Trailbreaker (G1)/toys
From Transformers Wiki
Trailbreakerhas enough toys to blaze a trail.
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Toys
The Transformers
- Takara ID number:25
- Accessories:Left & right fists, 2 "Twin Blasters", 2 missiles, radar scanner
- Known designers:Kōjin Ōno(TakaraTomy)
- Released in the first year ofThe TransformersAutobot Cars,Trailbreaker transforms into aToyota 4WD Hi-Lux N40camper truck. In robot mode, both of his lower arms are projectile launchers, able to load and fire either his fists or his projectiles, which consist of twovacuum metallizedsilver missiles and two silver "twin blasters"... though theHasbroversion of the toy severely weakened the springsfor safety reasons.There are two slots in the robot-mode "backpack" to store whichever unused wrist attachments you like.
- He was re-released in 1985 with the addition of arubsignon his vehicle-mode roof. He was also released in Japan the same year as part ofTakara'sFight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformersseries, similarly sporting a rubsign, though this release has his wrist-launchers fully-functional.
- This mold was originally released in Takara'sDiacloneline, which is why the truck roof has an opening hatch meant for a pilot figure theTransformerstoy did not come with. While there was aDiacloneversion of this mold in these plastic colors (there were also yellow and blue versions of the toy), theTransformersrelease altered the side-panel stickers, which had a yellow base colors, to match the black plastic.
| The Transformersmold:Trailbreaker/Hoist | ||
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Version 1 (Trailbreaker):
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Collector's Edition
- Trailbreaker(2001)
- ID number:25
- Accessories:2 "Twin Blasters", 2 missiles, radar scanner, 2 fists (left & right)
- In August 2001, Trailbreaker was given a short-runCollector's Editionreissue(limited to only 1,000 pieces) byTakaraas a C3 conventionexclusive item,bundled together with Hoist.
- Near as can be told, there are no notable differences between this re-release and the original Takara 1985 release.
| The Transformersmold:Trailbreaker/Hoist | ||
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Version 1 (Trailbreaker):
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Universe(2003)
- Ultra Magnus & Ironhide(Basic, 2004)
- Accessories:Rifle
TheUniverserelease ofRobots in DisguiseIronhidewasrepurposedas Generation 1 Trailbreaker byAsk Vector Prime/Renegade Rhetoric.
- Aredecoof theGeneration 2Go-BotMotormouth,UniverseIronhide transforms into a Ford F150 Flareside pickup truck. This toy features through-axle construction like the kind found onHot WheelsandMatchboxcars, which allow his truck mode to zip along smooth surfaces quickly. His truck deco is an obvioushomageto theGeneration 1character Trailbreaker, and the toy had been named "Trailbreaker" inWalmartcomputer listings. It didn't stay that way, likely one of many aborted attempts to get the character on shelves again stymied bytrademarkissues.
- This toy was only available in a Walmartexclusivepack withUltra Magnus.
| Generation 2mold:Motormouth | ||
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Encore
- Trailbreaker(2008)
- ID number:13
- Accessories:2 "Twin Blasters", 2 missiles, radar scanner, 2 fists (left & right)
- Trailbreaker was also reissued in TakaraTomy'sEncoreline. This release has a number of paint changes from the original: his visor has been painted bright blue, as have the non-tjoint window portions on his doors and the camper "visor", plus he as atampographedAutobot symbol on his hood/chest rather than a sticker.
| The Transformersmold:Trailbreaker/Hoist | ||
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Version 1 (Trailbreaker):
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Transformers(2010)
- Trailcutter(Legends Class,2011)
- Known designers:Joe Kyde(Hasbro),Andrew Scribner(deco artist)
- Released in the second (and final) wave of the2010Transformerstoyline'sReveal the ShieldLegends Classtoys, "Trailcutter" (renamed due totrademarkreasons) converts into a camper truck again, but with a front section similar to that of a Cadillac Escalade. His head sculpt is essentially the Generation 1 toy's head, including the visor, with the more humanoid face of thecartoon model.As with allReveal the Shieldtoys, he has a heat-sensitiverubsign.
