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Post by fenris72 on Feb 15, 2011 20:33:25 GMT -5
That will be my next project. Sixshot that is..............
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Post by fenris72 on Feb 15, 2011 20:30:36 GMT -5
This review will focus on the Defensor gestalt and not the individual 'bots. Defensorfunction: Super warrior/protector Components:Hot spot/ Hot zone Fuso Fire Engine Groove Police Honda "goldwing"motorcycle First Aid Toyota Light Ace Ambulance Blades Bell I helicopter Streetwise Nissan police car Accessories:? head (where's his head?) 2 part/piece chest plate 1 hip guard and 2 "fire ball" canons 2 fists 2 foot parts Various angles:Front Back Left and right arms his legs So where's his head? More in the review The Review:The implied counter balance to Bruticus, Defensor made his first and only official appearance in Season 2 in B.O.T.. The component parts did show up in Bruticus Revenge doing what they do best, rescue people. We saw more of him in Season #3 though imho, he didn't get the respect and fan loving that Superion received Now on to the figure. Like the previous Scramble gestalts, he is composed of the leader who makes up the head and torso. In this case, it's Hotspot. But a peculiar difference is that Defensors' head is incorporated into his body unlike the others who have to wear a mask or helmet. This kind of reminds me of G1 Inferno. It also allows his head to have a 180 degree articulation. *Note: The blue optics and gold highlights are just enhancements I added. Add the two piece chest guard and hip guard and voila! 90% Defensor. He doesn't have any die-cast parts btw (first versions had it on the red part thighie.) Being a "scramble" gestalt, you can mix and match the limb placements. Though nominally, Blades takes the right arm, First Aid the left and so on. Studio Ox rendered him in a much more "proportional" form And he actually looks like this: Full body shot Surprisingly, he is verrrrrrrrrrrrrry stable. Either position of the limbs and still very stable. Like a brick . This stability is what make him a fave of mine. He doesn't at all flop or slouch. His weight is just right, not too heavy that will cause a limb to fall. Based on the description I made, expect a very limited articulation concentrated on just the head/neck and shoulder connection. But for it's time, having a neck articulation is like groundbreaking. The only 'bots that had the feature IIRC was Shockwave,Jetfire and Omega Supreme (all came from different companies and not Takara). So how do I rate him? Does he stand up to todays standard? I give him a 5 out of 5. Proportional form design. Very little kibble and not slouching. Kudos for the neck articulation. Honorable mention to his "interaction with Metroplex. MiscellaneousThere is a KO version of Defensor. It is based on the first pressing with die-cast parts. So be on your guard unless you really are after the KO. The version I have on the other hand is a mix version, Hotspot is the USA non metal version I acquired more than a decade ago. The limbs on the other hand are recent acquisitions whereas all are the Euro Classics versions (as in no rub symbols). Also, only Groove and Streetwise retained their die-cast parts. I hope you'll all find this review helpful in acquiring Defensor.
