BEAST
WARS: TOY REVIEW
Name: CHEETOR
Allegiance: Maximal
Function: Robotic Jungle Patrol
Beast Mode: Mecha Cheetah
Average Price: 25 AUD
BEAST MODE
Height: 7 cm
Length: 18 cm
Articulation: 14 points
The major downfall of the original
Cheetor's was that the beast mode was far too chunky for a cheetah.
Cheetor's Transmetal incarnation in terms of being far more streamlined
and lithe. Another major difference is that, being a Transmetal, Cheetor's
beast mode is now very robotic. Indeed there is hardly any organic parts
visible at all in this mode. The head is beige with turqoise accents (including
the jaw and snout). The eyes are red. The main torso is primarily chrome-yellow
with some turqoise and yellow accents and beige side panels. The forelegs
are beige with chrome-gold accents and the feet are turqoise. The hind
legs are similar in colour, except the thighs are turqoise and yellow with
black spots. The tail is totally turqoise. On the left side of the collar,
the name "Cheetor" is inscribed in black writing. The overall sculpting
features an array of mechanical features such as bolts, vents, grills etc.
TRANSFORMATION TO VEHICLE MODE
Remove the tail and turn it 180 degrees so that the dorsal
fin is point up. Place tail back in. Flip out side panels and flip out
thrusters.
VEHICLE MODE
Typical Transmetal intermediate mode; it's nothing more than
a modification of the beast mode. Still, it's not to bad though. The only
drawback is that there's a big hole in the middle of the torso now. But
of course, that's where the thrusters were tucked in in beast mode.
TRANSFORMATION TO ROBOT MODE
Remove the tail. Straighten out the hind legs and take out
robot heels. Fold up forelegs. Grabbing the shoulders, lift the shoulder
section up 90 degrees, then fold it forward 90 degrees. Separate head into
two halves, forming robot arms. Flip up robot head, fold down chest and
lock robot shoulders into position. Place tail into hand as a weapon.
ROBOT MODE
Height: 13cm
Points of Articulation: 16
As with all Transmetals, the robot mode is designed to
look more organic and somewhat mimic the animal upon which the beast mode
was based. The head is turqoise with yellow and blue accents. The eyes
and teeth are blue. Yes, blue. For reasons beyond me, Cheetor has now has
his teeth fully exposed and gritted. Although it doesn't look quite as
goofy as Galvatron's grin, I would've
much preferred a neutral closed-mouth. The torso is chrome-gold and the
chest is beige and yellow with black spots. The solar plexus is turqoise.
So is the waist, although it has silver accents with an interesting grill
pattern sculpted on. The robot legs are the same as the beast hind legs.
The upper arms are yellow and the forearms are turqoise and yellow with
black spots. The two halves of the beast head are attached to the forearms.
Like the beast mode, the robot mode has various mechanical features including
pipes, conduits etc. However, more organic-like parts are visible here.
Parts of the chest, arms and thighs are sculpted to look organic and there's
even fur grain moulded on some parts. Overall, the organic looking parts
mesh quite well with the robotic parts. My major complaint about this mode
is the lack of what I consider to be real hands. The hands resemble a claw,
consisting of only two opposable digits. Yes, it's functional, but I prefer
robot modes with all five fingers myself. Also, the axe-whip would probably
only be truly effective as a medium range weapon. I doubt it would work
well in close-quarter or long range combat.
OVERALL
Better than the original.
VARIATIONS
In Japan, the word "Cybertron" is printed on the toy instead
of 'Cheetor.'
In 1999, Hasbro reissued Transmetal Cheetor as part of
the relaunch of the Beast Wars Transformers TV series on the American network
Fox Kids!.
In this version, the toy was repainted with dark red
and dark olive.
Left:
The Fox Kids! version of Transmetal Cheetor released only in America.
(Photo courtesy of Benson Yee)
Transmetal Cheetor also served as the base mould for the
Jaguar (Ravage) toy created and released
by Takara in Japan.
BEAST TRIVIA
Family: Felidae
Genus: Acinonyx
Species: jubatus
Also known as the hunting leopard, the Cheetah lives on open
plains in southern, central and eastern Africa and in the Near East where
it is all but extinct. The cheetah is the fastest land animal in the world
and can attain speeds of at least 95 kilometres per hour! As its long legs
and strong hind quarters are designed for running. Its claws, which provide
traction, differ from those of other cats in being only partly retractile
and in lacking protective sheaths.
The cheetah reaches a length of around 140 centimetres, with the tail
accounting for an additional 75-80 cm; it stands on average, 80 cm at the
shoulder and weighs 50-60 kilogrammes. From birth to the age of about three
months, the cheetah has an attractive, dark spotted coat with long, blue-gray
hair on the head, neck and back. The crisp, coarse fur of the adult is
sandy yellow above, white below and covered with numerous black spots.
A black streak runs down the face from the corner of each eye. The king
cheetah, once mistakenly classified as a separate species (Acinonyx
rex) is actually a variety in which the spots partly converge to form
stripes and blotches. The cheetah hunts alone or in small groups. It usually
hunts in the morning or late afternoon, cautiously stalking its prey (usually
the smaller antelopes) and then running it down in a final rapid sprint.
The cheetah has long been trapped and tamed in Asia, where it has been
used for coursing game, but it has seldom bred in captivity. Its litter
consists of two to four kittens and the gestation period is about 95 days.
The African race of cheetah is relatively uncommon. The Asiatic cheetah
(Acinonyx jubatus venaticus) is listed as critically endangered
in the Red Data Book and is extinct in much of its former range.
Bibliography: Encylcopaedia Britannica
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