The most fragile TF…D-311 Black Zarak...

This was an incidental purchase.

D-311 Black Zarak was never a priority in my pursue. Price and the conditions (always cracked) are 2 of the main reasons holding me back. 

This piece came along when a local seller wanted to let go of it. Complete with stickers applied.

NO GPS, YES! none at all! Box in a nice condition as well. Stickers applied.

When i was checking the condition of the toy during the transaction, i actually asked the seller to handle it…he was handling it very very carefully and told me not to open this, be careful of that.

Though heard of GPS and experienced it with my very first piece of bristle back (Monstructor), never knew that the GPS on BZ was so potent such that every owner is very wary of it…such that they handle as if it's a newborn. it's crazy.

After i happily brough the TF back, more feedback about BZ came along…"Do not transform this, do not open the shield, do not….do not…once you attach the spear together, you can't separate it anymore" i was like "WTH? i bought a TF and i'm not able to play with it?!!!"

The final statement was: "That's Black Zarak for you"

It seems that a Black Zarak in such a good condition would be a display piece in it's nice styrofoam tray. But i had to take it out to look closer….

I'm always drawn to the vintage artwork of G1 boxes….

back of the box and...

Close up of Ginrai artwork…one of my favorite artwork...

Complete papers with even the biocard…there's a friend who has BZ without the biocard…maybe time for me to gloat abit…not very often i can gloat at him...

okay, here's a closeup of the biocard so that he can see clearer….hahaha.

chrome on the chest and legs are perfect.

the "uncle" face…with this, it is actually not required to have the head on in robot mode as this covers the headmaster completely.

tried the headmaster gimmick to check out the power meter…of course not with Zarak, i used the head from Skullcruncher…if the gold tabs or joints on zarak breaks from me trying to "Head on!", i would probably be a laughing stock..

For this, i really have to thank the seller for keeping this piece in such a nice condition.

and also allowing me to acquire this piece at a very reasonable price.

Never a priority as i mentioned at the start but exceptionally satisfying to be able to own it.

am very lucky to be able to find rare pieces in super conditions…like GBC, GBM etc.

really a big thanks to friends and sellers who in any way helped me directly or indirectly…

you guys know who you are!

Prowl, Prowl and Prowl

Taking these pictures and writing this makes me feel like a Prowl slut, but i'm not. Really.

Just happen to own these molds.

In fact, i'm already in love with the G1 Prowl/Streak/Smokescreen mold.

Just got a Universe Deluxe Prowl off a reseller. Yes, i do not have CHUG Prowl before this and i'm wondering why it took so long…fortunately, i did not have to pay a really absurd price for this.

Here's the photo of the 3 versions together…in alternate car mode.

The masterpiece as always is an exact replica of its G1 counterpart, sporting a Fairlady Mold.

In bot mode, the masterpiece is just slightly taller than its deluxe cousin,  but with tons of articulation.

The CHUG Prowl, disappoints me in terms of mold and robustness of the toy. Don't really like this version of Prowl. The doors are flimsy, pop out easily during transformation.

The G1 piece shown here is the Takara box reissue. The details on the face shows mold degradation, but as i've said before the mold rocks big time!

Masterpiece designs never fail to disappoint. but the material of construction disappoints me.

Details of the Masterpiece Prowl's head sculpt.

Very clear lines and you can see a fresh mold used. (look at a reassure Prowl/Streak's face and you will know what i am talking about.

I still feel the G1 mold wins the competition with MP Prowl close behind.

The reasons are the die cast, rubber wheels. The MP mold technically is far better, representing anime Prowl in all categories, but as a toy, it lacks the feel of a masterpiece…lacking the metal and rubber.

I always feel that the later pieces of the masterpiece, have not enough or zero die cast. 

TakaraTomy, please please please start to put in diecsat and rubber wheels for future masterpieces…

Diaclone Blue Swoop

This is probably the first Swoop mold i ever owned.

One big reason why one should get this: This piece is anime accurate with the blue chest.

Which means if you are a G1 anime die hard, this is the one to get…(along with the canadian red face Slag. Came across this on ebay when i was browsing the diaclones.

Really beginning to fall deeply in love with diaclone molds and pre-rubs.

The molds are really of the highest quality.

There's some stain at the top right corner at the front, otherwise the box is in a very good condition.

Styrofoam insert is in very good condition as well…surprising thing is, there is a diaclone driver included. Checked with a friend and it seems that there should not be a driver for Swoop….so it's like a bonus to have one in there. No harm keeping it right?

Used piece, with applied stickers. Some of stickers actually fell off but figure is in good condition with a little little bit of wear…chromed wings are without chrome wear...

