No, that's what I've been asking since early too  

 

That's too bad. I'm not going to bother picking this up then. Thanks for the info.

 

He's still good enough tbh, but I can see why you don't want to pick him up.

Personally, I'm still searching a weaponizer of some kind but with beast alt mode, so it's like his partner that doesn't need weapon storage  

 

The lack of proper weapon storage is a deal-breaker for me, I'm afraid. I feel that having weapons that fail to hide or integrate into the alternate form is a critical design flaw, and it annoys me that this has increasingly become the norm in recent times. A toy must be extraordinary in some way in order for me to overlook or accept what I generally consider to be a lazy design choice. Wheeljack does not meet that criteria.

 

Yeah, I can see that. I skipped some Transformers exactly because of that reason too, WJ is an exception because I love his character.

 

Doesn't this include virtually nearly every mainline Transformer? Like, the only consistent exceptions I can think of are Alternators, the original RiD, and a many (but not all) of the Bayverse figures, but otherwise nearly every figure WfC, Prime Wars, UT, etc has had their weapons tacked onto the alt mode in. Obviously you can collect however you want, I just imagine that it must be hard finding many figures to satisfy that criteria.

 

The lack of discreet weapon storage seems like such a nitpicky thing to turn off someone from buying a Transformer, IMO.

 

Admittedly, I haven’t messed with him yet because I immediately applied future all over him because he’s such a floppy mess. However, the black pistol has small circular knobs on the side that look like they should plug-in somewhere. Also, there are small circular holes on the back of the vehicle note. Does anyone know what these are for? Again, sorry if I’m missing something obvious, because I haven’t really handled it yet.

 

"Nearly every mainline Transformer" is a hyperbole. For Beast Wars, Machine Wars, Classics, Universe, and early Generations lines, it was normal for transformers to have integrated weaponry. There were exceptions and outliers of course, as there are now in the reverse. But to my memory, it wasn't until the Mech Tech gimmick of the DotM when the paradigm shifted.

To you it is a nitpick. To me, it is a lazy design choice that looks really tacky in alternate mode and breaks the immersion of "robots in disguise," and it significantly detracts from my enjoyment of a figure. I consider weaponry to be integral to the transformer. For example, when an Autobot is in disguise, the expectation is that he is prepared for battle at a moments notice. When he transforms, he has the weapon with him. Nonintegrated weaponry is especially egregious for civilian vehicles and organic beast forms. However, it is usually a nonfactor for military vehicles.

 

Huh. You do you, but integrated weaponry was only used during the periods you mentioned (BW - early Generations) and wasn't even a thing in G1 with a few exceptions. UT didn't really incorporate weapons and a lot of Bayverse figures didn't even have weapons, but I'd agree that Mechtech was when the practice really stopped.

But again, it's your collection so you build it however you want. I'm always curious about other collectors' collection rules and habits.

 

Integrated weaponry is not a dead practice. There are still a few examples of figures in recent years where weapons are incorporated into the design. However, it is clear that incorporating weapons is no longer a priority when designing toys today, even when it is perfectly reasonable and of minimal effort to do so (*glares at ER Grapple*). Regardless, the mere prevalence of a practice does not make it acceptable or unacceptable. Indeed, the current trend only underscores my grievances with modern design philosophy.

 

No. The shoulder rocket is about 20% too big to fit between his legs underneath in car mode despite looking like it should.

Given Wheeljack was always more of a thinker and scientist than fighter, it’s easy to just abandon the shoulder cannon if the lack of storage bothers you. In many continuities he plain doesn’t have it. I’ve got it pegged in back where it’s unobtrusive and looks like a spare storage bin I’ve seen cars carry using a hitch.

If you want a modern Wheeljack with integrated storage I think you want Prime or Classics. I think Classics has integrated storage and I know Prime does.

 

Generations I think is the best WJ in terms of weapon storage, but he also does have a "reimagined" body as a retool of Tracks. In result, he looks a little stocked/fat, but that doesn't compromise his poseability.

 

I’m a huge fan of Prime Wheeljack, even though he’s an amalgam of Wheeljack and Drift. His weapon storage is amazing. His articulation could be better. But his car and robot modes are great.

I get the weapon storage gripe for WfC Wheeljack, but he’s probably the best version of the character we’ve got. Don’t sleep on him. I’m serious, if it bothers you toss the shoulder cannon and let him be a thinker.

 

Hard agree here. That is one of the most cleverly designed Transformers ever. That and PRID Vehicon blew my mind when they came out.

 

That Vehicon! Wow. It was really special. And easy to troop build as it was widely available at $5

 

Oh, I do have him since I love Wheeljack.

But I also understand someone might not want to collect anyone with half-hearted weapon storage.

 

It looks like they were trying, and probably safety concerns messed things up. Without the missile tip Wheeljack’s launcher would fit snuggly I’m between his legs in car mode. There’s a hollow space inside the thigh that accommodates the weapon’s peg, and the leg spacing is pretty much perfect.

Sadly the missile tip that’s molded on the launcher runs into the space between the windshield pivot joints. Everything about that seems to imply this was meant to be the storage for that weapon. It just won’t quite fit.

 

To you, maybe. But people delve in a hobby for various reason  

I often found myself skipping buying TFs due to the curling arm syndrome (Like DotM Shockwave, etc), or when they have mouth instead of faceplate. The only exception is IF I like the character enough to ignore all that.

Does that mean I'm also a nitpick? Of course, but I want my enjoyment in collecting so I'll be nitpick  

To any 5mm Port.
The circular on the back is the same, for any 5mm weapon, or to plug any weaponizer/fossilizer when you have them. The back one ends up on his shoulder in bot mode after all.

Probably no, it looks like there's enough room, but in fact, when you change it to alt mode, everything there is quite packed (And you won't have any place for the missile tip if it's removable, except awkwardly sticking out from any 5mm port)

 

Eh, it’s a moot point. It doesn’t work. I will say I tried really hard to make it work when I got him as I’d have liked a clean alt-mode myself and it’s close, but ultimately fails.

SS-38 Optimus has a similar issue where if the front section of his gun were removed you could fit it under the carriage pegged upside down into the trailer hitch with nothing exposed. It’s sadly just a touch too long of a weapon. Which is sad because his weapon feels like it’s just a touch too big as is.