In the spring of 2014, Transformers moved into the marketing blitz phase of Age of Extinction, the fourth live-action movie. The first waves of product to hit the shelves represented the main characters from the film, such as Autobot Hound, a modified 6x6 Oshkosh FMTV.
Origins
Autobot Hound’s name is an homage to his G1 counterpart, the J59 Jeep Hound. Other than the name, color, and military vehicle theme, the two have no other resemblance.
Description
Hound transforms into a realistic Oshkosh FMTV, upgraded with an enclosed container, roll bars, additional running lights, brushguard, and other add-ons. The truck is badged as an Oshkosh licensed project on the cab. He also features clear cab windows, separately molded exhaust, and a spare wheel behind the cab. His vehicle mode can be armed with several of the weapon accessories, mainly by pegging onto the sides of the truck body.
Hound’s transformation is straightforward, but unique. The truck body roof folds up to become the chestplate of the robot, while the head comes from a panel inside the cab. The rest of the truck body forms his boxy arms and legs. The many folding panels all lock into place on the cab, hiding much of the surface of the truck, and exposing more “robotic” details.
Hound’s robot mode is that of a barrel-chested soldier. His head sculpt sports a beard of chain link and the impression of an army steel pot helmet. His upper arms are ringed in gold grenades or shells, and his lower arms appear to be covered in – or made of – belts of machine-gun ammo, which is molded in soft rubber. In robot mode, he is armed to the teeth with a giant Gatling gun with three groups of 5 barrels each, two five-barreled shotguns with folding pistol grips, two large pistols with canister-like magazines, two small pistols, and a large silver combat knife. The weapons are capable of combining with each other in various ways, including a huge weapon that uses all eight accessories. They can also be stored on the figure: the small pistols fit into holsters by his ankles, the larger pistols clip onto his hips, the shotguns store on the sides of his torso under his arms, the Gatling gun hangs on his back, and the knife connects to his chest.
Collector Notes
Hound’s design is rather sturdy, and smaller parts are molded in soft rubber to prevent breakage.
Variants
Hound does not have any production variants.
Availability
Hound was available in 2014, as part of the first wave of Generations Leader Class toys.
Redecos & Retools
Hound’s mold has not been re-used.
