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Post by Philip Ayres on Aug 7, 2014 4:46:30 GMT
Thursday Tease:
Have you got anything better to do than vote for this week's top 5 subject? Or is it time for bed?
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Post by Philip Ayres on Aug 8, 2014 6:31:29 GMT
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Post by Philip Ayres on Aug 8, 2014 10:17:11 GMT
5) G1I suppose we better have the original Springer on the list, but it's not my fave of the triple changers with the car just being the helicopter with the rotors removed and the tail folded back 4) BotconMost of the Springer remakes, which are mostly repaint homages, concentrate on the helicopter. This uses Cybertron Defence Hot Shot to produce a very convincing vehicle. Head is a top match. 3) Energon BulkheadUsing the "it's bloody obvious it is even if the name's not right" rule We get this toy in which is probably the best Springer helicopter homage out there. The only problem is the blue THING that attaches underneath when we'd all rather have had a nice sword and gun. OK yes he's Japanese name is Sprung so that probably qualifies him as well. By the same measure an honourable mention for Armada Cyclonus which meant to be a Springer homage. 2) GDO GenerationsI LOVE the Tomahawk helicopter toy so when this repaint and remould was announced I had to have it.... but didn't find one for a decent price till The Kaptain sold me one. Great new head, great new sword. Love it. 1) 30th GenerationsThe first new Springer triple changer since the original wins this one for me though. All three modes. Roche design. Nice size. Decent weapons. And *THEN* they made Sandstorm from it :-) BBTS have them cheap at the mo. $16.99 which at today's rates is £10 plus postage.
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Post by legios on Aug 12, 2014 20:13:39 GMT
Week 66: Springer
Springer... johnny-come-lately Wrecker...leader of The Survivors... Front and Centre!
5. "The Transformers" Springer: I have a great love of the helicopter mode of the original Springer toy. It is a really cracking stab at a dedicated Gunship helo, catching the elongated dragonfly look of the AH-1 or the AH-64. The humanoid mode isn't too bad either, but where this is really let down is the ground vehicle mode. More than most of the Triple-changers this is a bit of an "eh, it'll do" mode.
4. Superlink Sprang: Dropping the ground vehicle mode allows them to concentrate on the 'copter mode, to it's benefit. The Doom-Trousers are a nice idea in theory and they work ok in combined humanoid mode. Unfortunately the only thing they can do with them in vehicle mode is stick them underneath as slung cargo which lets the side down rather.
3. Botcon Springer: Most Springer toys that are dual-changers ditch the ground vehicle mode to improve the helo, this toy proves there is mileage in going the other way. I have a great love of the Galaxy Force Exigeyser design anyway, and it is a mould which translates very well to being Springer. It has the appropriate chunky solidity that I associate with the character, totes plenty of firepower for facing down mad future Decepticon leaders, and carries a blade for when the fight goes toe-to-toe. The colour scheme is also fantastic.
2. Generations Thrilling 30th Springer: I want to love this mould, and it is a very nice toy indeed. The helo is great, really capturing the aesthetic of the original very nicely. The ground vehicle mode is very much improved as well - it feels tough, and resilient, as if it would tackle any terrain you threw at it. Unfortunately the humanoid mode doesn't really feel like Springer to me. I tend to think of Springer as being chunky, hefty and powerful looking, and this toy is far too slender and elegant in design to really evoke that sensation, especially in the legs which don't really seem to have room for the enhanced actuators which are Springers "thing". Nice toy, but not quite ready for the top spot. (Mind you, turn him into a ducted fan vtol instead of a helicopter, and make him into Sandstorm and suddenly he is vastly more suited).
1. Generations GDO Springer: Lovely remould of a superb toy. The Tomahawk mould is absolutely tops. Helo mould is spot on, the unusual leg design in humanoid mode seemed to cry out for a Springer-style leaping ability, and the new head is great. The fact that he also comes with a nice sword (single-edged rather than the double-edged blade the original carried) is just icing on a very tasty cake.
Karl
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Post by Jim on Aug 12, 2014 22:42:11 GMT
Week 59: Universe 2This is the line with both new "classics" toys and some more absoloutely mental repaints! See www.tfu.info/series/uni2-0.htm for help. Still playing catch-up! 5. Treadbolt - lovely colours on the great Classics Jetfire mould 4. Hound & Ravage - lots of character, fun to fiddle with, and a really good go at a modern Ravage 3. Beachcomber 2. Warpath 1. Cosmos - love the update, which in some ways I find fits the character better than the latest Bubbling under: Powerglide, brilliant update though I much prefer the Takara version (even over the Walmart one) which I guess doesn't fit with the theme? -Jim
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Post by Jim on Aug 12, 2014 22:46:14 GMT
Week 60: Flipchanger Vehicles 5. Towline - so green 4. Windsheer - proper Decepticon colour scheme! 3. RM Ligier - so great to get a G1-ish scheme on this mould 2. RM Wreckerhook - one of the most metal decoes ever 1. Skid-Z - just looks lovely -Jim
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Post by Philip Ayres on Aug 13, 2014 6:54:05 GMT
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Post by Jim on Aug 13, 2014 9:47:42 GMT
Excellent, Treadbolt gets the boot then and Henkei Powerglide trumps Beachcomber!
