BEAST
WARS: TOY REVIEW
Name: GALVATRON
Allegiance: Destron
Function: Neo Emperor of Destruction
Beast Mode: Mechanical European Dragon
Vehicle Mode: Drill Tank
Average Price: 2980 JPY
BEAST MODE
Length: 15 cm (not including tail)
Galvatron's beast mode is a robotic medieval European dragon (as opposed to an Asian dragon). The toy stands at 20cm and is 32cm in length (from head to tail). I count 18 points of articulation in
this mode (the neck has five points of articulation, and is shaped similar to Transmetal Megatron's tail). The tail also has two missile launchers. This mode looks bloody excellent!
The colour scheme is a combination of lavender, purple, black, gold and silver. I think the drill halves are well positioned and despite the overtly thin lower legs, this toy stands remarkably well.
TRANSFORMATION TO VEHICLE MODE
Fold down the black drill bit on top of the dragon head; straighten neck, twist and turn drill halves so they close around the head and neck; fold arms under wings; tuck lower legs and feet into thighs; unfold caterpillar tread panels; fold legs into position.
VEHICLE MODE
Unlike the Transmetals and Lio Convoy's attack mode, Galvatron's vehicular mode is more than a half-arsed intermediate mode. There are quite a few complex steps required to move from beast to robot mode, and if Mainframe were to ever make a computer model of Galvatron, there would have to be a separate model for the vehicle mode (instead of making slight modifications to the beast mode). Hypothetically anyway. The vehicle mode doesn't have too many points of articulation, but then again, how many do you want for a drill tank anyway? The drill itself spins with the aid of a black button located on the bridge's starboard. It rolls on two big sets of caterpillar tracks, both of which are armed with vulcan mini guns (which are actually available in all three modes).
The drill component itself is... well... rather phallic to be honest. You just can't help but laugh at the shape of it. Oh... and the drill itself is 14cm. I wonder if size matters to Galvatron... hmm...
TRANSFORMATION TO ROBOT MODE
(from vehicle mode) fold up treads again; flip out red robot feet and straighten legs; unlock waist section; turn waist round 180 degrees; lock lavender "cod-piece" onto waist; divide dragon tail and fold each half in half, forming robot arms.
ROBOT MODE
Like Galvatron's other modes, his robot mode also looks slaggin' brilliant.
This toy stands at 18cm, which makes him 2cm shorter than his mortal foe, Lio Convoy, however Galvatron is definitely more bulky. There's a glass marble in the middle of his chest plate, which looks very neat (could this be the Galvamatrix?). This mode has 17 points of articulation... 19 if you include the forearm weapons, which are the tail missile launchers. The missiles can also be used as sabres. The head looks more Megatronish... I wonder if this toy was intended to be named Galvatron during conceptual designing... hmm... (another Galvatron mystery). The wings can also transform into two giant scimitars. It can also be removed and transformed into a giant pincer weapon.
RUB STICKER LOCATION
Top of the right caterpillar wheel component in vehicle mode.
OVERALL
A great looking toy and a recommended collector's piece, I really love this toy!
BEAST TRIVIA
Serpentine creature found in numerous cultures. From region to region, dragons' appearances, temperments, and attitudes differ. The most famous representation of the dragon comes from Medieval Europe, where it was depicted as a demonic creature, since in the Bible, the dragon was often a metaphor used to describe evil, destruction, and Satan. European dragons were commonly represented with the tail of a serpent, scaly wings, the claws of a lion and the ability to breathe fire.
In Asian countries, however, the dragon looked rather different (more slender and serpentine) and was identified with the Yang, where they are depicted as divine creatures that were often benevolent towards humans. In China, they are referred to as the Long (and as Ryu in Japan) and are considered the elementals of air and represented power and strength.
Bibliography: Mythical Creatures
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