Long Haul is almost certainly the 773B. I could be wrong about this, but I think that if he was the 797B, he would be almost on par with Scavenger for size! Similarly, I'm pretty sure Rampage is a D9, although I don't know which variant. That's something I'm hoping to look into shortly.

 

As for the voyager figure using the 797B... it might be the 10% rule at work, or it might be a case of Hasbro working from the concept sketches and other design materials before the real-world vehicles were actually rented / purchased. One thing is for certain: the toys are all completely out of scale with one another. :)

All of the Long Hauls used the same model truck, so they would all be 773Bs The Rampage could be either the D9 or D11T. I'm leaning more towards the D11T because it's a little bigger putting it closer to Long Haul's size.

So basically, Hasbro is just f*%&ing with us when it comes to modeling the Long Haul toy figure after the 797B? Bastards... :emo Hopefully the scale of the vehicle will be off then!

 

It would most likely be the modified Caterpillar. For starters, The Komatsu trucks all have rectangular headlights (not just the recesses). Overload has circular headlights, looking at the images, and comparing them to the video, I'd have to say that we're looking at the modified Caterpillar 777B with trailer for mining.

That was my thinking. This is also raises an interesting question: why is the toy version a Komatsu? Is it simply that the toy designer looked up a Komatsu for reference? Or was it decided early on that Overload would be a Komatsu, only for the producers to switch to a Caterpillar prior to filming? (If nothing else, maybe they got themselves a good discount.) Furthermore: most of the vehicle makes and models were leaked in a single list prior to release. Where did that list come from, and why was it wrong about the Komatsu? Interesting stuff. :)

Toy version...referring to the EZ collection, right? Perhaps there's your answer...nothing was set in stone on the American side b/c this figure wasn't being produced with the Supreme Dev, so come the EZ collection, they pulled from a closer regional design (or simply randomized the selection). That still doesn't explain why it's different from the movie though! Perhaps if Hasbro does in fact decide to produce this figure, they'll correct the model. :shrug

Here's my first attepmt at using Demolisher as the upper body and Mixmaster as the back and legs:

 

Once again the Devastator shoulders are too close to the legs, but I'm hoping I can improve on that. Otherwise I like the way they fit together. I'm also able to get pretty good articulation from the Demolisher arms. And I like the look of the thighs, though they'll probably need a rubber band inside to keep them together.

 

I'm leaving work again soon. Next I'll try to stick Rampage on Mixmaster, then I'll try messing around with Mixmaster's cab. Maybe I can fold it down so it would become the abdomen, raising Devastator's shoulders...

Keep on...I'll cheer you the whole way! :thumb

It would most likely be the modified Caterpillar. For starters, The Komatsu trucks all have rectangular headlights (not just the recesses). Overload has circular headlights, looking at the images, and comparing them to the video, I'd have to say that we're looking at the modified Caterpillar 777B with trailer for mining.

That was my thinking. This is also raises an interesting question: why is the toy version a Komatsu? Is it simply that the toy designer looked up a Komatsu for reference? Or was it decided early on that Overload would be a Komatsu, only for the producers to switch to a Caterpillar prior to filming? (If nothing else, maybe they got themselves a good discount.) Furthermore: most of the vehicle makes and models were leaked in a single list prior to release. Where did that list come from, and why was it wrong about the Komatsu? Interesting stuff. :)

That list was an early list from before filming even began, while they were looking for vehicles for the Constructicons. The Komatsu was one of the vehicles they were looking at, and the designers initially pattered Overload on. However, it's likely that when Bay and his crew were actually getting the real vehicles together, they went with the Caterpillar, for whatever reason. It could be that Caterpillar provided a better deal than Komatsu, much like GM did. It simply makes sense to use the same make of machines (sans the ones that a given company doesn't even produce). For instance, Caterpillar's largest hydraulic excavator is dwarfed by the Terex used for Scavenger and Demolishor. Caterpillar doesn't even make truss cranes at all. Thus, I would say that Bay chose to use all Caterpillar truck except for those types which Caterpillar didn't produce.

 

Long Haul is almost certainly the 773B. I could be wrong about this, but I think that if he was the 797B, he would be almost on par with Scavenger for size! Similarly, I'm pretty sure Rampage is a D9, although I don't know which variant. That's something I'm hoping to look into shortly.

 

As for the voyager figure using the 797B... it might be the 10% rule at work, or it might be a case of Hasbro working from the concept sketches and other design materials before the real-world vehicles were actually rented / purchased. One thing is for certain: the toys are all completely out of scale with one another. :)

All of the Long Hauls used the same model truck, so they would all be 773Bs The Rampage could be either the D9 or D11T. I'm leaning more towards the D11T because it's a little bigger putting it closer to Long Haul's size.

