Scorponok - European Headmaster Base

In my quest to trace down and document all mainland European multi-lingual Transformers G1 releases, I stumbled upon an instruction booklet I had never seen before.

A bilingual French/Dutch instructions booklet from Scorponok!

Marčanka Hound?

Is it a myth, a legend, made up, or just a custom?

There are many red feet or red re-painted Transformers G1 variants out there. A lot are also documented very well, but a red-footed Hound seems to be a hidden gem. But is a Hound with red feet really legit? Is it a variant that we can add to the list of must-haves?

The Greek Connection

European-made Minibots, or Mini-Vehicles as they also go by. Unique in their very own way. Color-, packaging-, and manufacturing-wise. A special niche amongst variant collectors and Minibot collectors in particular.

This article is about two different series of European Minibot releases that seem to be very related to each other. I am talking about the Made in France Ceji Minibots and the Greek El Greco releases. Besides the obvious color differences and the absence of a rubsign on the El Greco ones, at first glance, they look very similar. But are they identical? In other words, did they come from the same factory injection mold?

Triple Changeur: Ceji Astrotrain

It does not happen that often these days that an unknown vintage Transformer is discovered. So it’s very exciting to share this find about the long-lost and final French Transformers G1 release, Ceji Astrotrain.

French Transformers Fan Club Part 6: Club Special Offers

Unfortunately the last and final part about the French Transformers Fan Club series. But let’s go out with a bang!

In this final part we take a closer look at the last pamphlet that I own, the Club's special offers. 
So what is it exactly that we are looking at here? Its exclusive offers for members of the Club. They can buy specially selected Transformers with a discount, but you first need permission from your parents before you can buy them. 😉

French Transformers Fan Club Part 5: Even more Goodies

This is the second part of the French Club Goodies from my good friend Ard.

We looked at the front side of the introduction sheet. Let’s take a better look at the backside and focus on the left part. So what would you receive more with this membership?

French Transformers Fan Club Part 4: Club Goodies

After a little hiatus of a few months, moving houses, which is always a headache, and the holiday period. It’s time for a new episode!

This part was initially going to be about the last pamphlet I have, the Club special offers, but something very unique came in between.

French Transformers Fan Club Part 2: The Club Announcement

Let’s look at all the pamphlets in more detail by starting with the Club announcement. I translated the French as you can see in the photo below. It is more or less an introduction letter to the club. What is interesting is that it says that the Hasbro Bradley mini product booklet should be included with this letter. One mystery solved, now we know where that booklet came from. Funny side note, the translation tool used "Disappointing" for “Décepticons” translation.

French Transformers Fan Club Part 1: Introduction

This and future installments are also posted on the Facebook group From the Vault - TF Showcase.

Some time ago, I was asked by my good friend Martin Sønderby Lund to be a guest writer for The Vault page. I want to share these articles also here on my blog since not everyone can read them on the Facebook group. So please enjoy.

I Still Function!

Photo: Hasbro Inc., / Sunbow Productions / Marvel Productions / The Transformers: The Movie, 1986 USA.

These were the legendary words that Megatron spoke in The Transformers: The Movie just before he got upgraded into Galvatron.

After a hiatus of more than 8 years, yes 8 years! I am back! What will happen to this blog is sort of similar to what Megatron went through, a change, an upgrade!

Well, what can you expect? For a short time, I have been guest writing for a Transformers Facebook page called From the Vault - TF Showcase. I will share some of those articles also over here, as well as write unique new content. Mainly focused on vintage Transformers Generation 1 subjects this time around.  Also, the Blog itself will get an esthetic upgrade. More on that soon.

Tracks update

The website TAG Hobby has posted a new scan of MP-25 Tracks from Dengeki Hobby Magazine.

This newly released picture of Tracks gives a good view of how the toy will eventually look like. It seems much better proportioned then the first released picture.

Tracks confirmed

The latest Masterpiece rumours were true! MP-25 will definitely be the Corvette Stingray Tracks. The first prototype picture of Tracks has been revealed. It's from a newly released hobby magazine in Japan.

The uncovered Magnus MP-10U KO

When MP-22 was announced, there were initially two camps. One that was really pleased with the all-in-one cartoon accurate transformation and one that rather wanted to have a white MP-10 Prime with a separate Magnus armor. Similar to the original G1 toy. Well both camps can be pleased now, because a KO of white MP-10 will also be released. As some already call him, the naked Ultra Magnus.

New Rumour upcoming Masterpieces

Several sources online claim that MP-25 will not be an updated version of Megatron, but actually the Autobot car Tracks. More upcoming Masterpieces are announced, MP-26 will be a red repaint of Tracks named Road Rage and MP-27 will most likely be Ironhide.
 

Masterpiece commercial

With the release of MP-22 Ultra Magnus, TakaraTomy also released a commercial for the Masterpiece line. Mainly focusing on Magnus, but also showing all the previous released Masterpiece cars. Actually all, but one. Because Red Alert is the only Autobot car that is absent in the video.

New details Ultra Magnus

Next in line is MP-22 Ultra Magnus. Just like Masterpiece Bumblebee, a couple weeks before its official release more information about the final toy is leaked. Today the Facebook page of RobotKingdom posted pictures of the final box and the collectors coin. If there will be an Amzon exclusive item, is not known up to now. But the chances are slim. The official release date for Ultra Magnus is the 27th of December.

Bumblebee extra's revealed

MP-21 Bumble’s (the Japanese name for Bumblebee) box, collectors coin and exclusive battle mask package are finally revealed. Within two days MP-21 will be shipped. So it is fairly late that those are leaked. The pictures are from the Facebook page of RobotKingdom.

Everything is now set for the official release on 29th of November. Next stop is Ultra Magnus.
 

Rumour MP-25?

With the approach of MP-21 Bumble and MP-22 Ultra Magnus and the releases of MP-23 Exhaust and MP-24 Star Saber. It paved the way for the announcement of MP-25.

A couple a days ago the interwebs went crazy because of the rumour that MP-25 will most likely be a new version of Megatron. Scaled within the new Masterpiece line. These are still just speculations and nothing is confirmed. But all signs are pointing in this direction.
 

Ratbat KO

I’m not a big fan of knock-offs (KO’s), but once in a while there is something you just can't let pass by. That's the thing with Masterpiece Ratbat. Ratbat was officially released on march the 23^rd of 2013 with MP-13B Soundblaster. Just like Laserbeak accompanied Masterpiece Soundwave. 

The Key to Vector Sigma

With the release of the Asian reissue of the Hasbro Masterpiece Optimus Prime, a special premium item was announced to come with it.

The Optimus Prime figure was supposed to come out on the 15th of October. But as of now it is known that it is delayed untill November, although Transformers Asia says the new date is the 24th of October. With that, just recently the special premium item has been revealed. It is Vector Sigma, and its key. From the cartoon episode "the Key to Vector Sigma" part 1 and 2. This is where the Stunticons and Aerialbots get their life sparks.

How its exactly going to look, and how big it will be, for that we have to wait untill the release of Masterpiece Optimus Prime. For now we have to do it with the picture of Vector Sigma.