MP-19 Masterpiece Smokescreen

Toy Review - Smokescreen
Series - Takara Masterpiece
Sub-line - none
Size/class - MP Car
Wave - MP-19
New/remould/redeco - remould
Released here - No
Approximate Retail Price - 6825Y - $50-74AU (depending on where and when you bought)
Approximate Size - Bit bigger than deluxe
Allegiance - Autobot
Alt-mode - Datsun Fairlady 280ZX
Main Features/Gimmicks - retractable dual shouder cannons
Main Colours - Red, white and blue with 38 on the doors
Main Accessories - Gun , 2x shoulder cannon , Bio card


http://www.toycollectors.com.au/tftoys/jp2013a52.jpg
http://imageshack.us/a/img513/8652/nelk.jpg


He was one of my favourite figure as a kid because of the colour I guess , it so bright and stand out from the rest of the cars .
Just like the other MP Datson in transformation and articulation . His alt mode looks stunning and the paint app on him with the word decal are very nicely done and glossy , the only problem with my one is there was a scratch just above the back wheel which they try to cover it with another white paint.
I also like how he is different from the other Datson car by having a front bodykit , back spoiler ,different back lights , a totally different head and even the shoulder transformation of which the wheel being on the top of his shoulder now , totally setting him apart . All his joint are very stiff and some part you really have to force a snap to fit into place like his body to his chest ...The only problem I have is that his gun doesn't fit into his hand properly (The holes) but the hand closes around the handle tightly so it keep it in place. He look great in both mode and very accurate to the cartoons and a must have for any masterpiece collection

Smokescreen is my favourite version of the mould. He is the best looking in alt mode (although Bluestreak is very close) the colour scheme and front bar really add to it.

Paint application is great with mine being pretty much flawless. The only issue mine has, which is fairly common from what I have read is that he has trouble holding his gun correctly in his right hand.

Overall though, Smokescreen rocks. Buy him ;)

Still waiting for mine to arrive..:(

Colour scheme is fantastic ...... red, white and blue goes really well with the Western Bulldogs Football Club (Go Doggies!!!). My favourite of the three with this mould. I'm considering getting another one to display in bot and alt mode.

My only niggle is trying to snap lock in place his mid section to the bonnet in bot mode. I find it takes some brut force.

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Originally Posted by liegeprime

Still waiting for mine to arrive..:(

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I know what you mean. It isn't even posted, still sitting around in HLJland.

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Originally Posted by Megatran

My only niggle is trying to snap lock in place his mid section to the bonnet in bot mode. I find it takes some brut force.

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I just don't worry about that part. For posing it doesn't have any negative effects on him so just leave it not clipped ;)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Megatran

Colour scheme is fantastic ...... red, white and blue goes really well with the Western Bulldogs Football Club (Go Doggies!!!). My favourite of the three with this mould. I'm considering getting another one to display in bot and alt mode.

My only niggle is trying to snap lock in place his mid section to the bonnet in bot mode. I find it takes some brut force.

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by Trent

I just don't worry about that part. For posing it doesn't have any negative effects on him so just leave it not clipped ;)

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Man , have you tried to unclip it !! I was scared the whole bonnet going to snap off transforming him back to car mode!

With the the decal on him I was surprised that he doesn't have a "Sun , Moon "
on his front kit like on the commemorative art cover .....

So I did a quick custom to make him the way I always picture him , got a water slide for the word and put a grill behind the front kit, and fixed his launchers

http://imageshack.us/a/img547/4825/dzuy.jpg

http://imageshack.us/a/img89/6408/e5kk.jpg

http://imageshack.us/a/img577/8537/8o5r.jpg

Love him! I've been really impressed with all 3 Datsun moulds - all very unique! Smokey is no exception.

I really though I would like Smokescreen the best of the 3 Datsuns given that I have a soft spot for the character, rally inspired colours and bodykit but the hollowness of the front bodykit in bot mode really bothers me and makes the figure feel a little gappy. I like how they made the shoulder blasters connect and reckon they should've done a similar thing for Bluestreak's shoulder cannons. Nobody wants to see those things through the windshield in car mode.

Nonetheless this still leaves Bluestreak as my favourite of the 3.

Now that Smokescreen is out I'm definitely loving these 280z MP's more than the Countaches. They certainly feel like more love has been put into them by the design team.

i quite like lancalot's mesh mod - looks great and fills the gap nicely

given i'm new to collecting and it's my 3rd MP in 3 months :D i'm really enjoying it. The articulation is great and i'm loving how the ankle joints move

i think this guy will live at my work desk when i get back into the office next year

https://fbcdn-sphotos-f-a.akamaihd.n...85586729_n.jpg

Quote:

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Originally Posted by liegeprime

Still waiting for mine to arrive..:(

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Same here. Judging from the coins that people are posting w/ their MP Smokescreens, it appears that the Asian version has come out a bit earlier than the Japanese version. :o

Weeeeeeee!!! he has arrived... and I thought Id have to wait a week more, good ol postie comes when no one's in the house heheheh
:D:D
http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/b...ps328e9574.jpg

I like his car mode better than his robot mode for some reason heheheh....:p but, for space saving measures, he stays in bot mode for display...

