Phil's
Universe Hound
Review


Hound

Compared with many G1 Autobots Hound has had little repaint & remoulding love over the years - an Alternator and a very recent Legend in the main TF lines. I personally was surprised the Energon toy Strongarm never had a Hound repaint (and then shocked when he was repainted in bright blue, but that's another story)

He is as you'd expect a green open backed jeep with white seats, a clear blue fixed window, a red Autobot symbol on the bonnet, a gun metal grey front bull bar - chromed on the Henkei version - and a moulded missile launcher that clips onto the back of the seat - no stand alone cannon to peg into the flatbed this time. Two pegs fold up from the flat bed to each side allowing Ravage - who's supplied with him - to be securely attached. If Ravage is in place then the handle on the side of the missile can be pegged into one of ravage's 5mm holes for a more traditional Hound cannon configuration.

TF: Fold the back of the seats onto the bottom - you've just formed the upper legs. Pull back on the car to extend the legs and fold the back seat backs in to form the back of the lower legs. Fold Ravage's pegs flat and fold the rear of the jeep back to form the feet. From under the front of the jeep fold the arms out and fold out the fists. Fold the waist plate down and into place. Fold the wheels back & out. Bend the front of the jeep down to form the chest and flick the head up. Fold the wheels behind his back and position the arms at the side.

Weapons: the missile cannon should clip onto the shoulder but I can't get it to attach securely which is a shame as it's moulded to resemble his G1 shoulder mounted launcher. You also have the option of holding it as a hand weapon and it's this I've had to resort to.

Robot is definitely hound - from the box like head, the jeep front chest and down to the huge feet. Head is lightpiped in a nice blue with a painted silver face plate. Arms are secure at the shoulders - the only new toy in waves 4 & 5 for which this is so ! Each arm has a ball joint at the shoulders, then a bicep rotational joint and finally a bending elbow. The ball jointed hips on mine are too loose for my liking - might have to get the clear nail varnish on them. His legs rotate above the knee as part of those very clever upper legs. They also bend at the knee and the very base of the foot folds sideways at the ankle to give a secure stance.

Very decent toy, well worth having.


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