Some purchases over the past couple of months....

October 30, 2013, 7:49 am

≫ Next: Pre Rub Bluestreak

≪ Previous: Transformers Vintage Monstructor

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It's been awhile since my last blog entry. was busy with work big time.

finally had some time to take some photos, and write about transformer hauls.

Remember the ehobby clampdown and deep cover? the same buddy of mine managed to snag the following Vintage Takara boxed. 38: Blaster; 39: Perceptor and 47: Grapple.

The vintage Hot rod was bought locally at one of the days at CSC.

Nice pieces, really love the styro inserts.

Next up, is a nice European Boxed Headmaster Apeface. Complete with papers and bubble. This was off a friend who is not really into transformers but bought this years ago for some unknown reason…Sold me for cost price at prices probably 5 - 7 years ago. In very nice condition as well!

stuffs bought from ebay…ehobby Silver streak and Gold Jazz.

Still into the G1 1984 Autobot cars, i've been staring at these for quite awhile wasting efforts and missed opportunities, i put m foot down and finally managed to get them both.

Gold Jazz is MISB but for some reason, the Gold has somewhat lost it's shine, becoming a dull shiny gold, not to the extent of matt gold…yet.  Not really a fan of Jazz's mold actually. The title of the best mold til date still belongs to………...

Streak! This piece is MIB with sticker applied. Chrome is nice….and i really love the mold! you'll see later on...

Then comes the bigger prizes….got myself locally the MISB Pre-rub streak and MISB pre-rub Prowl.

For streak, the tape at the sides have dried up and dropped off naturally, the bubble has fell off too…For prowl, the tapes are still intact! a toy, MISB from 1984…coming to about 30 years old!! The bubble has dropped off as well…but i'm not ready to open up Prowl, yet. Streak on the other hand since the tapes has dropped off, i opened it. For more details, i'll share more on a separate post.

Then comes my addiction: Starscream, got this off ebay at a steal, (in fact, all these here are acquired at a steal!! a friend mentioned that i'm recently quite lucky in TF acquisitions! oh yeah!) Complete with complete papers. Pre-rubs are really the masterpiece of G1 TFs. I often refer them to poison, once you own one, you can't stop.

The last piece which i'm going to mention here would be the rarest in this round of acquisitions.

The Diaclone Blue Swoop. Comes in a nice box with a nice insert. Papers are complete as well as the complete toy. Toy is used with the used sticker sheet. Really really happy to lay my hands on one of these.

Really excited about the Diaclone Swoop, and of course the pre-rubs…gosh, i'm really poisoned now…there's a few people i need to blame but i'm not gonna mention names….you know who you are….hahahahahaha

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Pre Rub Bluestreak

November 10, 2013, 7:41 am

≫ Next: More poison….Maketoys Nova Prime

≪ Previous: Some purchases over the past couple of months....

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This is a result of being poisoned….

Though i have always known that the streak/Prowl/Smokescreen mold is one of the best G1 molds out there, i never really take a close look at it…instead concentrating of the sideswipe mold variants as shown in my earlier postings…already bought the Commemorative Reissue Streak and the e-hobby Black hood Streak, i stopped pursuing the streak mold…..BUT one of my pals, who is a streak slut (in fact he is more slutty for streak than the slut in me for starscream!) keeps talking about streak and how good the pre rub streak mold is…as i listened and listened and listened and listened…..like a virus, it slowly, unknowingly, infiltrated my senses…before i know it, i had to get one for myself….just like how Agent Smith in the matrix infected everybody else within the matrix…and i'm definitely not Neo..

Found a piece in one of the local shops in Singapore…surprisingly…..the best thing is, the box is in an excellent condition and supposedly, it is still MISB! but due to aging, the bubble has dried up and dropped off from the card back. The sealing tape at the sides of the box fell off naturally, due to the glue drying up….

Here, take a look...

Close up of the artwork…

I proceeded to un-MISB the "mysterious" best-of-the-best G1 car mold ever…

Result? Believe me, i was knocked out by this one.

