Some questions about Technodrome features

[SpellbinderV]

I was re-watching OT and Turtles Forever, and it made me wonder..

1) First, if you look close, you can see the OT Technodrome and old Technodrome from Turtles Forever have slightly different design at base (noticeably side treads-things, and back of the Technodrome)

And TF 'drome base looks more square in the front.

http://static3.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20100416132427/tmnt/images/9/90/Technodrome_%2826%29.jpg
http://i1227.photobucket.com/albums/ee437/tonemastr21/tmnt/technodrome1.jpg

http://s28.postimg.org/vra1jka6l/drome6.jpg
http://s28.postimg.org/z9voqt6rx/tmnt_forever_15_02.png

TF version makes sense in case you want to drive Technodrome not only forward/backward, but also to the sides (at least it looks like it's able to roll to sides).
The original Technodrome has huge drills to the sides.

So does anybody knows why they changed the design, or it was intended to be like this in the first place?

2) Does the Technodrome actually has those huge tank treads?
I mean they look like big wheels, but you don't see tracks? they should be attached to those wheels, aren't they? of course they could just don't draw attention to details, 'cause it would make image super complex.

http://s17.postimg.org/rp3fcybnz/drome81.jpg

I took a close up screenshot of some treads section of technodrome (idk which one).

http://s28.postimg.org/6arxiiykt/drome111.jpg

3) The prominent feature of the Technodrome - big eyeball. But what is it's purpose? I'd assume it is a really powerful gun, but we didn't see it firing.

I recall Shredder&Krang used it as a surveillance cam.. but they have a lot more little cams to watch around their fortress..

In TF they used it as a huge spotlight, which is makes sense.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7328/11299096115_a9bde60348_c.jpg

But do you guys think it was supposed to be a gun?

4) Those trident laser guns. Well, my question is, can they move upward and downward?

[turtlefanforever]

I don't think it really matters. I mean I don't have a problem with it. Interesting observation though.! Cool write up.

[mca19]

Yeah, great catch as I guess I've never noticed the changes. As for the eyeball, I never understood it's purpose but I always enjoyed that piece on the technodrome playset. I just assumed it was the watchful eye of Krang.

[Powder]

Pretty sure the initial images, while dated 2009, are taken from the original Technodrome designs from '87. So actually the drome's inconsistencies were in post S1 episodes rather than in TF's version of it.

[SpellbinderV]

As for initial designs, I was able to obtain model sheets that were used as a reference for artists of OT, and they show the designs we see in the series.

They are just 2 images (front view and 3/4 rear view), but they are not like Turtles Forever.

P.S. I just checked them again, and it says it's from 1988 from Playmates Toys Inc, so probably they are not original model sheets.

Also, there ARE caterpillar tracks there, on the original Technodrome '87. They are between big front and rear gear-like wheels. Though i can't see the details, cause it's only 3/4 pic like 3rd pic 1st post above, they are def there.
And there are caterpillar tracks on the front, where Foot logo and exit doors are, also hidden behind front gear-like wheels.

As we can see Turtles Forever 'drome doesn't have any tracks, only wheels.