Friday, 24 August 2012

A Prime Gathering...

Title aptly put...for a gathering of Primes or more accurately, Optimuses...coz' well, we have other Primes too (eg. Rodimus Prime, Sentinel Prime, Vector Prime etc..).

No new hauls since...(can't recall when), so in the meanwhile, took group pics of some of the Optimuses in my collection...

TF Generation (aka WFC) Optimus Prime red family : yup, family of different redness...



Hail Hitl....oops!
Group shots...

(from left : Takara United Darkside Optimus Prime, Hasbro TRU Rage Over Cybertron Optimus Prime, Hasbro TF Generation Optimus Prime, Takara United Optimus Prime)  
Takara United Darkside Optimus Prime : "err...I must be the black sheep of the family"
The other 'Red' Optimus Primes : "yeah, the thorn among the roses...haha"
'Extended family'...err....father's side only :P as the real extended family is definitely bigger than this...

TF Gen Primes with Classic Optimus Prime, Robotmaster Optimus Prime, THS01, RTS Laser Prime, DOTM Optimus Prime and a distant cousin, the KM-01...haha...
TF Gen Primes with their Armada deluxe cousins...

Monday, 13 August 2012

Red Feet G1 Optimus Prime

Ending my Hasbro G1 Optimuses reviews with yet another rare piece...the Red Feet G1 Optimus Prime ie. G1 Optimus Prime with red feet instead of the traditional blue ones. Also known as the French version Optimus Prime as it was released by French company Ceji Revell back in late 1984 or early 1985 in the UK and France.

Front - looks just like another regular G1 Optimus Prime packaging, only faded in color after too much sun tan...

Yes, the box has seen better times...

Outer flap - with original Argos item no. sticker with 351/8898 printed on it. Check its authenticity by copying and pasting the following to a new tab : 
http://www.flickr.com/photos/38301877@N05/3592674735/in/photostream/

It shows the Argos Catalogue page and the item number, 351/8898 corresponding to the Optimus Prime that was on sale. 
(I thank ebay seller Ravage9000 for this info)

Left inner flap - with the cajofe markings, indicates the correct and original box

Back - regular pics / design but check out the fine prints...

1984 Hasbro Bradley, similar to those regular G1 packaging but if you look slightly to the right...

...it's Made in Strasbourg, France and not the regular Made by Takara, Japan


White styrofoam insert in good condition

Optimus removed from his packaging... 

Hide the red feet and this Optimus looks exactly like his other brothers out there...

Close up of the cab...yes, there's sticker wear...Also, do note that the red is 'redder' than the regular cabs

Comes with a rubsign

Inside of the trailer

I presume underneath the blocked out raised plastic bar is the country of manufacture, Japan. Here, clearly stated "Made in France" which matched the box copyright and apparently, the many sightings of this Optimus in France itself. The "T2" in the lynch-pin hole indicates a very early trailer mold, presumingly late 1984 / early 1985 release date.
(I thank Maz for this info)

Some of the accessories - standard gun and fists (not the bloated ones), short missiles (reissues have longer ones due to safely measures)

 The 'man' with the red feet...


Check out the grill on Optimus' forehead...not clearly seen in this pic but close-up, you'll notice silver outlines and silver shapes on the inside.

...and now, Autobots, transform and roll out...


err.....wait a minute, what's with so many Bumblebees? Can the real Bumblebee please stand up?

Credit Maz for most of the info here...for the complete review of this Red Feet Optimus Prime, please click here : Red-footed Optimus Prime :)

Finally, the meeting of the 2 Optimus Primes...red vs blue...whatever the color is, this is Optimus Prime, the leader of the Autobots.

red vs blue

Thursday, 9 August 2012

Pre-rub "Bloated Fist" G1 Optimus Prime

Going back even further to the Diaclone days... No, I am not reviewing the ultra rare Diaclone Battle Convoy but a level down...a rare piece nevertheless with limited quantities released as compared to the more commonly found "Standard" G1 Optimus Prime.

No holographic rubsign on cab - hence, pre-rub. Only newly releases of Optimus Prime come with the rubsign.

Accessories such as the laser blaster (gun), fists, gas pump and nozzle are larger and more detailed than the "Standard" Optimus Prime's - hence, the Bloated nickname.

Still trying to locate one with the nice-conditioned box but for now, this loose piece would have to suffice...also listed out are the variations or differences not found on the "Standard" Optimus...


 Notice the conspicuous metal plate tabs on the trailer?

If you look closer, you'll find that the circular design top left of the insignia has 6 gaps while the octagonal design in the bottom front corner of the trailer has a series of horizontal lines. 

All the fine details of the trailer door (rectangles, handle, rivets, even the holes at the top of door) are different.

 The intricate detailing along the inside walls of the trailer are comprised of metal plates with ink and paint images printed on them and each held in place by six plastic tabs. 

Everything's grey - roller, missiles and entire launcher. 

 "Bloated" accessories - check out the enlarged gun and fists.

 Rare...1980, 1982 Takara, imprinted at the bottom of the trailer.

Pre-rub...no rubsign.  Even the hole for the screw that holds Optimus Prime's head in place is small and shallow. 

Headlights have larger diameter holes for the fist pegs. Look closer to notice that the lines on the truck grill are thinner. 

Optimus Prime packs a punch!! Just look at my fists!!

Had some help *shy* identifying the differences...credit to tfw2005. For the complete guide, please refer to Bloated Fist vs Standard Optimus Prime. The site has been my one-stop knowledge centre so far...

Monday, 6 August 2012

A quickie on Optimus Prime :)

The title sounds rather wrong...

The intent, however, is all noble as I try to unravel, where possible, one of the mystery of the universe (lol) - the many versions / variants of Optimus Prime and how does one differentiate them in the market...and we are not even talking about the KOs (yet).

Pictures paint a thousand words. Have a look at these 4 variants first...can you spot the difference and identify the Optimus Primes?

Picture 1

Picture 2

 Picture 3

 Picture 4

In a glance :

All 4 cabs look quite similar - standard red body with blue legs but wait...check out the smokestacks and holographic rubsign. Prime (pic 1) has shorter smokestacks than the other 3 while Prime (pic 3) is without a holographic rubsign (ie. pre-rub). Prime (pic 4) has RED feet!!

All 4 trailers look quite similar too - in standard silverish grey color with the blue striped stickers and Autobot insignia but wait again...check out the metal plate tabs on the trailer (pic 3).

So, are you able to identify the Optimuses yet? It's alright, the answers could be found at the foot of this page. (Click on them for their individual reviews.) Yeah, definitely more than meets the eye *wink*...