The pre rub is really the best of G1s! The fit on the toy is, if i can say, better the the Masterpieces.

The whole feel of the toy really brings me 30 years back with the die cast, rubber wheels and all. The face of streak, very clear and distinct lines with nice details. Compare it with the reissue and you will know what i mean.

The pre rubs are the first pieces (after the diaclones) that are produced with the fresh mold and it really shows the quality. With that, i'm bought over.

Look, no flap crease!

ahhh…..yes, the picture of the elusive Diaclone Blue Bluestreak…and agin, when i keep going back to look at the Blue fella, the poison gets worse…its never-ending!

It has come to a point that i look at Bluestreak at breakfast….

The front car plate: Fairlady

The Pre-rub, look at the head mold, clear and well-defined lines…you will never find this on any reissue! 

Rear car plate: Fairlady Z

Bot is the reissue, car is the Pre-rub.

A far difference between them….oh yes, sometimes its More Than Meets The Eye at breakfast!

After this, continued with the pre-rub antidotes for the poison….managed to get a Starscream as well as a Prowl…damn poison….damn friend…but it's pure satisfaction…contradicting. yes.  To have a collector pal like that, someone who helps me get some of my rare pieces and then poisons me with even more rare pieces…*sigh* blame it on my lack of discipline when it comes to TFs...

More poison….Maketoys Nova Prime

November 10, 2013, 10:33 am

≫ Next: Diaclone Blue Swoop

≪ Previous: Pre Rub Bluestreak

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This is more poison from my beloved TF collector pal…

I started reading IDW More Than Meets The Eye comics and got to "know" Nova Prime.

Then was introduced to the piece that Maketoys produced: MT-03 Hypernovae (Nova prime). Couldn't get it the first time round, stocks were out before the figure was even released.

Maketoys then decided to "re-issue" but with some difference, not in the build but in stickers and colors (very slight) After I got poisoned, got my pal to help source for one. took some time before he could find me a 1st edition piece…Thank you my friend….for the poison and helping to get this….

 Here's the carton box packaging that comes with each piece. Even the carton box seems like a "collectible". 

The actual box packaging.

 Alternate truck mode...

First level bot mode…looks like Ultra Magnus as my pal says…

i find it abit too skinny...

Level 2 bot mode….additional rifle blaster, more sturdy arms and legs...

Nova Prime Final bot mode: Angel of Death!

All along, the stuffs that Maketoys produce are of good quality. Clear defined lines, nice straight cuts and the joints and moving parts fit snugly in place. This Nova Prime is no exception.

The overall figure is good…what i would complain about would be the weight balance of the figure and the size….

The wings hanging onto the back somewhat causes the figure to fall backwards, he seemed to be carrying a heavy back pack behind. But this can be solved with some posing of the figure.

Size wise, it is slightly bigger than a deluxe sized toy…so for this kind of price, i am thinking of a leader sized one, at least.

Those that didn't read the IDW comics before, would not know anything about him, just like me before.

Transformation is abit difficult with some parts forming (though all parts will be used in both bot mode and alternate mode). This is a very nice figure and i would recommend all Convoy/Prime lovers to get this piece when it releases in the mass market soon.

Diaclone Blue Swoop

November 13, 2013, 8:36 am

≫ Next: Prowl, Prowl and Prowl

≪ Previous: More poison….Maketoys Nova Prime

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This is probably the first Swoop mold i ever owned.

One big reason why one should get this: This piece is anime accurate with the blue chest.

Which means if you are a G1 anime die hard, this is the one to get…(along with the canadian red face Slag. Came across this on ebay when i was browsing the diaclones.

Really beginning to fall deeply in love with diaclone molds and pre-rubs.

The molds are really of the highest quality.

There's some stain at the top right corner at the front, otherwise the box is in a very good condition.

Styrofoam insert is in very good condition as well…surprising thing is, there is a diaclone driver included. Checked with a friend and it seems that there should not be a driver for Swoop….so it's like a bonus to have one in there. No harm keeping it right?