- TheReveal the ShieldLegends figures saw exceedingly limited release at large-scale retail chains in the US. Throughout 2011, they eventually started appearing in discount stores like Ross, TJ Maxx, Marshalls, and Tuesday Morning, with perhaps the largest and most consistent outlet being Five Below stores.
- This mold was also sold in theTransformers Chronicleline (see below), and was used to makeGenerationsHoist.
- The same "hybrid" head design had been previously used byDan Khannafor3H'sUniversecomicand by Hasbro forAlternatorsSwindle(originally intended as Trailbreaker) and hisredecoRollbar.
Chronicle
- Trailbreaker(EZ Collection, 2011)
- ChronicleEZ CollectionTrailbreaker is a minor redeco of theTransformersLegends ClassTrailcutter toy (above), sporting a brighter-blue windshield and a tampographed Autobot symbol... which is not present on the stock photos. Whoops.
- Like otherChronicleLegends toys, he is sold in ablindpackedbox.
Generations
- Trailcutter(Deluxe Class,2013)
- Series / Number:02 / #001
- Accessories:Roof/battle shield
- Known designers:Joe Kyde(Hasbro)
- Part of the fifth wave of 2012-onwardsGenerationsDeluxe Class toys,Thrilling 30Trailcutter transforms into an armored pick-up truck. Additionally, many of hisrobot modedetails are based onAlex Milne's Cybertronian design for the character in theMore Than Meets the Eyecomic series. His truck bed canopy is removable, and transforms into a "battle shield" with mounted blasters. It features a flip-out5 mm handleas well as two 5 mm posts and ports, and can peg onto any of his numerous ports. The 5 mm ports on the legs, in particular, allow you to attach weapons from other figures to them so that Trailcutter can emulate Fortress Maximus.
- The American release comes packaged with a copy ofIDW'sSpotlight: Trailcutter,featuring a cropped version of itsClayton Crainretailer incentive cover, which is called out as a 'Hasbro Exclusive Cover' on its front. Additionally, the contents of the issue are edited to remove references to Trailcutter's original name and overt mentions of alcohol-like usage of Energon drinks. The European and Canadian releases come packaged without the Spotlight.
- He was later retooled intoGenerationsHoistandTimelinesLift-Ticket.This toy also served as the basis of the non-toy charactersIDW Flatline,Wings UniverseTurbofire,Shattered GlassTrailbreaker,andShattered GlassLockdown.
- Metroplex(Titan Class, 2013)
- 01 OF 30
- Twosmall, non-transforming figurinesof "Trailcutter", one in robot mode and the other in vehicle mode, based on hisGenerations:Thrilling 30Deluxe Class toy (see above), were packed in with theSan Diego Comic-Con2013exclusiveversion of Titan ClassMetroplex.
- This set also came with tiny figurines ofOrion Pax,Megatron,Bumblebee,Thundercracker,andHoist,each in both modes, for a total of twelve figurines, each based on their largerThrilling 30toys. Similarly to theDecoysof old, the Autobot figurines are cast in red plastic, and the Decepticons in purple.
- Metroplex(Titan Class, 2013)
- 05 OF 30
- Another exclusive version of Titan ClassMetroplexwas made available atAnimation-Comic-Game Hong Kong2013. This Metroplex also has the 12 figurines ofOrion Pax,Megatron,Bumblebee,Thundercracker,Trailcutter, andHoist,but casts the Autobot figurines in gold plastic, and the Decepticons in silver.
