Dec 26 2018

Transformers G1 Poster Box Astrotrain and Blitzwing

Posted by: iamratchet

1986 was the start and finish of two eras for the Transformers line during the G1 run. First a full length action packed movie! With the movie we lost many of our series 1 and series 2 characters. Although some would stick around a little longer in both toy form and in the show.

In 1986 Hasbro started promoting “Transformers The Movie” with a free movie poster on the new toys that were being offered. You can find this offer on most of the 86 released boxed figures. The combiner leaders are the only boxed figures released in 86 that didn’t have this offer printed on the box. Even though a lot of 1985 figures would still be offered in 1986 they didn’t get the glory of a “Poster Offer”.

That is until we look at Astrotrain and Blitzwing. In 1985 we seen Astrotrain and Blitzwing hit the market. Other Triplechangers were released in 86. For the Decepticons Octane was added and for the Autobots Springer, Sandstorm and Broadside were added. Plain box was offered first as these debuted. The “Poster Offer” was added later. All 6 of these figures have been documented as having the offer. Astrotrain and Blitzwing are the only 1985 released figures to get this offer printed on their box.

Astrotrain and Blitzwing are rare to find with this offer and rarely found sealed. Really it is unknown if they were a test for a market or just a low production. The examples shown are both graded an 80 overall by AFA.