New Masterpiece Starscream - MP52

[griffin]

They must be really reducing the production numbers on these MP toys now, to not only justify the excessive prices (as limited edition pricing), but to also make sure that they don't "shelfwarm" forcing retailers to discount it back to a more affordable price, which collectors would then learn to wait for in future (losing the retailers money, and cutting back on future orders, which affects TakaraTomy on later products).

Just like the 3rd Optimus and some of the bigger Beast MPs, I just can't justify spending that much money on a "toy" that will probably only be transformed twice and then put on display in the Masterpiece shelf for the rest of its life. For me it has to have play value if it doesn't have size value.

[Skyfire]

Robot Kingdom jacked up the price.

They did - they were USD$199.90 (now $229.9) for a while as a preorder ($71 shipping). Robotoybase (chimungmung/Tony, also Hong Kong) also raised their price from $229.90 preorder to $239.90 and is available to buy now ($35 shipping).

[Skyfire]

First youtube review by Chosen Prime. I like him but expensive.

[mikebrucewayne]

where would you guys recommend is the best place to order this guy?

[High_Q]

The official Takara Tomy MP-52 page has an MP-52 transformation video.

[Skyfire]

Reports of some QC problems are coming through from TFW2005. Some emerging themes:

• Hairline cracking around the base of the right vertical fin straight out of the box or during gentle rotation of the fin. This seems to be a particular issue but not on all copies. Oddly the right side is reported more than the left.
• Cracking around the ankle.
• Loose ankles (with or without the cracking).
• 2 faces that are the same.

Reports from here and here.

[Tha_Phantom]

Reports of some QC problems are coming through from TFW2005. Some emerging themes:

• Hairline cracking around the base of the right vertical fin straight out of the box or during gentle rotation of the fin. This seems to be a particular issue but not on all copies. Oddly the right side is reported more than the left.
• Cracking around the ankle.
• Loose ankles (with or without the cracking).
• 2 faces that are the same.

Reports from here and here.

I'm surprised that nobody has broken the nosecone in twisting it for transformation. I really felt like I was going to snap it off when I did it and I know I'm not the only person who was concerned about that.

[Skyfire]

I'm surprised that nobody has broken the nosecone in twisting it for transformation. I really felt like I was going to snap it off when I did it and I know I'm not the only person who was concerned about that.

Yes, you are not the only one. Someone on TFW2005 was even considering using pliers, such was the stiffness.

[graza78]

Watched Bobby Skullface's review. The one he reviewed really struggled to stand up (loose knees and ridiculously loose ankles). Gonna skip this bot. Takara is on a bad QC roll.

[danny-boy]

I bought 2 copies, neither has cracks and the nosecone twist was the easiest part of the transformation. Ankles are solid. Actually the whole figure is rock solid. Easily the best MP ever released. I?d say it?s the best Transformers figure released in general. The transformation is beautiful. The aesthetics, paint, and materials are gorgeous in hand.

I can?t wait for Thundercracker and Skywarp.