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Post by fenris72 on Feb 15, 2011 10:27:53 GMT -5
This review will be focusing on one of my fave gestalts. Superion! Does the mold hold up compared to the latest version ( Superlink's Superion Maximus)? SuperionFunction: Super Warrior Components:Air raid=F-15 Eagle Fire flight=F-4 Phantom Skydive=F-16 Fighting Falcon Slingshot=Harrier Jumpjet Silverbolt=Concord SST Superion helmet (with added gold and blue visor high lights) Chest plate and hip guard Electrostatic rifle and 2 fists and 2 feet pads Note: You can use Silverbolt's "launch pad"(not pictured) as a sort of shield if you will for me lee attacks. Various anglesfull front close up front Side Back Studio Ox line art Looks awesome right? The art I mean . Well, sometimes the artists at Studio Ox did let their imagination get a way with their rendering of the guy. Though an awesome toy in his own right, he is not without his flaws......... The Review:Optimus Primes answer to challenge Megatron on his supremacy in the skies, these former cargo/transport ships(depends on which continuity) are one of the many fan faves of the G1 gestalt teams. The eternal opponent of Menasor, Superion always seems to get his @ss kicked by the former (except on the Cosmic Rust episode). Personality wise, according to his bio, he as not so much different from psycho Menasor. Though a good bot at the core, his programed simply to either Protect humans or destroy the Decepticons, and in the comics, he did more damage to the former. Now back to the figure. Utilizing the scramble gimmick, Superion is composed of Silverbolt who makes up the torso and head. Add the helmet,chest plate and hip guard and you get 90% of Superion done. He comes with chrome and a die-cast under carriage. My version though, being the USA iteration, has the spring launcher gimmick gutted. The rest of his appendages is made up of the four smaller jets. Their placements owing to the "scramble gimmick" can be jst about anywhere. Though nominally Fireflight and Airraid make up his arms. As stated I follow this pattern.............looks more kick@ss The aforementioned limbs have die-cast parts with an oddity in Slingshot's design, the front landing gear folds in a different manner. He also shares a similarity with Predaking and Piranacon with his fists being solid and not hollow. And now the flaws ..........he is so d@mn frickin' unstable. Whereas Menasor, after experimenting with certain combinations is quite stable, Superion keeps on slouching forward. And the placement of his hip guard makes his thighs look too long. (IIRC Crazydevy released a new lengthened chest plate that gives a more proportioned illusion.) *Special mention to the the limb/jets' hip sigil /decals. They are mis positioned, minor design flaws that reprolabels' version corrected. Is his Superlink version any better? No sirreee! After burners' nose cone keeps on dislodging. ( It seems all Superions are flawed ). Does the mold stand the test of time? Well if you grew up with G1, maybe, for nostalgic reasons but imho, it may be 50/ 50 for our younger collectors. This guy is not only a brick, but a fragile brick! Heck, I'm so afraid that I might pull out his legs. . Rating:Even as a ogling fan, in a scale of 1 out of 5, I'm giving him a 3.9. And I'm being generous at that. His slaggin' legs are like too floppy/ fragile. Sure Silverbolt can interact with Metroplex but.................on an objective side, I'm giving him a pass of 3.5 (okay, it was the 80's and the aesthetics then are quite different from now. I hope this review will be help give the latest generation of fans some idea on what the first gen combiners looked like and felt like.
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Post by fenris72 on Feb 15, 2011 9:11:36 GMT -5
After nearly 20 years of searching.............Menasor is one! I'll be doing a review of the gestalt only and not the individual 'cons that make him up. Here's his high detailed artwork courtesy of Studio Ox Menasorfunction: Super warrior Components:Motormaster Kenworth tractor trailer Deadend Porche Wildrider Ferrari Dragstrip F1 Race car Breakdown Lamborghini Countach 1 Menasor mask 1 "roller car"/chest plate (Motormaster's poor mans version of Roller) 1 hip guard 1 ionizing sword 1 cyclone gun 2 fists 2 foot pads Various anglesfront back The Review:Megatron's answer to the Autobots' supremacy of the road, the Stuntrons/Stunticons were a wild bunch of Sunday drivers. Armed with anti-gravity generators which allowed them to do incredible "stunts" and force field reinforced armor, they all but totaled the Autobots in Key to Vector Sigma and the Pearl of Bahudin episodes. Heck even Optimus and the gang "cosplayed" him in Masquerade.Screeching back to reality though, the detailed rendition of Studio Ox just barely reflects the figure's true appearance in toy form. Motormaster makes up the main torso and head. A mask covers the head to create the Menasor persona. Connect the "Roller car" to the chest and the black hip guard we get.............nearly 90% of Menasor. The other Stunticons makes up his arms and feet. But given the "scramble" gimmick of the figure, there are no permanent assignments for the cars. (Though nominally, Dragstrip makes up the R arm while Deadend the L arm while Wildrider and Breakdown does the legs) this is the Studio Ox formation while this one the toy catalog formation Both of which are...................slaggin' unstable! though the latter is more stable than the former. I tried the formation rendered in the gift set (courtesy of Botch the Crab) which surprisingly was the most stable so go figure Overall, the figure won't win awards with poseability, 'cause he is a literal brick! Detail wise, well he is very detailed, even for his time, the component cars' are easily recognizable from their real life counterparts (back then copyright wasn't probably that strict). It would have been better though if Takara used rubber tires instead of plastic (like Gobots' "Puzzler"). Now that would have made him awesome! Rating:In a scale of 1 out of 5, Objectively, I'd give him a 3.5. Why? Well, he is a literal box with arms and legs. Just that. Seeing how the japanese rendered him in a more humanoid form makes you wish it was better. But then again those were the 80's...........we weren't as demanding as we are now. Fan mode wise, I'd give him a 4.9( arrgh! just the effort to find a complete and near mint Motormaster is enough to drive you nuts!) Just wanting to share and hope you liked my review.
