The trouble with the internet is that sites and information change, are changed. removed, etc., and some aren't from online but from magazine and such from those years.

There's an entry about the Fairlady on here that talks about how there was never an actual blue Bluestreak, again, prompted by people remembering things wrong. Misconceptions and urban legends about Transformers - Transformers Wiki

But it's part of the confusion that occurred at the time.

Here also states about confusion that occured at the time
Bluestreak (G1)/toys - Transformers Wiki

This one explains that the instruction had used the blue car version, but the actual release was the gray version.
Bluestreak (Transformers)

The issue in Europe was licensing, with many Diaclone toys already in circulation at the time of the Transformers' release, Hasbro couldn't release those figures until the licenses ran out. Jetfire, for example was the original Autobot leader as they didn't hold the rights to Optimus's mold at the time...
The Transformers (European toyline) - Transformers Wiki

I wish I could find a more reliable source to link to about the Fairlady mixup, but I did find this:
The worst 1984 TF release screwup! (i.e. "That's not the way it was planned...") - TFARCHIVE FORUMS

 

it wasn’t. As he said bluestreak is a play on his personality and a bluestreak was also a missile for an abandoned British weapon and Bluestreak’s role was an autobot gunner.

 

I never understood those kind of thinking. If someone doesn’t like Grey Bluestreak do they also not like that a PitBull is not a hole in the ground or a male cow? Or that a dandelion does not eat gazelle?

 

The trouble here is that some people don't respond well to wordplay or use of an old turn of phrase - they are wired to take the world literally.

It's not anything wrong with them, they just aren't receptive to the idea that a character who "talks a blue streak" isn't physically blue.

We could get into how "cursing a blue streak" and "blue humour" is often called "off-colour," but that just confuses the matter further.

Language is a complicated enough matter before you introduce simile, metaphor or the dreaded wordplay known as sarcasam, wherein the listener is required to take in the words that are spoken but process them to arrive at a conclusion opposite to the words original intention.

~L~

 

Can I ask where you bought the back filler from? I had to wait months for my Grapple gap filler pack and I'm hoping there's an option that wouldn't have me waiting for Prime's just as long.

 

Tfsafari. Had it within a week of ordering.

 

Had anyone had any issues with Bluestreak? I saw a review by a guy on you tube who was saying how the plastic seems weak etc due to paint and around the knees? Mine was supposed to be kept as a Christmas present but tempted to open him in case

 

I'm worried about the knees on all the figures using the ER Datsun mold. Same as you I haven't opened mine yet to fully check but am hoping it doesn't become a major issue.

Also thanks to some order cancellations I am still on the hunt for various ER figures again. This easily has been the worst year ever for collecting...thank you covid for making simple stock allocations a big joke. And I had so much fun collecting the siege line without worrying about making preorders that don't get filled and constant release date delays.

 

Shame they’re not fleshing out the modulator molds other than Airwave and Ironworks...

 

LOoks like a lot of fun!
And wow, they sell Asahi in 33cl bottles over there? It's aluminum cans over here..  

 

Look at it this way: If you never open him, he’ll never break. Schrodinger’s Bluestreak, if you will.

It’s just about the only thing I’ll admit MISB collecting has going for it.

 

What actually is the problem with the knees on this mold?

I like to take them out - i tend to transform once (gently) and then leave them on display in their standing position - I tend not to pose for fear of damage over time.

 

Just the use of clear plastic at the joint. Hopefully it won't be an issue

 

As a book author it’s hard not to get a little offended at this post of yours, man.
To presume someone’s brain isn’t wired to understand wordplay, metaphor, sarcasm and the like seems more than a little presumptuous and makes your strangely biting post pretentious as hell to say the least.

I assumed when the original poster posed the question, “Why is Smokescreen blue but Bluestreak is smoke colored,” he was having fun with wordplay, much like the age old question “Why do we park on driveways but drive on parkways?”

We’re all just folks on a website about toys having a bit of fun. And it’s not like Transformers don’t have TONS of names based on all kinds of wordplay, some even based on their appearance, so your statement comes across strangely near-sighted.

Yes, most every long time fan knows why Budiansky named Bluestreak what he did. But the card swaps, packaging errors, and cobbled collaborations of the first run of G1 are well documented, and it’s harmless fun to dissect the puzzles of how this or that may have come forth.

I’m not mad at you, man. I enjoy your posts and pictures here. Truly.
It would be accurate to say that I’m very taken aback by your assessment of “People’s Brains” though. As a fellow transformers fan, I’m just trying to point out how potentially cutting and even asinine that comment was, though.

And now, to stay on topic, a picture!  

 

I shouldn't like such a superfluous bit of kit so much, but on top of ALL OF THE EVERYTHING ELSE, this little bit of back feels like that final flourish of flair. I'm a proper nobhead, me.



Only downside is the lack of 5mm port on there, but it's detachable so.. eh.

 

Smokescreen hasn't given me any problems, for what's worth.

 

Same. Just this guy gave me a small heart attack - i wouldnt be bothered but its that he's an exclusive so hard to replace and christmas is a long way away if there is something wrong with him for dwindling stocks

 

Yeah, same with my Prowl pre-order.

Honestly making the entire shins out of translucent plastic was a pretty bad idea in the longterm. Really hoping Smokescreen isn't the only one who'll make it out okay.

 

Well someone at Amazon may be listening, they just shipped Sunny... Without his wavemates