFs were about to rear their savage heads . . .
"If there's a chance for destruction, I take it!"
Vehicle Mode: Ransack is an U.S. F4U Corsair, a legendary WWII-era fighter distinguished by its bent wings and outsized propeller. Measuring 11.5 cm(4.5") long with a wingspan of 10 cm(3.9"), Ransack is dark purple with pine green fuel tanks, a translucent red cockpit, and an orange rotor (later versions came with a black rotor). Despite his relatively small size, he's got plenty of impressive detailing. Look into his cockpit and you'll see that the interior has been moulded to look as though a humanoid pilot is at the controls. His wings have white identification stripes and the left wing features a moulded radio antennae, a purple, orange, and yellow G2 Decepticon insignia sticker on top, and a smaller G2 logo on the underside. Pasted on his sides are the initials "D.C." which presumably stand for Decepticon. And on either sides of his stabilizer fin is an upward-pointing arrow an "9824L."
Turning Ransack's rotor clockwise and then pushing the small purple button at the base of the launcher causes the rotor to go spinning through the air for an incredible distance of up to 20 feet or more! Take care not to lose it under your furniture!
Transformation: Surprisingly complex. Remove the launcher, flip the top half of the plane forward, fold down the vertical stabiliser, and swing out the robot legs. Rotate the robot body 180 degrees, detach the fuel tanks/robot arms from the wings, and fold down the top section again. Fold back the wings, snap the waist into place, and flip out the feet.
Robot Mode: Ransack stands 9 cm(3.5") tall at the head, with the panel on his back adding another centimetre or so. He's still entirely purple save for his green arms and black feet. His arms have moulded fists, but end in rounded tips, making it look like he's wearing sparring gloves of some sort. His head is moulded to resemble a fighter pilot's helmet, complete with translucent red lightpiping.
Ransack's articulation consists of universal-jointed shoulders and hinged elbows. His launcher pegs into either fist and works just as wonderfully in this mode.
Overall, Susp Sez: Despite his lack of poseability, Ransack is an awesome toy. The Corsair mode is wonderful (it's a real pity we haven't gotten more TFs with vintage alt mode), the robot mode looks good and holds together firmly, and the rotor-firing gimmick is pure joy. 9/10
Despite its many innovations, G2 ultimately failed to sell strongly enough for Hasbro to keep it alive. But rather than allow TFs to suffer a second, possibly permanent death, they decided to completely re-invent the brand. A whole new era of TFs were about to rear their savage heads . . .
"If there's a chance for destruction, I take it!"