So basically, Hasbro is just f*%&ing with us when it comes to modeling the Long Haul toy figure after the 797B? Bastards... :emo

No, it's just that the toy was based upon the original concept models not the final vehicles, and the original concept was the larger 797B that Josh Nizi originally used for inspiration. However, Niz probably intended originally that Devastator would likely combine like G1 Devs did, with Long Haul as part of the torso, thus chose the larger truck. Once it became apparent that Long Haul was going to be a leg, the designers and Bay probably decided to go with the smaller 773B instead. Both vehicles are very similar in appearance, one is just a miniature version of the other.

So basically, Hasbro is just f*%&ing with us when it comes to modeling the Long Haul toy figure after the 797B? Bastards... :emo Hopefully the scale of the vehicle will be off then!

Pretty much... the simplest way of putting it is that the 797B is so big, it has a set of stairs running diagonally across the front of the vehicle just to help the driver reach the cab. The 773B, on the other hand... well, let's just say that if Simmons and Spitz weren't so busy running for their lives, they could have easily climbed up and dismantled Long Haul's headlights. :)

 

Toy version...referring to the EZ collection, right? Perhaps there's your answer...nothing was set in stone on the American side b/c this figure wasn't being produced with the Supreme Dev, so come the EZ collection, they pulled from a closer regional design (or simply randomized the selection). That still doesn't explain why it's different from the movie though! Perhaps if Hasbro does in fact decide to produce this figure, they'll correct the model. :shrug

That's my guess - TakTomy probably asked for some production stills or similar from the movie crew, and what they got back in return looked sufficiently like a Komatsu that they just ran with it. It really is kind of eery how much the two makes of vehicle look the same...

 

Personally, I'm still hoping Hasbro does a 180° turn and makes an Overload toy. Combining considerations aside, I think his four-armed mode would make a pretty neat companion to both the other Constructicons and Bonecrusher, of all figures.

No, it's just that the toy was based upon the original concept models not the final vehicles, and the original concept was the larger 797B that Josh Nizi originally used for inspiration. However, Niz probably intended originally that Devastator would likely combine like G1 Devs did, with Long Haul as part of the torso, thus chose the larger truck. Once it became apparent that Long Haul was going to be a leg, the designers and Bay probably decided to go with the smaller 773B instead. Both vehicles are very similar in appearance, one is just a miniature version of the other.

Certainly, and thanks for the original concept explanation. So are you of the opinion that though Hasbro seemed to be making an attempt to solidify designs early on, Bay & ILM made changes late in the game, which could account for the discrepancies? While the toy designers stuck with the original plan?

No, it's just that the toy was based upon the original concept models not the final vehicles, and the original concept was the larger 797B that Josh Nizi originally used for inspiration. However, Niz probably intended originally that Devastator would likely combine like G1 Devs did, with Long Haul as part of the torso, thus chose the larger truck. Once it became apparent that Long Haul was going to be a leg, the designers and Bay probably decided to go with the smaller 773B instead. Both vehicles are very similar in appearance, one is just a miniature version of the other.

Certainly, and thanks for the original concept explanation. So are you of the opinion that though Hasbro seemed to be making an attempt to solidify designs early on, Bay & ILM made changes late in the game, which could account for the discrepancies? While the toy designers stuck with the original plan?

Hasbor did have to solidify the designs early on. They were working with Bay even during the Writers' Strike to choose designs and characters so that they could get started on toys. They have to start that work well over a year in advance. So, yes, toy designers are indeed stuck with early designs before they're fully finalized. They can sometimes make minor cosmetic changes later in the game, but the over-all design and production begins a long time before the movie is done so that the toys can be released with the movie (usually a few weeks before) to help build up the hype as well as profit from it.

Certainly, and thanks for the original concept explanation. So are you of the opinion that though Hasbro seemed to be making an attempt to solidify designs early on, Bay & ILM made changes late in the game, which could account for the discrepancies? While the toy designers stuck with the original plan?

Very much so. It's as Tramp is saying - ILM have the luxury of making changes to the film just weeks in advance of release, wheras Hasbro wanted to have toys on the shelves by that point... and that's not taking into account the enormous amount of preparation work, design, engineering, manufacturing and distribution that Big H has to do in advance.

 

Now having said this, there's no reason why Hasbro couldn't look at releasing 'improved' versions of the Constructicons, in much the same way that they rushed to add a sword to the first leader-class movie Prime.

 

Personally though? I'm surprised that the filmmakers didn't better prioritize Devastator's design. The changes they made - the recolouring, addition of Overload, etc. - didn't take effect until after they had released several trailers. And moving Rampage from being a leg to being a hand? Whatever factor necessitated that change must have easily been foreseeable. One can only wonder as to what happened...

Certainly, and thanks for the original concept explanation. So are you of the opinion that though Hasbro seemed to be making an attempt to solidify designs early on, Bay & ILM made changes late in the game, which could account for the discrepancies? While the toy designers stuck with the original plan?