Generations(Japan)
- Trailbreaker & Hoist(Multi-pack, 2013)
- ID number:TG-27
- Release date:November 302013
- Accessories:Roof/battle shield
- Released in the TakaraTomyGenerationslineup, Trailbreaker is a redeco ofThrilling 30Deluxe Trailcutter, cast in different shades of plastic: his black is more jet-black, his red is darker, and his windshield is now translucent blue. He also features newpaint operations,such as silver paint on his bumper, hubcaps, and forearms, painted back lights, and now has a red visor based on his original toy. He swaps the red and blue details on the Hasbro version's upper arms for a more comic-accurate silver and red.
- Trailbreaker was only available in a two-pack withHoist,released in the eleventh wave ofGenerationsproduct.
Kre-O
- Dragon Assault(Beast Force Figure Pack, 2013)
- Set number:A2234
- Pieces:42
- Accessories:Logo brick, wrist-blaster
- TheKre-OBeast Force "Dragon Assault"set includes a TrailcutterMicro-ChangerKreonwho can be rebuilt into a 4-wheel-drive truck, or as close as you can get at that size. He comes with a wrist-blaster accessory you can pop into either cuff, but you need two fists for his vehicle mode.
- Speaking of, his vehicle-mode detailing is provided by customer-appliedstickers.
- The set also comes with a brick-builtGrimwing.
- Trailbreaker(Kreon Micro-Changer, 2014)
- Collection:Age of ExtinctionCollection 2
- Accessories:Logo brick, double barreled pistol
- Part of the sixth regular assortment ofblind-baggedMicro-Changers, Trailbreaker (apparently Hasbro was finally able to reclaim the name) is a Kreon minifigure that can be rebuilt into a pickup truck. While clearly based on the Generation 1 character, the details of his deco are much more based on thelive-action moviestyle of bot. He sports the Constructicon helmet.
- Unlike prior Micro-Changer assortments, this series does not have any sort identification code for the bags' actual contents, meaning you'd best be good at the feel-though-the-bag method.
- This assortment was originally slated to be aToys "R" Usexclusive,but US stores dropped the line before its release. It was still available in Canada, Australia, and Chinese/Asian markets. In 2015, the Collection appeared in US Dollar Tree stores, with a price tag of a whopping $1 a pop. They didn't last long.
- Kreon Class of 1984(Kreon figure set, 2014)
- Set number:B0090
- Voted:Class Clown
- Accessories:Clip-on turbine
- This version of Trailcutter (again named as such, presumably this set was in development before the original name was reclaimed) has much more detailed toy-basedtampographsthan his prior versions, save for his (shiny) cartoon-based face. He even includes the rocket-backpack piece to simulate the original toy's ability to store his rockets on his backpack.
- He was only available in aSan Diego Comic-Con2014exclusivepack of 30 Kreons dubbed the "Kreon Class of 1984".Remaining stock was to be sold atHasbro Toy Shoponline, only therewasno remaining stock after the show.
Combiner Wars
- Trailbreaker(Deluxe Class, 2016)
- 5 OF 5:Sky Reign
- Accessories:Axe, double-barreled gun/fist/foot
- Known designers:Mark Maher(deco artist)
- Part of the sixth wave ofCombiner WarsDeluxe Class figures, Trailbreaker (now using his original name again) is a retool ofCombiner WarsDecepticon Offroadsporting a new head and forearms that draw from his Generation 1 animation model, including a gun-hand. Additionally, his combiner fist/ foot weapon has retooled finger and thumb parts making his hand look more like a claw. The combiner hand can be inserted into the 5 mm peg port at the end of his gun hand, similarly toRook.As with otherCombiner WarsDeluxes, Trailbreaker can combine to formSky Reignas either an arm or a leg. He can also combine with anyUnite WarriorsVoyager class figure or even into one ofLegendsGodbomber's legs. While the front hood/windshields are needed to be folded as kneecaps for his leg mode, the piece also had a tendency to dislodge if he collides to Optimus Prime/Motormaster's and Hot Spot's protruding foot while the legs are being swiveled in his standing position, unless the leg joints are bent down to lessen the problem.
