The Transformers Thread (licensed) Next

[Valkyrie2008]

I can't tell you how glad I am that the "new" Masterpiece line has no LED gimmicks. I f'in hate LEDs in my collector toys.

I love lights and sound, I was thinking of putting LEDs on MP Prowl.

[Scyla]

I'm sorry I just don't get the appeal of an LED anywhere in my toys. I'm so glad that the gimmick on my Feral Red is so unobtrusive.

[Gakken85]

Hot Toys uses it in everything. It's cool for a single photo op, and adds a little bit of flare to a toy.

But sacrificing articulation for a gimmick like this is a little Iffy for me. It's ok for HT and X-plus Godzilla stuff because they are more toward the statue end of the specturm... but for Transforming robots, it's a pain in the butt.

Plus you have to worry about battery decay.

I'd prefer paint apps and articulation over LEDs and sound any time.

[Kanedas Bike]

Hot Toys uses it in everything. It's cool for a single photo op, and adds a little bit of flare to a toy.

But sacrificing articulation for a gimmick like this is a little Iffy for me. It's ok for HT and X-plus Godzilla stuff because they are more toward the statue end of the specturm... but for Transforming robots, it's a pain in the butt.

Plus you have to worry about battery decay.

I'd prefer paint apps and articulation over LEDs and sound any time.

agree

-b.

[Gakken85]

Spacebrick looking sexaaah

Edited September 16, 2014 by Gakken85

[JB0]

Ugh. The head on top of the spaceship/hoversled. That's one of the most obnoxious things you can do with a Transformer, is just leave the head sticking out.

I know, existing design, faithful to the source. That doesn't make it any less egregious, just VINTAGELY egregious.

[Gakken85]

That's not a head, that's a rotating turret buddy.

[Guest davidwhangchoi]

Ugh. The head on top of the spaceship/hoversled. That's one of the most obnoxious things you can do with a Transformer, is just leave the head sticking out.

I know, existing design, faithful to the source. That doesn't make it any less egregious, just VINTAGELY egregious.

was thinking the exact same thing. bot mode is cool. this mode is the stupidest looking thing. i rather have scourge w/ his head out in flight mode so he can talk to galvatron.

[JB0]

That's not a head, that's a rotating turret buddy.

The two are not mutually exclusive. In fact, in robot design, they are often synonymous.

[technoblue]

I'm curious to see the transformation. Even with the retro design elements, Star Saber looks like he will be a really fun toy.

[Gakken85]

Making his shield a flight stand is badassery!

[eriku]

Star Saber is looking perfect. The photo of Saber surfing on the V-Star is exactly what I've been waiting to see.

Hopefully tomorrow we'll see more Yuki (the brainmaster). You can see a glimpse of a painted version through the canopy.

[Gakken85]

The more the merrier haha.

Plus Wheeljack this week!

[Scyla]

Ugh. The head on top of the spaceship/hoversled. That's one of the most obnoxious things you can do with a Transformer, is just leave the head sticking out.

I know, existing design, faithful to the source. That doesn't make it any less egregious, just VINTAGELY egregious.

Oh, what is this dangling on the underside of your Chunky Monkey? A laser turret!!!

It look great. Can't wait to have it in hands. I wonder if it has attachment for a combined mode as well.

[Gakken85]

True. It's like an upside down Valk haha

[jenius]

But obvious bot parts are always okay on the bottom... Not on top.

[Gakken85]

Idk. I kinda dig it.

It has such a funky 80's space program feel to it.

[RD Blade]

I expected the spaceship to have a head. It's still a bit disappointing.

I think it's painted on the outer parts that make the car form,

That gave me an idea. I happened to have an old beat up G1 Sunstreaker near my work area.

Edited September 16, 2014 by RD Blade

[Gakken85]

Sweet

[technoblue]

Star Saber isn't the first strange transformer space ship in recent history to have a peek-a-boo head on top.

But I'm surprised at how much Star Saber is growing on me. Is he still coming out in March? There's been a lot of press lately and he looks ready to go. In comparison, I have heard almost no news on Ultra Magnus. Perhaps that has more to do with the fact the MP-24 won the popular vote?

[treatment]

Ugh. The head on top of the spaceship/hoversled. That's one of the most obnoxious things you can do with a Transformer, is just leave the head sticking out.

I know, existing design, faithful to the source. That doesn't make it any less egregious, just VINTAGELY egregious.

Head pilot...

[UN Spacy]

Chances we'll also get Victory Leo?

Saber needs his boots and backpack.

[dizman]

Are there any star saber repaints out there we can expect TT to make in masterpiece form? I looked around but couldn't find any and I doubt TT would use a mold only once. Pretty much the only thing stopping me from a pre order is the hope of a better color scheme . Also smart use of the shield as a stand, great idea!

[Gakken85]

Chances we'll also get Victory Leo?

Saber needs his boots and backpack.

The connections seem to be there... so here is hoping.

