TW-T03: 3rd Party G1 Throttlebot - Chase

[SuspectimusPrime]

Toy World TW-T03 Trace up for grabs via Robotkingdom ($56) (http://www.robotkingdom.com/twt03.html) and Chimungmung ($55) (http://chimungmung.com/product_info.php?products_id=1575&osCsid=l2q8aabkne5c1cgg8pco6rveu4).

Not much news from in a while, but it looks like the third member of the not-Throttlebots is finally available for shipping (quite an impressive improvement from when Aurora's release date was pushed back due to the Chinese Golden Week). This availability seems isolated to the HK-based websites as BBTS (http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/product.aspx?product=TOW10004&mode=retail) and TFSource (http://tfsource.com/toyworld/chase/) has yet to make the same update (as of this post).

Both websites have also added the below interesting images. Don't get too excited just yet, the tiny disclaimer on RK's image states that the fist comes from MMC (Feral Rex's gestalt fist).

Via Chimungmung:
http://chimungmung.com/images/tW-T03as.jpg

Via RK:
http://d189416tiwt46o.cloudfront.net/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/b2e50343c9e1b8efa714b6b45a88349d/0/0/005_1_7.jpg

I'll be happy enough for all six of these guys to be released, let alone combine!

[kup]

Still not convinced they are a combiner despite popular perception.

[Trent]

Still not convinced they are a combiner despite popular perception.

Despite the fact that those arm mode photos come directly from Toyworld's own website?? (http://www.toyworld.jp/cms_item.php?id=12)

If you're right, then that would make them the biggest bunch of #%$^holes the planets has ever seen :p

[kup]

Despite the fact that those arm mode photos come directly from Toyworld's own website?? (http://www.toyworld.jp/cms_item.php?id=12)

If you're right, then that would make them the biggest bunch of #%$^holes the planets has ever seen :p

Are they or is it just the retailers doing it? Why would they need a Feral Rex fist and why don't any of the previous toy show any engineering that would be for combination?

[Trent]

Are they or is it just the retailers doing it? Why would they need a Feral Rex fist and why don't any of the previous toy show any engineering that would be for combination?

As per my link, those photos are on Toyworld's website. And if they weren't doing a combiner, why would they perpetuate the myth by posting those pics? That doesn't make any sense.

Unless they're a bunch of tools of course.

But I have no idea why they aren't using their own fists, unless they only wan tot show finished products, which they aren't yet :confused:

[kaiden]

I know I've seen leg and now arm pics, the only thing missing is the core body.

I think the reason why they're using FeralRex's fist is because they haven't designed one of their own. Since the the throttlebots don't originally have a gestalt form and its just Toyworld making it a gimmick so you'll buy them all.

I'm assuming Wide Load will act as the Long Haul and Goldbug will be the upper chest.

[liegeprime]

The thing is, if these figures really were meant to combine, I haven't seen them put a combiner part with any of the released figures. Does this mean they're going to release a combiner pack - head, hands, chest plate and feet plates - at the end release of every figure to most likely get more money by selling the combiner parts separate? Although they have said the figures have good QC I haven't bitten with any interest in getting one so far....

[Trent]

Yeah I don't really have any interest in these figures so whether they combine or not is inconsequential to me. While they do look nice I just cant get into them.

[llamatron]

I'm pretty keen on them but Grind Rod is sold out everywhere and going up in price. Too late to start now!

[SuspectimusPrime]

I'm pretty keen on them but Grind Rod is sold out everywhere and going up in price. Too late to start now!

I'm really surprised at those eBay scalper prices. A few months ago, Chimungmung sold Grind Rod and Aurora together for around $120 I believe.

Grind Rod's plastic quality feels noticeably better than Aurora and Hard Bone. I've just ordered Trace through Chimungmung, and will take plenty of pics when he arrives.

[kup]

As per my link, those photos are on Toyworld's website. And if they weren't doing a combiner, why would they perpetuate the myth by posting those pics? That doesn't make any sense.

Unless they're a bunch of tools of course.

But I have no idea why they aren't using their own fists, unless they only wan tot show finished products, which they aren't yet :confused:

At the same time in their Facebook page, they have the pics with a "lol" as in implying something:

https://www.facebook.com/pages/ToyWorld/342554195772524

I am still not 100% that those are actually their pics and that they just saw them and put them up.

[Trent]

At the same time in their Facebook page, they have the pics with a "lol" as in implying something:

https://www.facebook.com/pages/ToyWorld/342554195772524

I am still not 100% that those are actually their pics and that they just saw them and put them up.

Well there you go. As I said, I'm not fussed either way as I don't wan these guys anyway.

I'll watch with interest.

[Deonasis]

These guys look great. If it did combine that is a bonus but I would be concerned about the proportions of a gestalt so far. The leg mode of Grindrod and Aurora look like the lower legs but Chase would be a full arm. Consider another autobot as a full arm and you only have 2 more robots for the upper legs and torso which is usually ok but these are all tubby guys. Maybe the 7th Throttlebot (called Throttlebot) (http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Throttlebot) who is a helicopter could be used to aid proportions?

[SuspectimusPrime]

At the same time in their Facebook page, they have the pics with a "lol" as in implying something:

https://www.facebook.com/pages/ToyWorld/342554195772524

I am still not 100% that those are actually their pics and that they just saw them and put them up.

That would be funny if it's totally not the type of arm-mode they had in mind (maybe something with more gestalt parts-forming?) or if they were just making fun at the 'unofficial' hype over a gestalt mode (I don't see why they would do that considering that it's definitely being mentioned by their resellers).


