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Post by grahamthomson on May 5, 2009 9:14:36 GMT
Bumblebee (1984) The Transformers Bumblebee, one of the first of The Transformers toys, was released in 1984 and can transform into an oddly proportioned likeness of a Volkswagen "Beetle" car. The mould is actually a carry-over from the Japanese "Microchange" toyline, and the reason for the squeezed-in look of the vehicle mode is because those toys were marketed as actual size toy cars that could transform into tiny robots. That would have been cute and terrifying all at the same time, I should imagine. In his vehicle mode, Bumblebee is wholly bright yellow with black bumpers and a chrome silver panel on the back. Aside from the compressed look, it's a good likeness of the real vehicle. Bumblebee also features rubber "Dunlop" branded tyres and a die-cast metal underside. Considering the size and price point of the toy, Bumblebee features quite a neat transformation process. Unfortunately though, the lower legs/car bonnet pieces feel quite hollow and fragile and are prone to popping off from their joints. In robot mode Bumblebee ironically stands as one of the tallest of the "Mini-Autobots" despite the "Tech Specs" on the packaging stating he is the smallest Autobot. The two-tone black and yellow colour scheme carries over into robot mode. Aside from rotation at the shoulders, there is no meaningful articulation. As with the rest of the Mini-Autobots, there are no included weapons or labels. Truth told, Bumblebee is a mostly unremarkable Transformer. But, considering the character of both the vehicle mode and the Bumblebee seen in the Transformers cartoons and comics, this little bug suddenly becomes something worth getting. Verdict: three stars out of five. Hublog: www.hublog.co.uk/files/bumblebee.html |
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Post by grahamthomson on May 5, 2009 9:16:14 GMT
Bumblebee (1993) Transformers Generation 2  As part of Hasbro's remit to fill up their "Transformers: Generation 2" line with older toys in new colours, Bumblebee's mould was re-released in 1993. Here in the UK, it was only available at Woolworth's shops. For the Generation 2 version of Bumblebee, chrome gold plastic replaces the yellow plastic of the original. In keeping with other Generation 2 Transformers, Bumblebee has the word "Autobot" and the new-look allegiance badge screen printed unerneath the vehicle. See Bumblebee's review for more details. Verdict: three stars out of five. Flickr Gallery: www.flickr.com/photos/the-hub/sets/72157617594619189/Hublog: www.hublog.co.uk/files/bumblebee_g2.html |
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Post by legios on May 5, 2009 11:43:24 GMT
The mould is actually a carry-over from the Japanese "Microchange" toyline, and the reason for the squeezed-in look of the vehicle mode is because those toys were marketed as actual size toy cars that could transform into tiny robots. That would have been cute and terrifying all at the same time, I should imagine. I remember finding this quite charming when I first found out that this was the case. It made sense of the "why do Penny Racer's look like Mini-Autobots" thing that had bothered me when I was a child. Karl |
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chrisl
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I still think its the 1990s - when I joined TMUK
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Post by chrisl on May 5, 2009 11:55:32 GMT
As part of Hasbro's remit to fill up their "Transformers: Generation 2" line with older toys in new colours, Bumblebee's mould was re-released in 1993. Here in the UK, it was only available at Woolworth's shops. I managed to get all the G2 minibots from Jolly Giant - I've still got Hub-Cap MOC too  |
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Post by grahamthomson on May 5, 2009 12:02:10 GMT
I managed to get all the G2 minibots from Jolly Giant - I've still got Hub-Cap MOC too I wonder how much that would be worth now? Were they in UK or US packaging, do you remember? I found all but Beachcomber in Woollies at the time, and then, luckily, found him several years later in a toy shop in Bath while I was at Uni. |
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Post by grahamthomson on May 5, 2009 12:04:28 GMT
I remember finding this quite charming when I first found out that this was the case. It made sense of the "why do Penny Racer's look like Mini-Autobots" thing that had bothered me when I was a child. I think it would have made for a fantastic little Transformers sub-plot with 1:1 scale Mini-Autobots, Cassettes, Soundwave, Perceptor, Megatron et al battling it out in children's bedrooms/secret government facilities. (That's one thing the "movie" folk did right with Frenzy and his ilk!) |
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Post by The Doctor on May 5, 2009 12:15:28 GMT
Really enjoyed the Bumblebee toy when I was a lad. It was a real favourite of mine. Sadly, long gone.
Found my G2 mini Autobots last night.
