Details
Autostinger (1998)
Part of the third wave of Beast Wars II products in Takara‘s Beast Wars toyline, Autostinger is a redeco and slight retool of Generation 2 Deluxe-sized Dirtbag, transforming into an “earth mover” dump truck resembling a Terex 33-11. In vehicle mode, Autostinger can carry all four of his “Auto Missiles” on top of his dumping-bed to form his “Dumper Attack” configuration.
In robot mode, he has a twin spring-loaded missile launcher in his right arm that is able to fire two of his Auto Missiles. His left arm features his “Stinger Pinch” claw, which is activated by sliding a switch back and forth. Like all of the Autorollers, Autostinger has an auto-transforming gimmick activated by rolling his rear wheels; roll forward to go to robot mode, and back to vehicle mode. A switch on his back end separates the gears of the gimmick, allowing him to roll freely in either mode.
The only piece of retooling featured on Autostinger is a raised, square-shaped frame on his back used for a rubsign, just below the panel behind his head.
Sonokong also released this figure in their Beast-War toyline as Auto Stinger. Aside from the difference in packaging, the Korean release of the figure is identical to the Takara releases. In place of the bio cards of the Takara releases, Auto Stinger comes with two “Jan-ken-pon” cards. One has an image reflecting the one on the box, with scissors and the number three die roll, and the other with paper and the number five die roll, with a rocky beach background.
This mold was also intended to be used for “General Optimus Prime” in Generation 2, but that release was canceled. Beast-War Auto Stinger was later reissued in the Korean Car Bot toyline, reassigned as an Autobot and renamed “Scoutstinger”.
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