G1 Smokescreen Review

U.S. Name: SMOKESCREEN Jap. Name: SAME

Cartoon First Appearance: Episode #30: Dinobot Island P1, Season 2, Sept. 1985

Marvel Comic First Appearance: Transformers #14

Dreamwave Comic First Appearance: Hasn't debut yet

Toy Catalog Number: 45

A quick comment: Back to G-1: Review A-V Teletran-1

This is my first Smokescreen toy and I bought it on Dec. Xviii (?) Mmii from Image Anime which cost me $XXXV. I had always wanted to own him when I was a pup, now it's becoming a reality.

R-0 Original Smokescreen's motto and tech specifications:

Affiliate: autobots | Subgroup: none | Function: diversionary tactician | Alt. Mode: fair lady z (280 zx) race car |

| STR 4 | INTL 9 | SPD 7 | ENDN 6 | RNK 6 | CRG 8 | FRPW 7 | SKL 9 |

Original G1 Smokescreen Motto:

"A look can be deceiving, a touch can be lethal"

Original G1 Smokescreen Bio:

Whether engaged in raging battle or friendly conversation, an ulterior purpose usually exists. Job is to lead enemy astray. Sneaky, but charming and affable...considered most exists. Job is to lead enemy astray. Sneaky, but charming and affable...considered most devious yet most trusted of Autobots. In car mode, emits thick smoke from tailpipe...attracts to metal. In robot mode, shoots missiles which wreak havoc on enemy aircraft radar and guidance systems...electro-disrupter rifle shorts out electrical targets.

These images were all photographed and scanned by me. If you're a Transformers fan, this will definitely bring back some reminiscences.

NOTE: Images are clearer when viewed with Internet Explorer browser.

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R-1 Smokescreen in its Original condition:

1 - Smokescreen in its brand new condition from the box. This is a Japanese version and it is exactly 100% as the American version (same size, material, style, color, texture etc.). The only difference is that the instruction and box is written in Japanese.

2 - The opening front cover exposing Prowl and his accessories. In addition, you'll notice on the right side there's a catalog.

3 - Here's how the content looks once the box was removed.

4 - These are all the contents that were included in the box/ package/ card: "1" sport car, "1" gun, "3" missiles, "2" missile launchers, "1" Smokescreen trading card, "1"sticker sheet, "1" instruction sheet, "1" miscellaneous text sheet, "1" World art: Autobots Vs Decepticons, "1" TF episode guide #37 to #45, "2" Dreamwave art with toy catalog (feature: Gear, Roadbuster, Whirl, Ironhide, Topspin, Twin Twist, Omega Supreme, Jetfire, Ratchet, Warpath, Cosmo, Overdrive, Camshalf, and Downshift), and "2" data files (images of Smokescreen and Kickback).

R-2 Pre-Applied Decals/ Stickers:

There are 6 Pre-Applied sticker that had been applied onto Smokescreen. The first one is located on the front hood of the car. It's his trademark number 38 sticker. The second and third stickers, both with number 38, are located on either side of his car door. The fourth and fifth sticker are located on his rear car or back light. The last pre-applied sticker is the Autobot Rub Sign logo located on the left side of his hip.

Sticker Sheet:

There are 17 registered numbering of stickers on the sticker sheet. But in reality it's actually 20 stickers since some of the repeat stickers are labeled as one instead of two. These registering numbering do not include the Pre-applied stickers.

Credited : Special thanks to Luis M.A. Reano for providing Smokescreen sticker sheet.

R-3 Smokescreen in Vehicle Mode:

Smokescreen in vehicle mode is a Datsun Fair LadyZ 280 ZX racing car. There is no negative flaw in this mode since every joints and connection match each other nicely. For beginner, you might have problem in getting his arm to align correctly when transforming into his vehicle mode. But once you get the hang of it, you'll realize how easy it is. Among the three (Smokescreen, Prowl, and Bluestreak), I would say that Smokescreen has the nicest color scheme of the three. In addition, his extra bumper underneath his front hood and in the back made him even more superior among the trio. Other than movable door, there is no other special gimmick in this mode.

R-4 Smokescreen in Robot Mode:

In robot mode, Smokescreen is also hot just like his vehicle mode. He is basically very symmetrical from left to right and his height proportion is well defined too. As for transformation, the sequence is very much like the cartoon that is hip rotated 180 degree backward and hand fold inside the front hood. All joints and connections are very tight and secure which make his standing posture much easier as opposed to the loosely Jazz..

R-5 Words on the Datsun Fair LadyZ 280 ZX Cars:

What does Prowl, Smokescreen, and Bluestreak all have in common? They all share the same mold and all come with the same accessories. If you start with Bluestreak as the basic prototype, then adding the police siren and a new color scheme will give you Prowl. And if you add the extra front and rear bumper with a new color the result is Smokescreen.