These guys look great. If it did combine that is a bonus but I would be concerned about the proportions of a gestalt so far. The leg mode of Grindrod and Aurora look like the lower legs but Chase would be a full arm. Consider another autobot as a full arm and you only have 2 more robots for the upper legs and torso which is usually ok but these are all tubby guys. Maybe the 7th Throttlebot (called Throttlebot) (http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Throttlebot) who is a helicopter could be used to aid proportions?

End result - Something like GoBots Puzzler at best?
Peaugh's review: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S4wnmDtyRN8
eBay: http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/GO-BOTS-very-first-TRANSFORMER-combiner-PUZZLER-100-complete-bandai-japan-/251391056563?pt=US_Action_Figures&hash=item3a88131ab3&_uhb=1

http://fc03.deviantart.net/fs25/f/2008/184/5/b/Gobots_Puzzler__commission__by_a_loft_on_cybertron .jpg


... but these are all tubby guys.

That's definitely part of their appeal!

[Deonasis]

Yes i thought of Puzzler too! :) The great idea that Puzzler sort of did(atleast asthetically) but HasTak has rarely done (if ever well) is use the arms as complete shoulders so the torso bot is free to try fill more chest height or depth.

Here is a combiner sidetopic/rant.. I have never understood why HasTak continue the tradition of using the actual connection as the swivel. I think it is a weak connection option and something even scramble city dudes can work around to form a more solid combiner.

[SuspectimusPrime]

Had a good play with this guy after work (shipping arrived at record times!). The quality of plastic is definitely an upgrade from TW-T02 Aurora but still feels like a downgrade from TW-T01 Grind Rod.

I definitely love it, the alt mode's car exterior has a nice texture similar to that on your keyboard. Edges are crisp - they will hurt if you're just randomly grasping it by the edges. Speaking of alt mode, as with the first two, it rolls like a dream with no wheel alignment issues.

Joints are nice and stiff in all areas; once again like his predecessors, too stiff around the shoulders and the moving parts within the chest. Zero loose parts. Hand peg holes for the gun is once again very tight (I didn't push it, but couldn't gently get it into the right hand but it isn't too hard to get it into the left hand). Transformation is more intuitive and easier to handle than the first two though.

http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/ii640/Suspectimus/ToyWorld_Trace_002_Front_zps5e944e69.jpg

http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/ii640/Suspectimus/ToyWorld_Trace_005_Side_Kibble_zps3c54cb1a.jpg

http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/ii640/Suspectimus/ToyWorld_Trace_006_Back_Kibble_zpsa976af79.jpg

http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/ii640/Suspectimus/ToyWorld_Trace_004_Closeup_Headsculpt_zps13cc483e. jpg

It is interesting to point out that there are two large 5mm peg holes within his chest or the underside of the alt mode. These two peg holes do not appear to serve any other purpose during robot mode or alt mode.

http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/ii640/Suspectimus/ToyWorld_Trace_007_Chest_zpse8d65e95.jpg

Same peg holes, with his weapon pegged into it.

http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/ii640/Suspectimus/ToyWorld_Trace_008_Chest_with_Gun_zpsfc970f2a.jpg

He also has two sets of post and ports on either sides of the inside calves. Once again, these post and ports do not serve any purpose during robot mode, and do not peg together during alt mode.

http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/ii640/Suspectimus/ToyWorld_Trace_009_Calf_Posts_and_Ports_zpsb0c7b3f 2.jpg

His inside heels also reveal two 5mm peg holes with nothing else to peg into. I've pegged his weapon in as an example.

http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/ii640/Suspectimus/ToyWorld_Trace_010_Inner_Heel_Ports_zps1db4092a.jp g

It's interesting to note that the original prototype did not appear to have these same inner-calf post/ports nor the inner-heel peg holes. Images via TFW2005. (http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/transformers-3rd-party-discussion/888124-toyworld-tw-t03-trace.html)

http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/attachments/transformers-3rd-party-discussion/27362037d1367603758-toyworld-tw-t03-trace-blerlh.jpg

Can't remember where I've stored Grind Rod or Aurora, but here's a quick size comparison with TG Senator Ratbat and also uhh.. another Red/Blue 'transformer': Character's Convertible Unholy Abomination Postman Pat (anniversary present..).

http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/ii640/Suspectimus/ToyWorld_Trace_011_Comparison_with_TG_Ratbat_zps30 fd3fd7.jpg

http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/ii640/Suspectimus/ToyWorld_Trace_012_Comparison_with_Postman_Pat_zps 61f328ed.jpg

[Trent]

He desperately needs an Autobot symbol in the middle of his chest.

Looking good!

[kup]

Nice pics SuspectimusPrime!

Now my conspiracy theory time:

Based on the pics and observations above, Trace seems to be the first toy of this series to actually have potential combiner engineering. Neither Grindrod or Aurora had any and what is shown by stores/fans is at best incidental or improvised.

However, it is now popularly believed that these toys combine due to store advertisement and now most people are expecting that. It is very possible that Toyworld is making them into a combining team from Trace onwards and retroactively adapting Grindrod and Auroa into it. I am pretty sure that given all the combiner 'advertisement' it would be terrible PR if it turns out not to be the case.

Personally, I don't really care about the combining feature for these characters. Not at all. However I will be annoyed if one of them is severely compromised due to it. I hope that doesn't happen but that is the nature of 'combiners'.