Used piece, with applied stickers. Some of stickers actually fell off but figure is in good condition with a little little bit of wear…chromed wings are without chrome wear...

Another though going round in my head…what if this is a K.O?

As soon as i got this on hand, immediately verified all details with a friend who owns an unused piece. Also went to the internet to find out more about KO Swoop.

Fortunately, this is the real deal. I am relieved.

Here, you can see a close up on the wings…nice right?

The next anime accurate Dino would be the Canadian Slag…let's hope i can get lucky once more...

Prowl, Prowl and Prowl

November 24, 2013, 11:20 am

≫ Next: The most fragile TF…D-311 Black Zarak...

≪ Previous: Diaclone Blue Swoop

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Taking these pictures and writing this makes me feel like a Prowl slut, but i'm not. Really.

Just happen to own these molds.

In fact, i'm already in love with the G1 Prowl/Streak/Smokescreen mold.

Just got a Universe Deluxe Prowl off a reseller. Yes, i do not have CHUG Prowl before this and i'm wondering why it took so long…fortunately, i did not have to pay a really absurd price for this.

Here's the photo of the 3 versions together…in alternate car mode.

The masterpiece as always is an exact replica of its G1 counterpart, sporting a Fairlady Mold.

In bot mode, the masterpiece is just slightly taller than its deluxe cousin,  but with tons of articulation.

The CHUG Prowl, disappoints me in terms of mold and robustness of the toy. Don't really like this version of Prowl. The doors are flimsy, pop out easily during transformation.

The G1 piece shown here is the Takara box reissue. The details on the face shows mold degradation, but as i've said before the mold rocks big time!

Masterpiece designs never fail to disappoint. but the material of construction disappoints me.

Details of the Masterpiece Prowl's head sculpt.

Very clear lines and you can see a fresh mold used. (look at a reassure Prowl/Streak's face and you will know what i am talking about.

I still feel the G1 mold wins the competition with MP Prowl close behind.

The reasons are the die cast, rubber wheels. The MP mold technically is far better, representing anime Prowl in all categories, but as a toy, it lacks the feel of a masterpiece…lacking the metal and rubber.

I always feel that the later pieces of the masterpiece, have not enough or zero die cast. 

TakaraTomy, please please please start to put in diecsat and rubber wheels for future masterpieces…

The most fragile TF…D-311 Black Zarak...

November 25, 2013, 7:19 am

≫ Next: C-353 Big Powered Giftset Redux

≪ Previous: Prowl, Prowl and Prowl

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This was an incidental purchase.

D-311 Black Zarak was never a priority in my pursue. Price and the conditions (always cracked) are 2 of the main reasons holding me back. 

This piece came along when a local seller wanted to let go of it. Complete with stickers applied.

NO GPS, YES! none at all! Box in a nice condition as well. Stickers applied.

When i was checking the condition of the toy during the transaction, i actually asked the seller to handle it…he was handling it very very carefully and told me not to open this, be careful of that.

Though heard of GPS and experienced it with my very first piece of bristle back (Monstructor), never knew that the GPS on BZ was so potent such that every owner is very wary of it…such that they handle as if it's a newborn. it's crazy.

After i happily brough the TF back, more feedback about BZ came along…"Do not transform this, do not open the shield, do not….do not…once you attach the spear together, you can't separate it anymore" i was like "WTH? i bought a TF and i'm not able to play with it?!!!"

The final statement was: "That's Black Zarak for you"

It seems that a Black Zarak in such a good condition would be a display piece in it's nice styrofoam tray. But i had to take it out to look closer….

I'm always drawn to the vintage artwork of G1 boxes….

back of the box and...

Close up of Ginrai artwork…one of my favorite artwork...

