I don't think there is a consensus. The numbers you see in the poll coupled with Amazon Japan pulling the listing (speculatively due to returns, but no one knows for certain) are all we really know with certainty. We don't have any way of knowing for certain how many out of the total production volume of the product will end up suffering from these issues. My gut read of it, looking at why it happens (the joint being two pieces instead of one, with one being considerably softer than the other and thus prone to warping over time,) says it's at least a possibility for everyone. But we can't really say for sure. Some possibilities that could preclude that though would be: They did a running change at some point and it's already been corrected for all current and future production runs. (We don't know, but some anecdotally have reported opening theirs and finding those two pieces already bonded together and not needing to do the fix.) Those in two pieces are somehow an assembly error and they were meant to be bonded all along and most are for all we know. In which case, presumably, all will be from now on. Some strange highly improbable but possible factors like the wrong material or material mixture somehow getting into a certain batch of parts making them softer than they should be - e.g. perhaps the softness isn't universal - etc. etc. Which could help explain why some people seem to be able to almost abuse him without the knees ever breaking. (Or maybe they just have really good luck - that's always possible too lol.) We have no idea, honestly. I do feel comfortable, personally, though I respect the views of those who disagree, saying that IF it was intended all along to be two pieces and for one to be softer than the other, then yes, imo it's a design flaw. Simply because physics, torque, and leverage clearly create the propensity for the issue to emerge in that case. Whether the tab is tracking correctly or not. If it's NOT intentional, and they overlooked it in assembly in the first few runs or something and it's been since corrected going forward, then it's more of an assembly or materials flaw. But what I feel 100% certain of, is that it's not predominantly user error. I think that much is clear. Right now, we're basically working under the assumption that the issue is at least possible in every unit, unless we can confirm a running fix has happened, or that it really is more isolated that it appears. It appears relatively widespread, though. But in absolute fairness, we can't say that with certainty right now. All we know for certain is that over 50 people here have had it, and that it isn't all just people mishandling their figure or the tab not tracking. And that 80 people haven't had it so far.
I can agree with this. There is a lot that is still unknown and as far as this poll goes, as great as a starting point it is, you may have hit on a key fact. What if there was a beneficial knee change somewhere throughout the run. A better poll would be who got which copy based on the production date. I know this is poll is harder to conduct with many MP-44s being exchanged/refunded, but for those still in hand, it may be a way to figure out your theories.
I tried this out last night and it seemed to work. I feel like I wore out the clip and tab on the passenger side near the tank so it's a little finicky, but that zig zag / feet part seemed to be another important step I did not know about. Thanks!
This is perfectly put. When I got the figure, the knees breaking and not functioning normally was getting me a bit worried and not making me enjoy the figure 100% so I applied the fix and never ever worried since.
Looks like someone changed their vote from none to one of the other options. Sorry to hear that whoever it was. Also appears we've added 5 more votes with issues. 55/79 (with issues/without) now.
I haven't handled mine much and when I do, I move the knees very slowly. For the sake of collecting data, 'F2619' are stamped on the figure and imprinted on the box. Inner tray and box were both double taped each on all ends except for one. Shipped from Hobby Link Japan last week.
Thanks for this one... it took me a few minutes to figure out exactly where you were highlighting on the figure. For others... maybe this other photo will help. If you untab the backpack and open it up.. the panel on the left is the final position for bot mode. Show as #1. Flip up the side panel highlighted, and rotate the section upward. The right side labeled as #2 is halfway.. to highlight exactly what you are moving. Fold that panel up and flatten the two wings so the alt mode truck front is flat. Keep rotating until that piece is flat and you have the view that @BrutiKing had in his photo... I rotated here so it keeps the perspective to the bot the same Take special note that the tab on the left in his photo is the original size.. the stub on right has been shaved to roughly half the width. This is the small area highlighted in yellow in my photo. I just used a fresh xacto knife.. and scraped and nibbled at the tab coming in from the side as shown by the blue arrow. At first it didn't seem like plastic was coming off easy.. but it was.. just use small motions with a fresh blade and it will come off quickly. 1-2min job tops. Thx @BrutiKing !
The serial number on my box is G0919. One of the rib plates (grey pieces) is loose on my mine, but no other issues to report. Paint job is almost perfect
Anyone with that number as well? I strongly feel that diecast metal should have been implemented on most of the leg area because the plastic is just to thin. This release imho was meant to be at least 30 percent diecast.
I agree some parts could have been made of die cast but not sure that would have solved some of the issues.
I fixed my knees the night i got my figure and the fix has held up great. Whats still driving me crazy is the amount of play in the hip joints on mine. ?They feel very loose and he slumps down in any pose with his legs out more than one click. When I watch reviews it dosent look like theyre all the same..
You can try to tighten the screws to add friction, or try @Jarrod ‘s fix, although it requires more skill to do.
I suppose I should clarify, the issue isnt the hips themselves. Its the white pieces that connect the hips to the pelvis. they move up and down like crazy on my copy which causes the legs to be wobbly and the whole figure to slump down when the legs are spread apart
Best red paint for minor ding touch up around the cab window frames in bot mode? Mr. Hobby Super Italian Red #158 was mentioned in the N&R forum thread? I will be drop filling with a brush, not airbrushing. I was lucky as my copy was pretty flawless with the exception of a couple of dings. Knees regular/extended are perfect and all joints (including the waist) are smooth and tight.
According to @Jarrod , yes. He couldn't match the Mr Hobby Red when hand brushing, though Brutiking said it's spot on for airbrush work. Jarrod tried Italian and reckons it work a treat when brushed
Thanks for the feedback. Much appreciated. I only have a few small chips to fill. So a small brush by hand should do it.
Mine was like that out of the box. Generations Jetfire has a bad case of this. Page 6 post #110 of this thread by @Jarrod shows how to fix.