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Post by fenris72 on Aug 18, 2010 8:30:16 GMT -5
Handled one myself. Nope she didn't have any QC issues with the paint apps at all (so it seems a case of touch in go in that department) but her feel and weight..so light, kind of flimsy, like you'd break her, and the chest part won't lock in.
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Post by fenris72 on Jul 29, 2010 10:01:29 GMT -5
TFA Arcee Takara version Acknowledging some picture references from tfwiki.net and seibertron.com contents: # 1 Arcee supercar # 1 wing kibble # 2 swords # 1 blister pack/card backed Background: It took HasTak all this years to finally make a direct homage to everyone's favorite fembot from the 1986 movie ............as in she actually transforms into a car. Though also borrowing from the recent hermaphrobot IDW storyline, she also comes with two energon swords to better cut you with (I'm looking at you Jhiaxus) Review: Anyway back to the lady herself. The stylized design fits her well. How the engineers of Takara fit her lithe body into the cybertronian car mode and still come out looking feminine is a feat itself (I'm looking at you Override) Other gimmicks include light piping: Btw, the highlighted details are my customs to make her look more like her animation art work, including lip gloss Kibbles? Well she has those twin ailerons which gives her a futuristic look but IMHO ruins her visage. You can also stick/store her energon blades into her rear...............fender(?) ( that becomes her shoulder armor in robot mode) Articulation? I count 10. Though the amount of poses are kind of limited (especially her front wind shield which prevents her from actually sitting properly) Differences with Hasbro's? Matte finish, silver autobot sigils (a second run of the Hasbro version is said to have a slightly different finish) and some additional/changes in paint apps on her feet and torso. My actual unit: full body shot Close up "Mission accomplished........sir!" Slice and dice baby! Complaints? Heard that constant holding of her energon blades tends to break her thumbs. So, unless you've got two versions of her, avoid doing so like a plague. Her neck is also too......thin, if not handled carefully, it's a stress point which may lead to breakage. Price: Good and bad or is it due to Hasbro's idiotic system of distribution? A lot of scalpers have made a killing off her. She was quite hard to find as a TRU exclusive. but lately, there were reports that TRU sold her on-line as a buy 1 take 1 50% off promo so go figure. The Takara version too is quite hard to find, (not sure if the Japan version too is a limited release or just that demand for her is also as high) Rating: 4.8/5.0 owing to the fact that we finally have the closest official thing to the original. So nostalgia on my part plays a huge factor on my rating. Good luck finding one brothers!
