Side-Tracked: Recent Haul of TFs and Such (126) - Yamaguchi Revoltech VF-1J, HA Shadow Blade Sideswipe, TFA Shockwave, Optimus Primal + Megalligator

Long time did not splurge in CSC already, so today is just the bubble waiting to be burst...hahaha... Wanted to get a good gestalt set, but could only find JRX... and quite expensive... so in the end, did not buy... Gotten these instead...


Yamaguchi Revoltech Valkyrie VF-1J
It is not a part-former! Wow! Hahaha... I am very afraid to get part-formers for this Valkyrie models, so was quite pleased when realized it isn't... Did not try if can attach head to be placed in fighter mode... Chose this over the VF-1A because I like this head mold better... Price ~ $30...



Human Alliance Shadow Blade Sideswipe
As U-Toys ended the atrium sales, they now sell it at $40. This is thus considered a bit cheap... Also, I tried to order 1 online earlier but the TaoBao seller ran out of stock... It is one awesome HA TF!... except the huge backpack... anyway... Price ~ $35...




TFA Shockwave
A very weird box I bought... There are small parts in the box which I thought are dropped-outs from the main TF, but apparently it is not. I had to use LARGE forces to snap the parts (swiveling) back... so not sure if I got a "returned" box, or non-fully assembled one... scratched some skin off thumb accidentally during the forcing back of the parts... and QC is also not good... not worth, not worth... hahaha... anyway, price ~ $30...



Optimus Primal + Megalligator 2-Piece Pack
Did not get these when U-Toys are having the atrium sales, and I also don't know why... Have not opened yet, hope they are good... Price ~ $12



Now have to hope for the new FOC Bruticus to come and at a "affordable" price... Also hope my TaoBao items arrive soon...

Restoration - KO Dinogeist (Yuusha / Brave series)

Restored another shampoo-bottle-plastic KO again... this time, it is KO Dinogeist from the Yuusha / Brave series... Actually is quite a good KO, with many tight joints, but the molding is quite bad with many mis-alignments and flashes of the sprue... which often affects the joints or functions... The head is also remolded, and even with the forehead "V" shaped crest removed, the head cannot be turned 180 degrees backwards to hide in jet mode...

... anyway, here's Dinogeist in jet mode... very nice and sleek looking... However, fists are exposed without even covering at the top...



... worm's view of the jet mode...



... made a face-mask in the shield to slide up and cover the face in jet mode...



... robot mode... Picture below shows KO Dinogeist removed of stickers (left) and stickered state which he came as (right)...



... close-up view of the remolded robot head... not as cool-looking as the original one...



... This KO comes with only 1 sword (instead of 2) and a shield, which (sadly) I can only fit him on the arms these 2 ways... don't think this is how the authentic one attaches...




... My personal favourite mode is the dinosaur (???) mode... I must admit the "horns" on the dino-head looks weird initially but gradually grew on me... now I think it makes dinosaur mode looks much cuter...




... the spring-out cannons still work!!! (after removing much of the flashes that hinder the spring out motion path, that is...) Sweet...

Restoration - KO Cloudraker (Featuring KO Fastlane)

Bought 2 cheapo KO (shampoo-bottle) Fastlanes from TaoBao, with the intention of, you guessed it, modding the other to Cloudraker. After these figures arrived and before my commencement of the "operation", I chanced upon a set of KO Autobot Clones with near-identical colours in TaoBao, and at a relatively low price, and struggled whether to buy or not... In the end, gave up the thought, and focused on reviving this figure with my cheapo version... And it was way way more difficult than expected...

.... Legs are ready... restorer is too tired (or rather, lazy) to take pictures anymore...


... finally, Cloudraker is re-born!...


...transformation to jet mode is exactly the same... leg joints are not very well-aligned, but still, I am glad these legs can swivel... The jet canopy seems a bit too short, but heck, at least it is green (and blue)...




Optimus: "Fastlane! Cloudraker! I want you to search the planet until you find the key!"


Cloudraker: "Roger dodger, Optimus Prime!"
Fastlane: "Roger dodger, Optimus Prime!" ...