I'm sure Yuki wants it as much as he loves SS.

There is an "evil" Star Saber that is black, turqoise, and purple. Idk

[JB0]

Oh, what is this dangling on the underside of your Chunky Monkey? A laser turret!

Indeed. Fortunately, I've never said the Takatoku Valk was perfect, or even that the VF-1 was.

It IS worth noting that the VF-1 turrethead is most annoying in the 1S variant, where it looks most like a head.

[Gakken85]

I think it's a pretty sill complaint, especially in terms of Macross.

The fictional "job" of the guy who designed the VF-1J wasn't to "hide the head", it was to provide a Jet that could function in different modes. The toys just mirror the fictional reality, within reason.

The head lasers can function as anti-ground fire or forward fire, or potentially twist and fire backwards.

Transformers kind of... design themselves for whatever reason, but having a big turret that moves out in space has to be handy when you're fighting off destrons.

We had them in real life too:

Why NOT use a head as a mobile flak device.

It's just smart design IMO

Edited September 17, 2014 by Gakken85

[technoblue]

Props must be given for using footage of the B-25 Mitchell to illustrate your point, Gakken.

Edit: I folded today. Surfin' Saber is too cool to pass up.

Edited September 17, 2014 by technoblue

[Scyla]

So I ordered some replacement parts for my MP-09B Evil Destron Doppelgaenger from http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-knee-repair-parts-Applicable-for-Transformers-mp09-Hot-Rod-Rodimus-Prime/271576557689?_trksid=p2047675.c100010.m2109&_trkparms=aid%3D555012%26algo%3DPW.MBE%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20131231084308%26meid%3Dc34a71ee2c634755b96836f33efe5cda%26pid%3D100010%26prg%3D20131231084308%26rk%3D4%26rkt%3D24%26sd%3D390910792082

They are pretty nice and my Rodimus is able to stand on his own once again. I had to to some tinkering to get the fit well which includes trimming the springs a bit to release tension from the joint.

Sadly I noticed that the upper shin part of the leg where the cracks first appeared (and which I tried to fix with a washer) has a crumbled inner peg where the screw goes in. So I probably won't transform him into alt-mode anymore.

Does anyone know if I can stabilize the part where the screw goes in? It is the one right below the knee joint you can see on the image.

Edited September 17, 2014 by Scyla

[Gakken85]

Props must be given for using footage of the B-25 Mitchell to illustrate your point, Gakken.

Edit: I folded today. Surfin' Saber is too cool to pass up.

Your journey to the dark side is complete.

Glad to hear your Rodimus can stand up Scyla.

Edited September 17, 2014 by Gakken85

[Scyla]

Your journey to the dark side is complete.

Glad to hear your Rodimus can stand up Scyla.

The MP-09 is such a nice toy I only wished that the manufacturing tolerances had kept up with the design.

[edit:] This seller offers several other replacement parts for MP-09. So it might be worth checking out if you have a crumbled shoulder or ankle.

Edited September 17, 2014 by Scyla

[anime52k8]

Why NOT use a head as a mobile flak device.

It's just smart design IMO

But we're not talking about realistic or practical designs here, we're talking about fictional sentient robots from an 80's cartoon show for children. The only thing that matters is "does it look cool." And to that I say, no, having a giant head sticking out of your alt mode does not look cool, it looks stupid.

Edited September 17, 2014 by anime52k8

[Gakken85]

It's realistic and practical in the fictional reality. That's my whole point, and we have real life examples of why it would be that way.

I think it does look cool haha.

Edited September 17, 2014 by Gakken85

[Gakken85]

[technoblue]

Bee!!

But we're not talking about realistic or practical designs here, we're talking about fictional sentient robots from an 80's cartoon show for children. The only thing that matters is "does it look cool." And to that I say, no, having a giant head sticking out of your alt mode does not look cool, it looks stupid.

From what I've seen of Transformers Victory, Star Saber is accurate. I guess he may be disappointing if one prefers his revised IDW look (been doing more research). Personally, I wasn't sure about the whole figure at first, but I do think Saber is groovy in his alt mode. The latest color shots sealed the deal on that opinion. Since the V-Star is like power armor for Saber, I can look past some of the goofiness there. Ultra Magnus also has goofy stray bits attached, but these are Transformers. There are always peek-a-boo parts to be found somewhere.

[eriku]

I think it's a pretty sill complaint, especially in terms of Macross.

The fictional "job" of the guy who designed the VF-1J wasn't to "hide the head", it was to provide a Jet that could function in different modes. The toys just mirror the fictional reality, within reason.

The head lasers can function as anti-ground fire or forward fire, or potentially twist and fire backwards.

Transformers kind of... design themselves for whatever reason, but having a big turret that moves out in space has to be handy when you're fighting off destrons.

We had them in real life too:

Why NOT use a head as a mobile flak device.

It's just smart design IMO

Oh man, now I want a B-25 Transformer where the turret forms the head!