Jim
Thunderjet
Micromaster Backside Monitor
Now in glorious Ultra HD 4K
Posts: 4,863
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Post by Jim on May 24, 2014 20:58:09 GMT
Any modern toy who has a gun that turns into a humanoid robot companion. Good job you mentioned humanoid as otherwise this would have been dominated by Arms Microns! Wildrider and Vehicon would be right at the top... 5. PCC Huffer - Caliburst is a really great Minicon and I've always loved Huffer. 4. United Artfire - lovely deco on a good mould, two companions including an imaginatively reused PCC Minicon. 3. AM Bumblebee - The PRID BB mould is much underrated (probably due to Hasbro overexposing the character), he has a fun transformation and generally looks nice and the AM version has a neat little micron companion. 2. Universe Cyclonus - Great representation of the character, and I prefer the original Universe colours to any of the many that followed. Only downside is the damn nosecone which won't stay extended in vehicle mode on mine. 1. United Stepper - one of the great modern moulds made remarkably beautiful. -Jim
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The Huff
Thunderjet
Hufferlover
Posts: 4,231
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Post by The Huff on May 25, 2014 13:42:49 GMT
Targetmasters was a better gimmick (to me) than the Headmasters. It was just a shame the Nebulans had no articulation and couldn't ride inside their partners. They should have also been capable of firing missiles really. But they were still great toys. Would like to have included Masterpiece Rodimus and Universe Cyclonus in my choices but going for nostalgia instead:
5) Sureshot - the definitive Targetmaster and the first one I see in the shops.
4) Slugslinger - two nosed jet which was a first back in the day and a very detailed robot mode.
3) Kup - one of my favourite characters from the movie, now with a little buddy.
2) Pointblank - I remember seeing him in the toy advert back in the day and his side of the car wing/shoulder pads really made him stand out as 'the one I wanted'. I did a weeks work selling strawberries door to door for my Dads greengrocers and it was with great satisfaction of achievement when I raised enough money to buy him. I'll always remember the toy as probably the first one I really worked hard for and earned.
1) Misfire - both character and his jet mode. Loved the idea of a character who was rubbish at what his gimmick was supposed to be. Wasn't used to his full potential in the Marvel comics which is a reason I used him in Transtrip back in the day.
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Post by legios on May 27, 2014 18:25:04 GMT
5. Scoop - lovely piece of design, probably one of the better double-targetmasters, and probably objectively the best of the Autobot ones - and yet not my favourite of them... 4.Landfill - my only double targetmaster as a youngling. I love his enormous shoulder pads, and the way his arms fold out of the load-bed pieces. He has a lovely "gunslinger" look when he is armed up, as if he should be reaching down ready to draw in a stand-off. 3. Quake - Great little toy. The exchangeable turret weapons are a nice touch, and he looks great 2. Misfire - A decepticon with enhanced shooting people powers who is still an absolutely rubbish shot...his bio gives him so much character. 1. Cyclonus - My original Cyclonus was the Targetmaster version, and beyond the nostalgia I love the look of the toy. Forward-swept wing aerospace mode, the sleek and lanky looking humanoid mode. Lovely aesthetic to the toy all around. I must think further on this... Karl
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Post by Philip Ayres on May 29, 2014 7:50:44 GMT
You all like your Targetmasters :-)
This week's Thursday tease:
It's week 5 of the month and we have some Unfinished Business to deal with.....
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Post by Pinwig on May 29, 2014 12:33:21 GMT
The capitals on Unfinished Business are throwing me, but the last unfinished business I can see for a fifth week of the month theme is third party enhancements/accessories. I must get caught up with this thread.
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Post by Pinwig on May 29, 2014 13:09:40 GMT
Week 55: Targetmasters
5. Stepper – The Jazz mould is one of the all time greats, and it does rock in black. 4. Crosshairs – Nice chunky robot mode. 3. Pointblank – I like the broad shoulders on the robot, and Pointblank was the one targetmaster who actually got a 'story' in the Headmasters cartoon, which makes him stand out. 2. US/UK Masterpiece Rodimus – I know this toy has problems, but the look of him is perfect. 1. Misfire – Just has a great alt mode, nice futuristic looking jet. Shows more imagination that Triggerhappy and Slugslinger.
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Post by Philip Ayres on May 29, 2014 15:08:18 GMT
OK Modern Targetmasters.... there are rather a lot out there!
5) Arms Micron Bumblebee
I too like the Prime BB mould. Covering it in 5mm ports and adding a superb kit gun makes it a top toy.
4) Armada Megatron with Leader One
Megatron is a great toy. Leader one could be a better gun to hold but together they make a good package.
3) Cosmos with Payload
Fabulous pairing in all modes but the double barreled gun just looks great.