Complete papers with even the biocard…there's a friend who has BZ without the biocard…maybe time for me to gloat abit…not very often i can gloat at him...

okay, here's a closeup of the biocard so that he can see clearer….hahaha.

chrome on the chest and legs are perfect.

the "uncle" face…with this, it is actually not required to have the head on in robot mode as this covers the headmaster completely.

tried the headmaster gimmick to check out the power meter…of course not with Zarak, i used the head from Skullcruncher…if the gold tabs or joints on zarak breaks from me trying to "Head on!", i would probably be a laughing stock..

For this, i really have to thank the seller for keeping this piece in such a nice condition.

and also allowing me to acquire this piece at a very reasonable price.

Never a priority as i mentioned at the start but exceptionally satisfying to be able to own it.

am very lucky to be able to find rare pieces in super conditions…like GBC, GBM etc.

really a big thanks to friends and sellers who in any way helped me directly or indirectly…

you guys know who you are!

C-353 Big Powered Giftset Redux

January 9, 2014, 9:17 am

≫ Next: Unique Toys Sharpclaw (Not Razorclaw)

≪ Previous: The most fragile TF…D-311 Black Zarak...

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Big powered, the combined form of Dai Atlas, Sonic Bomber and Roadfire. Can travel up to 9999 powered knots and emit a rainbow while traveling in space.

Well, recently there are some sudden interest in the Big Powered and the last time i wrote about this was like 2010 (here)….Thought i should write another for the new set. Back in 2010, that was my first set which had a crappy box as well as a Brave micromaster partner instead of the actual one. Few months later, i managed to snag one set which was in a far better condition and here it is.

Box with minor creases but far far better than the first. One of the few boxes with no artwork on the front of the box.

The back of the box.

A small piece of artwork at the back of the box.

Artwork is at the top of the box, but a pity as the space is insufficient to capture the full body.

Internals, nice and minty foam...

This set was released in 1990 and it's like 23 years now…to really have it in this condition, i have to thank my luck and a couple of friends...

Unique Toys Sharpclaw (Not Razorclaw)

January 12, 2014, 10:36 am

≫ Next: Unique Toys Sharkies (Not Gnaw)

≪ Previous: C-353 Big Powered Giftset Redux

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Just gotta hold of the last piece of Unique Toys not predacons, Sharpclaw (not Razorclaw)…just had enough time to transform the bot to alternate lion mode…combined Warlord (not Predaking) form in abit….

The box, bigger than the normal not predacons…why?

Because it had to house the wings of Warlord, the combined form. The difference from G1 is that Predaking uses the wings from Divebomb….Here, there is a set of separate and bigger wings…the crotch piece is a bigger piece which adds mass to the abdomen area as well..

The poster that came together with Sharpclaw…not too bad i should say…there's abit glimpse of IDW artwork there...

 Sharpclaw in bot mode.

Alternate Lion mode.

The quality so far for this piece is not exactly good. The first, Warhawk (not Divebomb), was really bad. The subsequent warlord releases actually picked up in terms of quality. The box, the toy everything improved. BUT, for this last piece, the quality seems to drop…not as bad as Warhawk, but it has taken a step back, playing with it for awhile, it feels like i'm playing with a K.O…some loose joints, legs that cannot be aligned are some issues i see on my piece..

Still i'm excited about the combined form. Stay tuned!

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Unique Toys Sharkies (Not Gnaw)

January 12, 2014, 10:51 am

≫ Next: Unique Toys Warlord (Not Predaking)

≪ Previous: Unique Toys Sharpclaw (Not Razorclaw)

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These came today, together with other unique toys stuffs. the not gnaw, Sharkies.

Came in a set of 3 pieces. if one wants to do a display with the sharkticons versus a MP Grimlock, this is the set to get. Generally, i find UT stuffs losing out on quality of their products, but they seem up bail themselves out with this set.

The box art….

Then the back of the box.

some art at the sides...

the 3 musketeers...

Since they came in 3 pieces, easy to display and show both modes…

transformation is not difficult….

Individual alternate sharkticon mode…look at those gold, protruding reflective eyes….evil lurks...

Bot mode.

