"The Winged Prince of all the Micronauts"
 

 
"The most fantastic and elaborate of the original Micronauts figure line, this winged warrior was dubbed 'The Prince of all the Micronauts' and- like Emperor- plays a mysterious role in the Microverse. Red Falcon transforms as occasions or battles require, becoming an avenging angel or transforming into a stellar warbird with Hypersonic Missile Launchers. The prize of the classic Magno-Powered Micronaut series, he returns to a new century with a new weapon and fantastic new colors." Released in 2003, the text from the file card says it all! These new Red Falcon's were replicated from the Mego vintage Red Falcon, and come in 3 new color combos: original red and blue, clear red and black and army green.
 

 
 
In the 1980's, the Red Falcon magno figure only had a brief release in the United States. As the Italian Gig Co. took over Micronauts production, Red Falcon saw a slightly larger production run, first with the pointed missiles, then later with the rubber tipped safety version. Unless you grew up in Italy 20 years or so ago, chances are you never even saw this transforming magnetic "Prince of all Micronauts"…until now. In 2003 Palisades Toys finally released the new and improved Red Falcon in his classic colors and decided to take it a step further with two new amazing color schemes.
 

"Classic" Red Falcon repro

The new Red Falcon shares all the same transforming features as the vintage Mego version, and comes equipped with a brand new "Fal-Cannon" designed by Palisades Micronauts CGI artist Bryan Wilkinson. Another new accessory was to be added, but was cut due to budget restraints. No other accessory pieces similar to the original were cut however (as were some from the Series 1 magnos) and the first series Red Falcon "non-safety" missiles were reproduced as well.

"military" green Red Falcon

The red/blue and translucent red/black Falcons both come with silver chromed Galactic Sword and Fal-Cannon, while the "military" green Falcon's weaponry are both chromed a more golden/bronze coloring. The 6 missiles are color coordinated to match each figures helmet.

These series 2 magnos were re-tooled from the Factory 1 mistakes, and seem to feature a much stronger spring tension in the forearms, meaning the missiles actually fire with some power! The chamfers (magnetic plates inside the figures body) were also re-tooled so the magnetic balls have a better contact, thus holding the figure together better.

 
 

With no proper instructions included to show how Red Falcon transforms into "bird-mode", all these parts and pieces could be a little confusing! To transform him, simply follow these easy steps: the pegs on the wings fit into holes on the figures back to give him wings in humanoid form, and the magnetic balls fit into the arm sockets to help transform him into bird mode. With the wings facing missile side down, the 5mm pegs can then be slid into the swiveling receptors on the bird torso's sides. Remove the legs, and the tail fin section with universal magno joints attached can be added. Then the bird-like roller legs can be added into the holes on the underside, and a launching bird head shaped missile can be added to the torso to complete the cycle. The Fal-Cannon can then be mounted on the two 5mm posts on the top of the tail section.

 

Both the Galactic Sword and Fal-Cannon can be held through the holes in Red Falcon's fists

When is a toy not a toy? When it doesn't pass safety regulations. Included on the front of the packaging is this delightful message:

 
Another new feature included with the Palisades figures are fantastic "crack-n-peel" stickers (packaged in the lower right hand corner of the box) showing off the fantastic artwork of artist Dave Dorman. The reverse of the box shows off the same artwork again, this time as part of a collectible file card. The Red Falcon "microbyte" reads: "One of the last and rarest Micronauts released in the early 1980's, a 'vintage' Red Falcon might cost you more than a month's rent! "
 
 
 

Red Falcon has the distinction of being the only Palisades figure to include a sticker sheet.

The Palisades Retro Series 2 Magno figures are a welcomed addition into the ever expanding Interchangeable World of the Micronauts.