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[NRJohn]

Transformers generation 1 Erector.
“Everyone loses if there's nothing to win.”



General information

Autobot Erector is one of the 4 micromasters transports from generation 1, the others being Overload, Flattop and Roughstuff. They either have a transforming trailer or in the case of Flattop an aircraft carrier that transform into a jet.
But no doubt Erector is the most well known of the 4 since his name kind of stands out from the rest. Not to mention his nomination to the Transformers Hall of Fame 2011 (who ever could have come up with that?). Erector was also sold under the name Cragun or Craygun under the Transformers Zone sub line.



The toy

Erectors transform into a vehicle similar to a truck but with a driver cab more like that of a construction vehicle. Robot mode is nothing special; it’s a standard micromaster with the articulation and detail you might expect. His knees bend the wrong way sadly.
His trailer consists of a flatbed equipped with a big crane which can be converted into a powerful cannon. The trailer itself can also form a stationary artillery platform that Erector then can mount. Besides the main cannon a 2nd double barrelled gun emplacement is raised up from behind, giving additional firepower to the platform.



It was very stiff on mine and at first I had problems getting it up. There are moulded handles on 2nd gun which sadly Erectors can’t reach. You can of course utilize the crane in this mode as well, however rotation is severely restricted. Since I do not have the instructions I’m not sure were Erector is suppose to go as there are 2 ways to plug him on, sitting or standing. Perhaps both?



If you sit him down you can fold back the gun emplacement and have its barrels as handling sticks for the crane which now can rotate without hindrance. However, if this is an official mode I do not know.



You can also remove the crane from the trailer and attach it directly to Erectors truck mode, however this looks a bit instable. He would probably fall over if he tried to lift anything heavy, or if he were to fire the cannon. It’s just too big to handle! Just like the crane can rotate here, attached to Erector, the trailer moves sideways when attached.



Detail and quality

Erector, despite being a micromaster, has plenty of moulded detail, both on him self and his trailer. The front window and cockpit of the crane even have windshield wipers. There are few surfaces that lack detail, for example the floor of the flat bed has sculpted metal plating. Only the trailers underside is plane, but that isn’t any big deal.
Paint apps are a different story. He has a painted face and windows but the window of the crane cockpit is not. And like most (perhaps all?) micromasters he lacks any faction symbol, which can lead to some confusion if he is an Autobot or Decepticon, considering his Hall of Fame-bio said he once belonged to the Constructicons. But he is an Autobot. There is no paint or stickers on his trailer at all, which is a shame.
Mine has a little quality control issue from assemblage; the metal pin holding his knees together has been inserted a little askew resulting in him leaning slight to the left when sitting, but he stands up straight.

Pros and cons

Of course its fun own figures that have been blessed, or if you like cursed, with an…unusual name with dubious innuendoes; Windbreaker, Injector or Spastic. And Erector certainly is one of these! And as mentioned he was nominated for Transformers Hall of Fame 2011, perhaps reason enough to acquire one?
The toy is decent enough on its own and I quite like it! Sadly, as far as I know, it doesn’t represent any real vehicle as I believe no of the other micromaster transports does either? It does however have much play value, many modes and options. I’ve only owned Roughstuff before but I do believe Erector to be the best toy out of the 4. But if you’re not into micromasters I don’t think this one will change your mind.
The price tag for Erector have gone up since the Hall of Fame-deal but not to any extremes; from around 12 (transformerland) to 20-30 USD (Ebay) seems to be the usual prize, at least at the time of this review. So the cost of getting one is not so off-putting. It’s not too rare either I guess but I’ve never seen one on Tradera.se and only once on Blocket.se (and that’s when I bought it).
Another thing that makes a transformers toy popular is obviously it’s occurrence in cartoons or comics. This is certainly to the detriment of Erector as he practically hasn’t had any appearances what so ever. Tfwiki only mention some Zone story pages and a couple of commercials. Other micromasters have been frequently featured in comics and Victory cartoons but not Erector.

Repaints?

No other official transformers have been given the name Erector since the generation 1 version. However many moulds have been digibashes (perhaps even customized?) by tf-fans into Erector-colours but I’m not going further into that. As for released figures the “Allspark Power Mudflap” is in my opinion is the best modern version of Erector available. Not to be confused with the movie-verse Mudflap, this is a yellow repaint of cybertron Mudflap.

Conclusions

So all in all, I can recommend getting an Erector of your own, especially if you’re a fan of micromasters or just want have a transformers named: Erector!

[Fighbird]

Nice review!

I played quite bit with Erector when I was a kid, and never gave second thought to his... unfortunate name, since my english skills weren't that good back then. As such, I've only thought of him as the toyhe is, and I agree with you that he is a very good MM toy for his age and time.

The main cab section actually has a pretty "elaborate" transformation for a Micromaster, and it really works IMO. Never thought about attaching the crane section directly to the back of the cab before - need to try that!

[Groundsplitter]

Nice review!

I played quite bit with Erector when I was a kid, and never gave second thought to his... unfortunate name, since my english skills weren't that good back then.

I have never understood the problem people have with his name. If you think of something else when you hear it, the problem lies in your own mind, not in his name.
If there's something wrong with his name, I assume that people must find faults with the Erector Set as well. That toy celebrates it's 100th anniversary next year, and I doubt that people have laughed and pointed fingers at it for 99 years.

[palaste]

Nice review!

I played quite bit with Erector when I was a kid, and never gave second thought to his... unfortunate name, since my english skills weren't that good back then.

I have never understood the problem people have with his name. If you think of something else when you hear it, the problem lies in your own mind, not in his name.
If there's something wrong with his name, I assume that people must find faults with the Erector Set as well. That toy celebrates it's 100th anniversary next year, and I doubt that people have laughed and pointed fingers at it for 99 years.

I agree. I have never understood what the big deal is with his name anyway. The word "erect" is also used in many other places not dealing with sexuality. But I guess Americans make sport of trying desperately to find sexual innuendo in everything possible, and once that catches on, it ruins its image forever.