2) Swerve with Flanker
If anyone needs a Targetmaster to help him shoot it's the IDW Swerve. Such a fabulous toy, so well done. The only problem is that this Swerve is more associated with a different gun in the comic.....
1) Universe Battle in a Box Ultra Magnus with Over-run
The Armada Prime mould in any of it's carnations probably beats many things on this list so you could well have 3 Armada Primes at the top. But I've just gone for one: Ultra Magnus which is the winner for me for this mould.
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Post by The Doctor on May 29, 2014 17:29:42 GMT
Leader One is not a Targetmaster!!!! He is a Mini-Con!
-Ralph
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Post by Pinwig on May 29, 2014 17:40:31 GMT
I thought about this myself. I would have said he was not a targetmaster because he transforms into a vehicle, but I suppose the caveat is that he does also have a gun mode.
So do mini-cons count as 'humanoid' partners? they aren't biological though...
I left Piranhacon off my list because although he has a gun that transforms into a robot (take your pick), it isn't 'humanoid'.
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Post by blueshift on May 29, 2014 17:55:44 GMT
You can even use Leader-1'a arm as a handle that fits in fist holes... I think (I always assumed you could!)
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Post by legios on May 29, 2014 18:15:18 GMT
So do mini-cons count as 'humanoid' partners? I would class a lot of them as having humanoid modes. The definition of Humanoid that I generally encountered doesn't rely on an entity being biological it is instead that it is "resembling a human being". Minicons generally have modes which are bipedal, generally bilaterally symmetrical (two arms, two legs and often two visual sensors as well), use the same mode of locomotion as humans. I would say that they fit the bill of "resembling humans". Karl
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Post by Pinwig on May 29, 2014 19:07:35 GMT
Hmm. I suppose Phil's rule said 'humanoid robot' so your definition fits in that it doesn't have to be biological.
I think I'd define a Targetmaster as a Transformer with Nebulan gun companion. Although that doesn't work with the Japanese cartoon.
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Post by Philip Ayres on May 30, 2014 6:18:48 GMT
Week 56: Third Party Add Ons/AccesoriesYour Top 5 Third Party Weapons & Accesories please. Anything you can add to an existing Hasbro TF to make it better, from new heads and guns right up to body armour. The only stuff you CAN'T vote for is things that form a new robot by themselves.... unless they're a Headmaster, Targetmaster etc The capitals on Unfinished Business are throwing me, but the last unfinished business I can see for a fifth week of the month theme is third party enhancements/accessories. I must get caught up with this thread. Well done Mr Pinwig. Unfinished business both in terms of the thread and, in some cases, things Hasbro didn't get right on the toys themselves.
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Post by Philip Ayres on May 30, 2014 8:58:40 GMT
Honourable mentions: These are en route to the Death Fortress: Rainstorm Chain Gun - BIG LSOTW armament for Springer! My First Blaster - IDW Swerve's iconic gun FOC Grimlock Guns - Why FOC Grimlock doesn't have his signature gun I don't know. Because I'm a sucker for clear guns I bought both variuants too! And here are two MP add ons that are essential if you have the toys: G2 Sideswipe Bandolier Prowl LaunchersAnd Bubbling under: Optiaim, Screamer, Hot Flame & Megashoton: I like the concept of turning existing characters into TMs. Ironhide & Ratchet heads nice idea but unfortunately makes the shoulders a little too low. Blitzwing upgrade kit helps fix a major fault. A better head. A Better gun. Gear of War Take several classic toys. Give em their missing signature pieces. Essential for Inferno. The others.... maybe less so. And my top five: 5) Strengthen EquipmentGenerations Trailcutter is only a bit off on his own, but Hoist is positively naked without his proper towing gear. This set does wonders for Hoist and corrects something on Trailcutter that was really annoying. 4) Matrix of Leadership accesory setThe killer item here is The Matrix for your G1 Prime.... and the articulated hands to hold it. The backpack's nice - and, iirc, holds many of the other parts. The gun looks fab and the clear blue version was a nice bonus. 3) Protector & SidearmI'm lumping these together because they came from the same company at the same time. Upgrade your classics Rodimus to Prime form and give him a Targetmaster. 2) City CommanderThe set that started it all. 1) Kup's HeadsThis is a seriously good piece of kit. Replacement Roche style heads for Kup that are so superior to the one on the toy. You get two versions: a normal one, which you'll never use, and the Cygar version which went straight on my toy and stayed there. I sold my Kup, with the heads. A few weeks later I rebought Kup and had to hunt another set of heads down!
