Transformers Generations Trailcutter

Presenting the Trailcutter from the Transformers Generations toy-line.

Now to the confused, Trailcutter is also known as the Autobot Trailbreaker who is also known as the Autobot Trailblazer. The three names have been used to describe one single black hued Autobot that transforms into an SUV and is known for projecting Force Fields.

I also have to point out that the Transformers Generations Trailcutter design is based upon Alex Milne's "More than meets the eye" comic book series which is why you may be confused as to who this guy is given that he deviates from the original look of Trailbreaker - which was bulky, top heavy and had a cannon for a left. The only traits the two share in common is the black and orange color scheme and the sensor projection at his back.

I think you'll find the design to be better conformed to the overall look of the Transformers Generations line.



Transformers Generations Trailcutter's blister card reads: "Few Autobots are as well liked as Trailcutter. He's always ready with a joke or a reassuring word and when neither of those will do, his impenetrable force field usually serves to improve the situation. He sometimes worries that he uses too much fuel, but the other Autobots are more than happy to take a smaller Energon ration if it means Trailcutter can keep deflecting incoming laser blasts." Ironically, the accompanying comic book talks about how all the Autobots - including a very egotistic Rodimus Prime - consider his ability to do nothing but project force-fields unworthy of recognition.

The blister pack goes on to mention Trailcutter's stats as follows:

• Strength - 6
• Intelligence - 7
• Speed - 5
• Endurance - 7
• Rank - 5
• Courage - 6
• Fireblast - 6
• Skill - 5

Translation: Very average, but is Trailcutter is stronger, faster, and tougher than Orion Pax, and I'd bet on Trailcutter surviving over Orion Pax in a battle. 

Transformers Generations Trailcutter transforms into an armored SUV with guns mounted on top just underneath his force-field projector. Note the many mounting peg points for additional weapons all over Trailcutter's chassis:

What's to like about the TF Generations Trailcutter?

The design. Like Orion Pax, Trailcutter is one of the most solid examples of an Autobot footsoldier and I'm willing to bet that this design will be reused in the future.

Transformers Generations Trailcutter also does away with the uh... rather.... fat... look of his G1 Version, Trailbreaker. He still has a very robust upper torso, but it's just looks like the broad chest that most Transformers bear, rather than the broad gut of his G1 version.

And Trailbreaker's articulation is excellent. His design is reminds me of a close-in fighter, but more of a wrestler than a boxer - what with the short arms. I'm particularly happy of the fact that he has the ability to twist at the waist which is a trait most Transformers do not have.

And you have to love how Trailcutter's visor catches the light:

Transformers Generations Trailcutter comes armed with a shield that can be mounted on his back. But if you do mount it on his back, note that you have to point his force-field projector "up". You can point the projector "down" again which brings the cannons of the shield to bear forward, but because of the length of the shield it just looks silly:

The shield can be grasped by Trailcutter's fist via a simple hand-hold that folds out. I suppose you can still use the dual mounted lasers as lasers simply by raising Trailcutter's arms, but given his name, I preferred to use them like claws:

You cannot mount the shield as it is shown in the instruction manual - facing forward - unless you first fold Trailcutter's hand in which allows you to mount the shield on the mounting peg on the exterior of Trailcutter's forearm.

Transformers Generations Trailcutter has, by the way, already inspired the creation of a 3rd party device that gives him a new pair of hands (splayed open as if casting something) and a shell like Force Field. The design is not final, but it looks great. Photo and news courtesy of TFW2005.

A lot of collectors will also love the copious amount of mounting pegs all over Trailcutter's body allowing collectors to "upgrade" his weaponry and design.


What's NOT to like about the TF Generations Trailcutter?

While it's a wonderful highly articulated design, there are still a few drawbacks, the biggest being Trailcutter's inability to kneel. He can, but because he remains top heavy, there's just no way that he can kneel on his own.

There is also the ugly fact that if you thought Orion Pax was "hollow" you haven't met Trailcutter - who's arms and legs are visibly open and empty - again despite the extra plastic available.

There's also a problem when you transform him into his SUV mode. There's a tendency for the central plate of his "hood" to dip into the chassis and there's no way to pop it back out to align it other than poking it with a thin implement or untransforming him a bit. Also when you turn him from SUV to robot, it's a pain to pull his head out. You have to again coax it with a thin blunt implement.

And his head can only swivel. No ball joint here. Trailbreaker cannot look up or down.

This particular Transformers Generations Trailcutter was purchased from Toy Kingdom in Megamall here in the Philippines for PhP 699.75 (Roughly US$ 15.90). He's available on Amazon for - surprise, surprise - US$ 24.69 - guess he's rare (Roughly PhP 1086.36 plus shipping).


Looking forward to Trailbreaker's upgrades.