-Jim
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Post by Philip Ayres on Aug 13, 2014 10:35:10 GMT
Strictly speaking it isn't Henkei Powerglide, even though he's frequently referred to as such!
There's nothing larger than a Voyager in the Henkei line. The Universe Ultras were sold as USA editions in Japan. The problem is that all 3 have their colours altered and Onslaught has his sound chip fixed making them different toys to the US versions!
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Post by Philip Ayres on Aug 14, 2014 5:54:00 GMT
This week's Thursday Top 5 Tease:
Not the First or the Best Optimus
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Post by Philip Ayres on Aug 15, 2014 7:28:10 GMT
Week 67: Transformers PrimeYour top 5 toys from the Transformers Prime series this week. See www.tfu.info/series/prime.html but note I'm limiting this to toys with just the Prime logo on them (and their Japanese equivalents) as we'll do the Beast Hunters series another week!
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Post by Bogatan on Aug 15, 2014 16:14:01 GMT
Week 66 Springer
For one of the very few non construction green Transformers, I'm not overly bothered about Springer.
5. GDO -aside from movie Springer its the only other one I have. Good mould with added green so so it makes the list I guess.
4. G1 - Far from great, probably the weakest of the triple changers, but helicopter at least looks good.
3. Botcon Springer - Great idea, fun mould, but not green enough.
2. Universe Springer - One of my favourite moulds done in green, whats not to like.
1. Generations Springer - theres really nothing I dislike about this, just great.
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Post by Jim on Aug 16, 2014 21:55:17 GMT
Week 67: Transformers PrimeYour top 5 toys from the Transformers Prime series this week. See www.tfu.info/series/prime.html but note I'm limiting this to toys with just the Prime logo on them (and their Japanese equivalents) as we'll do the Beast Hunters series another week! Did the Arms Micron boxes have the Prime logo on them? Don't have one handy but have a feeling they don't, so wondering if non-US-released characters from that line count. -Jim
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Post by Philip Ayres on Aug 16, 2014 22:45:30 GMT
For our purposes, they count just like Micron Legend, Superlink & Galaxy Force did when we did AEC.
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Post by Jim on Aug 17, 2014 23:09:57 GMT
Week 61: 1998 ToysYour top 5 toys from 1998 please. This is the year that the US gets Transmetals & Fuzors, the UK finally get the first year of BW, get's the second along with Europe & has one of the best silly seasons ever AND the sleeping giant that is Takara awakens with Beast Wars II ! See www.tfu.info/year/98index.htm for details of all the US and Japanese released stuff and look at the previous two years for the UK released toys. 5. Powerhug - colour it how you like, it will never be less than terrifying 4. Injector - get that thing away from me 3. Quickstrike - nice colours 2. TM Waspinator - even nicer colour scheme 1. TM Airazor - lovely, especially in bird mode, and has a nice retro feel with the twin chromed engines -Jim
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Post by Jim on Aug 17, 2014 23:13:06 GMT
Week 62: GalvatronYour top 5 Galvatron toys please! I have only ever owned one: 1. G1 - loved this, got it a couple of years late on clearance at local Coop. Chunky, solid toy, largely kept in handgun mode TBH. -Jim
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Post by Jim on Aug 17, 2014 23:19:19 GMT
5. Big Hoss - how could I not 4. Guzzle - it's Guzzle! 3. Wal*Mart Sideswipe - Sidearm Sideswipe is great, and this one is nicely done up 2. Whirl - can never resist skis, some top c-clip weaponry 1. Sandstorm - very fiddlable-with and posable -Jim
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Post by legios on Aug 18, 2014 17:25:38 GMT
Week 67: Transformers Prime
Well, that's just prime...
5. Dead End: Fantastic rework of the Wheeljack mould. Wonderful colour scheme, nice new head. The mould itself is great, with a decent amount of play-value and a nice pair of accessories. Great Stuff.
4. Vehicon: Decent car mode, with some nice sharp-edged design which carries through marvellously to the humanoid mode which is wonderfully lanky. Great head design as well, which gives it a really good "generic stormtrooper"feel. The colour scheme is rather nice as well.
3. Dreadwing: A nice chunky humanoid form - the rounded limbs give it a good powerful look and the torso has a great sloped-armour look to it. The aerospace mode is a decent riff on the Lightning II and retains the hefty, solid look of the humanoid mode. Colour scheme is really nice as well.
2. Cyberverse Skyquake: Lovely little toy. Despite the small scale it preserves all the character of the larger version, but somehow feels a little bit sleeker and more agile. Has a great little rotary cannon accessory as well.