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Post by Bogatan on May 30, 2014 9:59:35 GMT
Week 56: Third Party Add Ons/AccesoriesYour Top 5 Third Party Weapons & Accesories please. Anything you can add to an existing Hasbro TF to make it better, from new heads and guns right up to body armour. The only stuff you CAN'T vote for is things that form a new robot by themselves.... unless they're a Headmaster, Targetmaster etc The capitals on Unfinished Business are throwing me, but the last unfinished business I can see for a fifth week of the month theme is third party enhancements/accessories. I must get caught up with this thread. Well done Mr Pinwig. Unfinished business both in terms of the thread and, in some cases, things Hasbro didn't get right on the toys themselves. This is by far my preferred area of 3P activity. Lets see. 5. Made in Japan Junkions parts - grabbed a couple of unpainted heads at Botcon a few years back. Wish I had been able to gets some of the chest parts too, but now that the whole project seems to have gone tits up thats unlikely to happen. 4. - Goldbug kit for Henkei? Bumblebee - I am really surprised Hasbro have never bothered casting new heads for this mould, with 4 different minibot moulds in about a bazillion different colours, most of the Throttlebots and Runabout and Runamuck and probably others there's no shortage of repaints out there. Anyway the Goldbug head looks great, but I don't think it fits that well. On a related note I don't own the Cliffjumper set that was made years ago, but the WFC CJ head looks fantastic on classic CJ, its a different colour, but I dont mind it. 3. Bludgeon - The original head isnt bad, but the 3P kits gives it a far more traditional look and the chromed weapons really set it off. 2. Hardhead - I have the cartoon head I think, but both sets look fantastic. 1. Kup heads - Gotta agree with Phils both are great. I got the ehobby coloured set as it is my favourite version of it, but I did put the second non cygar head on Hasbro Kup. It's a shame that Hasbro have twice failed to fit a decent head on the body, the Swerve head is pretty poor too. At least FP got Electros head perfectly spot on. Aside from those 5 all I have is the TFFCon Powered Convoy version of the City Commander set. A set that has sat unopened for the past 5 years so not suitable for my top 5 even if its the only thing I have left to add to it. FP Bruticus upgrade set would be on the list but swindle and Vortex transform, but even if they were only non transforming limbs it would still be a fantastic set.
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Jim
Thunderjet
Micromaster Backside Monitor
Now in glorious Ultra HD 4K
Posts: 4,863
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Post by Jim on May 31, 2014 10:31:35 GMT
Week 56: Third Party Add Ons/AccesoriesYour Top 5 Third Party Weapons & Accesories please. Anything you can add to an existing Hasbro TF to make it better, from new heads and guns right up to body armour. The only stuff you CAN'T vote for is things that form a new robot by themselves.... unless they're a Headmaster, Targetmaster etc Now 3P add-on stuff I am not so squeamish about, though that said I have only ever bought one (Reprolabels aside): 1. Head Robots Cobra - I thought this was a great idea, take a Takara design sketch for something unmade that they probably never would make, and, well, make it! I've always liked Headmasters, and when I first saw them loved the old Japanese exclusive heads, so welcomed this. And I found it really good - the quality might not be up to that of the original toys, but it's still absolutely fine for me and is quite a fun little toy. Disappointed that it didn't do so well that they did more of them. -Jim
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Post by Philip Ayres on Jun 6, 2014 6:29:53 GMT
Week 57: 1997 ToysYour top 5 toys from 1997. This is the second year of Beast Wars in the US and the first year of Beast Wars in Japan & the rest of Europe, but not the UK :-( It's also the year of the shortlived Machine Wars line.... See www.tfu.info/year/97index.htm for some help
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Post by Philip Ayres on Jun 6, 2014 7:38:23 GMT
5) GrimlockBecause it's F***ING GRIMLOCK! The deco is decent anyway, GPS issues that have subsequently appeared aside. But it's also the first G1 Character definitively in BW. The beast mode suits him being, broadly speaking, fairly similar to his T-Rex form and the robot mode is good, especially the head which is a close match for the original Grimlock. So naturally he, along with the other 3 Wave 1 deluxe repaints, doesn't get to the UK :-(. And Unlike Tigatron, Blackarachnia and Buzzsaw he doesn't get a Japanese release either. But then one fateful joyous day TRU UK grey imported some BW cases to top up their stock during Christmas 1998 and joy was unconfined amongst UK fans. 4) AirazorTop, top basic, one of the first wave of non flipchanger basics in BW. She's the only show character introduced in that wave so what does Hasbro UK do? Yup, they cut her from the next wave. Moronic decision amongst many made by Hasbro UK during 1998. 3) CybersharkThis toy's UK shelf warming status (2 per case in the first UK wave, carried over to the second case and not in the show) is a big shame because this really is a decent toy. Love it. (aside: I could see this design working downsized and flipchangered) 2) Shadow PantherThe internet was starting to make things a lot easier for UK fans in the late 90s as we could finally order/trade stuff from abroad easily. Anmd just at the right time Takara started their Beast Wars line. The first year is mainly deco tweaks but in amongst them, mainly to even the sides up for VS packs, is Shadow Panther, Cheetor repainted in Black. Gorgeous. Yeah It's Ravage. We all know it's Ravage. The fact it doesn't say Ravage on the box is merely a detail. Ignore TFUs 1999 date, that's when Hasbro US imported them for their first Internet shop. 1) Japanese TigatronOh my goodness. The creamy US Tigatron doesn't look right to the eye even if you've not seen the cartoon. But by the time the Japanese version came out the cartoon had been shown so the deco gets majorly tweaked to one which is whiter than white with sharp mint green highlights. A thing of beauty.
