U.S. Name: ULTRA MAGNUS   Jap. Name: SAME 

Cartoon First Appearance: T.F. The Movie - Aug. 8, 1986

Toy Catalog Number: C-69

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This is my second Ultra Magnus action figure as I got it on Feb. Xv, Mmi.  My first one, I traded it  for Metroplex which later I gave it away along with the rest of my other transformers toys (silly me).    Anyhow, they charged me $LXV (UM) and that was with 30% off - my gosh...back in the old days it was about $XXX (I think? or maybe less).  But then again, I was so thrill and surprise when I found out the reissue Ultra Magnus and other transformers to come.  As a result, I didn't care about the price.  These transformers figures brought back so many reminiscences and sentimental purposes.

R-0 Original Ultra Magnus' motto and tech specifications:  

Affiliate: autobots | Subgroup: none | Function: city commander | Alt. Mode: car carrier|

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

NOTE-1: This review page is meant to give you some ideas about the figure should you decide to obtain one, or even just for nostalgic or sentimental purposes.  They're just my opinion and I hold no responsibility for your action.  If you have questions about this review or if there's a section or image that owned by you and I didn't give you credit, please click email from the main page.  I'll make the correction once I receive your info.  Have fun.

- Click on the Thumbnails to view them at a Larger Scale -

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R-1 Ultra Magnus in its Original condition:

1 - Ultra Magnus in its brand new condition from the box.  

2 - Back box art showed Season 3 Japan Box Art starring Metroplex/ Superion/ Ultra Magnus vs. Trypticon/ Menasor/ Bruticus

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" cab, "1" trailer, "2" missile launchers, "4" missiles (on tree), "1" gun, "2" belted clips, "1" chest plate, "1" Ultra Magnus head, "2" big fists, "2" small fists, "1" Ultra Magnus trading card, "1" sticker sheet, "1" instruction sheet, and "2" miscellaneous text sheet.

R-2 Pre-Applied Decals/ Stickers: 

There are 11 Pre-Applied stickers that had been applied onto Ultra Magnus.  The first eight (4 on each side) are located on either side of the cab.  It's that silver sticker that run from the side of the cab to the front.  The ninth and tenth stickers are located on either side of the trailer.  It's that huge Autobot insignia sticker.  The last pre-applied sticker is the Autobot Rub Sign logo located on top of the cab roof.

Sticker Sheet:

There are 13 registered numbering of stickers on the sticker sheet.  But in reality it's actually 19 stickers since some of the decals/ stickers are grouped or paired together and labeled it as one.  These registered numberings do not include the Pre-applied stickers. 

R-3 As Magnus - Cab Mode:

Magnus cab is basically a repaint of Optimus Prime mold.  Other than colors differences and some accessories, the two are exactly identical from material to transformation sequence.  Therefore, if you lost your Magnus, you can always use Prime to substitute and Ultra Magnus version will still be formed.  Sometime, I just wish the maker would color his bumper to red because that would match his cartoon counterpart.  In Cab or Ultra Magnus mode, you can store Magnus two little hands inside his chest or seat area to prevent it from losing.

R-4 As Magnus - Robot Mode:

Magnus in his Optimus Prime looks alike mode.  For playing value, you can even use Magnus as the "coated armored Optimus Prime" from "The Return of Optimus Prime P2" episode since he's all white.  Anyhow, the rifle is reversible and can be used in either Magnus or the Ultra Magnus version.  I thought that was a cool idea instead of making two different guns.  And with a little pressure, you can even insert the two Missile Launchers on Magnus small hand to give him the extra firepower.  Otherwise, everything looks good.  

R-5 As Ultra Magnus - Vehicle Mode:

In Car Carrier mode, Ultra Magnus almost looks exactly like his cartoon counterpart.  The only different is that the missile launcher should be on the side of the trailer, not in the front.  There are two special features in this mode and that is the trailer door or ramp and his upper deck ramp or arm (actually it's his arm) can be swung up or down, See R-6 for more detail.  Despites the large size, the trailer is actually light since there is no die cast metal present.  

R-6 Car Carrier & Jet Carrier Details:

As car carrier, 4 Autobots basic size can be loaded onto him, that is, two on top and two on the bottom.  Despites its simplicity, I thought it holds the cars very well thanks to the rough terrain of  the red platform and the white arm of the upper deck.  Although Ultra Magnus primary design is an armored car carrier, thanks to his Toy Box Ads and the Japanese Toy commercial in which both involved him carrying the Aerialbot Silverbolt (far left image), Ultra Magnus can now claim he a Jet Carrier too.  The middle image shows Ultra Magnus serving as Jetfire launching pad lift off.  The launching pad is strongest somewhere around 65 or 75 degree upright.  Anything below that would force his launching pad to swing back to car carrier position especially if that jet is heavy like the 1/55 scale Jetfire.  This jet carrier concept from the G1 Ultra Magnus later was fully executed in the Energon Ultra Magnus who alternate mode is a full jet carrier, no longer a car carrier.  

