Transformation: Take the tape with the plainer black side facing you and the metal strips towards the bottom. Fold the tail from the top out towards the right. This then allows you to fold the head from the top out to the left. Fold the bottom of the tape down at the right to form the lower rear legs then swing the upper rear legs forward a bit, and fold the feet forward. Fold the remainder of the bottom of the tape forward as the front legs and then fold down the front feet. Peg the chromed silver missiles into the right tape hole.
Ravage's robot mode is that of a black panther. He's packed with articulation: the head & tail move up & down, all four hips turn, all four knees bend and all four ankles bend too which gives you the ability to pose him in a variety of positions. My only slight complaint is that front on the animal does look rather thin. I've just dug out Ravage's 2009 Universe version which attempts to correct this by having the body fold out to the sides but when compared to his ancestor the later one is missing the articulation in two of the hips and all four of the ankles so they must have been doing something right in the early 80s!
Ravage was sold in the west in 1984 & 1985 where he's packed with Rumble. This 2-pack was available through into 1986 in the USA but was discontinued in the UK at the end of 1985.
Transformers Ravage was first sold in Japan as toy number 19, Jaguar, in 1985. In 1986 he was renumbered D-59. TF Wiki's Ravage page lists a third Japanese release numbered D-104 but I can't find any trace of this elsewhere.
Ravage was re-issued in 2005 as part of Transformers Collection 18 which also contained Soundblaster and Buzzsaw. Both tapes in this release have special stickers depicting the weak spots on Fortress Maximus that reveal their information when viewed through the red of Soundblaster's tape door. This Ravage returns with the US Transformers Classics Soundwave which also includes Laserbeak and also with the 2009 San Diego Comic Con Soundwave which again includes Laserbeak but also Buzzsaw and Ratbat. The original Ravage reappears in Transformers Encore Cassette Big Mission #15 with Buzzsaw, Eject & Rewind.
Howlback was part of the Cobalt Sentries 2-pack where he was packed with Garboil, a similar blue repaint of Laserbeak. Both tapes in this set have the Fortress Maximus weakness sticker mentioned above.
The Cobalt Sentries 2-pack was released as an E-Hobby exclusive in 2005 to compliment the release of Transformers Collection 18 Soundblaster with Ravage & Buzzsaw, the two tapes moulds which are reused in this pack.
Glit is part of the Kiss Players cassette pack with Sundor, a repaint of Laserbeak, and Rosanna, a repaint of Eject/Rewind.