Legacy Pointblank/Blanker In Hand Preview

Discussion in 'Transformers News and Rumors' started by vproject, Aug 18, 2022.

  1. RePUGnicon

    RePUGnicon A very indecisive individual

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    In theory an easy solution to give him bicep swivels will be unscrewing his shoulders and popping out the forearms Screenshot_20220820-160747_Chrome.jpg
    Then just designing new biceps that slot in like normal shouldn't be too difficult. The only reason this looks like it wasn't done was because of budget cuts.
     
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  2. Jeddostotle7

    Jeddostotle7 Well-Known "Member"

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    That would be easier in terms of installation on the customer's side, but then the 3P designer would have to design round upper arms w/ bicep swivels that still manage to rotate in the rather tight space when the arms are extended outward at the shoulder; not impossible, but in that tight of a space might lead to iffy results unless the 3P company's able to manage fairly tight tolerances. On the other hand, taking advantage of the already-present hinge below the swivel by just producing a new red block piece with the grill detail recessed or flattened backwards and with a rounded edge on the front bottom so that hinge could move forward and act as a more useful elbow (both in range and in terms of being below a swivel), in addition to the existing backwards movement for transformation, would be easier on the designer's side.... but more difficult on the customer's side in terms of installation, since while the forearm is only held together by a screw and so getting it off the red block would be easy, getting the red block off the black intended-elbow-hinge would be harder since it's pinned into it with a flathead pin. So no ideal solutions I can see so far.
     
  3. RePUGnicon

    RePUGnicon A very indecisive individual

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    Yeah that seems a little challenging to do. To be honest I might try and do this myself when I get pointblank. The only thing is I can't design heads so that will probably be left for someone else.
     
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  4. skunkobot

    skunkobot Well-Known Member

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    Messing with the forearms messes with the transformation as well. At the very least you’re messing with the front fascia.
     
  5. Jeddostotle7

    Jeddostotle7 Well-Known "Member"

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    Yeah, I know. The idea of making a new replacement red block is because as is you can just unscrew and remove the forearm, swivel the red block around 180 degrees, then reinstall the forearm, and get the useful elbow hinge below swivel that way with no real modification or new parts involved, but then the forearm can't rotate in the direction actually needed for transformation. Creating a new red block that's identical except the car grill sculpt on the front of it is pushed back and bottom edge is rounded on the front like it already is on the back provides the elbow hinge functionality while maintaining transformation functionality. It does mess with the front fascia a bit, but imo the grill being a few millimeters more recessed is a fine tradeoff to actually make him pose worth shit while maintaining transformation, at least as third-party replacement parts go (especially given the vehicle mode is already sci-fi, rather than an actual Earth car). The only real problem is, as mentioned, that the existing red block's attachment to the black intended-elbow-hinge is a flathead pin, which may be difficult to remove and reinstall.
     
  6. PlanckEpoch

    PlanckEpoch Red and black red and black

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    Honestly I don't even care if say, DNA toys just makes us completely replace the arm. No need to worry about space or clearances. Redesign the damn thing and have us just swap it out. I wouldn't even care if it doesn't 100% match. I just want an arm with one of the most basic articulation intact lol.
     
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  7. Vanya

    Vanya Well-Known Member

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    I'm going to try to do it myself. Replacing the fists with proper ones that rotate should solve half the issues with arm articulation by allowing the arm to rotate on that elbow swivel.
    Turn the arms 90 degrees outward, turn the new fists 90 degrees inwards and that puts the big panel under the forearm and the red block facing outwards instead of in the way of the elbow bend.
    After that it's a matter of adding the bicep swivel. Hopefully that won't be too much of a pain in the butt.
     
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  8. Gumblor Gimbles

    Gumblor Gimbles Norn' Ironhide

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    "Stop raising prices hasbro!!!!!..... huh? The toy is missing one joint? Welp! Time to spend $20 on an upgrade kit."
     
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  9. Nova Maximus

    Nova Maximus Well-Known Member

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  10. Sandstormer

    Sandstormer Setting sail for Sureshot's search party

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    A fair and balanced review from PVP there, quite encouraging overall while acknowledging some of the figure's flaws.

    Obviously a third party company is going to make an engine block. Do you reckon they'll give us something to fit around the hips as well? That's the main sticking point for me.
     
    Last edited: Aug 31, 2022
  11. Vanya

    Vanya Well-Known Member

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    I think the hips are fine and fairly in line with the original G1 design.

    what I liked about the review the most is the confirmation that the arms would have worked better if they had been oriented differently.

    Also, I noticed that the hood pieces on the arms that make them look way too bulky didn't have to be there.
    They could have been one piece that attaches to the little bit of windshield and the whole assembly could still fold onto his back.
    It might need am extra hinge to make sit flush, but it would look way better.
    Definitely going to try modding it to do so.

    And then there's those side bits that like to fall off. Over engineered much?
    They could have and probably should have just folded up on a simple hinge like on the G1 version.

    The more I get a good look at this thing, the more I think they did a bunch of stuff just for the sake of doing it different instead of focusing on improve the G1 design.

    And as I have said before, to hell with that Peacemaker brick!
    I'd would rather have had the bicep swivel, hinged leg covers, and the engine-block-spoiler-shield thingy.
     
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  12. Dire 51

    Dire 51 Line Stepper.

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    But they are. Hasbo is straight lifing FT & 3P design techniques. It's almost as if we're seeing a "turnabout is fair play" thing going on
     
  13. Jeddostotle7

    Jeddostotle7 Well-Known "Member"

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    ...What does that have to do with supposed competition on an actual market level? If Hasbro and 3P companies are borrowing design and engineering techniques from each other, that still doesn't mean a $200 toy in a large size scale sold only on relatively-niche online retailers to adults is actually competing for the same sale as a $25 toy in a medium size scale sold in brick-and-mortar stores and on Amazon to kids and adults alike. They are catering to different markets, different collecting niches. There is crossover in their markets but even that crossover is not usually choosing between one or the other to be bought for the same spot in a collection.
     
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  14. Kain124

    Kain124 Well-Known Member

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    Dude, if Hasbro ever makes an MP Point Blank and tries to compete with Contact Shot they will fail. This Legacy design isn't a competition, it isn't even a Transformer really compared this 3rd party example.
     
  15. Jackalope

    Jackalope New Member

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  16. Lody666

    Lody666 Brother of Bruticus

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    Found Pointblank/Peacemaker, Crankcase and Skullgrin today. 

    digging Pointblank. Disappointed that Peacemaker is too G1 style Targetmaster and not more modern like recent years with the battle masters. 
     
  17. Neko-bot77

    Neko-bot77 Face it, we're doomed.

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    They could have made Peacemaker more articulated, but they only had so many VOYAGER spots open.
     
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  18. Sandstormer

    Sandstormer Setting sail for Sureshot's search party

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    It does look like he should have been a voyager but i for one like that Peacemaker is in the G1 style.

    I'm far more bothered about the dodgy hips - what's your impression of those in-hand, Lody?