- Trailbreaker comes with a copy ofThe Transformersvol. 2 #40 (Combiner Wars part 2), "The Possible Light".In Canada, Latin America, and Europe, he was available in different types ofmultilingual packagingincluding a character card featuring his comic book cover/package artinstead. He and the last three waves ofCombiner WarsDeluxe and Voyager figures later also showed up at TJ Maxx in the USA at reduced prices with the collector card.
- The original version of this mold was also used to makeTFSSGrabugeandUnite WarriorsZombie War Breakdown,and was differently retooled intoCombiner WarsFirst AidandIronhide.
| Combiner Warsmold:Offroad | ||
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Unite Warriors
- Lynxmaster(Gift set,2016)
- ID number:UW-EX
- Release date:October 292016
- Accessories:Axe, double-barreled gun/fist/foot
- Unite WarriorsTrailbreaker is a redeco of hisCombiner Warstoy, in a color layout based more on his original cartoon model, with silver plastic replacing the red, and an extensively-painted robot mode. In vehicle mode, the strive for cartoon-accuracy means he gained a painted bumper, but ended up losing his rear window paint as well as the stripes on his doors.
- He was only available in aTakaraTomy Mall-exclusiveLynxmastermulti-pack, the fourth set to be released through this outlet.
| Combiner Warsmold:Offroad | ||
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War for Cybertron: Earthrise
- Trailbreaker(Deluxe Class, 2020)
- Hasbro ID number:WFC-E34
- TakaraTomy ID number:ER-EX 13
- TakaraTomy release date:November 28,2020
- Accessories:Arm-mounted gun, canopy
- Released in the third and final wave ofEarthriseDeluxes, Trailbreaker is a retool ofEarthriseHoist,converting into a camper truck of made-up model. He sports a new head, pelvis and gun attachment (designed to fit over and around his fist to replicate the wrist-gun of his original animation model), and a new backpack that replaces Hoist's towing apparatus with a canopy, which contains a flip-out shoulder cannon and radar scanner for his robot mode. The canopy comes detached in-package, and has a5 mm postsculpted inside it, allowing Trailbreaker to wield it as a shield. It also has a hole on top to store his gun attachment in vehicle mode. It's possible to wedge the gun under his hood between his arms using one of the 5mm ports on his forearms, although this causes the weapon nozzle to poke out off-center in front from under the hood.
- A radar dish for his vehicle mode, based on the one used in theTransformersepisode "More than Meets the Eye, Part 2,"was sold separately as part of theEarthriseCenturion Drone Weaponizer Packset. In robot mode, it's possible to store the radar dish inside his chest cavity, although it will rattle around freely.
- Like allEarthrise toys,the inside of the back of Trailbreaker's package includes an exclusive clip-and-save piece of a larger star map. Also in the box is a thin red piece of transparent plastic with which to read the star map. While Trailbreaker's map piece is unlabeled, it contains part ofCybertronand one of its moons.
- In Japan, Trailbreaker was one of many manymanytoys in the line to be aTakaraTomy Mallexclusive.
- This figure was redecoed intoGenerations Selects/LegacyDK-3 Breaker,while the original use of this mold was also used to makeGenerations SelectsLift-Ticket.
Masterpiece
- Trailbreaker(2022)
- ID number:MP-56
- Release date:December 292022
- Accessories:3 robot faces,blast effect,gun, multi-nozzle gun, fist, parabolic antenna, non-chromed grill
- Known designers:Kōjin Ōno(TakaraTomy)
- MasterpieceTrailbreaker is anincrediblycartoon-accurate version of the character, who transforms into a fully-licensed Toyota 4WD Hi-Lux camper truck with an opening hood and doors (notably, this is the firstMasterpiecefigure to use the Toyota license).