Compared to his G1 brother, a lot smaller...

one bad thing (maybe not so bad) about these sharks are, that the horns in the alternate mode drops easily. Before you think too much, it doesn't just drop when you invert the toy. It's snug but if there is a push here and there, it'll drop off. I had it dropped off once each when i handled it for 2 pieces….so not that bad, just thought i'd mention...

Like this set very much. Though smaller than the G1 version, it looks more fiercer with the sharp teeth and all….and those gold reflective eyes make it look really evil and hungry. One of the few UT stuffs i would recommend to get. iGear is also coming out with their own not sharkticon, we'll see by then.

Unique Toys Warlord (Not Predaking)

January 13, 2014, 8:20 am

≫ Next: Acquistions amongst a busy month….

≪ Previous: Unique Toys Sharkies (Not Gnaw)

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Finally, managed to put the not predacons together into Warlord, not Predaking.

Final build looks good. back with the wings are somewhat heavier so it tends to lean backwards.

Legs are bait wobbly, because of the looseness on the legs of Sharpclaw. The Rhino and Bull is ok.

The process of building it sucks…especially on Sharpclaw himself.

The instructions are unclear on how to mount crotch plates and the abdomen piece in the combined mode. The crocth plates with the yellow side panels are supposed to be mounted onto the waist from the back, then the abdomen piece from the front…i ended up breaking the rear crotch plate. Have to glue it back.

Violence (Not Rampage) in the combined mode is blocking the Warlord wings, the wings have to be pushed back….As like any 3rd party gestalt, the legs cannot come together, the bots at the legs will hinder each other.

mugshot..

Here's a comparison with TFC's Hercules (Not Devastator)

The plastic is somewhat of a lower quality. Gives me a feeling that it is very brittle and breaks easily. (I already broke the crotch piece…) Compared to Hercules, i feel this is more like a display piece. Hercules on the other hand, i can safely pass it to my five year old kid to play with.

This is one piece going straight into the display and all boxes discarded.

Don't think i would take it out to play and transform into the individual bots for fear of some tabs breaking. The combiner joints and the tabs holding the gestalt in position are a tad too tight for me.

Snug is nice, but too tight takes away the fun of fidgeting with the toy…there is more fear than fun.

Acquistions amongst a busy month….

March 17, 2014, 8:48 am

≫ Next: Hydrogen Peroxide Whitening

≪ Previous: Unique Toys Warlord (Not Predaking)

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Have not posted for a long long time….Been busy with work and newborn daughter…

However, not posting does not mean not looking and not acquiring. Acquiring TFs must not stop, not even when there is no time.

 Along the way, got myself a Takara Vintage G1 Prowl, complete, used. Imust say, the vintage autobot cars are a must get! especially the Takara japanese version for the styrofoam where you can properly store the toy.

Together with Prowl, came the Targetmaster Triggerhappy. Bought this for a couple of reasons:

1) My loose piece has both tabs broken on the cannons.

2) We have no time.

FINALLY!!! A G1 vintage Takara Starscream is acquired! Complete unused with the unused sticker sheet. no other papers though….

styrofoam, good old styrofoam...

All my boxed G1 starscream. E-hobby Ghost and black starscream as well as Takara Box reissue are not here…which am i missing?

 Pre-rub Sideswipe. Boxed and 101% complete….but used..

Hydrogen Peroxide Whitening

June 28, 2014, 10:53 am

≫ Next: Generations Whirl…Robotic Nutcase...

≪ Previous: Acquistions amongst a busy month….

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Hydrogen Peroxide whitening of toys have been widely discussed and used on countless white toys.

I was looking at Squeezeplay awhile ago and saw that it was badly yellowed. Squeezeplay as everyone knows, has no white parts and yellowing to the colored parts are bad…i thought to myself if peroxide treatment can be whiten white parts, why can't it remove the yellowing on colored parts?

I the proceeded to dismantle the toy, got the peroxide and soaked a couple of parts in the chemical along with some healthy sunlight….

we can see here…brown squeezeplay arms...

After the peroxide treatment, the colors normalized!