@Gok, so the Jap version doesn't have coins?

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Originally Posted by liegeprime

@Gok, so the Jap version doesn't have coins?

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Nope. That seems to be a Sinophone market exclusive thing. The coins don't personally interest me all that much TBH. :o

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Originally Posted by GoktimusPrime

Nope. That seems to be a Sinophone market exclusive thing. The coins don't personally interest me all that much TBH. :o

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Same here, anything that would make this cost less, I will go for it.

I like this best because of the colour scheme. Amazing how some colour can make all the difference.

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Originally Posted by drifand

Same here, anything that would make this cost less, I will go for it.

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Are they actually charging extra for the coin or is it a free bonus item? Just outta curiosity, what's the preorder and standard retail price for Sinophone (Asian) market MP Smokescreen? I'm just asking to compare it with TakaraTOMY's price to see how much extra is being charged for the coin (if any). TakaraTOMY's RRP for MP Smokescreen is ￥6825 ($74), and Amazon JP's preorder price is ￥4963 ($53).

Hey lancalot, you might like to correct some of MP Smokescreen's info on post #1. (I've made similar mistakes from copying/pasting from previous threads too :o) :)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by lancalot

Toy Review - Streak
Approximate Retail Price - 6090Y - $50-70AU (depending on where and when you bought)
Alt-mode - Datsun Fairlady 280ZX Turbo

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Somewhat interesting to note that Smokescreen's RRP is 735JPY dearer than Prowl and Bluestreak. I'm guessing the additional $7.90 is for the launchers. :o

I wouldn't think the extra weapons alone is the cost, might be the paint, and the extra body skirtings. I would thing G2 sideswipe would be in the same ballpark?

In the end, it is about $10-$15 more for the coin but for those who get the launchers might be worth it. It didn't bothered me in my case. I am happy to pay under the 6000 yen ballpark shipped.

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Originally Posted by drifand

I would thing G2 sideswipe would be in the same ballpark?

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Yeah, both MP G2 Lambor and Smokescreen are the same standard price, so I guess the extra $7.50 must be for the additional retooling. I'm assuming the Nissan heads are all gang moulded together, so probably for the launchers, fender and spoiler for Smokescreen; and the spiked tyres and weapons for G2 Lambor.

Transform and roll out
https://fbcdn-sphotos-f-a.akamaihd.n...97889086_n.jpg

Smokescreen looks stunning a great paintjob on him and he really looks unique of the 3 datsuns. Originally I was just going to buy only Prowl and Bluestreak but he just looks fantastic in both modes. Can't wait till Ultra Magnus comes out since I have plenty of cars to load into him now.

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Originally Posted by Nevac

Transform and roll out
https://fbcdn-sphotos-f-a.akamaihd.n...97889086_n.jpg

Smokescreen looks stunning a great paintjob on him and he really looks unique of the 3 datsuns. Originally I was just going to buy only Prowl and Bluestreak but he just looks fantastic in both modes. Can't wait till Ultra Magnus comes out since I have plenty of cars to load into him now.

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That looks AMAZING. :eek:

Loving the MPs - can't wait to see what comes in 2014 :)

http://i1329.photobucket.com/albums/...ps4dbf5bec.jpg


http://i1329.photobucket.com/albums/...ps874680bb.jpg

Got Smokescreen today. So happy! It's an awesome toy (along with his Datsun brethren, about whom I am unable to find review threads - can someone point the way for me?).

Unlike my MP Sideswipe, the paint apps are immaculate and bright, the mould itself is just so nicely done and I especially liked the transformation of the feet and legs, which is innovative and very well executed.

Also, kudos to Takara for making the three Datsun MP's different from one another in ways other than their colours. Really pleased they didn't take the easy way out on that count.

Only slight disappointment for me, which is the same as the most recent Autobot car MPs, and that is the lack of rubber tires, but it's a minor quibble.

Highly recommended!:D

Here's a link to my blog article on the MP Nissan trio! Hope you can check it out :)

http://www.koolkollectibles.net/2013...ece-mp-17.html

Smokescreen is nice, love the paint apps. Would have loved to actually have mesh across the 3 openings in the front body-kit, but small issue.

Of the 3, I like Streak the best still. Simplest and purest colour scheme and amazing headsculpt.

Got my MP Smokescreen today. I love the detail on the character, and also his car mode. If I was going to say something negative about him, I would've like some more detail done to his tail lights, like what the G1 version had.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Lordy

Got my MP Smokescreen today. I love the detail on the character, and also his car mode. If I was going to say something negative about him, I would've like some more detail done to his tail lights, like what the G1 version had.

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Yeah totally agree , I don't know what they where trying to do there with the back lights, there doesn't seem to be any reference of the real car racing car looking like that ... they should of left it like the other datson , I guess they where trying to make it look different :rolleyes:

Overall this toy is as well done as the other MP Nissans. I'm not fond of the unsightly gaps in the front fender in robot mode. I do like how they retooled the shoulders though -- I totally was not expecting that and it came as a complete surprise when I opened this toy and transformed it for the first time! :D Mine doesn't hold the rifle as tightly as Prowl and Bluestreak, especially on the right hand.