Very much so. It's as Tramp is saying - ILM have the luxury of making changes to the film just weeks in advance of release, wheras Hasbro wanted to have toys on the shelves by that point... and that's not taking into account the enormous amount of preparation work, design, engineering, manufacturing and distribution that Big H has to do in advance.

 

Now having said this, there's no reason why Hasbro couldn't look at releasing 'improved' versions of the Constructicons, in much the same way that they rushed to add a sword to the first leader-class movie Prime.

 

Personally though? I'm surprised that the filmmakers didn't better prioritize Devastator's design. The changes they made - the recolouring, addition of Overload, etc. - didn't take effect until after they had released several trailers. And moving Rampage from being a leg to being a hand? Whatever factor necessitated that change must have easily been foreseeable. One can only wonder as to what happened...

Actually, Overload was always in the movie design for Devastator. Even the earliest announcements over the identities of the Constructicons who formed Devastator(and their vehicle forms) had Overload listed among them. According to the SDCC panel, Hasbro simply omitted him in the Supreme class toy to simplify the toy since you can't see Overload in the final combined mode anyway.

Certainly, and thanks for the original concept explanation. So are you of the opinion that though Hasbro seemed to be making an attempt to solidify designs early on, Bay & ILM made changes late in the game, which could account for the discrepancies? While the toy designers stuck with the original plan?

Very much so. It's as Tramp is saying - ILM have the luxury of making changes to the film just weeks in advance of release, wheras Hasbro wanted to have toys on the shelves by that point... and that's not taking into account the enormous amount of preparation work, design, engineering, manufacturing and distribution that Big H has to do in advance.

 

Now having said this, there's no reason why Hasbro couldn't look at releasing 'improved' versions of the Constructicons, in much the same way that they rushed to add a sword to the first leader-class movie Prime.

 

Personally though? I'm surprised that the filmmakers didn't better prioritize Devastator's design. The changes they made - the recolouring, addition of Overload, etc. - didn't take effect until after they had released several trailers. And moving Rampage from being a leg to being a hand? Whatever factor necessitated that change must have easily been foreseeable. One can only wonder as to what happened...

Actually, Overload was always in the movie design for Devastator. Even the earliest announcements over the identities of the Constructicons who formed Devastator(and their vehicle forms) had Overload listed among them. According to the SDCC panel, Hasbro simply omitted him in the Supreme class toy to simplify the toy since you can't see Overload in the final combined mode anyway.

Which I think is a bunk excuse! It could possibly help out the articulation of the beast, but you can't see him, so...naaa, leave him out!? I was reading the SDCC panel comments earlier...didn't they say something about adding too much to the price point. These panels can come up with the BEST excuses. :roll

 

I'm of the same mind as JOP in the respect of prioritizing the design. I don't know if Hasbro had any problem with Bay/ILM making changes (doubtful), but I see this last minute design change as a devaluation of the final merchandise. :shrug I mean, I don't wanna buy that Supreme debacle!

Certainly, and thanks for the original concept explanation. So are you of the opinion that though Hasbro seemed to be making an attempt to solidify designs early on, Bay & ILM made changes late in the game, which could account for the discrepancies? While the toy designers stuck with the original plan?

Very much so. It's as Tramp is saying - ILM have the luxury of making changes to the film just weeks in advance of release, wheras Hasbro wanted to have toys on the shelves by that point... and that's not taking into account the enormous amount of preparation work, design, engineering, manufacturing and distribution that Big H has to do in advance.

 

Now having said this, there's no reason why Hasbro couldn't look at releasing 'improved' versions of the Constructicons, in much the same way that they rushed to add a sword to the first leader-class movie Prime.

 

Personally though? I'm surprised that the filmmakers didn't better prioritize Devastator's design. The changes they made - the recolouring, addition of Overload, etc. - didn't take effect until after they had released several trailers. And moving Rampage from being a leg to being a hand? Whatever factor necessitated that change must have easily been foreseeable. One can only wonder as to what happened...

Actually, Overload was always in the movie design for Devastator. Even the earliest announcements over the identities of the Constructicons who formed Devastator(and their vehicle forms) had Overload listed among them. According to the SDCC panel, Hasbro simply omitted him in the Supreme class toy to simplify the toy since you can't see Overload in the final combined mode anyway.

Which I think is a bunk excuse! It could possibly help out the articulation of the beast, but you can't see him, so...naaa, leave him out!? I was reading the SDCC panel comments earlier...didn't they say something about adding too much to the price point. These panels can come up with the BEST excuses. :roll

 

I'm of the same mind as JOP in the respect of prioritizing the design. I don't know if Hasbro had any problem with Bay/ILM making changes (doubtful), but I see this last minute design change as a devaluation of the final merchandise. :shrug I mean, I don't wanna buy that Supreme debacle!

Yes, they did want to keep the costs down, hence wanting to simplify the design. Either way, Overload was a part of the movie design itself from the beginning.