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Transformers; Car Robots, Takara
Meat and Potatoes; 4.9
Perks; 5.0
Homer Factor;5.0
The figure has three forms; fire truck mode, 'Optimus' and battle-station mode, and finally the Super Fire Convoy mode. The truck mode looks like one of those hook-and-ladder trucks where the ladder's turrent is at the back of the truck rather then the front. The front 'cab' portion of the truck detaches to form the 'Optimus' mode, while the aft section forms the battle-station. The back-end breaks up into small components which all reattach to form a large base with assorted guns and weapons all over the place. The ladder forms a giant tower in the middle of all this. The 'Optimus' mode looks a lot like a G1 Optimus Prime; the classic 'horns' on the blue head, large red chest, blue legs.
The SFC mode is a very different robot. Sections of the battle-station become gauntlets, shin-guards, and shoulder-pads for SFC. The large portion with the ladder slides right on the torso of the 'Optimus' mode, forming a chest and back-plate. The ladder is one the back, and can be swung forward to form a giant bazzoka.
SFC is mostly red with silver and orange hi-lights.
The piece over-all has very detailed sculpting, with lots of panel-lines, vents, and other mechanical extras.
Fortunately, Takara, has brought back transforming vehicles with a vengence! Whispers of this toy line started in December of 1999, and they finally made their appearance in March of 2000. If you check assorted on-line stores, you can still find a number of the pieces. Super Fire Convoy is the newest leader of the Cybertrons (as the Autobots are called in Japan), but from the translations of the tech-spec cards, he IS NOT Optimus Prime. Sorry folks. Even so, this piece is an amazing start to this new toy line.
The meat and potatoes of the toy are astonishing. The sculpting on the figures is very detailed and the articulatoin in 'Optimus' form and Super Fire Convoy form are incredible. Both forms bend at the elbows, knees, even wrists and even the little laser-cannons on the head rotate. The paint job on the figure is equally superb. And to top it all off, this thing is about 12" tall. Take that, Megatron!!!!! The only problem with the piece is the SFC form isn't the sturdiest piece in the world. The parts from the battle-station mode attach to the Optimus mode on assorted slots which can be rather loose. In addition, the giant ladder is rather cumbersome, even if it is on SFC's back.
The perks are also awesome. The figure has three transformation; fire truck, 'Optimus' and battle-station form, and Super Fire Convoy. The front and back of the truck separate; the cab portion forms the 'Optimus' mode and the back end with the ladders forms both the battle-station and the 'armor' which transforms the 'Optimus' mode to Super Fire Convoy. The transformation through all three forms is very dramatic, SFC doesn't just look like a giant version of the 'Optimus' mode, it's a totally different robot. The ladder on SFC also has four missile launchers.
The Homer factor is very, very high. Duh. Old school Transformers with the craftsmanship of a Beast Wars piece equals tons of anticipation. What if Six-Shot or Metroplex got this kind of make-over? One can only dream.
So ther you have it. Takara has outdone itself with the flag-ship piece of it's new Car Robots line. Oh, and Takara is planning a new version of Ultra Magnus called God Magnus for fall of 2000... and it attaches of SFC. Oh yeah, babe!!!!!!!!!