Soon, most of the parts (except for the main body) was in the solution…

At this point of time, i do not have the treated, assembled full picture of squeeeplay but it works!

Generations Whirl…Robotic Nutcase...

June 28, 2014, 12:12 pm

≫ Next: 30th Anniversary Voltron: Defender Of The Universe

≪ Previous: Hydrogen Peroxide Whitening

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Generations Whirl…For those who have read the IDW comics, More Than Meets the Eye, they would know that Whirl is a real nutcase, likely to defect to the Decepticons…

When Hasbro released this character, i thought i'd just grab it since, it came along at a lower than Singapore retail price bargain…(thanks to a local fellow TF collector).

The toy is truly representative of the IDW storyline and outlook.

A pity there wasn't any light up feature for Whirl's eyes.

There were a couple of new Generation Voyager-sized toys released: Springer, Blitzwing, Doubledealer, Sandstorm…i bought all these but Whirl is different…He came with a sticker sheet!

G1 fans will never forget…."I'm looking for a piece which is unused, stickers unapplied"

It has been a long time when Transformers came with a sticker sheet!

It was really reminiscence of a G1 process.

I gleefully applied the stickers onto Whirl. The above pictures are without stickers..Those below have stickers applied…any difference?

Helicopter mode

Heloped mode…to Macross fans, Gerwalk mode.

Bot mode.

Close up of the bot mode.

Truthfully, didn't quite like the chicken legs…but i guess that's how IDW designed Whirl and it's how Whirl has been represented in this new age...

30th Anniversary Voltron: Defender Of The Universe

July 13, 2014, 1:16 pm

≫ Next: E-hobby G1 Reissue Anime Accurate Bluestreak

≪ Previous: Generations Whirl…Robotic Nutcase...

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Before i was into transformers, voltron was actually the first combiner which i fell in love with.

wasn't able to afford one at the point of time, i remember going over to my neighbor's place to play with his piece of Voltron…how envy i was and til now i couldn't forget that feeling….

Since then there were many versions of Voltron that was released but i just couldn't bring myself to get either…

Then came this 30th anniversary version which came with lights and sound…and the playability is still there! the lions can still combine!

i pre-ordered this and eagerly await its arrival…

No regrets, as you can see from the box itself, the front….

the sides of the box

Box cover removed….

First layer…styrofoam!!!

First layer holds the lions, shield and sword…Second layer holds the add-ons, the individual weapons and the base…base is the one that has sounds, not the figure itself...

The lions...

Then…the Defender of The Universe…Voltron!

here you can see the light up eyes…really a bonus for me...

Close up..

Limbs….

Not disappointed with this version at all…if i want to be fussy, it has to be the sound…the advertising for this version is "Comes with lights and Sound" light, yes, its from the main bot. But sounds? from the base…i thought it was from the bot as well…but it was not to be..

E-hobby G1 Reissue Anime Accurate Bluestreak

July 13, 2014, 1:26 pm

≫ Next: iGear Con Air Raptor Squadron IG-C01 Star Burst (Not Starscream)

≪ Previous: 30th Anniversary Voltron: Defender Of The Universe

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E-hobby Bluestreak…Bluestreak fans must get this as this version is the anime accurate.

The rest of the versions are considered Silverstreak. If you want a bigger challenge and have cash to spare, you may want to search for the diaclone black hood blue streak. But its really rare to find one in nice condition…i had to settle for the lesser brother…this e-hobby version.

This reissue came 18 years later in 2002…The mold deterioration can be clearly seen on the face. No longer does the face have distinct and clear lines.

 

 

This Nissan Fairlady mold never fails to impress…even though it is a reissue.

When ever i hold it in my hands, the weight and feel is just nice…coupled with the rubber wheels…perfect!

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iGear Con Air Raptor Squadron IG-C01 Star Burst (Not Starscream)

July 13, 2014, 1:52 pm

≫ Next: Holy Grails part-achieved….

