Protectobot Evac Squad Hotspot

The Protectobot 2 packs are a chance to issue some recoloured versions of recent moulds while securing a few trade marks that Hasbro might need for next year's Combiner Wars which will almost certainly feature Protectobots and Defensor at some point. But Hot Spot himself has been done fairly recently by Hasbro as a Generations GDO toy using the Inferno version of the mould with a new head.

So what can they do here?

The answer is to produce a toy that's about as far away from being Hot Spot as it's possible to be!

Hot Spot's defining feature, however right or wrong that may be, is that he's a blue fire engine. This Hot Spot is a pinky orangey red in the main, a nicer colour than the far too dark original Inferno is. There are some painted blue panels, as well as a yellow/orange stripe so the colour combination is reminiscnet of Hot Spot's Operation Combination recolour Guard City. A lot of black is used too on more minor parts like the head, back panel, elbows, knees, and feet but the colour used most, apart from the red, is a grey on the fire engine side panels and robot waist & upper legs. All the clear pieces are now cast in a clear pale blue. Overall the look more says Inferno than Hot Spot and given the rarity of the Universe version I suspect this may be going in some collections to fill that hole.

The mold used here is basically Universe Inferno with some modified parts from the Grappel version of the toy: the shoulders, complete with C-clip bars, the head and Grappel's Crane arm.

This last part, also moulded in the grey plastic, really makes no sense. Apparently some fire departments do have cranes in their rescue gear but I don't recall ever seeing one on the streets. Just like Inferno, Hot Spot is a ladder fire engine and thus should have a ladder: expect a resurgence in value on the TFC Gear of War kit as fans try to kit out yet another version of this toy with the ladder Hasbro forgot.

The head I can live with: It's not Hot Spot - why didn't they use the modified 2012 head - but it is Inferno's cartoon head. The hands I'm pleased about: Grappel's couldn't hold anything! OK he doesn't come with a gun but I'm sure you can find him one: Mine's got the clear blue version of th 3P Fall of Cybertron Grimlock gun. The C-Clip bars I'm pleased about: bog fan of the c-clip system here.

Generally the toy feels OK though the hips, both the swivel at the top of the leg and the bending joint feel a little loose.

Bottom Line: If you want a modern Hotspot track down the GDO Voyager or wait with hope for next year. This toy is a passable Fire Chief, Inferno or Hosehead but still could do with a ladder to be a really good version of any of those.

 

Do both bots in the 2 pack share the same instruction sheet?

 

They do, opposite sides of the same sheet.

 

The sooner this is smiley is retired the better IMO.

You wouldn't want my pictures anyway: my hands are too wobbly with CMT at the moment to hold a camera straight

 

UGH! I hate when they do that

 

I got both these Portectobot sets in the mail yesterday. This is my first experience with the Blazemaster mold. The instructions are so small, they're nearly useless on such a complex mold. I wanted to throw the toy at the wall, I was so frustrated.

 

I loathe the Blazemaster mold

 

I guess he'd also make a cool Hightower for RID: 2001 fans...

 

LOL

 

It'd make for a good Classics RB Heatwave, I reckon

 

I adore it...LOVE that one..

I want this set just for this one

 

Sorry about the CMT, but... tripod.

 

The Blaze Master mold isnt the greatest!

 

Still no pixs in this thread?

 

Off-topic: The second pic is in the correct orientation on my PC. Don't know what went wrong after I uploaded to the board.

 

To me, it's not Hot Spot. It's Fire Chief, from Guard City. Voila, instant justification for the color.

 

Sorry if I took the liberty to turn it up for you  

 

Yep, definitely not Hot Spot, which thanks to family who picked him up for me at TRU when they release the Asian exclusives.

 

Blades' deco looks more like Fly-Up too.

I still wish they'd used the GDO Hot Spot head for this "Hot Spot"/Fire Chief, but oh well.