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Post by fenris72 on Jul 28, 2010 8:19:44 GMT -5
Hail to the King! Predaking! This is in honor of the upcoming 3rd pressing of the "King" of the G1 combiners! Contents: #5 Predacon mechanimals (die-cast version) #1 sonic sword #1 Predaking head #1 X-ray canon #2 spiked fists #2 canon feet #1 wing glider thingie a lot of kibbles from the various mechs' weapon #5 instruction manuals Pictures: Weapons Close up face Goliooooooon! Full body shot Right side "Blazing sword" The guy's so big I need two shots of his back Toes of doom! Left side of his legs Background: Either a minion of the Quintessons ( in the DW and anime universe), Megatron's primo hatchet men (IDW) or plain old hunters, this group is among the most wanted of the Destron gestalts. With a similar temperment like the recently released Piranacon, this beast mechanimal transformers know how to use their killer instinct. In his bio, he has no peer (well except for his royal awesomeness Sky lynx). His most finest hour (and animation) IMHO was in the Season 3 episode "Call of the Primitives". All this PR and I almost didn't buy him back in 1991(he was btw my first combiner). Similar to Devastar/Devastator, this combiner had to follow a specific combining sequence: Razor Claw (main torso),Headstrong and Tantrum feet even though Rampage and Divebomb (serving as his arms contrary to popular belief, can be interchangeable) At first look, his colors (orange/yellow/black )are like meehhhhh but it does grow on you. He is quite heavy but very stable (thanks to Tantrum and Headstrong's back pack canons. He's got a Go-lion/Daltanious lion head on his chest (caused a lot of controversy back then with Bandai). Owing to the greatness (I'm not backing out from the statement) of the QC back then, this 'bot of mine is as tight as a virgin. smooth molding, clickty click locking of the connections. To add more to his being a bad@ss, his fists are like spiked!, like them street gang thugs! Poor Bruticus never knew what hit him (reference DW storyline) Is there anything wrong with this figure, due to old age, his dang labels (especially Razorclaw) keep on pealing off. and he tends to slouch forward. He also sports some articulation, 9 in fact, so he was also somewhat advance for his time. So in honor of the upcoming fall release (which also looks awesome), the "King" will be making a comeback.....again.....and is sure to be sold out! Rating: When I first bought him...............I found it ugly so 2/5. But after all these years, he did grow on me...............4.99/5
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Post by fenris72 on Jul 23, 2010 23:19:43 GMT -5
Drift What do you get when you mix Ridge Racer,Fast and the Furious,Samurai X and a bit of Transformer defections? Well you get a non flyer/seeker version of Skyfire/Jetfire.............now known as Drift! Contents: All robot mode mein freunds............... full body face close up added yellow paint apps side view back radials hands feet (veryyyyy G1 no?) #1 Drift "super car" genericised Nissan whatchamacalit Silvia S15 # 2 short swords # 1 big bad@ss buster sword (reminds me of the one used by Sano from Samurai X) with the Japanese characters "Peerless" under heaven or if you like.........a warrior without equal #1 instruction sheet # 1 box/blister bubble with no more twisty ties but more like fabric fiber ties that won't scratch the fig. Background: IDW is sort of in the roll. Story wise, hit or miss and controversial in all aspects........ahem AHM(?) Anyway back during the "Furman" reign when Stormbringer came out, everyone wanted the updated version of Jetfire. (FYI , Jetfire was not redesigned by DonFig but his pencils of him were just as AWESOME). Not bad for a figure introduced in a comic tapping into nostalgia for fans. Until now, the Jetfire mold is still being squeezed for all its worth (gives credit to its design and staying power...........could have been made bigger though) Now fast forward to AHM. Said to be designed this time by Guido Guidi, we are introduced to a 'bot who is basically Jetfire/Skyfire on wheels. Unlike the former, Drift was known back then as Deadlock. A murdering mother f*ckr who struck fear in the sparks of all Autobots. But somewhere along the way he achieved some sort of Nirvana with a still unnamed Cybertronian faction who espoused non violence blah blah blah. Enough.......back to the figure/toy: He is a well thought off/designed figure(for his size) It even has a homage to his previous "Deadlock" persona (check his chest piece..........behind the windshield, that's what he looked like before becoming Drift. Taking a cue from MP Starscream, the designers incorporated functional sword sheaths on his hips. (IIRC, that's the reason S.Kawamori added those kibbles on Starscream...........envisioned to to have a samurai effect). The two short swords which can be folded at the handles fit snuggly (rubberized for safety reasons of course) He also has a groove on his back where the big@ss sword can fit in both 'bot and car mode. Points of articulation?...............12 if I count correctly. And he can do a two handed grip on his sword if you like. He's got light piping, grafitti on his doors............"Samurai" in kanji and simulated rubber tires. (Simulated as in it's plastic that looks like rubber.) Paint job is neat, not much bleeding but I would have prefered if the simulated blue for his windshield also extended on his rear side windshields. Also, if Takara will do a henkei version of him, maybe they could add extra red stripe paint patterns on his cheaks like that in the comic.(minor quibbles that's all) Oh, his white ABS PVC plastics are also well molded, smooth not cruddy rough.........in another place and time, Drift would have made a good Alternity fig (same pain in the @ss transformation sequence) Overall, I'd give him a rating of 4.98/5.0. Not because of the hype, (hey it took HasTak 2 years to finally admit his existence) but because he is indeed a well designed figure. Sure the back story ain't too original................defections? Please......... ! But it did do the job of giving him prior exposure/advertisement. I'd have also preferred they'd given him some form of die-cast (at his joints.......he's shoulders and that of his sword sheaths 'cause thats where I expect a lot of breakage to appear due to his very articulated design) Minor quibbles aside............he's soooooooo sugoi! Get him while he's hot, worth the wait and the price.