≪ Previous: E-hobby G1 Reissue Anime Accurate Bluestreak

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Can't miss this out. the moment i realized that this is being sold individually, i grabbed it. All along i had the impression that this was sold in a set along with Not Thundercracker and Not Skywarp.

First feel with the toy is quite good. Very sturdy and tight. No loose joints. Plastic quality is good as well. The instructions for transformation, generally is same with all other 3rd party products…not very clear…

The transformation and the bot in my view is average or below par. Though the bot feels okay holding it and as mentioned earlier, the plastic is not bad…but the null-rays (shoulder cannons) are somewhat too low, making then bot look strange with a pair of cannons hanging somewhere on the bicep.

The wings have to be removed during transformation and installed back into pegs after transformation is done. something like the G1 toy.

In bot mode, the wings and shoulders can never be in parallel, meaning that if the shoulders are straight facing, the wings have to be tilted backwards…if the wings is straight, the shoulders have to be tilted forward…not very well thought of, shoulders and wings blocking each other.

Fists are not articulated…they are like the current line of Deluxe toys with fixed hands to hold only specific weapons.

Here's the box art...

on the side..

Back of the box.

For some reason, i was given 2 sets of paperworks….probably mis-packed.

First look at the jet mode.

Second layer of plastic tray holds the base, null-rays, missiles and an alternate head with a cunning face.

Under belly of the plane mode.

Bot mode...

The fierce looking starscream...

The back view...

Null-rays are fixed onto the biceps…it seems that the null rays are too low…they do not stretch out the shoulders which will represent G1 better.

 A"Heel" is there to achieve better stability while standing.

Comparion with Masterpiece Starscream MP-11…abit shorter…but way less awesome.

To put on display its an ok piece but playability not quite there…if Masterpiece Starscream MP-03 can be improved to MP-11 with several improvements made…i believe the 3rd party Starscream could have been done better…iGear should have put in more effort for the transformation...

Holy Grails part-achieved….

July 13, 2014, 2:14 pm

≫ Next: C-303 Junior Headmaster Minerva/Minelba

≪ Previous: iGear Con Air Raptor Squadron IG-C01 Star Burst (Not Starscream)

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Finally achieved some of my holy grails in TF collecting…my good friend came over with some of the goodies seen over here…some were acquired over the last couple of weeks…but i must say i'm very happy to be able to get the elusive Minerva….

List of items:

1. Loose and complete Scorponok

2. Super minty Battle Gaia and Guard City Complete with full paperworks.

3. Japanese headmasters (5 pcs, missing Shuffler) Anybody has Shuffler and want to sell it off?

4. Junior Headmasters Minerva

5. Insecticons Shrapnel, Kickback and Bombshell

6. Astrotrain

7. Transformers Junior Chromedome and Rodimus

8. First Takara issue G1 Sunstorm

9. E-hobby G1 Orion Pax

10. iGear Raptor Squadron Star Burst (Not Starscream)

11. 49 Gutto Kuru Figure Collection Minelba

12. G1 Megatron

Will elaborate more on these later…first some picture teasers...

C-303 Junior Headmaster Minerva/Minelba

July 14, 2014, 7:53 am

≫ Next: Headmaster Head: Lione comparison with knockoff Lione

≪ Previous: Holy Grails part-achieved….

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My great collector friend has done it again! This time helping me with completing my Junior Headmasters, acquiring the uber-rare C-303 Minerva.

Though a bit of yellowing, this one is unused almost complete paperworks, just missing the bio card.

unused. a beauty.

Artwork as per all G1 artwork is immaculate...

the small artwork at the bottom left, at the back of the box.

Pictured here with the Gutto Kuru Minelba.

Why has Minelba suddenly become so rare and with a rocketing price?

i have really no idea. perhaps its difficult to find one which is bone white, complete paperworks. But isn't this the same with any other Vintage Japanese transformer toy?

Minelba has indirectly affect the stock price of her Hasbro cousin, Nightbeat. Everything directly and indirectly related to Minelba has increased gradually.

