So Tracks (left) is a rather natty boy racer type posers car, which suits his character very well. The missiles storing under the doors looks a little odd, but I don't mind it too much as the at least tuck in alright. Wheeljack (right), however, is the real deal, his remoulded front air dam and bigger spoiler show him to be a proper racer and make the vehicle mode look low and fast. Tracks' missiles are replaced with wrenches that look a lot more like actual exhausts.
I still don't know what these four holes are (rear lights and bumper) on both versions of the mould, though. Maybe there was going to be some kind of accessories? It does set them both up to be near combiner legs though!
The robot modes are distinct, half due to transformation and half due to some fairly extensive remoulding. Similar to Universe Sunstreaker and Sideswipe, the toys transform in slightly different ways, with Wheeljack's legs being reversed to those on Tracks and not able to pull out quite so far.
Inside Wheeljack's legs, room has been made to store the wrenches. This was not needed for Tracks because his missiles mount behind his head. Also, Wheeljack's...err...wheels move down to emulate his G1 toy. Nifty!
Some subtle remoulding has been done to Tracks' wings, which is a really lovely bit of attention to detail not seen in other repaints/remoulds.
Tracks' head sculpt and missiles remind me more of the Alternators/Binaltech Tracks, as does his overall aesthetic. It's nice to see that the face detail didn't get too swamped with all the red paint.
Wheeljack's overtly robotic visage is implacable as always, but not without personality. The rendering clear of his 'radar ears' makes the head look less broad and the placing of his handgun as a shoulder cannon really completes the look. The instructions tell you to clip the wrenches to his shoulders, but that's stupid.
So what is the verdict this time? Well I dissent from the common opinion that Wheeljack suits this mould better than Tracks because of the degree to which it was modified. The remoulding is so extensive that Wheeljack is of different height and proportions, armed with different weapons and even with differing gimmicks, but that said, I think 'Jack does look more pleasing than Tracks, who looks oddly lacklustre for his 'show-off' personality.
I did consider buying United Tracks for his shiny-shiny paintscheme, but I worry that he'll look out of place on my Classics shelf. That said, he's the type who'd want to stand out and look stylish, so perhaps it is worth the extra cash!
-Mattersmasher
5 comments:
I have wheel jack and i totally dig it. But I've been on and off with tracks.. i may just have to pick him up now... thanks smasher
Tracks feels weirdly cheap and rattly next to Wheeljack, like I said, I wonder if it's worth stumping up for the United one.
United Tracks is lovely. I'm not sure if the plastic is a better quality, but that metallic paint makes him more posh, just as Tracks should be.
If only I could spend £30 a pop on Tracks, Jazz and Straxus...
You don't need both of your kidneys, do you?
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