Salamander F2 

Pterosaur Type

RPZ-014

Produced back in 1989, Salamander F2 is one of the hardest OJR Zoids one can come by. This improved version of Salamander was used by the republic in the Original Battle Story along with the Mad Thunder to penetrate deep into the heart of Nyx. The F2 or "F square" version was lighter, and able to reach top speeds of an impressive Mach 3.5. The Salamander F2 units met their demise with a worthy unit, the Gilvader. The few that managed to elude the "Death by Gilvy" were destroyed by the cataclysm, which effectively produced the cessation of existence of the Pterosaur type Salamander F2.

 From what I understand this was not produced as limited, but has it's "limited" status due to the end of the line when Salamander F2 was in it's initial production run. Salamander F2 has been on my wanted list for some time now, and capturing this beast has proved to be as satisfying as I could have expected. I longed for gold chrome plated wings, a shiny chest plate, and the dark powder blue canopy for years. The steel gray and deep blue color scheme just round out this exquisite piece of Zoidian history. Definitely the crown jewel of all Salamanders, lets take a look building this beauty.

The build starts with encasing the engine with two side frames.

The frames are secured with three clips.

Both sides of the head as well as the canopy are then fitted.

Complete.

The lower jaw is then attached via one cap.

The neck is then started.

The second neck piece is then placed.

The dual ears pieces are fitted and the pilot is seated.

Complete.

Two side bars are then fitted on each side and held in place with a total of four caps.

Complete.

The head then slides into place.

The wing bracket is then fitted atop the unit with four caps.

The spring and back cylinder piece are then attached.

The build then moves onto the legs. Both left and right legs are built. The process starts with three pieces.

This foot is then attached to this piece via a peg and one cap.

The outer portion of the armor is then snapped into place.

The leg is then complete.

The same process is then repeated for the second leg.

Both legs are complete.

Each leg is attached with a small "L" shaped that attaches it to the main frame and connects it to the motor via two caps.

The other leg is attached and the unit can now stand.

The tail is then complete. It consists of 5 segments that fit underneath each other and are held in place with caps.

Complete.

The tail slides on the back of the main unit.

The wings are then built. Each wing consits of four segments (including arm) that are held in place via three caps.

A closer look:

The wings are then attached to the unit via a pen that bolts through the main body, and the arm which is positioned on the "bolt" on the top of the main body frame.

The wings are secured via two pieces that hold each wing up from the underside and attach via two caps.

A dual set of cannons adorns each wing.

The golden chest plate and dual chest cannons are then attached.

The spring loaded back positioned missile launcher is the assembled.

It mounts on two back pegs.

The unit is now complete and ready for stickers.

After placing the stickers, two missiles are placed (one in each launcher) and the unit is ready for display.

. Pictured below are the plethora of pictures of the finished OJR Zoids Salamander F2. It is everything that I could have imagined it would be, and somehow (to me) this does not seem as if it's just a simple color swap. The gold lends a certain sense of royalty to the piece, and the blue cockpit brings much more "life" to the head of this Pterosaur. Somehow separating itself from "just another re-issue", Salamander F2 is worth actively seeking to add to any collection, if you can find one...or if TOMY decides to re-issue this beastie. I spent some time taking some outside pictures, as F2 just seems to deserve a few aerial type shots. I was lucky enough to get a stormy day for the perfect background.

Salamander F2 takes his place amongst the greats.

This has been a Zoid.US production. No image may be used without permission. � 2008 -WIKD