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Post by fenris72 on Jul 23, 2010 23:18:37 GMT -5
Piranacon set 2010 Contents: #1 plastic container #1 instruction manual # 6 Seacons # 7 biocards (1 for Piranacon) with a metallic type finish # 4 target master base stands # 4 target master support stands (long thingie) # 4 target master connectors (small square thingie) # 1 Piranacon head # 2 robot fists (with a clickity click locking mechanism) # 2 feet modules # 1 chest plate (with chromed blades) #1 chrome sword # 10 guns Background: Besides Predaking and Bruticus, this bruiser has been re-issued like 5x already. Personally, he ain't one of my most wanted figs (second to Predaking but he grows on you) given he's a 'con with all the horrid colors (he was G2 before his time). But in Masterforce, he was a bad@ss gestalt! Though his limbs more or less functioned as mindless drones. Anyway on to the figure itself. The figure: This review will be for the Piranacon figure itself and I'll gloss over the individual 'bots that make up the team. Snaptrap has this pom pom effect switch on his back for twin guns mounted on his backpack. Switch the peg back and forth and you'll know what I mean. The rest of the beasties that make him up ain't to shabby though. Above average looking mech beasts who share their Scramble City origins (limbs are interchangeable with no specific assignment). I use overbite by the way as the "target master component. One more thing that makes this set a must buy (if you are a hardcore g1 fan and don't own one) Piranacon was never released as a set "complete". Back in the late 1980's, when fan interest was dying and to off set costs, the Piranacon set was sold sans one part (Nautilator for the US version). King Poseidon was complete if I'm not mistaken). Another thing I noticed, the original Overbite was colored violet purple while this one, well pink purple. Snaptrap's head was originally colored black , joints now riveted and not screwed etc etc. so this isn't exactly a carbon copy of the 1988 version but amazingly close. Now the good/ bad news ( view this objectively brothers) 1. Expect a lot of molding degradation. ('nuff said) This is like over 12 years old baring the 5th time it's been released. If it were up to me, I wished it were all smooth and all but hey that's life...........(expected) 2. Pre applied labels (a mixed bag depending on your taste, me I'd prefer applying them (it was quite fun back then). In my unit, the labels were nicely applied anyway. (depends on your preference) 3. Chromed sword (not the BBTS version btw). The original G1 version for both Piranacon/King Poseidon was pink. (Good) 4. Loose connecting joint on Snaptraps right leg. Remedied by changing a specific limb Seacon. (The original gestalts had very tight clamps.) (Bad and good depending how OC you are) 5. Reports at seibertron.com member Diem was unlucky enough to get two clunkers (one missing either Seawing's gun or Nautilator's connecting pin) (verified with pics so HasTaks QC might have been slipping again........like henkei Starscream.................so it's like a hit or miss) Mine thankfully has no such problems. So good and bad again The verdict: I never owned one. Now I do! In a consumer friendly price. Sure it has a lot of molding issues (which was expected though it would have nice if this was minimized) Plus verified QC issues don't help either. If you have never owned one get him now! Once in a lifetime opportunity. Get him while his hot! So I give this a 3.9/5.0..........that is my honest opinion. Edit: I was recently informed that the BBTS exclusive will also come with a chromed sword.
