Hi boys, I came across a piece when we were consolidating some items to be put up for sale recently. The figure is supposingly Calcar from Trakkon subgroup of Decepticons but interestingly enough, the name on the box is printed as "Roadraider" instead. (Anyway its MISB/sealed specimen in C8.5 condition or better) I was wondering if I'm seeing a box variant here with a running change in name down the road (possibly?) Would be good to hear more from some of you boys whom are "into" these than I already am.
It's not so much a "running change" thing. It's more of a "market" thing. European tail-end G1/G2 toys had different language combos for different markets, often coinciding with different names for these language packaging variants. English/Spanish packaging was "Calcar", French/Dutch packaging was "Roadraider". See how it says "Robots in Disguise" (English) and "Todo Un Reto En Tus Manos" (Spanish) for "Calcar", and "Robots Transformables" (French) and "Transformeren in Robot" (Dutch) for "Roadraider"? You'll encounter that a lot with figures from that era.
Calcar's fellow Trakkon Fearswoop also has a name variant: English/Spanish packaging is "Fearswoop", French/Dutch packaging is "Black Omen".
Huh, I knew about the Black Omen alternate name for Fearswoop, but I hadn't realized Calcar had one too. (As an aside, I coincidentally finally snagged a Calcar myself to complete the Lightformers/Trakkons.)
Also Deftwing was "Blue Arrow" in France, Belgium and the Netherlands. EDIT: Comparison! Ironfist was still "Ironfist", though.
Two more comparisons, throwing a third language/name variant into the mix: Stormtrooper Aquablast was "Stormtrooper Aquablast" on English/Spanish packaging, "Stormtrooper Squall" on French/Dutch packaging and "Acquamaster Piranha" on Italian packaging. Stormtrooper Hydradread was "Stormtrooper Hydradread" on English/Spanish packaging, "Stormtrooper Hydroshark" on French/Dutch packaging and "Acquamaster Idrosqualo" on Italian packaging. Likewise, Stormtrooper Drench was "Stormtrooper Drench" on English/Spanish packaging, "Stormtrooper Hydrocruiser" on French/Dutch packaging and "Acquamaster Tempest" on Italian packaging, and Stormtrooper Rage was "Stormtrooper Rage" on English/Spanish packaging, "Stormtrooper Aquanaught" on French/Dutch packaging and "Acquamaster Murena" on Italian packaging, but I couldn't find photos of all versions.