- Among Trailbreaker's many accessories are two different truck grilles - one chromed, the other matte, so you can replicate a more cartoony or real-world-y look. He also comes with a "parabolic" radar dish to mount on his truck mode, and a wrist-mounted multi-nozzle forcefield generator, both from "More than Meets the Eye, Part 2".Other robot accessories include a fist to replace the gun if you so choose, and three faces (neutral, screaming, and confident). He also includes a blast effect that just so happens to look likeone of the screen capsshownon his TFWiki.net character page.
- This figure also includes optionaldecalsthat obscure part of the cab door windows, in order to represent the toy-accurate design (which occasionally appeared in the cartoon) where the shoulder joints run through those windows.
- Trailbreaker is shown on the box photography to have extra outward joints at the shoulders, whicharethere... unfortunately, they're blocked off by an engineering oversight where the round bottom edge of the upper arm joint doesn't account for the square block in the shoulder around which it's supposed to swing. Unscrewing the back of the upper arm panel and slicing off the colliding corner of said block unlocks the joint. Trying to force it otherwise stands a good chance of snapping the upper arm off.
- This figure was retooled intoMasterpieceHoistand then in turn intoRiggorus,the latter of which comes with a force field accessory meant to double as Trailbreaker's cartoon inspired force field.
Generations Selects
- Autobots Stand United(Multi-pack, 2024)
- Series:Legacy United
- Accessories:Arm-mounted gun, canopy
- Known designers:Matthew Cohen(photography)[1]
- Released as part of theGenerations Selects"Autobots Stand United" five-pack, Trailbreaker is a redeco of hisEarthrisefigure, now in an even more cartoon-accurate deco. All of his black plastic is now a shade of charcoal grey, and his formerly-painted-transparent-plastic windscreen/roof and hood pieces are now the same opaque charcoal plastic. All of his truck windows have been painted with a cartoon-like light blue, where the original left them unpainted.
- This set also includesHound,Sunstreaker,Jazz,andWheeljack.
- The "Autobots Stand United 5-pack" was officially revealed onFebruary 27,and went up for pre-order the same day for a July 2024 release.
Authentics
- Trailbreaker(Mini Bot Racers, 2022)
- Released under theAuthenticsline of Mini Bot Racers, Trailbreaker is a redeco ofRescue Bots AcademyMini Bot Racers Hot Shot,transforming into an off-road SUV with a super-deformed version of him "driving" it in one simple step.
- He comes packaged with fellow redecoArcee,along with unchanged rerelases ofRescue Bots AcademyMini Bot RacersBumblebee,Optimus Prime,andHoist.
Merchandise
Decoy
- Cybertron Hero Collection 9(multi-pack, 1986)
- ID number:Collection No. 3
- In Japan, a red rubber mini-figure of Trailbreaker was available in part of amulti-pack of similar mini-figurines.The number etched into his back is the sum total of histech specratings, as these figurines were used as game pieces for a variety ofTransformersboard games in which this number had some meaning to how the game was played or something.
- Trailbreaker(1987)
- Decoy number:10
- The figurine was later brought over toHasbromarkets as part of theDecoypromotion, largely identical to the Japanese release except for the fact that the number on his back was replaced with a simple "checklist" number. Like all Autobot Decoys, he was a randomly-chosen pack-in available with the cardedThrottlebots,Aerialbots,Protectobots,andTechnobots.
3D Battle-Card Game
- Trailbreaker(2007)
- A 26-point "common" character in the3D Battle-Card Game's "Energon Wars" expansion, Trailbreaker "transforms" into a black pickup truck with a camper shell. He uses the same parts layout asPayloadandRatchet.
- The Battle-Card may or may not actually representthe live-action movie version of Trailbreaker,as the design is clearly in the live-action movie aesthetic (and a version of the Trailbreaker character exists in the "movie" universe anyway). The card's listed abilities — an Invisible Force Field and a Radio Jammer — line up with Trailbreaker's G1 abilities, however, so who knows.
The Loyal Subjects
- Trailbreaker(2014)
- The Loyal SubjectsTrailbreaker is a Wave 3 figure with standard articulation. He is largely based on his original toy and features a gun, but has no special gimmicks. For every 16 figures, there are 2 Trailbreakers.
