Fansproject Function XV M.A.D.L.A.W (Master V) - Pictorial Review

Continuing from where we left off, here's a review of another Sixchanger, by another company that's not Mastermind Creations, but the old-timer, Fansproject, with their take on G1 Quickswitch, Function XV M.A.D.L.A.W (Master V).

Pic Credit : TFWiki

What do we know about him? Well, aside from his appearance in Marvel The Transformers comic #240 Out To Lunch! and his own commercial (where he was declared to be Sixshot's son, adamant to make up for his father's mistakes), Quickswitch was only in G1:Season 5 (which consist of  more than 10 episodes from previous seasons and The Transformers: The Movie), at the end segment of Five Faces of Darkness Part 2. 

All the end segments featured stop-motion puppet of Powermaster Optimus Prime and a [real] boy, Tommy Kennedy (some information can be obtained here).

PuppetMaster Optimus Prime
Pic Credit : TFWiki

So, is that it? Yes, technically. It's because Quickswitch is actually the Hasbro version of Sixknight, a character that appeared in Masterforce series. Both versions was released simultaneously in 1988.

Pic Credit : TFWiki

I will explain about Sixknight if I do a review of toy version of the character in the future (a repaint is coming, from what I heard).

G1 Quickswitch
Pic Credit : TFWiki

Three out of six Quickswitch's alt modes are basically the same as Sixshot which are robot mode, Cybertronic Jet, laser pistol while the rest are a drill tank (while Sixshot is a tank), a hovercraft (Sixshot's off-road vehicle) and a flying puma (Sixshot's winged wolf).

In Package

Fansproject LER-02 Cubrar w/ Tekour - Pictorial Review

Dinobots, Dinobots, Dinobots (after Combiners, Combiners, Combiners!!) !!

There are 2 versions of Generation-size Dinobots currently in the market, the first being Toyworld version and second is Fansproject. Both now are on their 2nd figure and here's the review of LER-02 Cubrar w/ Tekour (Normal Retail Version), Fansproject version of Dinobot Slag (Toyworld version of Sludge will be arriving maybe after Chinese New Year).

Another version of Dinobot Slag (by Fans Toys) and character background can be found here.

Review of LER-01 Columpio w/ Drepan can be found here.


In Package

Packaging for LER-02 has the same design as LER-01 Columpio w/ Drepan.

Cubrar's Artwork

Back View

Fansproject LER-01 Columpio w/ Drepan - Pictorial Review

Last time it was about combiners but 2014, the attention turns to another nostalgic and group, the Dinobots. Despite the hype of Age Of Extinction version of the Dinobots seems to end a bit prematurely, 3rd Party companies are now on a race. I've discussed about the Masterpiece-scale Dinobots here,now is the time for CHURG-size Dinobots.

The first 3rd Party CHURG-sized Dinobots released was Planet X Caelus, to compliment War For Cybertron/Fall Of Cybertron line. Now, it's time for an offering by Fansproject, the first of their Lost Exo Realm (LER) line, Columpio (Not-Sludge) w/ Drepan

Pic Credit : TFWiki

Sludge, one of the first 3 Dinobots to be created alongside Grimlock and Slag on the G1 episode, S.O.S Dinobots. Despite being a powerful adversary, Sludge level of stupidity is his biggest weakness. Easily manipulated, Megatron managed to turn him against Optimus Prime in the episode War of the Dinobots.

G1 Sludge
Pic Credit : TFWiki

Other review goodies~

Some other reviews by fellow TransMY Reviewers Community

By clskywlkr

Fansproject Function X-3 Smart Robin

By Rainformers

Cybertron Con 2013 Henkei Jetfire

Fansproject [Causality] CA-12 Last Chance - Pictorial Review

It's been 3 months since I last reviewed Down Force and now Intimidator (Not-Menasor) is one step closer to finishing with CA-12 Last Chance (Not-Dead End)

The last limb of Menasor, Dead End of the Stunticons transform into Porsche 928, forming Menasor's left arm (although not exclusively). Along with the other Stunticons, Dead End was given life  by Vector Sigma in an attempt by Megatron to form a ground-based unit, rivaled by Autobots' Aerialbots

