MP-52 Starscream Flaw Tracking And Fixes Thread

Discussion in 'Transformers Toy Discussion' started by Shin Densetsu, Jul 3, 2021.

?

Do you have any cracks or breakages on your MP-52 Starscream?

  1. Yes

    68 vote(s)
    45.0%
  2. No

    83 vote(s)
    55.0%
  1. Mike Witwicky

    Mike Witwicky Loyal Lieutenant

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    Cool, thank you. I'll give this a try before making a decision.
     
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  2. Shin Densetsu

    Shin Densetsu I WILL DESTROY YOU Content Contributor Veteran

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    Open up the lower leg panels that pivot outwards for transformation. This will let you move the feet back and forth and pivot at the ankle. You’ll be able to see the grey posts that the feet connect to, to check for the cracks. Try to look all around as if it’s cracked in back, you can’t see it from the front.
     
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  3. GodParticle

    GodParticle Well-Known Member

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    Tried future and that kiki stuff on the ankles and still not tight. There's just no way to get it into the joint from what I can tell. Mine wasn't floppy, but also not stiff enough to hold the weight without fear of tipping forward
     
  4. Shin Densetsu

    Shin Densetsu I WILL DESTROY YOU Content Contributor Veteran

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    I would look up posts by @Jarrod as he’s shown how he was able to take those apart and tighten. @Destructimis Prime was also able to remove the flathead pins and replace them with screws.
     
  5. GodParticle

    GodParticle Well-Known Member

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    Oh god no haha. I'm not even trying to take pins out of this thing
     
  6. supersoundwave75

    supersoundwave75 Member

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    I have a loose wing tip that has actually fallen off. I've attached a pic – in robot mode, it hangs just below Starscream's butt.

    It's supposed to swivel down, but when I do that, it just comes off. That's how loose it is. Is there any tool I can use to fix it?

    scream-loose.jpg
     
  7. Shin Densetsu

    Shin Densetsu I WILL DESTROY YOU Content Contributor Veteran

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    That one I’m not sure. Possibly popping the pin and and using a screw but I’m not sure if the threads will eventually wear the plastic down.
     
  8. Mike Witwicky

    Mike Witwicky Loyal Lieutenant

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    Well, I've decided to ship mine back to AmiAmi for a replacement. I didn't initially think I had any cracks under the vertical stabilizers but on further inspection I think I may have one. Plus, one of the air intakes is a little bit warped.

    I decided not to transform it at all so I could be sure to send it back in the same condition I received it. I have no idea whether or not I have cracked ankles, weak knee joints, hips that lack a ratchet or pulverized forearms. I hope I don't have any issues at all with the replacement. At the very least, I'm hoping for a better box.
     
  9. Roadbuster25

    Roadbuster25 Well-Known Member

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    Just transformed my starscream for the first time to bot. Didnt see any cracks. I need to do another scan and look based on the feedback posted.

    Only two issues I noticed
    1. The ankle tilts are loose. The flaw is the use of a pin instead of a ratchet or screw. The thrusters are loose but that is minor. I have found that putting down the landing door and using that as a heel helps the stability. Ankles are really important to get right. I am curious to hear other solutions for the loose heels.
    2. Separating the cockpit was painfully tight. I thought something was going to snap. Not sure why so tight.
     
  10. magick

    magick Well-Known Member

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    I haven't noticed any cracks yet, but I can't twist the nose cone for transformation. It just doesn't want to budge, even with a lot of force. Has anyone else run into this? I'm afraid if I force it more it will break. I don't see any screws anywhere to open it up. Is this a joint that can be glued?
     
  11. Shin Densetsu

    Shin Densetsu I WILL DESTROY YOU Content Contributor Veteran

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    Which area, the canopy?
    Not sure how to take that one apart. It is a tight section, mine took some force initially to turn and still somewhat does now. Main thing to know is that it’s on a hard detent. I twisted in the direction the instructions show but with more leverage away from the opening hinge(I was worried about accidentally snapping it).
     
  12. Roadbuster25

    Roadbuster25 Well-Known Member

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    The step after you lift the canopy. Split the top and lower half of the fuselage behind the canopy.
     
  13. Shin Densetsu

    Shin Densetsu I WILL DESTROY YOU Content Contributor Veteran

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    That might be due to the springloaded sections on the sides of the head, IIRC. I try to pinch the “ears” when moving.
     
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  14. volatus

    volatus Cat Herder

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    After catching up on this thread again, I am convinced this is what happened. They assembled these figures in a very warm room; sweat shop factory conditions. 90+ degrees, maybe even 100. Thermal expansion is at about the max it will ever see, and they tightly attach screws and pins to the figure. Then the figure goes out into the world and cools off. The plastic contracts, and suddenly the attachments are too tight, leading to very easy cracking and breakage. Anyone else agree?
     
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  15. Shin Densetsu

    Shin Densetsu I WILL DESTROY YOU Content Contributor Veteran

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    Can’t confirm. Most of the cracks are in the following areas:
    • Ankle posts
    • Engine nozzle hinges(dark grey)
    • Grey base beneath blue vertical stabilizers
    • Forearms
    Most of the cracks aren’t where screws are inserted, it’s mainly where pins/rivets are fired through and even so, it’s primarily for the aforementioned areas.

    There are several pins/rivets used on the top of the toy in jet mode yet most of those don’t have reported cracks.
     
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  16. Roadbuster25

    Roadbuster25 Well-Known Member

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    Ugh the ankle pin. It should have been a screw or ratchet or anything else. The entire figure relies on those ankles in bot mode.
     
  17. magick

    magick Well-Known Member

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    Thanks for the replies. Reading them here and watching a few more review videos gave me the fortitude to try twisting that nose cone joint even harder. It did finally turn, but man that's a scary joint! I do hope it isn't putting a lot of stress on a piece that later results in the whole cone falling off.
     
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  18. dljbae

    dljbae Well-Known Member

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    Anyone have these same issues? One of the wings wont tab in.

    1) the tab circled in red appears to be thicker than the other tab circled in green

    2) there is this bad scratch mark on the forearm. Anyone get replacement parts for this?

    With issue 1, it does affect the transformation in robot mode bc I can’t place the red thrusters flat, making it look too raised visually from the front display angle.

    I’m located in Asia and it’s not sure if hasbro has spare parts. .
     

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  19. tomac66

    tomac66 Well-Known Member

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    It would be very good if you updated the first post with all the areas of breaks and cracks, and if you put photos it would already be 10. :) 
     
  20. gibdozer

    gibdozer Censored

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    I mean all factories are hot. If that were the cause wouldn't it happen to all toys? It would've been an issue for years too. Were these built in Vietnam or China? What about Hound, same factories and workers? When it comes to labor you get what you pay for. Too bad you don't get what you pay for when it comes to Takara...
     
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