R-7 As Ultra Magnus - Robot Mode

Ultra Magnus is composed of the cab and the trailer.  Since a kid, I had always viewed the Magnus cab robot as a full entity or being while his trailer is just an armor.  I guess, the action figure and the playing value really influenced my thinking.  This theory later supported in the Dreamwave Comic from the Second Mini-Series Transformers Issue #6 of Sept 2003 (James "Brad Mick" McDonough/ Pat Lee).  But as a character and recognition, it isn't really Ultra Magnus without his armor being put on.  Although he is not too pose able in robot mode, his bulky and superior looking is enough to make you wanted to own him especially when you know that his cool looking vehicle mode offers more playing values too.  In combine mode, Ultra Magnus is pretty darn big that is, he is 9 1/8 inch up to the head and 10 3/16 up to the extended white shoulder bar, see R-13 for more. 

R-8 The Lost Transformation:

For all the Transfans that wonder why Ultra Magnus chest plate looks like a Space Shuttle, well that because it is a space shuttle.  When the chest plate and Ultra Magnus head combine with one another, it forms a space shuttle.  The chest plate is the actual shuttle while Ultra Magnus head function like a cannon.  If you look at the chest plate, you'll see it has a seat section that was reserved for a driver.  This human driver was omitted in the Ultra Magnus package but not in the Diaclone Line (see R-11 for explanation). Unfortunately, this unique Space Shuttle transformation only occurs in the Diaclone Line  not in the Transformers line.  Furthermore, the chest plate in the Diaclone Line comes with wheels but when it was imported to the Transformers Universe the wheels were disabled from the chest plate.  So Transfans, I think we got cheated for our Ultra Magnus Transformer since the Diaclone Line offers more features regarding this toy.

R-9 Repair Bay Transformation:

Just like Optimus Prime repair bay trailer, Ultra Magnus trailer can also be converted into a repair bay.  I thought this mode is cool in its own right despites the lack of aesthetic.  But then again, it certainly add more playing value to the figure.

R-10 Battle Station Transformation:

This is how our Ultra Magnus battle station looks like according to the instruction sheet and the box ads image.  Well, I am very disappointed by this Ultra Magnus Battle Station, not because the formation is simple but because we got cheated by Takara & Hasbro aka the makers of Transformers Line.  This is no battle station, it's an INCOMPLETE transformation.  R-11 will explain why I am so disappointed.

R-11 Battle Station Comparison - Ultra Magnus Vs. Powered Convoy:

The right image is the correct and respectable Powered Convoy Battle Station transformation.  This is how Ultra Magnus battle station should've looked like not that crappy transformation, left image (or R-10).  As you can see, Powered Convoy battle station is actually much more complex and certainly looks way better than Ultra Magnus.  Ultra Magnus looks like he is still in his robot mode version.  So the question is, if both trailer is identical why can't Ultra Magnus battle station looks like Powered Convoy especially when both Diaclone and Transformers Line own by the same company, Takara?  And for the second time, I think we got cheated Transfans.

R-12 Ultra Magnus's Origin - Powered Convoy:

The Transformers character Ultra Magnus got his design scheme directly from the Diaclone Toy Line character called "Powered Up Convoy" (Powered Up Optimus Prime), left image, whose colors scheme were actually Red, Dark Blue, and Grey but without the Autobot logo or insignia donned onto him.  Also, if you get the Powered Convoy Giftset, the gray on the trailer had been replaced by a Chrome color.  In addition, a black Sideswipe and a red Mirage are included with the giftset too.  Anyhow, when Powered Up Convoy was brought into the Transformers Toy Line, Hasbro changed his character to Ultra Magnus as well as repainted his colors scheme to Red, White, and Blue.  

Here are the main differences between Powered Convoy and Ultra Magnus toy beside their colors and the standard accessories:

1 - Powered Convoy chest plate had wheels and combine with the large head to form a space shuttle so that a yellow human driver could use it.  Magnus chest plate wheels were taken off.

2 - A red transformable robot called Super Buggy was included with Powered Convoy.  Magnus didn't come with one.  If you look at Powered Convoy/ Magnus gun, you will notice an extra peg on top of the gun.  This peg is used to attach on top of the little red Buggy car.  Well, now Magnus fans know what this peg is for since they got cheated by Hasbro.

3 - Powered Convoy comes with a little Yellow Human Driver that can be placed  inside the Cab, Chest Plate, or the red Buggy car.  Magnus has none.

4 - Ultra Magnus comes with two extra stickers, the Autobots logo and the Rubsign logo.  But other than that, they both share the same stickers.

5 - The Instruction on Powered Convoy showed a better decent looking Battle Station than the instruction on Ultra Magnus/ Diaclone Ultra Magnus Battle Station Instruction, see R-11.

CREDITED: All Powered Convoy Images were taken from http://home.student.utwente.nl/j.blok-10/battle_convoy.htm, they are not my image.

