Knockoff Springer, Sideswipe, Red Alert, and Octane

[Gutsman Heavy]

Excuse my ignorance here, but was Springer a Hasbro US produced toy, rather than Takara? What about the other tripple changes - same deal?

I don't think so, I know that Blitzwing was a Diaclone toy originally, so not all triple changers are originally TFs

[kup]

I don't think so, I know that Blitzwing was a Diaclone toy originally, so not all triple changers are originally TFs

That's correct, Blitzwing is Diaclone.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NZ3HB8Zt2VY

[dirge]

Takara produced almost all of G1's toys. The exceptions were those licensed from non-Takara toylines, such as Jetfire, Shockwave, dx Insecticons, Roadbuster, Whirl. And Omega Supreme, which was Tomy (hence the recent issue in Japan - not quite a reissue over there).

So Springer's reissuing would likely be TakaraTomy's choice, rather than Hasbro - who seem to follow TT's lead with respect to reissues. About the only exceptions were Hoist, Bluestreak & Dirge (which were not reissued as general release in Japan).

[canofwhoopass_87]

This is seriously annoying news. Some of the offers and questions asked by some of the idiots at the bottom of that octane sale page are pathetic. Dammit man.....NOT SPRINGER!

It's already tough enough dodging the rest of the KO crap out there. Thanks for the heads up though

[heroic_decepticon]

Not sure if this is old news or new, but when I was in Singapore, I saw the following which I'm pretty sure were knockoffs:

- all 5 G1 US boxed Dinobots;
- US box G1 Devastator giftset; and
- US box G1 Wheeljack.

[Robzy]

Boo!!! Enough with the KOs! Let's have the real thing!

[GoktimusPrime]

Diaclone and Microman were made by Takara. That's why we had Microman figures integrated into Transformers in 2004 (Kicker and Gamede) to commemorate Microman's 30th Anniversary.

We are assuming that the Sprung and Octone moulds aren't lost or damaged.

[reillyd]

Quick question. I've seen multiples of many items like Nightbeat MISB (all using same photo) at http://shop.ebay.com/merchant/girltf...Q_fromZQQ_ipgZ

and many multiples of "slightly damaged" Twintwists from other sellers. Does anyone know if there is a master list of knock-offs? Given that Hasbro always sold items by case assortments, and not a whole case of a single item, it seems really unlikely that someone would have three or more of the 1 item, no?