Lemme check my '85 Blitzy for a moment... OK. Turret rotates 360 degrees smoothly, launchers have no springs. I assume they were removed to conform with safety requirements of the day. Darn, I really did think I remembered him having springs in those launchers.
At the risk of redundancy, my original Blitzwing doesn't have spring-loaded launchers either. I'm pretty sure the reissue does though.
Hmm, I never noticed on mine and Blitzwing is one of my favorites. I will have to check out this no springs thing when I get home. Pen springs you say??? Not a bad idea at all.