I got mine from Amazon JP which is where I got my MP Prowl and Bluestreak from, both of which came with an exclusive launcher (and before then my Amazon MP Soundwave w/ 2 extra Energon cubes). I was kinda disappointed that MP Smokescreen didn't come w/ any Amazon exclusive stuff. Would've been nice if they included a small cable that could clip onto the groove inside the palm (which Smokescreen used to hack into a slot machine in "The Gambler") ;) Yeah... Gok's 1st World Problems. :p

Like the other MP cars, I personally don't think MP Smokescreen is worth paying full RRP, especially considering that he's a bit more expensive than the others too. Recommended if you can get it below RRP. Now this is one time where preordering has worked out being more expensive for me! Since the toy came out, Amazon Japan has slashed their price, now selling MP Smokescreen at 47% off! :eek: i.e. 3618JPY (AU$38.50) -- of course, Amazon JP requires a Japanese postal address, so it's not an option that'll be available to everyone. But perhaps other retailers will start reducing their prices too, which would be good news for those who didn't preorder. :)

P.S.: Comparison pics between all 3 MP Nissans w/ G1, BT and Classicsverse posted on the MP Nissans Comparison Thread

Finally got around to opening this guy today. Like with Prowl I was very impressed with the transformation process and both modes look brilliant! Not a great fan of his shoulder cannons but they are accurate re: the cartoon and thats what MP's are all about so I'll happily keep them on him. :D

Smokescreen really is beautiful, such a nicely done paint job. I would have liked maybe a few more decals but what's there does look great. Maybe i'll see what Reprolabels comes up with.

Like others have said, i find the lack of grill on the front pretty strange though! There's obviously room for a piece in there so my first thought was that mine was missing a piece.

Can anyone think of a reason why it doesn't have the grill? I mean something like race cars not needing a grill so the engine keeps cooler? I'm just making up shit here, i don't know :D

The front end's quite similar to the Electramotive Datsun #38/83 that Smokescreen is based on :)

Here's Maz's article
http://www.tf-1.com/articles/pretf_f...rt=smokesample

Yeah i've seen that before.
It's a bit hard to tell from the photos of the real car, but the inclusion of grill stickers on G1 Smokescreen seems to imply the real car had a grill in the space at the front as well.

I think they rush his release and just didn't bother about the front grill , same with the back lights... plus they where making it to a more cartoon accurate , so black mean it hollow :confused:

Maybe they just didn't account for it in the mould tree of black parts or something and realised too late.

My MP Smokescreen doesn't hold his gun properly in his right hand, but holds it fine in his left hand. I initially thought that this was an isolated problem just w/ my toy, but I've heard from at least two other people who've experienced the same issue. Has anyone else experienced this? It's not a massive problem -- it just means my Smokescreen can only hold his rifle with his left hand... but my Prowl and Bluestreak don't have this problem (they're able to hold their guns w/ equal tightness on both hands). Has anyone else encountered this issue?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by kurdt_the_goat

Like others have said, i find the lack of grill on the front pretty strange though! There's obviously room for a piece in there so my first thought was that mine was missing a piece.

Can anyone think of a reason why it doesn't have the grill? I mean something like race cars not needing a grill so the engine keeps cooler? I'm just making up shit here, i don't know :D

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They're speed holes. Makes the car go faster. ;)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by GoktimusPrime

My MP Smokescreen doesn't hold his gun properly in his right hand, but holds it fine in his left hand. I initially thought that this was an isolated problem just w/ my toy, but I've heard from at least two other people who've experienced the same issue. Has anyone else experienced this? It's not a massive problem -- it just means my Smokescreen can only hold his rifle with his left hand... but my Prowl and Bluestreak don't have this problem (they're able to hold their guns w/ equal tightness on both hands). Has anyone else encountered this issue?


They're speed holes. Makes the car go faster. ;)

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Mine's the same. Haven't really investigated why yet but I'll be fixing mine because all my autobots are right handed. If he's a lefty he might as well be a decepticon in my book. :p

Yeah same problem with Smokescreen and Bluestreak, my Prowl on the other hand can hold his gun in either hand.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by kurdt_the_goat

Yeah i've seen that before.
It's a bit hard to tell from the photos of the real car, but the inclusion of grill stickers on G1 Smokescreen seems to imply the real car had a grill in the space at the front as well.

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I agree, it would've had to have one -you wouldn't want any debris flying into the radiator, or the engine for that matter and damaging it

As for holding his gun, mine's the opposite. Both of his hands are really tight, especially the left

Cracked mine open today. very nice! Glad I read the comments about the grill beforehand, as I thought he was missing a part when I first saw it, but looking back at toy images, and even in the instructions, there is a gap there too.

Looks great. gun is nice and tight. Shoulder missiles big n bulky and the paint work is delightful.! Glad I got him! Really stands out with his strong colours too!

A must have, even over Prowl and Bluestreak.