Just checked mine. No damage thank goodness. That looks horrible. I hope that isn't going to happen to all of them.
This is not personal, but it would be rather humorous if all the newer toys disintegrated and fell apart in 10 years or less. G1 toys have the bad yellowing syndrome and the gold plastic ordeal with Black Zarack and others, but I've yet to see a G1 toy with age cracks like that. That wing looks like it would crumble if pinched or twisted lightly.
I am not sure how you can confirm that just from a pic. Its hard to say really. Typically, with GPS, there will be no "warning", so to speak. The plastic just crumbles. Someone posted a youtube video of their BW Neo Randy, just crumbling (it was difficult to watch). I doubt this is the same thing as GPS. It is probably more of a random QC issue, like with a few of the newer TFs.... animated and movie included.
Not that I've only worked with plastics and molding for many years. That has all the signs of brittle plastic. Too bad these toys aren't made from Delrin or Nylon. Even glass filled would be good! Op, if you are not afraid, go ahead and twist that wing slightly.....
Well, if we're gonna go ahead & peer pressure the guy into breaking his toy for our enjoyment (I mean for science), then shouldn't we at least make sure that he's catching it on video? I mean, pics are good & all, but you know...
I've got more than 10 ROTF voyager Starscream's ; none of them with this issue. Not sure what to think of your particular problem item....
looks like they're increasing their virgin to regrind material ratio. The more regrind used the less solid the plastic. Beige and tan are typically stronger plastics.
Mine doesn't have anything as bad as that, but the balljoint where the tail fin connects has a serious stress mark and one small crack. My Nebular Starscream though, seems to be fine.
What do these things run $ wise? Hell, just take a non affected Good/Broken/JUNKER and twist the hell out of the wing in a video and I can tell you about the plastic and what the causes are.
If you've worked in plastics it's obvious it's a regrind issue. Someone put waaay too much in. There's got to be a batch of these out there. I'm guessing the hoppers were the tall ones and big tubs so maybe a couple hundred out of half a million or more. Here's some info on regrind for anyone interested: http://www.ul.com/asiaonthemark/as-en/2003-Issue07/page5.htm I hated working with it as a utility. Itchy and gets into everything. Also very clingy with static.
Regrind? Where do you work with this, if you don't mind me asking? Usually this is all pre-measured by machine and no one handles it anymore. Melding plastics have nothing to do with the pics the OP posted anyway. That sample looks like it's been in the sun for about a year and will fall apart if touched! If it's not too pricey, I'd buy it from him to prove it!
...how would you prove that? i mean...sure it looks brittle as hell....but are you going to take a sample and get back to us a year from now?
AWESOME... I've got a spare where the bloody paint apps (tattoo's) fell right off... I would mind putting some stress on it and film it 720p All for science rignt... (OW GAWD I FEEL NERDY )