1. Cyberverse Dreadwing: A great small-scale rendition of Dreadwing, which even manages to improve on the weaponry - both gun and sword are much better designs than those on the larger toy - with the rather lovely addition that the sword functions as an oldfashioned plug-bayonet rather nicely. Like the Cyberverse Skyquake, he has impressive amounts of wooshability, and a generous handful of shelf-presence. (Mine aren't always out on display, but when they are they serve very nicely as a bodyguard for my PCC "Jhiaxus".)
Karl
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Post by Jim on Aug 20, 2014 21:45:14 GMT
Week 64: Scramble City/Special Team Limbs 5. Blades - a childhood favourite. 4. Streetwise - ditto. 3. Overbite - best of the Seacons in terms of looking good in all modes. 2. Dragstrip - most distinctive of the Stunticons, and the yellow / purple scheme is really nice. 1. Fireflight - love the red and white colour scheme, handsomest of the Aerialbots. -Jim
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Post by Jim on Aug 20, 2014 21:55:35 GMT
Week 65: 1999 ToysYour top 5 toys from 1999 please! This is the year that the US line is cut back to allow Hasbro to concentrate on episode 1 but still produces Transmetal IIs and Fox Kids. The UK & Europe gets Transmetals & Fuzors and Japan gets BW Neo! See www.tfu.info/year/99index.htm for help I do love my TM IIs, class of '99 is a good one. 5. Big Convoy - I remember how amazing it seemed at the time to have this beast wars Optimus Prime-type toy with removable matrix, so much so that all that messing with panels didn't bother me... 4. Jawbreaker - looks great in beast mode. 3. Cheetor - beautiful sculpt in a very appealing colour scheme. 2. Stampy - first BW toy I bought, and a really good one at that. I admit I largely bought him for the novelty value during a BBTS sale and wound up finding him a really fun, fiddlable-with toy. 1. Prowl (black) - fantastic toy, characterful in both modes. I own two black and one white. -Jim
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Post by Jim on Aug 20, 2014 22:05:09 GMT
A subject close to my heart, given that I now work for Springer (the STM publisher, but it's nice to pretend for a moment that maybe I'm a Wrecker). Anyway, I have only owned two so 3-5 will be based on looks: 5. G1 - least convincing of the original triple changers, found him underwhelming as a kid when playing with a schoolfriend's. 4. Energon Bulkhead - hung around on Brent X TRU's shelves for years, but never really tempted me much. 3. BotCon - Cyb Defence Hot-shot is a great mould, and looked great in these colours. Predated me buying expensive exclusives, kind of wish I'd made the effort to get one. 2. Generations GDO - the Tomahawk mould is a great one already, and fit Springer quite well with the new head. 1. Generations voyager - beautiful design, convincing triple changer. Has been on my desk for a year, helped by the fact my daughter and even partner both really like him (I used him as an example of how interesting and impressive Transformer toy engineering could be to her). -Jim
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Post by Jim on Aug 20, 2014 22:12:47 GMT
Week 67: Transformers PrimeYour top 5 toys from the Transformers Prime series this week. See www.tfu.info/series/prime.html but note I'm limiting this to toys with just the Prime logo on them (and their Japanese equivalents) as we'll do the Beast Hunters series another week! 5. AM Bumblebee - by all rights I should hate Bumblebee toys by now, but this is a really fun one. 4. PRID Arcee - a rare case of better than the AM counterpart, a nice looking toy with an intuitive transformation. 3. AM Vehicon - stunning piece of engineering, always appreciate a unique transformation scheme, and combined with a really good visual design. 2. Cyberverse Commander Ironhide - tons of fiddle-factor value, one of my favourite TFs in years. 1. AM Wildrider - this mould does not work for me as Wheeljack at all, but in this colour scheme and retool looks amazing and that's before you count the cycloptic elephant tommy-gun micron partner. Amazing. And that brings me up to date I think. Sorry for the flood of posts... -Jim
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Post by Philip Ayres on Aug 21, 2014 6:32:15 GMT
Thursday Tease:
Ian will be happy this week..... In more ways than one as we tackle a theme that's been about since the earliest days of Transformers and continues till the present day.
And It's (just about) A Martin voting week!
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Post by Shockprowl on Aug 21, 2014 6:52:05 GMT
Hmmmm.... I can obviously vote for a certain strategist...
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Post by Philip Ayres on Aug 21, 2014 7:31:42 GMT
You can ....
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Post by Shockprowl on Aug 21, 2014 13:21:23 GMT
Top 5 G1 strategists!
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Post by Philip Ayres on Aug 21, 2014 14:05:41 GMT
NO!
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Post by Philip Ayres on Aug 21, 2014 15:19:16 GMT
I'll give you a clue. The following toy ranges DEFINITELY have toys you can use. There may be others....
G1 Euro G1 G2 RID All three of the Unicron Trilogy All of the Movie lines PLUS HFTD Power Core Animated Prime, Beast Hunters and Go Masterpiece Classics Universe Universe 2 Generations
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Post by Jim on Aug 21, 2014 16:14:21 GMT
Law enforcement / emergency services?
-Jim
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Post by Shockprowl on Aug 21, 2014 18:22:45 GMT
Ooh good shout Jim! Must be!
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