-Ralph
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chrisl
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I still think its the 1990s - when I joined TMUK
Posts: 1,097
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Post by chrisl on May 5, 2009 12:43:30 GMT
I managed to get all the G2 minibots from Jolly Giant - I've still got Hub-Cap MOC too I wonder how much that would be worth now? Were they in UK or US packaging, do you remember? I found all but Beachcomber in Woollies at the time, and then, luckily, found him several years later in a toy shop in Bath while I was at Uni. Next time I visit my parents' house (where all my TFs are) I'll dig it out and do some pictures. Someone remind me after the 20th May (one I've done my PhD deadline for the year) and I'll do that + maybe take pics of my Road Ceasar gift set. |
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Post by grahamthomson on May 5, 2009 18:58:36 GMT
Really enjoyed the Bumblebee toy when I was a lad. It was a real favourite of mine. Sadly, long gone. Mine is also long gone. I did replace him with the reissue, but the remoulded head just doesn't have the same appeal to me. "My" Bumblebee was always the one in the Ladybird books! |
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Post by legios on May 5, 2009 19:55:37 GMT
Bumblebee was one of those early toys I really did want to get as an adult collector - such was the impact that Crisis of Command had on me. I wasn't disappointed in him, there is something endearing about the character that really does a good job of selling the toy. Not a big fan of the reissue, as they have changed the face so that it doesn't feel Bumblebee-like. I have the same reaction to the Classics incarnation. It is a very nice toy but the fact that it has a head that looks nothing like Bumblebee disappoints me.
Karl
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Post by grahamthomson on May 5, 2009 20:41:53 GMT
Since Bumblebee's been reissued twice now, I was hoping one of them would have the original face.
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Post by The Doctor on May 5, 2009 21:34:04 GMT
I much prefer the original face. It's very distinctive. The modified one on the re-issues looks like someone has stuck a finger up his bum. And he doesn't like that.
-Ralph
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Post by Philip Ayres on May 6, 2009 11:36:11 GMT
G2 Bumblebee = Goldbug done right
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chrisl
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I still think its the 1990s - when I joined TMUK
Posts: 1,097
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Post by chrisl on May 6, 2009 12:09:04 GMT
I've also got a MOC original Bumblebee too - I'll do pics when I visit my folks next.
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Post by The Doctor on May 6, 2009 15:53:53 GMT
G2 Bumblebee = Goldbug done right I agree. Though I still love 'proper' Goldbug. -Ralph |
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Post by Bogatan on May 6, 2009 19:38:46 GMT
The keychain one had the original head didn't it? I liked all the keychain ones and the recolour.
How many G2 minibots were there? I got Hubcap and then loose beachcomber, seaspray and Bumblebee.
Andy
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Post by grahamthomson on May 6, 2009 20:15:50 GMT
How many G2 minibots were there? I got Hubcap and then loose beachcomber, seaspray and Bumblebee. Andy Then you already have them all, my friend! |
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Post by Bogatan on May 6, 2009 20:51:13 GMT
Ah shame, I want more.
Andy
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Post by grahamthomson on May 7, 2009 10:27:31 GMT
Get an Encore set of Mini-Autobots and some metallic paint or a metal flake kit and make your own!
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Post by The Doctor on May 7, 2009 10:34:26 GMT
Ooooo, I'd love to get the Encore set some time.
-Ralph
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Post by grahamthomson on May 7, 2009 10:48:13 GMT
What about a "G2" Cosmos entirely in silver? Or is that too bland for the 90s?
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Post by The Doctor on May 7, 2009 11:20:50 GMT
Give him a gold head!
-Ralph
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Post by blueshift on May 7, 2009 11:30:01 GMT
G2 Cosmos should be a metallic blue (the prototype / 'Gobot' reissue were both blue)
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Post by grahamthomson on May 7, 2009 14:31:54 GMT
What colour are actual UFOs?
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Post by Bogatan on May 7, 2009 15:14:41 GMT
I got Pathfinder and Smallfoot last week, its got me all into collecting the south american recolours.
G2 Cosmos should have been metalic lime green with glow in the dak yellow legs.
Andy
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Post by The Doctor on May 7, 2009 17:16:41 GMT
What colour are actual UFOs? Bright pink, I would hope. -Ralph |
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Post by grahamthomson on May 7, 2009 20:30:15 GMT
I demand a chrome-pink Cosmos reissue!
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