Another though going round in my head…what if this is a K.O?

As soon as i got this on hand, immediately verified all details with a friend who owns an unused piece. Also went to the internet to find out more about KO Swoop.

Fortunately, this is the real deal. I am relieved.

Here, you can see a close up on the wings…nice right?

The next anime accurate Dino would be the Canadian Slag…let's hope i can get lucky once more...

More poison….Maketoys Nova Prime

This is more poison from my beloved TF collector pal…

I started reading IDW More Than Meets The Eye comics and got to "know" Nova Prime.

Then was introduced to the piece that Maketoys produced: MT-03 Hypernovae (Nova prime). Couldn't get it the first time round, stocks were out before the figure was even released.

Maketoys then decided to "re-issue" but with some difference, not in the build but in stickers and colors (very slight) After I got poisoned, got my pal to help source for one. took some time before he could find me a 1st edition piece…Thank you my friend….for the poison and helping to get this….

 Here's the carton box packaging that comes with each piece. Even the carton box seems like a "collectible". 

The actual box packaging.

 Alternate truck mode...

First level bot mode…looks like Ultra Magnus as my pal says…

i find it abit too skinny...

Level 2 bot mode….additional rifle blaster, more sturdy arms and legs...

Nova Prime Final bot mode: Angel of Death!

All along, the stuffs that Maketoys produce are of good quality. Clear defined lines, nice straight cuts and the joints and moving parts fit snugly in place. This Nova Prime is no exception.

The overall figure is good…what i would complain about would be the weight balance of the figure and the size….

The wings hanging onto the back somewhat causes the figure to fall backwards, he seemed to be carrying a heavy back pack behind. But this can be solved with some posing of the figure.

Size wise, it is slightly bigger than a deluxe sized toy…so for this kind of price, i am thinking of a leader sized one, at least.

Those that didn't read the IDW comics before, would not know anything about him, just like me before.

Transformation is abit difficult with some parts forming (though all parts will be used in both bot mode and alternate mode). This is a very nice figure and i would recommend all Convoy/Prime lovers to get this piece when it releases in the mass market soon.

Pre Rub Bluestreak

This is a result of being poisoned….

Though i have always known that the streak/Prowl/Smokescreen mold is one of the best G1 molds out there, i never really take a close look at it…instead concentrating of the sideswipe mold variants as shown in my earlier postings…already bought the Commemorative Reissue Streak and the e-hobby Black hood Streak, i stopped pursuing the streak mold…..BUT one of my pals, who is a streak slut (in fact he is more slutty for streak than the slut in me for starscream!) keeps talking about streak and how good the pre rub streak mold is…as i listened and listened and listened and listened…..like a virus, it slowly, unknowingly, infiltrated my senses…before i know it, i had to get one for myself….just like how Agent Smith in the matrix infected everybody else within the matrix…and i'm definitely not Neo..

Found a piece in one of the local shops in Singapore…surprisingly…..the best thing is, the box is in an excellent condition and supposedly, it is still MISB! but due to aging, the bubble has dried up and dropped off from the card back. The sealing tape at the sides of the box fell off naturally, due to the glue drying up….

Here, take a look...

Close up of the artwork…

I proceeded to un-MISB the "mysterious" best-of-the-best G1 car mold ever…

Result? Believe me, i was knocked out by this one.

The pre rub is really the best of G1s! The fit on the toy is, if i can say, better the the Masterpieces.

The whole feel of the toy really brings me 30 years back with the die cast, rubber wheels and all. The face of streak, very clear and distinct lines with nice details. Compare it with the reissue and you will know what i mean.

The pre rubs are the first pieces (after the diaclones) that are produced with the fresh mold and it really shows the quality. With that, i'm bought over.

Look, no flap crease!

ahhh…..yes, the picture of the elusive Diaclone Blue Bluestreak…and agin, when i keep going back to look at the Blue fella, the poison gets worse…its never-ending!

It has come to a point that i look at Bluestreak at breakfast….

The front car plate: Fairlady

The Pre-rub, look at the head mold, clear and well-defined lines…you will never find this on any reissue! 

Rear car plate: Fairlady Z

Bot is the reissue, car is the Pre-rub.

A far difference between them….oh yes, sometimes its More Than Meets The Eye at breakfast!

After this, continued with the pre-rub antidotes for the poison….managed to get a Starscream as well as a Prowl…damn poison….damn friend…but it's pure satisfaction…contradicting. yes.  To have a collector pal like that, someone who helps me get some of my rare pieces and then poisons me with even more rare pieces…*sigh* blame it on my lack of discipline when it comes to TFs...