Kabaya Fort Max pics

[griffin]

The sixth wave of the current series of Kabaya Transformers Model kits is a set of three Fortress Maximus parts, and is scheduled for release this month... so might already be out now that images have been found (http://www.seibertron.com/transformers/news/kabaya-gum-plus-transformers-dx-fortress-maximus-series-inhand-images/25350/).

Note that the three parts are individually their own mini-battlestations that can form Fortress Maximus in all three of his classic modes, plus each part comes with a small Transformers character as well - Powerglide, Windcharger, Cerebros.

[5FDP]

For someone who has no idea about these things (including myself), how would one go about acquiring a Fort Max? Do you have to buy a whole case of them to get all the parts? Where can you buy these locally or online and how much? Cheers!

[griffin]

Maybe look out for a listing on a JP or HK online store... or just search ebay once they are released. Most of mine are from ebay, either as the set of three, or as a full master carton of 8 (if it was easier/cheaper).
I'd be hoping that they make the master cartons as 12s for this series, as no one is going to be wanting a single part of the 3-part Fort Max... and a carton of 8 is going to have a 2/3 of Fort Max in each left over.

[5FDP]

Thanks griffin. eBay it is.

[fatbot]

It's a carton of 5, so it should be one complete Fort Max & 2\3 of him

[griffin]

Five? That's even worse than the usual eight. At least you could get two sets per master carton before. They couldn't even get it up to six, to make it a pair per case. Hope it is at least a random pair as the extra two in the master carton, or else there will be a lot of extra, unwanted 2 parts going cheap on ebay.

[5FDP]

There's a new gallery on TFW (http://www.tfw2005.com/transformers-news/japanese-transformers-40/kabaya-dx-gum-transformers-fortress-maximus-in-hand-gallery-175629/).

After looking at these, I'm not sure if he's worth the $45 asking price (not including shipping) on BBTS. The 'unofficial' WST Fort Max actually looks better.

I have a question though - what is the assembly required for this? Are they all snap-together parts which come pre-painted, or is there a level of cutting and painting involved being a model kit?

[valkyrie_76]

Paid for mine yesterday so it should arrive sometime at the start of next week with my other stuff from AmiAmi.

So I will have two spare.

[GoktimusPrime]

They might come out in local Asian grocery stores (the last batch came out in Miracle supermarkets) -- albeit at inflated import prices. So I might get it if I come across it locally, otherwise not sure if I can be bothered to import myself.

[griffin]

I have a question though - what is the assembly required for this? Are they all snap-together parts which come pre-painted, or is there a level of cutting and painting involved being a model kit?

You've done some Arms-Micron Microns, yes?
Pretty much identical to that. You cut and trim unpainted parts from a tree, and you get a sticker sheet to add the "apps" yourself.
The only difference is that the Kabaya kits usually have 3 colours of plastics with each one (which is why a set of three will be certain "matching" characters based on their same colours).

This was a pic I took while constructing Deathsaurus from the last wave:

http://www.toycollectors.com.au/blog/321.jpg

I'd already cut out the blue and red parts, and was about to start on the grey parts.
(you can see the sticker sheet on the left as well)

Glue is not required, but I have it on hand, for parts that don't snap together enough... but just don't glue anything until after you've transformed the figure, as conversion requires some disassembly of parts.

A hobby knife/carton cutter is recommended for cutting out the parts (don't just pull or twist them out, as it distorts the plastic and whitens it, and sometimes tears out a chunk from the part itself), as well as for trimming off any of those excess bits of plastic (to give you smooth edges).

I also recommend tweezers for applying stickers. It gives you steady hands for lining them up exactly where they have to go, and makes it easier to see too (without having big fat fingers in the way).

One flaw of stickers though - they hide any sculpted details of the plastic underneath. Paint apps at least give us the colour details, and the sculpting they are sitting on.

[5FDP]

Thanks for the comprehensive post griffin :) I'm completely turned-off getting this now... seems like too much effort :p yes, I am lazy :o

[GoktimusPrime]

Oh yeah, the candy/gum kits totally aren't worth importing IMO. They're just super cheap disposable crap for kids to get to sell confectionary. In Japan they're dirt cheap, but then you gotta add the cost of shipping etc etc.

Occasionally if I find one at a local Asian grocery store, I might get it (even at inflated import prices -- but I rarely buy these things) ... but ceebs to import myself. :p I got Deathzaras from Miracle supermarket in World Square (Sydney CBD) -- there's a Miracle in Parramatta too (next to Woolies) but I haven't checked there. During BW/CR these kits were easier to find around various Australian Asian grocery stores, but nowadays not so much. I haven't seen any outside Miracle, but I guess if you happen to be shopping in your local Asian supermarket keep your eyes peeled for them. :)