ENCORE #23 FORTRESS MAXIMUS BOX PICTURES! ETA MID TO LATE APRIL 2013!

10:41 AM in 1988 Headmaster, 2013 Reissue, ATTACK BASE, Big Robot, Encore, Fortress Maximus, Japanese G1, NOT YET RELEASED, Vintage

HI FOLKS, JUST ANOTHER SHORT POST TO UPDATE THOSE GENERATION ONE AFICIONADOS THAT TF:YUKI FROM TAKARATOMY'S OFFICIAL TWITTER PAGE HAS JUST REVEALED THE UPCOMING BOX DESIGN FOR NONE OTHER THAN ENCORE #23 FORTRESS MAXIMUS!  IT HEARKENS BACK TO THE DAYS OF THE ORIGINAL JAPANESE BOX/ GRID AUTOBOT DESIGN, RIGHT DOWN TO THE FONTS AND PICTURES USED! EXCITING TIMES, IS IT NOT?!  **ENCORE IS ON THE LEFT AND ORIGINAL ON THE RIGHT*

JUST A SIDE NOTE: SEEMS LIKE TAKARATOMY HAS OR IS TRYING TO TIGHTEN UP IT'S LAX QC ISSUES OF LATE BY DOUBLE-CHECKING THE CONTENTS OF THIS BEHEMOTH RELEASE. THUS, CHANCES ARE THAT YOUR FORT MAX BOXES MIGHT BE 'DOUBLE-TAPED' ON THE OPENING OF THE BOX FLAP. AS CONFIRMED BY TFW2005 MEMBER Joshua, HE HAS SENT AN INQUIRY TO TFSOURCE. COM, AND THE CONFIRMATION IS RELAYED AS FOLLOWS:-  

''Originally Posted by joshua 

From TFSource's Facebook page just now:

TFsource
Here is an Encore Fortress Maximus Update - be sure to read through! Preorder yours at TFsource here:
Encore #23 - Fortress Maximus
Encore #23 - Fortress Maximus - Early Release Air Shipment

Today Takara pulled back all of the Fort Max stock for a second QC inspection. Due to this some stock did not pass, and Takara has to do a new run. This will not be finished until the end of April. The good news - TFsource will receive all of our stock on schedule shipping out later this week. Many shops will not.

The bad news - all of the first run of Fort Max will be double-taped. Some collectors are very particular about this, so be aware all stock we receive will be double-taped. It's unavoidable due to the circumstances, but also a check to show that the product passed the QC check. Takara did not release any information on what the QC issues are that caused this.''

PERSONALLY, THIS IS GOOD NEWS TO ALL OF US WHO ARE PUTTING DOWN A FAIR BIT MORE OF OUR MONEY INTO SOMETHING AS HUGE AND IMPORTANT AS A FORTRESS MAXIMUS RE-RELEASE, NOT LEAST  FOR THE SHEER SIZE BUT AS A DISCERNING AND 'PICKY' COLLECTOR, THIS GIVE SOME SENSE OF RELIEVE. CANNOT WAIT TO ADD THIS TO MY COLLECTION, BTU AT THE SAME TIME, I AM SURE THAT SPACE- OR RATHER THERE LACK OF IT WILL BE AN ISSUE WHICH MANY OF US WILL FACE! 

ENCORE/ FORTRESS MAXIMUS/ HEADMASTER COPYRIGHT 1988/ 2013 TAKARATOMY , HASBRO

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THE SECOND COMING OF ENCORE #23 FORTRESS MAXIMUS!

11:24 PM in 1988 Headmaster, 2013 Reissue, ATTACK BASE, Big Robot, Encore, Fortress Maximus, Japanese G1, NOT YET RELEASED, Vintage

Hi guys! It's me again, Wing_Saber-X! Sorry for slacking off lately in updating my blog. Loads of awesome news in terms of Transformers releases lately that I can't even catch my breath! Well, to be perfectly honest I don't know where to start! It's all so overwhelming to say the least. All I can say is that some of the newer confirmed releases have gotten my head in a spin-- all giddy and light-headed- sort of like someone with a bad hangover....To all one true, hard core Transformers Generation one fans out there, you may already know that Encore # 23 is something special and one which was rumored - - the first inkling of a possible 'release't which as initially made out to be a hoax- by none other than uber G1 collector extraordinaire Heroic Decepticon- sometime back in April 2012, turned out to have been right on the money after all. So, does this mean this imminent release has been in the works for sometime?! Yes folks, I'm talking about the one and only Fortress Maximus! 

