Things you never realised about Transformers (toys etc)

[griffin]

While updating the 2013 checklist, I just found out that there were actually two pairs of non-convertible TFPrime toys (Bumblebee & Optimus).
A 12 inch version of each for $10 each, and a 16 inch version of each as a TRU exclusive for $25 each.
The sculpting is very similar between each size, but there are some missing paint apps on the smaller pair. I bought the smaller pair from Amazon, without even realising that the pair I saw at TRU in America last June was a different pair.
Paulbot even sighted them in December at a Toyworld, but since they were AU$21, it is likely the small pair.
(yes, I know most here won't even consider these as Transformers toys, let alone even think of buying them)

Also while doing up the checklist, I found that the third wave of BotShots doesn't appear to have been released in America yet, but were found here early December.
(and I thought I already had them, but now realise I was thinking of the previous wave... so I'd better go find them while they are still in stores)

Speaking of BotShots,through a process of elimination, it seems that a pairing up of an unknown silver redeco of the 3pack Cindersaur (at the US Toyfair in 2012) with the Hasbro database listing that leaked in November, has resulted in it being known as "Rom the Space Knight" (as that was the actual Hasbro database name).
Since there were two BotShots numbers skipped in Series two (number 7 & 10), this is likely to be one of them. The other one that was skipped was a blue redeco of the 3pack Cindersaur (an unlucky mould with 2 versions missed), which was listed in an Asian catalogue as "Stormrazor". A reason why it was skipped may well be due to a last minute name-change of the main-line Stormrazor toy into Skystalker after the toys were already packaged... but that is just speculation, because the packaging would just be re-labelled, like PCC Spastic was (and Hasbro wouldn't care if a mere BotShots redeco had the wrong name, unless it was a trademark issue with Stormrazor).
In the end, they've used the name Skystalker on one of the next 3packs, that should have been out by now, but it seems as though BotShots are dead in the water (despite being touted as being one of Hasbro's most successful TFs lines last year).

On a related note, the Japanese GO! 3-pack of BeCool/BotShots is not just a redeco, but a mixing of body parts for each.
Kenzan is mostly Prowl with Mirage's bumper section.
Jinbu is mostly Starscream with Powerglide's head & chest section.
Ganoh is mostly Sentinel Prime with Brawl's head & chest section.