- Like most of his wave, Trailbreaker's bio card plagiarizes his wiki article's opening paragraphs.
Transformers Trading Card Game
- Private Trailbreaker, Infantry-Fortification & Defense(2019)
- Wave 3: War for Cybertron: Siege I
- Rarity:UT
- Card Number:T24/T48
- Stars:10
- Private Trailbreaker, Infantry-Fortification & Defense is one of forty-eight double-sided character cards available in Wave 3 of theTransformers Trading Card Game,War for Cybertron: Siege I.
- The card's art reuses line-art from theTransformers Legendsmobile game, and is based on theThrilling 30Trailcutter toy. The line-art for Alt Mode was drawn byDan Khanna.The artwork is recolored seemingly to match the aesthetic of theSiegetoyline's packaging art.
Notes
- Trailbreaker's mold was originally aDiaclone"4WD Hi-Lux", available in three different colors: black, blue, or yellow. The blue version was sold byTakarain North America as theDiakron"DK-3" Car/Robot in1983,seemingly just a few months before the toy would be rebranded as a Transformer. There is an easy way to tell the blackDiaclone4WD Hi-Lux apart from aTransformersTrailbreaker, though—theDiaclonetoy's vehicle mode stickers have a yellow background.
- A preliminary version of the G1 Hoist toyin Trailbreaker-style blackappeared in a catalogue.
- TheCombiner WarsTrailbreaker tooling had a "pretooled" alternate head asHoist,but this was ultimately not used for any figures.
- Glaringly, Trailbreaker's appearance inthe packaging muralforWar for Cybertron: Earthriseis drawn according tohisThrilling 30toyrather thanhisEarthrisetoy.
Other attempts
There are quite a fewTransformerstoys that were at one point in their development supposed to be a new form for (or tribute to) Trailbreaker, but before theReveal the ShieldLegends Class toy, all of these became other characters with other names, most likely due toHasbro's inability to secure thetrademark.
Trailbreaker's appearance in the3HUniversecomicstems from early plans to release a Trailbreaker redeco of theRobots in DisguiseX-Brawnmold as a convention exclusive in2003.Reportedly, Hasbro themselves also had the same idea for the mass retail 2003UniverseDeluxe Class assortment, but due to the aforementioned reasons, the toy was ultimately given a different deco and released as "Autobot Ratchet"instead.
Later, aredecoof theRobots in DisguiseSpychangerIronhidewas released as aWalmart-exclusive under theUniversebanner, a black pickup truck with the distinctive red and yellow stripes from Trailbreaker's original toy. Ultimately, this toy would be released asUniverseIronhide instead. Years later, the Facebook edition ofAsk Vector Primewouldrepurposethe toy as Trailbreaker, restoring the original intent.
The original Trailbreaker toy was also among a list ofreissuesintended for release as part of theCommemorative Seriesfound in AustralianToys "R" Uscomputers, but with the cancellation of theCommemorative Series,these plans never came to fruition.
The next attempt was in theAlternatorsline, the toy that would eventually becomeSwindleand laterRollbar.Aretoolof theHoundJeep Wrangler toy, its head is a cross between the original Trailbreaker toy's helmet and the cartoon model's face, surprisingly similar toDan Khanna's rendition of the character in 3H'sUniversecomic. A black and white version of a proposed color guide for the unreleased Trailbreaker version of the sculpt was depicted in the JapaneseThe Transformers: Binaltech & TF Collection Complete Guidebook.
Finally, theCybertronAutobotOverhaulwas originally going to be called "Trailbreaker", and the head sculpt was to have more elements from the Generation 1 character's design. These plans were again scrapped, but the character's upgraded form,Leobreaker,retains the "breaker" portion of the name, since "Leohaul" sounds really silly. (The name "Overcast" was temporarily considered, but quickly dropped again.)