Now in terms of how a big a deal this sudden but not shocking surprise release will affect the 'collector' market value for the original remains to be seen. One thing's for certain, I will put in a pre-order for this bad-boy as soon as my regular shop here where I'm at puts in an official order form. It's the second time that an out and out Fortress Maximus toy release has been announced within the span of a couple of month of this year alone, with the other being the Kabaya Gum version. Prices will vary depending on when you decide to buy the humongous toy. Some sites are reporting an early February 2013 release- i.e. via Hong-Kong based online toys company, Robotkingdom-  with a suggested retail price of only $299 USD, or wait till it reaches US shores via BBTS.com for $350- $400? Personally, I wont want to be the person paying the hefty shipping price for that giant toy.... and will be getting this locally, natch. :D But the problem will obviously be the issue of where the toy will be stored one I receive it...... :/

Okay so many of you who did't grow up with the original Transformers Generation One series might second guess or even question what the appeal of this huge chunk of giant plastic brick of a toy can possibly hold? Well, firstly it's a huge 2-meter robot which has three modes of pretty damn versatile modes of transformations. Add to the fact that during the 80's this was one of the most desired thing in the whole universe in the bleary eyes of then Saturday morning-cartoon addicted   kids who grew up watching Transformers, just adds a level of desire and appeal to want to own this important piece of Transformers  toy lore. I am personally glad to be finally be able to be one of the 'regular' - lol- vintage collector - to own my very own Fortress Maximus after so longingly desiring this from afar. Bottom line, just go out and get this bad boy or you might regret it and kick yourself later!

Fortress Maximus, Transformers Headmasters and Encore Copyright Takaratomy 1988, 2012

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TRANSFORMERS ( C-326 ギャラクシーシャトル ) GALAXY SHUTTLE- MIB, C9 OVERALL!

10:47 AM in Galaxy Shuttle, Japanese G1, JUST BOUGHT, Transformers Victory, Vintage, Yet To Arrive

Item: C-326 Galaxy Shuttle

Circa TF: Zone packaging, 1990

Condition: C 9.0 little or no yellowing/ discoloration, mint and complete with accessory 

Paperwork and instructions missing 

Stickers applied and show little wear

ETA: June 2012

Galaxy Shuttle / Transformers Victory Copyright Takara Co. Ltd. 1989

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Victory Leo Part Two?

5:16 PM in Possible Deal, Transformers Victory, Victory Leo, Vintage, Yet To Arrive

Gotta love obtaining more vintage Transformers, no? 

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WING SABER TOYZ SPECIAL: JUNGLE WARRIOR- DEMOLITIONS- SLUDGE!

7:17 PM in Diaclone, DINOBOTS, Dinorobo, Generation 1, JUST BOUGHT, Sludge, Vintage

Just wanted to get the complete set of G1 Dinobots in my collection. Decided to begin my quest by obtaining Sludge, and won him in pretty decent condition, complete weapons and accessories from Ebay. Item was shipped on the 22 June 2011, and should arrive to me in 2 weeks time, max. 

	Tech Spec
	"Stomp your enemy, crush him under your feet."
	Likes to make presence known -- a footstep can be heard and felt in a 3-mile radius. Gentle and shy, but terrifying and unstoppable in battle. Like other Dinobots, dislikes Optimus. Can exert 40,000 psi via feet -- enough to shatter a bridge. Immense strength and endurance. Adept at fighting in water, swamp, and jungle. Slow, not too clever -- often victim of the calamities he causes.
	Strength	Intelligence	Speed	Endurance	Rank	Courage	Firepower	Skill
	9	3	2	10	4	9	1	5

Tech Spec linked & Credited to www.tfu.info.com

Sludgge/ dinobots Copyright Takara Hasbro

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WING SABER TOYZ SPECIAL: (トランスフォーマー 超神マスターフォース)- TRANSFORMERS MASTERFORCE C-307 AND C-309:- GINRAI (ジンライ) & GOD BOMBER (ゴッドボンバー ) PART DEUX!

