[Transformers Masterpiece] MP-09 Rodimus Convoy

The central feature of TakaraTomy's Masterpiece incarnation of good ol' Roddy is its ability to transform from Hot Rod to Rodimus Prime in both robot and vehicle modes.

Extensions in the figure's hips give Rodimus some slight extra height over Hot Rod, while a spring-loaded pop-out second face, revealed when the figure's helmet is tilted back, gives him his older, lined features; this face is somewhat narrower than Hot Rod's, combining with a slight elevation of the back-mounted spoiler to further create the illusion of a larger figure.

Contrary to expectations, creating Rodimus Prime's vehicle mode does not simply involve slotting Hot Rod's car mode into the larger trailer section; in fact, Hot Rod fits into the trailer backwards, and an entirely new vehicle-front—featuring Rodimus's shorter hood and smaller canopy and lacking an exposed engine block—fips out from beneath the trailer and wraps around his rear end. Both vehicles feature opening canopies, though only Hot Rod has any sculpted interior detail of note.

As with most Masterpiece figures, the toy attempts to reproduce Hot Rod's cartoon appearance as faithfully as possible; consequently, this is the first toy to actually render Hot Rod in his cartoon-accurate magenta coloration. Of course, there was no way to make the figure switch to burgundy for Rodimus mode, but in compensation, the front of the cab features the two tone coloration Rodimus Prime featured in the animation.

As with his original toy, Rodimus Prime's trailer opens up into the Mobile Defense Bay, now through a spring-loaded transformation activated by pressing a button on the trailer's roof. Furthering his armament, the figure comes with Hot Rod's two twin Photon Lasers, which can combine and extend through a spring-loaded automorph-style process into Rodimus Prime's larger Photon Eliminator. The guns can store within his trailer, and mount on any one of six different ports in Defense Bay mode for additional firepower.

Like the original Hot Rod toy, a single Photon Laser can mount in the vehicle mode's engine block. The Transformers: The Movie is the source of inspiration for the rest of his additional gadgets and features, including a built-in version of the retractable visor from the Lookout Mountain scene, (dropped over the figure's eyes by rotating the circular "ears" on its helmet), the buzzsaw he used in battle on Quintessa, and the welding torch he used to repair Kup. Both saw and torch store inside his trailer while not in use, and attach to universal clips which rotate out of his forearms.

Lastly, and naturally, he also comes with a Matrix of Leadership accessory which stores within his chest, much smaller than the one included with Masterpiece Optimus Prime, to the extent that Rodimus cannot even hold it by its handles.

Unfortunately, Masterpiece Rodimus has suffered from numerous quality control issues, which vary from figure to figure. Commonly reported problems include fragile leg panels which break off with ease, the inability of the figure to hold its guns due to shallow peg-holes which conflict with the bending angle of his hands, the springs within the figure's ankles becoming unwound, and the spoiler/backpack assembly refusing to clip into place. Mostly infamously, the slot on the trailer into which the spoiler slips is extremely narrow as a consequence of its interior being painted; as a result, paint is invariably scraped off the inside and leaves disfiguring marks on the spoiler when the figure is transformed to Rodimus Prime vehicle mode.
#Transformers
#Masterpiece
#tf_mp
#rodimus
#takaratomy
#hasbro

Видео [Transformers Masterpiece] MP-09 Rodimus Convoy канала Mr & Mrs.ToiletPaper