HEAD ON!!

the Gutto Kuru Minelba is not a bad figure…anime accurate and has 3 faces to inter-change.

Robot face a the back of the headmaster.

Alternate mode.

Minelba Headmaster.

This is one of the pieces which i really covert.

Seen a really yellowed piece in Japan several years ago at a crazy price…and i have not even asked about the completeness and paperworks.

It is very very difficult to find one at this condition, at this price and 99% paperworks.

I must again, thank my pal for this and really really appreciate it… *fist bump*

Headmaster Head: Lione comparison with knockoff Lione

July 22, 2014, 11:05 am

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And i recently managed to get my hands on the headmaster heads….

Afterwhich, i went to get myself a knockoff Lione…reason being i want to see for myself the differences between the KO and the real deal.

and here are the comparison pictures…

Original is the top piece…the view from the right shows not much of a difference…frightening similarities...

From this side, the KO piece showed through the inferior pins...

Front view does not show any significant differences...

Nor does the headmaster face view…but fortunately there are no takara stamping on the KO...

Head mode views are similar...

Closeup of the headmaster face…here you can see the original on the left has a Takara 87 stamping right below the chin whereas the KO does not…solely based on this, one can differentiate.

Some other differences, the KO has an additional flash point whereas the original does not.

I don't really know how many versions of KO are there, so i can't confirm if all the KO does not come with the takara stamping. but if some of them do, then it would be very difficult to tell them apart. Unlike other bigger sized KOs, these headmasters heads have very little differences, even the details, lines, edges are terrifying similar. Just by looking at a KO piece, it is very very difficult to tell.

My suggestion for all those who intend to get these headmasters heads is to get them from a reliable source, try not to get them loose (not foolproof as the KO can be put into a box as decoy) and do a lot of homework before getting them especially off ebay.

My experience, didn't do enough homework and was too lazy to check when getting a set of Vintage Insecticons…a couple of weeks later, after i have the time, i took out the toys and realized that the bubbles were all KO and the toys after checking…seemed KO too…fortunately the seller refunded me after i went through all the evidence with him…it's good luck on my part but i learnt a lesson as well..

Posting after 4 months!!! Decepticon Jets, attack!

November 27, 2014, 9:02 am

≫ Next: Transformers Pre Rub Optimus Prime (Convoy) Finally!

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 Its been a really busy time of the year for me…haven't really been posting much….but that does not mean i've stopped collecting and acquiring.

Just to start…i've finally managed to complete my G1 Decepticon jets…again, thanks to a good friend collector who helped looking out for these….and i must say, the jets which i've acquired are in a very good condition…The Starscream is even better than the one i have now. Well, there can never be enough of starscream..

All 3 seekers are pre rub…really crisp.

I've never been too bothered about getting the rest of the seekers (probably due to the recolor of a same mold)…but if opportunity came along, why not? Seeing these pieces in such great condition only strengthens my theory of "strike the iron when it is hot" 

Next up, the Coneheads…never ever owned anyone of them but all 3 came at the same right time.

Couldn't bring myself to take them out of the packaging yet (these are MIB except for Ramjet) but looking at them brings back childhood memories of not being able to own them. Damn, 1984 Rise of the Autobot cars….and Decepticon Jets!

The last cone head, Ramjet, i have to make a special mention. This is MIB with the bubble still sealed on car. The great box condition only makes it more attractive to look at.

The same time, i loose piece of Ramjet was gifted to me… Thanks (you know who you are)

Looking at the Boxart and read news of an orange canopy Ramjet, i got a junker Thundercracker to replace the grey Ramjet canopy. The outcome: SUPER!!.

Ramjet is now my favorite deception jet, after Starscream of course!

 The orange canopy really stands out…in both modes. and i'm all for G1 accuracy.

Probably somewhere out there, there is an orange canopy Thrust...

The seller really kept these in good shape. looking at them…30 years and they are like fresh out of the factory. really kudos to him. Irregardless of the reasons to why he is selling, he can rest assured that these gems will be in good hands.