My Capone arrived yesterday from TFS. I didn't even bother transforming Motormaster into his robot form. I am purchasing all three 3P Stunticon sets, one for each of their forms, and the DX9 set is for combined mode. I managed to transform the 75% of the trailer into Menasor and add the Motormaster "cube" into it. The biggest issue that I ran into was the very tight ratchets around the hip area. The forward/back hip movement and the thigh swivel are tight, but by far the tightest are the side joints. I made the mistake of not lubricating the ratchet mechanism and stupidly tried to force the legs into the last notch that seemingly is giving enough people issues. In the process I managed to break off the left hip skirt, which is able to snugly snap back in but is stressed/cracked enough to not survive another 1-2 transformations. I also stressed some of the other upper body flaps. A small black piece of the ratchet mechanism of the left hip side movement popped out. Does anyone know the purpose of these "tabs" in the ratchet? The ratchet joint still seems to work.
Just to add for those keeping tabs. I ordered my Capone from ShowZ on 1/9, shipped on 1/13 and it "processed through" NYC on 1/22. Hasn't moved since. Not nearly as bad as some so I'm just here...twiddling my thumbs and stuff.
I actually did the same exact thing with the right hip skirt, popped it off through manhandling the leg and damaged the sockets on both sides that snap onto the pegs. It does seem to hold on just fine so far.
Well, my Capone’s tracking from ShowZ updated 4 days straight and is now 25 min away. I guess he’ll arrive tomorrow.
So, Baba messaged me back, unfortunately with little info to go on. Apparently the Thanksgiving/Black Friday rush caused a huge backlog that was even further pushed back by Christmas, and a few shipments are finally getting through New York, even ones that left Beijing as early as 06-Dec, so the remaining should be getting through soon.... Maybe...
My tracking updated to say I missed delivery on Saturday!! Doh! So I can pick it up on Monday from the post office. It has ARRIVED!!
Nearly 2 months of waiting is about to end. My tracking updated and says it's out for delivery!!!!! Edit. It was just delivered to my house. I can't wait to get home and have a looksy.
It's good that some are getting updates and delivered. My last update was December 1st when it left Beijing still.
Show.Z. Preordered in Aug, Paid in Nov., Shipped Dec 3rd, Left Beijing on 12/5, 1/19/20-ISC New York, Delivered attempt 2/1/2020, picked up TODAY! I will say the box is MUCH HEAVIER than I expected. It was obviously very long as other reported. Box condition was decent, no signs of being opened by customs. Motormaster is a GREAT FIGURE. I think this one will likely be the one I'll be animating... we'll see. I do wish the trailer was a bit smaller, but it gives me a great idea for a little comedy short video I want to make this weekend. hehehe... Like others reported, I think I will lube the hinges on the hips.. they are crazy tight and feel like If I forced it, it would break. More to come as I mess around with it tonight.
Got Menasor tonight. Overall good. Dx9 engineering is still good for fun transformations but the look falls short in some areas. Sacrificing the alt mode trailer and some aspects of combined mode so the combiner parts can transform into something isn’t my preference. But they were able to still use good beefy hardware and ratchets so that’s good. Like others have stated, the connection for the leg cars are pretty bad, and the ankles seem a little blocky. Since they weren’t going hyper toon, it would have been nice for some curves or something else in the ankles. Excited for the rest of this set!
My dream is to build an entire city from LEGO™, then populate it with Transformers figures. My opinion; dioramas meant to house figures are of putting, they usually give off an uncanny valley feeling, which is remedied with the use of LEGO™. LEGO™ builds can be just as beautiful as a custom diorama, but with a nice bonus of not looking realistic, in the sense that it seems to give off an aura, a bright aura only LEGO™ can give off. Thus being the reason I am going to be using LEGO™.
I totally agree. That is why I used LEGO in my Stop motions with the Transformers. I love the scale and the world it creates. It makes the Transformers feel a bit "alien" to their world, while still looking fun and beautiful all at the same time.