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Post by fenris72 on Jul 23, 2010 23:16:00 GMT -5
Thrust: Finally..........a more affordable version of G1 inspired Thrust! Contents: (Please note that I added several destron sigils to cover the "white" ones printed by Hasbro) Jet Mode VTOL robot mode (front) close up face chrome cockpit back functional VTOL blades #1 Thrust (custom F-15) with functional VTOL (Vertical take off and Landing) accessory #2 missile holders #2 machine guns #2 VTOL accessories #1 blister pack #1 box Background: One of the three "cone heads" of G1 , Thrust together with Ramjet were released back in 1985. Sporting different sets of wings(and missiles) from Starscream, Thundercracker and Skywarp, they were rendered a bit differently by Floro Dery, which made owners then transform them with the nosecones standing up. Fast forward 25 years and Hasbro released the classics versions. Unfortunately they never received a mass release (for Dirge and Thrust anyway). Then Takara released their own exclusive versions......again waaaaay expensive. Now we are fortunate that a mass release version has just been re-issued. An odd thing is, it is a virtual carbon copy of the Ganbo version (with the exception of some paint apps and destron sigils). His cockpit by the way is chromed.............an oddity in the international releases. Again as previously mentioned, he's got functional VTOL accessories (it actually spins), not sure if the original 1985 release also was functional. Like the original, his missiles are the default machine guns, which this time, thanks to the shorter wings, allows you to pose him pointing the machine guns without it getting in the way (that is if you pose the wings correctly). PVC/ABS plastic molding is neat and smooth..........no noticeable degradation at all. Machine guns fit well, joints are tight and all.........and no two left feet. Face paint apps is anime accurate.........as in yellow optics(the normal destrons have red optics) and whiteface paint. He's maroon color(it is maroon right?) greatly replicates his original G1 incarnation. One thing I noticed though, his instruction manual have his wings mis transformed( no surprise on how "helpful" the modern instruction manuals are today)........and no more twisty ties(yay!) If I have any complaints, it's the packaging....it .......... well ruins the box once it is opened(can't Hasbro copy henkei's packaging style?) Rating: 4.9 out of 5.0 (nitpicking on the packaging otherwise a real steal for it's price).
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Post by fenris72 on May 29, 2010 8:26:05 GMT -5
check ebay bro.
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Post by fenris72 on Mar 5, 2010 11:34:45 GMT -5
Yamato, the name gives you mixed feelings when dealing with anime figures and well Macross mechs. Why the heck can they design engineering feats in the form of Valkyries and most often than not shoot themselves in the foot? Anyway here's my first Yamato product review focusing on the kick @ss GBP Armor for their 1/60 version 2 Valkyrie. Please Note: Used the VF1-S Hikaru as the center mech (which never saw the light of day whatsoever in the animated series or the DYRL Movie. In fact, not counting episode 9 of Ms Macross, the armor was just shown for about 10 seconds in the DYRL movie. And yet it's been such an iconic upgrade that Yamato even made a stand alone set for their Valkyries. Contents:Chest ArmorSholulder and Forearms armor (4 pieces) x 2 Loin/Groin Armor (6 pieces) Scram jet/booster pack rear thrusters are adjustable) Shin guard/armorElevator shoes kidding, additional foot armor to make it look more proportional Close up full armor Ready to fire (btw, I did not include the additional launch effect flower of doom blooming effects) Size comparison with a Meltran warriorThe Rant:My first exposure to this product was the 1/48 set up. First time I beheld it I was ! It was like a monster, bristling with weaponry and all those beer can missiles......wow! But the price was waaaaaaay out of my league. Then Yamato came up with a smaller 1/60 which was all but sold out every time it was released locally(that must have been ver 1) Then came the complaints of the "imperfect" transformation issue which all the more turned me off from getting one. Later, ver 2 came out and I said....ALRIGHT! But it came packed with the VF1-J which, for all intent and purpose was THE Valkyrie for the armor(animation wise too) but for some reason........I wanted "Skull Leader" to get the honor of wearing it. So waited I did and got a DYRL VF1-S Hikaru sans armor..........plus another issue with the broken shoulder hinge made me avoid the VF1-J like a plague. Well it seemed that I was condemned to just own an emaciated Skull Leader when lo and behold, a stand alone armor set was recently released......lucky or what?! Issues!Plus and Minus Minus first. 