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Post by Marc Graham on Jun 6, 2014 8:06:47 GMT
5. Razorclaw - neat little crab 4. K9 - Transforming dog? Awesome. 3. Airazor - Great toy, show character, really good. 2. Hubcap - Loved the original Hubcap, nice to see a reuse of his name 1. Magnaboss - Combiner with 3 parts all classic names, Prowl and Silverbolt not bad toys in their own right, clumsy combined form, but great concept.
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Stomski
Fusilateral Quintro Combiner
YOU INTERRUPTED MY SPEECH!! But don't worry. It won't happen again.
Posts: 6,099
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Post by Stomski on Jun 6, 2014 12:28:09 GMT
Didn't I get mine from you ~2003?
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Post by Philip Ayres on Jun 6, 2014 12:56:36 GMT
You may well have done, I had a big sell off around that point to pay for a wedding.
Would have been in a VS pack with a Blackarachnia if it came from my personal collection
I did get a number of the singles from the Hasbro site as part of trades with people so it could have been one of those
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Post by Shockprowl on Jun 6, 2014 14:56:35 GMT
EEEEKK! Forgot to do Third Party Add on sets!
5) Ironhide/Ratchet G1 heads. Don't work brilliantly well, but it's a darn good effort.
4) Matrix of Leadership Set for G1 Optimus Prime. Wonderful way to augment one's G1 Prime, with all the bits and pieces he needs. I don't own it, but I think it's a brilliant idea, and it's what 3P add-ons are all about.
3) MP Prowl's Dr Wu launchers. So many missile options! I enjoy swapping them ever now and then, surprising the different looks it gives him.
2) Bludgeon's new head. Really helps to finish off this excellent toy.
1) City Commander! The first and the best! Well, the recent Ultra Magnus add on kit the name of which escapes me (the one Pinwig posted pics of a while back) looks more up to date than City Commander. But this is where it all started. My first 3P item, and still one of my favorites. It is Classics Magnus how he should be. I also love the double shoulder launchers, great update.
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Post by The Doctor on Jun 8, 2014 9:11:06 GMT
Machine Wars 4 flipchanger jets and the helicopter man.
-Ralph
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Post by Shockprowl on Jun 8, 2014 12:30:26 GMT
1997:
1. MAGNABOSS!!!!! GGGRRRRRRR!!!!! One of my favorite Transformers toys ever!
2. Tripredacus. Not as good as Magnaboss, but a good effort. I love the whole idea of the two combiners.
3. Jetstorm. Seem to have loads of excellent insecty figures this year. Jetstorm is the best if them. Has a real huntery feel to him.
4. Razorclaw. Love his surprise blaster.
5. Transquitto. A huge powerful looking Predacon.
Bubble undering is Lion Prowl. Preffer Owl Prowl, but the lion is good individual figure.
Great Beast Wars toys this year! Only discovered by me years later.
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Post by blueshift on Jun 8, 2014 13:19:51 GMT
1997: 1. MAGNABOSS!!!!! GGGRRRRRRR!!!!! One of my favorite Transformers toys ever! 2. Tripredacus. Not as good as Magnaboss, but a good effort. I love the whole idea of the two combiners. I like Tripedacus more as it actually makes more effort to use all three of them to combine, rather than two and a hat. Though Magnaboss does look the best, agreed.
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Post by Shockprowl on Jun 8, 2014 14:07:16 GMT
Hat!!! Haaa! I'd never thought of it like that before! I love them both, but there's room for improvement. Be interesting to see an updated Generations version of these.
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Post by The Doctor on Jun 8, 2014 16:55:20 GMT
Shockprowl does not have a Prowl in a top 5? WHO ARE YOU??? -Ralph
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Post by Philip Ayres on Jun 8, 2014 17:17:24 GMT
Technically he does because Magnaboss contains a Prowl
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Post by Philip Ayres on Jun 8, 2014 17:18:45 GMT
Personally I think both aren't that good especially when compare to the previous year's Ultras
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Post by Shockprowl on Jun 8, 2014 17:35:06 GMT
Shockprowl does not have a Prowl in a top 5? WHO ARE YOU??? -Ralph Owl-Prowl is the True Beast Wars Prowl.
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