Released 27 years ago

Fansproject [Causality] CA-11 Down Force - Pictorial Review

First and foremost, thanks to 1 Toy for lending me this figure to be reviewed

Pic Credit : Web

The third member of the Stunticons, Drag Strip is the most competitive spark in the group. Winning no more becomes an option, it's a must for that he rather be obliterated than losing. Like the rest of his comrades, Drag Strip debut in the 2-part episode "The Key To Vector Sigma"

Drag Strip is one the recurring charatcters that showed up in almost all publications. He was originally voiced by Ronald Gans in the G1 animated series

Back in the days
Pic Credit : Web

In 2008, Drag Strip, a re-deco of Classics Deluxe Mirage was released under Universe Special Edition which only had 4 figures on its catalogue.

Now, let us continue with the 3rd release of Fansproject's Not-Stunticons, Down Force (Not-Drag Strip)

Fansproject [Causality] CA-10 T-Bone - Pictorial Review

Again, thanks to a dear friend who lent me this figure for review. I give you, Fansproject CA-10 T-Bone (Not-Wildrider) review

Pic Credit : Web

 A lot of you out there might see Wildrider in your daily life, office, college, home and most certainly, Facebook. A bot who's an Adrenaline junky but couldn't care less (if he could, he would), raising alarm even to his fellow Decepticons. But a loose cannon he ain't but crazy's his middle name

It's hard to match his personality with his toy

Fansproject [Causality] CA-09 Car Crash - Pictorial Review

In Transformers, there's always a pair, their arch nemesis, mortal enemy. You got Optimus Prime and Megatron, Metroplex and Trypticon, Soundwave and Blaster, so on and so forth. Autobots has always been the king of the road, having advantage of ground attack and defend against the force of Decepticons. When their scheme to steal a super fuel was rundown by the Autobots, Megatron opt to break this power gap and to take control of the ground from the Autobots, giving birth to the Stunticons

The Stunticons was created with 5 stolen earth vehicles, performed extremely well neutralizing Autobots ground advantage. Moving forward, as a countermeasure, Aerialbots were born

Rumble : Incredible, not even the Autobots can do that kind of stunt driving!
Megatron : Stunt driving? Yesss. Behold, the Stunticons!
Pic Credit : Web

After a long rest from their combiner release, Fansproject continue with the release of Not-Stunticons. Take note this figure was lent to me by a dear friend as I skipped the Fansproject-Scale combiners

Paranoid, the one word to describe Stunticons Breakdown, with the constant agitation that 'everyone' and 'everything' is watching him. However, on road, he should not be undermined, a worthy foe indeed

The Not-Combiners

It's a cruel time for Transformers collectors, it really is. Generations 3.0 has given us a promising debut with the releases of awesome characters especially Titan Class Metroplex. However, one thing that still lacking, the Combiners, where up until now, there's still no news of HasTak taking the wheel on this and delivering fair combiners to the fans. And so, we turn to 3rd Party companies. After the succesfull release of many ie Fansproject Crossfires, Maketoys Giant, TFC Hercules and Uranos, more combiners are shoved to us ie Maketoys Not-Computron, MMC Feral Rex (Not-Predaking), another from TFC yet to be named and of course, Fansproject Not-Menasor as apart of the Causality line.

Take note that there's 2 scale of combiners, one being the TFC's scale where we have Uranos, Hercules and MMC's Feral Rex. The other one being Fansproject Crossfires (Not-Bruticus and Not-Superion), Maketoys Giant and Not-Computron, etc. I choose the larger ones being that for combiners, I opt to the biggest scale available.

Reference, not accurately scaled
Pic Credit : Web

*Wishing for more combiners in TFC's scale*

Generations Voyager Springer - Pictorial Review [Part 2]

Robot Mode

Awesome design! Hasbro manage to take the IDW design and bring it to life. If you notice, the shoulder pads are made out of thin plastics. His rotor blades can be use a sword which is solid and design nicely, much better compared to Defender's

Generations Voyager Springer - Pictorial Review [Part 1]

First of all, I want to said, last time Generations halted during the screening of Transformers' Dark of the Moon, around June 2011, having release Junkheap and Sky Shadow. So for me, except from 3rd party releases, it's been constant repaint and repaint and repaint (including the Asia Exclusive figures) so hasn't been that much exciting for me. Even when I started Henkei/United this year, felt bored of the same mold

However, early this year, Toy Fair 2013 revealed what's on the table for the future and I was damn excited. One of the figure would be, Generations Voyager Springer

Pic Credit : web

First made his appearance in the 1986's Transformers The Movie, Springer became one of the new regulars (together with Kup, Arcee, Blur, etc) that took place post-Optimus Prime era. Springer, to me gave the impression of regular jock. Good build, skilled, but never really shines.

