Transformer (Decepticon), 'Motormaster'; black and purple articulated lorry; Takara/Hasbro; Japan; 1986

1. grey; black and purple plastic with coloured decals; in the shape of a semi-trailor truck (Kenworth K100 Aerodyne). Marks are underneath.
2. weapon; matching purple plastic; fits into the hole at the top which becomes a hole in the arm
3. weapon; black plastic; fits into a small hole in the hand area.

Given by Jermaine Dacas

Bought by the donor between 1985 and 1987. Mr Dacas was born 17/10/73 and saved his pocket money to buy the toys.

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.

Made by: HASBRO; TAKARA CO
Japan

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.

Motormaster is leader of the Stunticons, a sub-group of five Decepticons who transformed into road vehicles. According to the animated television series, the Stunticons were created on the orders of Megatron, the Decepticon leader, to challenge the Autobots’ supremacy on the roads. In response, the Autobots created the Aerialbots, a group who transformed into aircraft, to combat the Decepticons in the air. All five Stunticons could be combined to form a larger robot (‘gestalt’) called ‘Menasor’, Motormaster becoming its torso and head.

B.101-1994