1. Missiles are no longer removable (good and bad in as such you won't be worrying about loosing them) 2. Chest chamber launching effect extension gutted out in the 1/60 version. 3. A pain to "lock" in the shoulder and chest armor 4. Marshmallow hands(sure it is anime accurate but I wish it was more gundamesque........okay then maybe it's just taste preference) 5. Less detailed decals unlike the 1/48 6. Flower of doom launching effect for the missiles (too white, maybe the smoke effect could have been made a bit gray) 7. Supposedly won't fit other versions of 1/60 VFs Plus 1. Makes the Valkyrie look more macho 2 Extra armor attachments on the "open areas" of the Valkyrie battroid mode gives it a more "seal" protected armor effect. 3. Ver 2 looks more refined in design than ver 1 4. Adjustable thrusters for the scram jet booster 5. Missiles are no longer prone to being lost 6. OT flower of doom bloom launch effect for the missiles............anime accurate alright 7.Extra foot armor stabilizes the mech when standing. So the plus and minus are a tie. Did I mention already that it also makes the Valkyrie look more menacing? One negative I failed to include is that the armor is not use able in jet mode. Whether or not that was Shoji Kawamori's intent I do not know, and well it was in the early 1980's so technologically it might not have been realistically feasible. Anyway as a whole I am really satisfied that at least I have fulfilled some of my Macross high school mech fantasy of owning a Skull leader and getting him dressed up in such kick@ss augmentation gear. I give it a 4.9 out of 5.
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Post by fenris72 on Mar 3, 2010 8:41:59 GMT -5
Thanks brother. I was lucky getting one waaaaaaaaaaay back when collecting TFs wasn't dangerous to your health.
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Post by fenris72 on Feb 16, 2010 10:27:50 GMT -5
Ouch! No pen, so I'm doomed? . And yes it has the launching missiles, haven't gotten the time to attach them yet. @timmyxcorex I got my set from another member here, greattoys.net.
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Post by fenris72 on Feb 16, 2010 2:56:01 GMT -5
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Post by fenris72 on Feb 13, 2010 22:26:49 GMT -5
You're welcome. The first two, well yes eventually, but the other two..............don't own them
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Post by fenris72 on Feb 13, 2010 8:55:04 GMT -5
Cybertron Space Commander Metal Hawk Contents:#1 "Metalhawk" Space Commander/jet #1 Pretender shell/figure #1 horned helmet #1 titanium saber #1 jet rifle #2 wing guns #1 biocard Background:Mass shifting has always a sore sticking point in transformers lore. How Soundwave,Astrotrain and Megatron continuously flaunt the Laws of Physics is beyond me. But in Masterforce, the japanese writers made it more believable. The USA version had the Pretenders as gigantic humanoids or Monsters under the premise that the former(humanoids) are less threatening than giant robotic beings( yeah sure Mr.Budiansky So in Masterforce, the "pretender" shell actually is a mass shifted human sized version of a 40 foot tall mechanoid. Another thing, this was before Beastwars and how the Transformers have long influenced the course of human civilization was another great retcon. the figurePretender Mode:His armor kind off reminds me of a cross between the Japanese Kamen Rider/Sentai/henshin series (you know all this "transform stuff with their wrist band morphers) Close upHelmet No helmet Note: Unlike the first generation of Cybertron Pretenders, Metal hawk's face is fully rendered in a pinkish flesh tone Weapons:Close upAt all anglesJet modeCybertron mode:Side by side The Rant:He is one of the most hard to find of the