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Outback

Transformer
1985-1986 (manufactured)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Transformers are alien robots hailing from the planet Cybertron. They are divided into two factions: heroic Autobots and evil Decepticons. Autobots and Decepticons have been locked in an apocalyptic civil war for millennia. The line was launched in the United States in 1984 with an accompanying animated television series, it followed in Europe later that same year. Many of the Hasbro-distributed toys were actually rebranded versions of the existing Japanese ‘Microman’ and ‘Diaclone’ toylines made by Takara. The combination of vehicle and robot, and the often complicated series of movements required to change between the two modes, meant Transformers were extremely popular children’s toys during the mid-1980s.

Outback is an Autobot who transforms into a four-wheel drive military vehicle. When introduced to the cast of the television series in 1986, Outback had the distinction of being the franchise’s first character who spoke with an Australian accent. Outback’s toy was an Autobot ‘Mini-Vehicle’, a more cheaply-priced sub-group of Transformers. In the third year of production, most of the toys released as Mini-Vehicles were actually slightly redesigned versions of toys from the two previous issues. In the case of Outback, he was developed from Brawn, an Autobot who was first available in the original 1984 release. Brawn’s mould had originally been developed for Japanese manufacturer Takara’s early-1980s ‘Microman Microchange’ line of transforming toys. The ‘Microman Microchange’ toys were supposed to represent robots who transformed into toy cars, not real vehicles, hence the slightly cartoonish proportions of the vehicle mode.

Object details

Categories
Object type
Titles
  • Outback (manufacturer's title)
  • Autobot (generic title)
Materials and techniques
Injection-moulded plastic
Brief description
Transformer (Autobot), 'Outback'; khaki and brown 4x4 vehicle; Hasbro/Takara; Japan; 1985-86
Physical description
Beige; brown; black and silver plastic with coloured decals; in the shape of a military 4x4, a Toyota Land Cruiser. Marks are on the end.
Production typeMass produced
Marks and inscriptions
Hasbro 1983 1985 Takara Co © 1983 1985
Credit line
Given by Jermaine Dacas
Object history
Bought by the donor between 1985 and 1987. Mr Dacas was born 17/10/73 and saved his pocket money to buy the toys.
Historical context
Transformers are alien robots hailing from the planet Cybertron, all of them are capable of assuming an alternate form, usually a vehicle, through a series of folding movements. They are typically divided into two factions: Autobots and Decepticons. The Autobots are heroic, peace-loving and curious about humanity, they are led by Optimus Prime, who typically transforms into an articulated truck. The Decepticons are evil, authoritarian and contemptuous of other life-forms, they are led by the maniacal Megatron, who originally transformed into a realistic-looking handgun.

Initially, the franchise was essentially an American rebrand of two toylines already produced by Japanese toy manufacturer Takara Tomy: ‘Diaclone’ and ‘Microman’. Hasbro had purchased the distribution rights to these lines in the early-1980s. Transformers was launched in the United States and Europe in 1984-85. The enormously popular toys inspired many spin-offs, including several animated television series’, a feature-length animated film (1986), multiple comic books series (including by Marvel, who had co-operated with Hasbro to produce GI Joe comics) and, inevitably, subsequent lines of toys. A series of big budget, live-action films have been produced by Warner Brothers since 2007.
Production
Made by: HASBRO; TAKARA CO
Japan
Subjects depicted
Summary
Transformers are alien robots hailing from the planet Cybertron. They are divided into two factions: heroic Autobots and evil Decepticons. Autobots and Decepticons have been locked in an apocalyptic civil war for millennia. The line was launched in the United States in 1984 with an accompanying animated television series, it followed in Europe later that same year. Many of the Hasbro-distributed toys were actually rebranded versions of the existing Japanese ‘Microman’ and ‘Diaclone’ toylines made by Takara. The combination of vehicle and robot, and the often complicated series of movements required to change between the two modes, meant Transformers were extremely popular children’s toys during the mid-1980s.

Outback is an Autobot who transforms into a four-wheel drive military vehicle. When introduced to the cast of the television series in 1986, Outback had the distinction of being the franchise’s first character who spoke with an Australian accent. Outback’s toy was an Autobot ‘Mini-Vehicle’, a more cheaply-priced sub-group of Transformers. In the third year of production, most of the toys released as Mini-Vehicles were actually slightly redesigned versions of toys from the two previous issues. In the case of Outback, he was developed from Brawn, an Autobot who was first available in the original 1984 release. Brawn’s mould had originally been developed for Japanese manufacturer Takara’s early-1980s ‘Microman Microchange’ line of transforming toys. The ‘Microman Microchange’ toys were supposed to represent robots who transformed into toy cars, not real vehicles, hence the slightly cartoonish proportions of the vehicle mode.
Bibliographic references
  • Toy Trader, November 1985
  • Toy Trader, April 1986
  • Toy Trader, August 1986
Collection
Accession number
B.100-1994

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Record createdApril 17, 2000
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