|
|
|
Figure Description:
This swivel-arm version was released carded as part of the second series
(1983). The swivel-arm Short-Fuze was available in stores in 1984 and was discontinued domestically in 1985.
In 1986 and 1987, Hasbro Direct offered Short-Fuze as part of the "Original Adventure Team" mail-in set. He came packaged in a plastic bag and came with nine other figures in a carrying case.
|
Versions of Short-Fuze:
In 1997, Short-Fuze was renamed "Short-Fuse," then went back to Short-Fuze in 2004. So while there are several names, there are a total of six figures based on the character "Short-Fuze".
|
Variations:
There are three versions of Short-Fuze's mortar - closed, open (thin),
and open (thick).
When the old version of Short-Fuze was replaced in 1983, two major changes were made to his construction. The straight-arms were replaced with arms that could swivel at the bicep, and his bulky waist-piece was replaced by a slimmer one. Also, the date stamp on the figure was changed from "1982" to "82-83". While technically only a variation, the changes are substantive enough to consider this a new version. However, as many people consider this only a variation, we have chosen to list this figure as version 1.5, rather than version 2. Other than "straight-arm" and "swivel-arm" releases, no variations of the actual Short-Fuze figure are known to exist.
There are several versions of Short-Fuze's filecard. Some filecards listed Short-Fuze's name as Eric W. Freistadt, while others listed him as Mark W. Brenstan. A third variation lists him as Mark W. Freistadt. Additionally, the filecard with the Short-Fuze available from Hasbro Direct has a glossy red backing, while the filecard that came with Short-Fuze did not. Short-Fuzes included with the Sears or JCPenney's exclusive gift packs also had the red backing.
|
Body Construction:
Most of the 1982 series figures and their swivel-arm counterparts re-used molds from each other, repainted slightly to make them seem more original.
The head of Short-Fuze was re-used with Flash, Hawk, and Steeler. Short-Fuze's arms were shared with Grunt, Hawk, Snake Eyes, Stalker, Zap, and Tan Grunt (v2). The upper arms only were shared with Snow Job. Short-Fuze's torso was shared with Zap. Short-Fuze's waist-piece was shared with twelve of the original fifteen figures. Short-Fuze's legs were shared with Breaker, Clutch, Grunt, Hawk, Rock N Roll, Stalker, Steeler, Zap, Tan Grunt (v2), and in 1984 Tan Clutch (v2).
Note that the figure's head only turns left and right - it does not allow the head to look up and down. The heads only turned left and right until the the swivel ball head that was introduced in 1985 (Series Four).
|
International Variants:
In the United Kingdom and Europe, Short-Fuze was recolored in light gray and released with the Triad vehicle as Moondancer. This version of the figure was also available as a convention exclusive in 1992.
In India, a specially colored variant of Short-Fuze was released in 1988. Also in India, Short-Fuze's head was recolored and used to create Superhero. His head was also recolored and used in a variant of Zap.
|
Figure from the collection of: Phillip Donnelly
Accessories from the collection of:
E. Son
Carded figure from the collection of: Jim Saltzburg
| |
|