R-13 Ultra Magnus in Scale Comparison:

Now onto the larger action figures scale, where does Ultra Magnus stand when compare to the other giant Autobots from G1 Transformers Season 1 to Season 4 characters?  The answer is 5th.  Obviously, the #1 spot goes to Fortress Maximus who action figure is like 2 feet tall which I don't have.  He is the mother of all Transformers action figure with that giant size.  Second goes to Omega Supreme.  Metroplex is third.  Superion is fourth.  Ultra Magnus is fifth.  Jetfire is sixth.  Blaster is seventh (not in picture), Then, Defensor or Computron is eighth.  The others like Prime, Sideswipe, Bumblebee, Six-Gun are in there just to give you a rough idea of the scale how big these big bots are.

R-14 Rémy's Ultra Magnus action figure review:

Manufacturer - Takara.

Line, Series/ Wave: Generation 1 Line, Reissue Series.

Year Released: [Dec. 2000 Reissue] - The original toy was released in 1986.  

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

Scale: [N/A]

Box or Card Dimension In Inches: [LxWxD]  - Approximately 6 X 13 5/16 X 4 14/16 - Box.

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

Taped down and sandwiched between two clear plastic trays are: "1" cab, "1" trailer, "2" missile launchers, and "1"chest plate.  NOTE: both the cab and the trailer were wired down to hold the toy in place.

Also inside that clear plastic tray but taped down inside a bag are: "4" red missiles (on tree), "1" gun, "2" belt clips, "2" large fists, and "2" small fists, and "1' Ultra Magnus head.

On the back of the card board and not inside the clear plastic tray, a taped down bag which contained: "1" Ultra Magnus trading card, "1" instruction sheet, "1" sticker sheet, and "2" miscellaneous text  sheet.

Box Special Note: Front Box Appearance: Ultra Magnus art.  Back Box Appearance: Metroplex/ Superion/ Ultra Magnus vs. Trypticon/ Menasor/ Bruticus.  Used the old 1984-1988 conventional box style.  The only different is that it does not have a flap on top of the box like the 1980s style.

Box Point or Robot Point: [5]  - This number can be found on the right side flap (yellow portion) of the box.  You have to open the box to see it.  It contains number and the Autobots insignia next to it.

Approximately Dimension In Inches: Magnus - Height Up To The Head:  6 3/16  Maximum Height: 6 3/16  Width from shoulder to shoulder: 3 5/16  Maximum Width: 3 3/4 (from smoke pipe to smoke pipe)  Dept: 1 14/16.

Ultra Magnus - Height Up To The Head:  9 1/8  Maximum Height: 10 3/16 (top of the shoulder)  Width from shoulder to shoulder: 6/3/16  Maximum Width: 8 1/8 (from shoulder launcher to shoulder launcher).  Dept: 3 1/2

Figure's Stamp/ Fine Print: ©HASBRO, 1984, (Japanese text), ©TAKARA CO. LTD., 1984, MADE IN CHINA.

Figure's Stamp/ Fine Print Location: Can be found underside of Ultra Magnus trailer next to the rear wheel.

Transformation Of Difficulty: [Easy] - Very easy to transform.

Material Durability: [-A] - Pretty durable...just be careful of the joints...yes it makes sound...but...

Materials: Die Cast Metal:  Torso, leg and feet of the cab.  Chrome Part: Gas tank, engine plate, and smoke pipe of the cab.  Rubber: Wheels.  Plastic: Main material.  Clear Plastic Window: Front and side of the cab.

Stability: [-A] - Just don't put him where there's a slope surface or he'll roll out, ehhehe.

Fun Figure: [-A] - Definitely a fun toy due to his vehicle mode, the Prime mode, and his shooting missiles.

Negative Drawback - The legs...it looks like he only has one leg from a far distance.  The wheel underneath his feet cause Magnus to roll down if the ground is not even.

Articulations: Magnus - Head: Cannot be rotated. Shoulder: Can be swung at a 360 degree. Arm/ Elbow: Can be bent at a 90 degree angle.  The lower portion of the arm can also be rotate at a 360 degree. Wrist/ Hand: Can be rotated at a 360 degree sideway, pull hand off to hide hands.  Hip/ Waist: Cannot be rotated.  Leg: Can be bent backward at a 90 degree. Knee: Cannot be bent.  Ankle/ Feet: Cannot be bent and no sideway movement.

Ultra Magnus - Head: Cannot be rotated. Shoulder: Can be swung at a 360 degree. Arm/ Elbow: Can be bent at a 90 degree angle.  The lower portion of the arm can also be rotate at a 360 degree. Wrist/ Hand: Can be rotated at a 360 degree sideway, pull hand off to hide hands.  Hip/ Waist: Cannot be rotated.  Leg: Cannot be bent. Knee: Cannot be bent.  Ankle/ Feet: No sideway movement.  Feet can only be bent downward.

Rub Sign Logo: [Yes] - The autobot's rub sign located on top of the white cab.

Robot's Cartoon looks alike: [B] - The leg should be white not red.

Vehicle's Cartoon looks alike: [-A] - The missile should be on the side of the trailer not in front, but other wise, very accurate.

Special Notes: Here are "2" special notes that I think you should know:

1 - Ultra Magnus joints (shoulders, arms, and legs) make sound whenever you move them.  

2 - Magnus missile launchers came with spring so missile can be fired out.

Overall Grade: [+A] - Because I'm a huge fan of Ultra Magnus.