Pre-TF Inferno and Grapple

Grapple and Inferno are an interesting thing in the Pre-TF series. When you look at the grill issue (smooth vs indented; see the Autobot section for details), you conclude that somehow, the American grills went through a reversal-stage when it came to the molding. This is easily explained, when you consider multiple-molds in several countries. :-) Yes, it's that whole TraN vs TraS debate again. Oh well...


As you can see from the above picture, the original Diaclone version of Inferno (Grapple, too) came with the indented grill, the mitsubishi symbols stamped into it, and the word 'fuso' on the front. Later versions were still diaclone, but incorporated the smooth grill. We get a mixture in the USA, but oddly, the smooth grill was the initial-release for us. The explanation? Multiple countries, multiple molds...I love this hobby. :-)

Finally, note that the initial-releases of these pieces came with the back piece chromed, while later versions, for whatever reason, did not:


Now, here's where the real fun begins. :-) We've found at least three different versions of the pre-Grapple box. Japanese, Italian-Gig, and...we don't know why...apparently a finnish version. ;-) Pics of that, and the instrucs, etc are linked below:

The Japanese version:


The Italian version:


And finally, the oddball version. :-) Structured similar to the GiG, but a whole new language (it's from Finland):


Instructions

(See Also: Finnish TFs)