9:10 AM in Chojin Masterforce, God Bomber, God Ginrai, Japan exclusive, JUST BOUGHT, Vintage

Hey there folks! I do sincerely apologise for slacking off these past few weeks! Just to share something which I have been eager to blog about. Got the individual 1988  Super Ginrai/ Powermaster Prime and God Bomber vintage toys for a good deal from a Netherlands seller off Ebay. Decided that I might as well completer my collection status for these particular two figures, as I already have most if not all the Ginrai mould thus released. 

Not to go into too much detail about the two vintage specimens shown here, except that of the two, God Bomber is infact mint sealed in box (MISB)- something of importance to note is that the front headlights in Bomber's cab-mode is moulded slightly from the 2001 reissue. Again, I absolutely love to discover little nuggets of information when getting to grips with respect to the 'nitty gritty' details of a particular vintage release. This is one of the myriad of reasons why vintage collecting has become somewhat of a passion of mine. The price paid is irrelevant, as the combined satisfaction of owning a particular piece of historical / never to be made again/ one of a kind 80's release really does not get tiresome!

^Stickers used for Super Ginrai, but toy in excellent condition.

Toys

Super-God Masterforce

Wait, the Japanese toy has shortened smoke stacks?!

• Super Ginrai (1988)
  • Japanese ID number: C-307
  • Accessories: Godmaster Transtector, 2 Superconductor Rifles, 2 Particle Beam Cannons, Super Ginrai head

Differences between Ginrai and Powermaster Optimus Prime include retractable super-robot fists, a die-cast metal cab with translucent blue plastic windows, shortened smokestacks, a more metallic grey plastic, chrome on the Godmaster Ginrai engine, and silver paint rather than stickers for the small robot's upper legs.

A remolded version of the American Powermaster Optimus Prime figure, Ginrai is a red, blue and grey tractor trailer, only able to transform into robot mode when the small Ginrai human figure is put into engine mode and snapped into place in the truck's grill, unlocking the clasp that holds the legs in place. When the cab is in robot mode, the trailer can become a battle station. Either robot or station can be armed with any of the toy's weapons, including two black "Superconductor Rifles", and two grey double-barrelled "Particle Beam Cannons," (referred to as "Cannon Craft" in "The Battle Begins! The United Earth-Space Troops"), which can be piloted by any small Godmaster figures. Cab and trailer can be merged into "Super Ginrai", whose head is a separate piece, and can go on to combine with the separately sold Godbomber to become God Ginrai.

• More information on Super Ginrai at TFU.info

^

Text for Ginrai/ God Bomber and Pictures linked to tfwiki.net 

Toy

[edit]Super-God Masterforce

• Godbomber (1988)
  • Japanese ID number: C-309
  • Accessories: "God Cannon", 2 "Tachyon Missiles"

Godbomber transforms into an armored trailer, comprised of a collection of modular pieces. He does not so much transform as he does break apart—into two arms, two legs, two wings, a chest and a back—and recombine in a different configuration, with the only elements of transformation being his flip-out feet and head. He is armed in both modes with the God Cannon, which can either mount on his shoulder or be held in his fist in robot mode. Godbomber combines with the separately-sold Ginrai to form God Ginrai

This set of molds was used—almost entirely without changes—to make Apex Bomber.

• More information on Godbomber at TFU.info

God Ginrai/ Super Ginrai & God Bomber Copyright 1988 Takara Co. Japan

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WING SABER TOYZ SNEAK PEEK: OPERATION: C-324 STAR SABER- HERO OF THE UNIVERSE!!

1:13 PM in Japanese G1, JUST BOUGHT, MIB, NOT IN COLLECTION, Preview, STAR SABER, Transformers Victory, Vintage, Yet To Arrive

Hi there people from the four corners of the world!! Just a tease post here by yours truly WSX!   Had made overtures at the one vintage gem that was once very special to me during my childhood, and told myself one day that I will try and obtain this humongous and very cool  Autobot Leader again in the future. Rest assured, that once the details and other stuff are ironed out, the new figure should arrive in pristine condition  as a 2011 New Year bonus to me! Yay. The dream is * almost here! Patience is a virtue! 

Mean time, just going to post a sneak peek at my old toy, once a glorious white knight with a solid appearance, has rather erroneously turned into a sad self of his former awesomeness. 

