Sunday, October 26, 2008

The Supercar Brothers

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Lets welcome the supercar twin brothers Sunstreaker and Sideswipe! This is the first time I open a Heikei version though I own almost every one of them... I am not a freak for chrome parts but I really prefer the Japanese versions over then US ones as they always get better paint job. The chrome parts for Sunstreaker and Sideswipe also look nice. As what's more is that to me, the package of Japanese version is way better!
What makes the Classics series success is the fact that it brings the G1 characters back. Though it is hardly to have Lamborghini Transformers, Hasbro/Takara-Tomy still give us a nice sports car mode for Sunstreaker and Sideswipe. I really love the idea that Sunstreaker and Sideswipe have very "different" robot modes by just turning the upper torso around. This really resemble the G1 counterparts. This is one of the best repaint/remold TFs. Lets have a look of my favorite pairs in the Classics/Heikei series!
(click to enlarge the photos)

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In package image. The boxart of Heikei series is different from the Classics'.

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Back of the package.

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Another nice thing of Japanese version is the bio card.

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Sunstreaker with his trademark engine on the roof.

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Sideswipe car mode. The screen of both Sunstreaker and Sideswipe are actually clear parts, but painted so dark that it is hardly look through it.

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Sideswipe has a license plate with "LAMBOR" (Japanese name of Sideswipe). Sunstreaker has one with "WER 84". What does it mean?

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Sunstreaker robot mode.

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Nice head sculpt.

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Sideswipe robot mode.

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Sideswipe with his trademark shoulder cannon.

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The twin brothers in action!

Tuesday, October 7, 2008

City Commander

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Got the FansProject City Commander at the HK-TF gathering. Thanks our chairman Heero! Being a customized trailer for Ultra Magnus of the Classics series, it really makes many fans' dream come true. It makes Ultra Magnus no longer a repaint of Optimus Prime. When I saw this Ultra Magnus Armor the first time on the web, I just thought that both the trailer mode and the robot mode look cool. However, when I got this armor and transformed it once, I was amazed the design of this armor fits so well with the original Classics Magnus mold. It makes use of most of the details on the original figure such as the hole for the screw on the shoulder, the plate on the leg, etc., so that the armor can fit onto the core figure precisely. Of course I am not saying that City Commander is perfect, but it is really a nice piece that worth to own. The only complain is that the price is too high, especially when you look at the price for the original Classics Magnus. Anyway, lets have a look of this nice piece.
(click to enlarge the photos)

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A simple but nice package

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The trailer mode does not really look alike the G1 counterpart. So what? The Classics series gives you the G1 in a new design, right? A complain to the trailer mode is the the truck and the trailer are fixed in that position. The truck cannot actually turn.

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The rear of the trailer looks quite good.

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Another complain is that the trailer cannot really carry a car.

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G1 can carry two cars on the roof!

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The robot mode looks too close to the G1.

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A nice head sculpt, but does not match very well with other Classics figures.

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An over-exaggerated gun. Actually I prefer a normal gun so that it can transform to a less bulky trailer.

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The gun has so-called two modes, just a flip-around.

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Ultra Magnus and Hotrod. Who can know the small guy becomes the leader?