New info added 05/24/01 about Taiwan G1 Devastator
knock-off.
There are rumors of a "Mexican Devastator" that's
dull green. Does anyone have more information about this?
Talk about an impressive collection...
Top Row (Left to Right): Diaclone (red trim), G1, G2 Orange
Middle Row: Interchanger Construction Team (knock-off),
G2 Yellow, and
1991 Classic European re-release
The 1991 Classic Euro Dev doesn't come with connector pieces. This
one is a kit bash.
Bottom Row: Taiwanese Diaclone knock-off, Mr. Hard Hat
(red), Mr. Hard Hat (blue)
Mr. Hard Hat originally came with different combinations of red/blue
connector pieces.
#1: Diaclone Devastator with blue trim in absolutely pristine boxes.
Flanked on the left
by Action Master Devastator and on the right by a prototype G2 Scavenger.
#2: 1991 Classic Euro Scrapper has darker purple and doesn't have
pre-printed
Decepticon logo. On Left: Taiwan Long Haul Knock-Off looks like
the
Diaclone version, but has a purple undercarriage and no "Takara" stamp.
#3: Top: 1991 Classic Euro's. Bottom: G2 American
#4 (above) & 5: Transistor Robot's Mr. Hard Hat 6-in-1
drew A LOT of inspiration from Devastator! Most individual figures transform
exactly like their Transformer counterparts! Four Star avoided copyright
infringement by making Hard Hat basically a 5-in-1 with the 6th piece becoming
a "backpack" and by changing the head into something from a Macross Valkyrie/Jetfire.
Talk about Franken-bots!
#6 & 7: 1991 Classic Euro Hook and Scavenger didn't come with
arm connecting pegs.
Note that Diaclone and Interchanger Scavenger has "L" shaped arm peg.
#8: G2 Forearms didn't come with missle release switches. Note
that the
purple trim on the G2 (both yellow and orange variants) is lighter
than that
of G1 and 1991 Classic Euro re-release.
Info on the Taiwan Diaclone knock-off (pics #9 & #10):
It's designed like the Diaclone and Interchanger Devs (ie "L-shaped"
Scavenger arm peg and chest plate that slides into Long Haul). AND it's
even got the name "Diaclone" on some of its stickers! Except for the fact
that the blue Dev pieces are lighter on the knock-off, the color scheme
is like the "Diaclone w/ Blue Trim"! The only other difference (besides
being made in Taiwan) I see is that the plastic is cheap like with the
Interchanger and that the face paint on the Dev head and the individual
figures is more reflective metallic instead of the customary flat metallic
grey.
#9: Taiwanese Diaclone knock-off
#10: (top) real Diaclone Bonecrusher; (bottom) Taiwanese knock-off
Info on the Taiwan G1 knock-off (pics #11 & #12):
The box art and design is exactly the same as the Diaclone knock-off's.
It's hard to tell from a scan, but this G1 knock-off has NO diecast parts
to it like the "original" G1, even though the box advertises "Die-Cast."
Note the absolute lack of face paint. It's like the pirates who threw this
together did so in a hurry.
#11: Taiwanese G1 knock-off
#12: Taiwanese G1 knock-off MIB
At last count, there are 12 available Devastators and Dev knock-offs:
(13 if you count Action Master Devastator)
Diaclone with red trim
Diaclone with blue trim
G1
G2 yellow
G2 orange
1986 French Dev (G1 purple access, yellow -- not G2 yellow -- robots)
1991 Classic European re-release (does not come with connector pieces)
Interchanger Construction Team (knock-off)
Mr. Hard Hat "dominant red with blue" (knock-off by Four Star)
Mr. Hard Hat "dominant blue with red" (knock-off by Four Star)
Taiwan Diaclone 6-in-1 Construction Set (knock-off) "only a few years old"
to market
Taiwan G1 6-in-1 Construction Set (knock-off) "brand new" to market
Pics of the 1986 French Scavenger:
Please feel free to send this link to a friend!
http://www.yellowmonster.com/coolstuff/devastator.html
From the collection of John Koerner. Pictures and Text by John
Koerner.
Thanks to Jørgen Widing for additional info about, and pics
of, the Euro release Devs!
Please do not duplicate without permission.
Home to: Yellow Monster
Collectibles |
