C-70 METROFLEX

C-70 Metroflex (as he's called in Japan) is similar to the D-63 Dinosaurer toy in that there's really no difference between the American and Japanese releases. However, the Japanese did add a couple of exclusive extras to Metroflex's packaging that the U.S. never got with Metroplex. Most notable was the addition of extra steps in Metroflex's instructions that show how to combine him to Silverbolt and Hotspot in base mode. Additionally, the back of the Japanese box is loaded with illustrations of these various alternate transformations.

The picture to the left is a scan of the first half of Metroflex's instructions. A careful inspection reveals a few differences between these steps and the ones released by Hasbro for Metroplex. In the introductory panels the Japanese recommend placing the big black accessory cannons in the slots on Metroflex's shoulders, a step never included in the U.S. version. Oddly enough, the city mode in the instructions is not the city mode shown on the front of the box. The box photos show the lower thigh joints bent at a 45 degree angle.

The second half of Metroflex's instructions show two bonus modes-the Metroflex/team leader combo, and the mode labeled "Super Strong" Metroplex in the U.S. instructions. In the team leader combo panel, C-50 Silverbolt is shown not fully transformed into launching ramp mode. A rough translation of the "Super Strong" panel reveals that the instructions mention Metroflex can combine with not only the Arielbots and Protectobots, but with the Combatrons and Stuntrons as well! Now who would want to combine Destrons with a Cybertron city?

The rear of the box contains the great artwork exclusive to the Japanese release Scramble City toys. The two bonus alt modes from the instructions are featured in the transformation sequence on the far right side of the box. The city mode shown in the transformation sequence is different from the city mode on the front of the box and in the instruction sheet. This city is arrived at by bending the lower thigh joints at a 90 degree angle. It is this transformation that is later used in the illustration showing the C-50 Silverbolt/C-71 Hotspot combination. The "Super Strong" combination is also shown.

An odd picture is included in the toy catalog insert. It shows city mode Metroflex along with some minicars and Scramble City basic sized vehicles. What's odd about it is how Arielbots Air Raid (C-52) and Fireflight (C-54) are attached to the peg connectors on the forward positioned vehicle ramps while still in their jet modes! For some reason, Skydive (C-51) is attached to the right arm peg connector in a weird half jet/half robot mode and Silverbolt (C-50) is hanging out in launching ramp mode, but he's not connected to Metroflex-he's just off to the right!

Over the last few years, some fans have noticed that the two Destron Scramble City team leaders could be connected to Metroflex as well. It appears to be a legitimate undocumented feature designed into the toys before any notion of opposing team factions was thought up. Presented here is a picture of my own scramble city 'mega combination' showing my SC team leaders combined with Metroflex. Included are close ups of the points at which they connect.

I've included scans of the Scramble City catalog that came with my C-70 Metroflex, but be warned-they are some pretty big files (about 250K each).