Star Saber copyright 1989 TAKARA Co. Ltd Japan

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WING SABER TOYZ SPECIAL: = AFA-GRADED 1987 AUTOBOT HEADMASTER BRAINSTORM!=

9:03 PM in 1988 Headmaster, AFA Item, Brainstorm, Generation 1, JUST BOUGHT, Vintage, YET TO BE RELEASED

''BRAINSTORMING'' SESSION?!

Hey there boys and girls! Welcome to another random preview for another blog post by the uber collector and all round friendly neighborhood  hoarder   nice guy, Adam aka WSX. Today's feature collection is by far the most valuable in terms of the collecting process ever managed to be won by me,. Yet again without humbly and sincerely thanking another wonderful seller Ive had the pleasure to meet on the TFW2005 boards. He is none other than all round UK nice bloke and seller, Locustreign! He is a kind soul, having let me win this awesome auction for this super cool AFA graded item, not withstanding the super-secret deal we have made! LOL. Brainstorm is an interesting figure simply because he was more prominent in the Japanese Headmasters cartoon continuity. Not only was he the sole responsible creator for the Headmaster technology and the Autobot's pioneering scientist/ physicist. Sure, he may not pack a wallop in battle, but he can be useful in terms of plotting a tactically scientific method for defeating the enemy. Brainstorm's interesting factoid is the different animation models used in the Japanese/American and commercials. I personally prefer the Japanese Headmaster model, which much resembles Brainstorms's toy in both colour and appearance.  the picture below shows the Japanese version, while the picture after is from the Rebirth series. Head and colour differences make for an interesting character representation.

THE LOW-DOWN ON THE TOY!

Toys

Generation 1

Brainstorm's Robot and futuristic Jet Modes. 

• Brainstorm (1987)
  • Japanese ID number: C-104
  • Accessories: "Arcana" Headmaster pilot, left & right "High-EnergyPhoton Pulse Cannons"

Brainstorm transforms into a turquoise Cybertronic fighter craft. Both of Brainstorm's twin pistols attach to the front of his alt-mode's nosecone to extend it and augment it with two canard wings. As with all larger Headmaster toys, Brainstorm features both a cockpit suitable for his partner, Arcana, to sit in and an abbreviated Tech Specs bar graph inside his chest hidden under a hinged panel. When a compatible Headmaster head is plugged into the socket on Brainstorm's body, the bars will show three of that character's Tech Specs.

• Tech specs linked and credited to TFU.info
•  Toy info and Bio linked and credited to tfwiki.net
• Toy instruction scans linked and credited to  botchthecrab.com
• More Brainstorm images from Seibertron.com 

=======================================================================

MEET THE ROBOT IN QUESTION!

	Tech Spec
	"The strongest tyrant cannot crush freedom of thought."
	So full of ideas that he often begins disclosing a new one before he finishes explaining an old one. Worked with the mysterious Nebulan medical doctor, Arcana, to whom he's binary-bonded, to devise new technology that created the Headmasters. In jet mode, maximum speed: 5200mph. Range: 8000 miles. In robot mode, carries high-energy photon pulse cannons. Sometimes overheats and shorts out sections of his cerebro-circuitry.
	Strength	Intelligence	Speed	Endurance	Rank	Courage	Firepower	Skill
	5	8	9	6	7	9	7	8

=========================================================================

FINAL THOUGHTS:

SPEECHLESS AND THANKFUL FOR THIS ONCE IN A CHANCE OPPORTUNITY TO BE ABLE TO BUY MY FIRST AFA GRADED TRANSFORMERS. ONE OF MY MOST LIKED CHARACTERS TO ADD TO THE AWESOME FACTOR.

Brainstorm Copyright 1987 Takara and Hasbro. 

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TRANSFORMERS G1 MISB Headmaster Brainstorm  AFA 80 Subs B80 W85 F85 - amazingly rare figure! Item condition: Used Ended: 09 Nov, 201000:04:17 GMT Sold for: £350.00 Add to list Postage: £45.00 - Royal Mail Airsure  |  See all  details Estimated delivery time varies for items  dispatched from an international location. Item location: Salford, United Kingdom Post to: N. and S. America, Europe, Asia, AustraliaSee  exclusions Payments:  | See payment information Returns: Returns accepted | Read details Shop with confidence. Learn more

 

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