Pretenders. Sold exclusively in Japan with a designated C-201. Unlike all other figures in 1988, Metalhawk was an anomaly. He was literally made of die-cast (well half of him was). Quite heavy and very sturdy.........but still a brick . But being a Pretender, he still shared the flaw of the series.........that is, his d@mn plastics are prone to melting...........heck, I'm having trouble keeping his helmet in place because of that same issue. Still, if you managed to watch the horrid Malay dub in StarTv, you'll greatly appreciate the figure together with the show. Recently, as I previously posted,a Wonderfest exclusive transformable resin figure of his was sold. The Rating:Funfactor: 4/5 (Watch the show, appreciate him even more) Nostalgia: 5/5 Same reasons as the above Fragility: 5/5 Very tough (his robot mode that is. Availability: 1/5 Good luck in finding one
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Post by fenris72 on Feb 13, 2010 8:53:30 GMT -5
Cybertron Demolition Man:Brawn/Gong Quote: "Might over Microchips" Contents:#1 "Brawn" Range Rover vehicle Background:Again another holdover from the Microchange Takara line, this midget of a fig/vehicle is another stand out fan favorite in the G1 show. There are at least two molds of Brawn (one has a whole face where you detach him at the optics and another where he is detached at his mouth guard). An actual remold of him came in the form of Outback. Small, short (most likely overcompensating) and over powered demolitions expert, he is well respected or feared by the Destron forces. In the episode where Chip Chase was first introduced, Thundercracker acknowledged that without "Prime" or "Brawn" to back you up, he'll make short work of Prowl and Bluestreak (I'm paraphrasing so not be too OC mr. you know who......... ) In Fire in the Mountain (he had the "balls" to actually use Megatron's fusion canon against him) and in the Anti-matter gun episode, priceless. He also showed some of his softer side in "The Ultimate Doom". It was quite sad that he went into permanent stasis lock in the 1986 Movie. . The scene where he shouted: Brawn: "Megatron!...........Decepticons!" Megatron: "Die Autobots!" Action: transforming + robot pulsing+"Instruments of Destruction" background music Such gratuitous violence had forever seared my psyche. The figure:At all sides Close up (Please note, in the anime he's got a face. Again, the great Don F has made a believable retcon rendering of him in the now defuct DW G1 series...like Bumble B, he is wearing a battle mask.) Vehicle mode The Rant:Please note btw I added some "labels" for more details on my Brawn/Gong figure. One of the most simple to transform of the minibots. This green colored 4wd Range Rover is quite detailed. He has a non detachable spare tire on his roof (another remold of him, Outback actually has a canon attached to the roof but not "backward" compatible). The detail molding of his doors, front chromed grills, rugged tires and another simulated non detachable gas can on his robo butt. Another thing, he is quite tough( unless you willfully pull out his legs and break his chromed hands) just like his animation persona. Brawn, both as a fig and vehicle is quite fun to play with. He is prone to becoming loose over time though. Articulation? A brick in a sense.........this is G1. One weak point I can see in his design (blame Floro Dery for the "humanization portrayal) are his "clawed" chrome hands. I wished if Takara will do a proper Encore of him (not the recent key chains) and give him Outback's hand and give him a real face. Rating:Fun factor: : 5/5 Nostalgia:: 5/5 (if you don't know him, well you've really missed a lot) Fragility: 4/5 tough (except for his robo chromed claws) Availability 2/5 (the key chain re-issue are the only known pieces besides the G1 bootlegs.)
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Post by fenris72 on Feb 10, 2010 5:55:14 GMT -5
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Post by fenris72 on Feb 6, 2010 20:09:45 GMT -5
Just want to share fellow figure collectors, one of my reviews got featured in another site. I believe the owner is based in Belgium and her site specializes in anime figs. Besides that she's got mad skillz behind the camera lens. Enjoy. Here is the link : lylibellule.biz/?p=3343
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