Springer was apart of a new group introduced, a triple-changer, along with a few others ie Sandstorm, Broadside and few others.

Pic Credit : Web

He received a fairly decent toy back in the days which to me is good enough if you look some of the other characters released. After Generation 1, a (somewhat) homage of him made an appearance in Transformers Superlink (Energon), named Sprung/Bulkhead. Toy wise, HasTak did make an effort of introducing him post-Unicron Trilogy under the Universe line A COUPLE OF TIME being repaint after repaint (not to mention Botcon release)

One of the many Springer
Pic Credit : Web

And in 2012, he was again released using Transformers Hunt for The Decepticon's Tomahawk mold and as I saw it, people seems happy to use it filling in for Classics Springer slot.

Despite all that, back in 2010, Fansproject kick-start their Warbot series with the release of Defender a coincidentally-homaging-Springer which was met with different reaction. Being the first full fledge figure, poeple still wondering whether the price is right for a small-voyager figure. Nonetheless, fan rejoice, we have our Springer!

I have to admit though, Defender comes with a few flaws, paint chip, loose joint and sometime-weird proportions. In early 2013, during Toyfair 2013, HasTak launch their 'counter attack', answering to fans wants and demands.

Fansproject WB-003 Warbot Assaulter

Reset my set so spent a few hours taking pictures of Assaulter. Thanks to my brother for this great Engagement Present, you rock! By the way, here's a bit about Assaulter (Not-Broadside)

Pic Credit : web

He's one of three G1 Autobots Triple-Changer with Springer and Sandstorm. He transformed into  a jet fighter (F/A-18 Hornet) and a 1200 ft aircraft carrier (mass shifting, apparently)

Still, that's not the biggest problem. Although impossible, he has a great design which sadly wasn't presented all that well

Problem? It's 1986 for god sake!

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3rd Party 101

I'm gonna jump ahead on the review to start introducing 3rd Party product. But first, let's dive in a bit about the manufacturer. 3rd parties are a term used commonly by TF Collectors for independent (no ties with neither Hasbro or Takara) that produce items from simple parts, weapons, add ons, convert kits to full-fledge figures.

The first company that set up the trend and win the heart of fans would be Fansproject with their first 3 releases.

HKTFP-001 Cliffjumper Conversion Kit
Pic Credit : Web

Crossfire I Set
Pic Credit : Web

TFX-01 City Commander
Pic Credit : Web

Basically, 3rd party companies produce items that held high by the fan, most by sheer memory of the said characters or upgrading the playability of the said figures. 4-5 years back, only a couple of 3rd party releases were put out in the market as time goes by, more and more companies established, releasing their very own unique view on the TF fandom.

Huge debates erupted on the ethic of the said company releasing figures/add ons of a characters that are clearly belongs to Hasbro and Takara. However, what if the said product doesn't really copying any of the official products (which mean the design itself is original)? Albeit some easy cases like iGear PP01 that's directly copied and shrink down of MP-01/MP-04 mold.

Personally, I know there are certain figures that won't be release under HasTak banners. Repaint and reusing of the same mold aren't something new to HasTak, releasing a half-a** design of fan's favourite characters. Don't get me wrong, I supported the official releases, not to mention Botcons and TFCCs figure.

2012, Hasbro released Fall Of Cybertron's Bruticus, a homage long awaited by fans alike, including myself but the final product? Pure disappointment. But on the other hand, Toyworld released their take on Classics Megatron, Hegemon that is spot-on G1 Megatron but I'll opt to the official one.

To each their own.

Saw a new trend in local TF Community here in Malaysia. People with buying power but no idea on what they have in their hand. It's a hype kind of a thing. Maybe I should find around 20-30 peoples, show them that collecting wood is the new s**t, maybe they'll jump into the bandwagon

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