Here are some of the negative drawbacks regarding the Fair LadyZ 280 ZX cars:

1 - Due to the die cast metal on the upper body and the style of transformation, in time, all of the Fair LadyZ will suffer the compression leg syndrome. In other word, Smokescreen leg will shrink down and bury into his feet which will make him look shorter. If you want to avoid the problem, then leave them in their vehicle mode.

2 - In the long run, the missile launcher peg or head hole will wear off its material and cause the connection to be lose. To avoid this, don't over use the connection on/ off too much.

3 - In an exception to Smokescreen, I recommended to put extra glue on Prowl and Smokescreen headlight red sticker before you lose them because these stickers are easily peel off.

4 - In an exception to Prowl, the side leg stickers on Bluestreak and Smokescreen tend to get damage during transformation so be very cautious.

R-6 Rémy's Smokescreen toy review:

Manufacturer - Takara.

Line, Series/ Wave: Generation 1 Line, Transformers Collection - Box #5.

Year Issue: [2002 Reissue] - The original toy was released in 1985.

Made: [China] - Although the original toy was made in Japan, the qualities and materials are exactly the same as the reissue.

Scale: [N/A]

Box or Card Dimension In Inches: [LxWxD] - Approximately 8 10/16 X 6 3/4 X 2 5/16 - Box.

Packaging Method: Mint In Seal Box. Contents were packed with the following procedure:

Taped down and sandwiched between two clear plastic trays are: "1" sport car, "1" gun, "3" missiles (on tree), and "2" missile launchers,

On the back of the card board and not inside the clear plastic tray, a taped down bag which contained: "1" Smokescreen trading card, "1"sticker sheet, "1" instruction sheet, and "1" miscellaneous text sheet,

Mounted onto the front cover of the box are: "1" World art: Autobots Vs Decepticons, "1" TF episode guide #37 to #45, "2" Dreamwave art with toy catalog (feature: Gear, Roadbuster, Whirl, Ironhide, Topspin, Twin Twist, Omega Supreme, Jetfire, Ratchet, Warpath, Cosmo, Overdrive, Camshalf, and Downshift), and "2" data files (images of Smokescreen and Kickback).

Box Special Note: Front Box: Smokescreen box art. Back Box: No box art, showed Smokescreen contents and other reissue TFs ads. Used Book style format, that is, the flap or cover opened revealed the toy through a window.

Box Point or Robot Point: [3] - This number can be found on the right side flap of the box. You have to open the box to see it. It contains number and either Autobots or Decepticons insginia depending on which faction you are getting.

Approximately Toy Dimension In Inches: - Height Up To The Head: 4 Maximum Height: 4 5/16 (top of the launcher) Width from shoulder to shoulder: 2 1/4 Maximum Width: 3 14/16 (from door wing to door wing). Dept: 2 1/4.

Toy Stamp/ Fine Print Location: - Can be found underside of Smokescreen feet, (left side of feet is for Hasbro, and right side for Takara).

Transformation Of Difficulty: [Medium] - Above average.

Material Durability: [C] - Average...could be very fragile if drop especially his roof and window shield.

Toy Materials: Die Cast Metal: Front of the hood or his chest, and rear or his leg. Chrome Metal: Gun and his 3 missiles. Rubber: wheels. Plastic: Main material. Clear Plastic Window: The main front window shield and the rear window shield. There is no window on the side car including the door.

Stability: [-A] - Robot mode can stand on any flat surface...very stable.

Fun Toy: [B] - It's an okay toy.

Negative Drawback - See R-5 plus this section. There is one minor problem with the reissue Smokescreen molding. For some reason, the left chest bumper seem to drop 2 degree lower than the right chest bumper. As a result, Smokescreen chest bumper doesn't seem to be parallel with his waist.

Articulations: Head: Cannot be rotated. Shoulder: Can be swung at a 360 degree. Arm/ Elbow: Can be bent at a 90 degree angle. Wrist/ Hand: Can be rotated at a 360 degree sideway, hand cannot be hidden. Hip/ Waist: Cannot be rotated or bent. Leg: Cannot be bent. Knee: Cannot be bent. Ankle/ Feet: Cannot be bent and no sideway movement.

Rub Sign Logo: [Yes] - The autobot's rub sign located on his car roof.

Robot's Cartoon looks alike: [A] - He looks pretty much like the cartoon.

Vehicle's Cartoon looks alike: [A] - Cool vehicle mode.

Special Notes: Here is "1" special note which I thought you should know:

1 - Missiles launchers came with spring so missile can be fired out.

Overall Grade: [A] - Smokescreen is beautiful in both vehicle and robot mode. He is a must have for any Transfans.