Transformers ROTF N.E.S.T. Decepticon Bludgeon Part 2

A Japanese tank for a Samurai robot
A closer look at the default form, the tank mode of Takara Tomy's "Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen" N.E.S.T. Decepticon Bludgeon after the introduction in the previous posting. ^^


The tank design is based off Type 90 tank, developed by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, and deployed by the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force. Since Bludgeon's robot mode has a Samurai motif to it, I think it's very fitting for its alternate mode to be a Japanese tank as well. ^^









Closeups on the details:

























Bottom view:









Since it's a Voyager Class figure, the tank mode of Bludgeon is pretty big, much to my liking. ^^ Since it uses a lot of ABS hard plastic for its components, the whole tank feels quite heavy as well. For its size and weight, the tanks seems like a green brick made of plastic, and I like that very much. ^^

For folks who enjoy sculpt details on their Transformers figures, Bludgeon has tons to offer. From the vent details behind the body, armor panels on the skirt on the side of the body, stowage rack behind the turret, road wheels, to the details of the tracks, the tank feels realistic because of all these details. The color combination of orange on green, plus the giant skull-like chest panel of the robot mode may ruin that sense of realism, but given the color is not terribly obtrusive in normal view, and the robot chest can't really be seen anyway, the figure is a fine display item in tank mode in my opinion. ^^

It won't fit in too well with you collection of actual tank models, but it won't be too far off either. XD

In tank mode, Bludgeon has two simple features:



Feature 1: The turret, and machine gun can swivel around their respective bases for a full 360 degrees.


With the rotating turret and machine gun, you can given Bludgeon some "action poses" in tank mode. XD







Feature 2: The tank is movable, but instead of its tracks, two pairs of tiny wheels beneath the tracks do the trick. ^^
Those middle track segments were deliberately painted orange, as the color is needed to show off the parts when they transform into Bludgeon's shins in robot mode. That color selection is understandable, however awkward the presence of some orange segments may look like on the underside of the tracks. ^^ I do wish that the wheels weren't molded in orange though. They are mighty obvious in this tank mode, and they are not going away in robot mode either. That's perhaps the only minor nitpick about Bludgeon in tank mode. ^^;

Size comparison with two other Transformers in my collection:


With "Transformers: Dark of the Moon" Voyager Class Megatron in vehicle mode.






All thing considered, Bludgeon is bigger than Megatron in vehicle mode. ^^



With Megatron in robot mode.


With "Transformers: Prime - Beast Hunters" Deluxe Class Bumblebee in robot mode.






Bumblebee is obviously no match for Bludgeon. ^^ Besides size, Bludgeon just feels so much heavier as compared to Bumblebee. While there's no denying the fun in Bumblebee's transformation and poseability, Bludgeon just feels much more solid and well made. The two are definitely in completely different leagues that disallow direct comparison. ^^

Will be moving on to Bludgeon's amazing robot mode transformation next. ^^