Gripper (ROC)

The Gripper is anAutobotdrone-vehicle from theReturn of Convoyportion of theGeneration 1continuity family.

What does it grip, you ask? The more apt question is, whatdoesn'tit grip?

TheGripper(グリッパーGurippā) may look like a fearsome weapon, but it is really an information-gathering remote probe controlled by theLiner Team'sJoe.He uses the data assembled by the probe to assist his team in making the most informed decisions they can in their fight against theDecepticons.

Toys

Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers

• Sixliner(Micromaster Sixteam,1991)

• ID number:C-370

Released in theReturn of Convoypart of theoriginal TakaraFight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformerstoyline,the Gripper (not actually named that yet) is made up ofSixliner's rifle, fists, and head mounted on either of his footplates to form a treaded probe-vehicle. It is technically supposed to attach to the right footplate, since that one has a peg-connector that works with its assigned carrierJoe(and any other train-team mold with a socket-style hitch), but naturally it can also use the left footplate with its socket-connector as well.

mold set was also used to make the equivalent mini-vehicle/body parts ofSixtrainandUniverseRail Racer,though those have yet to be officially named.

• More information on Sixliner at TFU.info

Micromaster

Memo: Gripper to be upgraded into promising new "Kung-Fu" version

• D-Go(Micromaster, 2002)

• ID number:1
• Accessories:Sixliner head, rifle

• Spark(Micromaster, 2002)

• ID number:2
• Accessories:Sixliner right foot

• Joe(Micromaster, 2002)

• ID number:5
• Accessories:Sixliner right & left fists

ForThe Transformers: Micromaster,the Gripper (now finally named) was largely unchanged, simply losing the decal on the foot, and gaining bluepaint operationson the robot-head eyes, which should be pointed down so you don't see them anyway. Since the team was split up into individual boxes for sale, so too were the combinerkibblepieces; the parts for the Gripper came withD-Go,Sparkand (of course)Joe.

• More information onMicromasterD-Go at TFU.info
• More information onMicromasterJoe at TFU.info
• More information onMicromasterSpark at TFU.info

Notes

• The Gripper's name comes from the much laterMicromasterfiction; it was not named in the originalReturn of ConvoySixlinerinstruction booklet.It was also shown to be used byAlanthere, though really only as an example, not a specific assignment. Also also, though the Gripper is mentioned in Joe'sMicromasterbio, his instructions do not otherwise give any indication that the relevant pieces can be combined and used in that manner.