I got my MH-03 Tender in. It was definitely an impulse buy, given my recent interest in all-things-train (Moon Studio didn't exactly help). As such, I wasn't even sure exactly what I was getting aside from an obvious tender to go along with Thomas's alt mode (and I'm not sure I even cared, to be honest).

Anyway, my first impression is that it's probably a "meh" upgrade for most folks. The tender does what it advertises. It fits and rolls on the track, connects to Thomas, and looks the part. If anything, I wish there was more detail along the side of the tender, but nothing some random stickers might remedy (the most obvious being a Decepticon badge).

I didn't realize the Targetmaster figure was a direct repaint/KO of the one that came with FT Quietus until I had it in hand. I think it actually looks better in this deco than it does in the original black/silver deco with Quietus. However, I do think it's kinda weak that they couldn't come up with an original mold that didn't require the extra parts to turn into a more unique weapon for Thomas.

The extra rail-side signals are a real nice extra and I'm pleasantly surprised to see that it came with another chunk of track. I'm sure I'm being greedy, but it would have been nice if the extra track was a curved piece. Yes, I know that would have forced them to design tender bogeys that turned to fit the curved track, but that would have definitely made at least one customer that much happier.

Some random photos:

 

the only issue with the targetmaster not having to be a partsformer is that there is no way to get that length of barrel transformed down for bot mode.

 

Can anyone measure the height of this if they have it in shuttle mode on the stand? Reorganizing my shelf in preparation for the arrival of the toy mode in a few months and just want to make sure I have room. Thanks in advance.

 

Hi, given that the new reissue won't come with the tracks, how can I get ones? Or do I have to design ones myself!?  

 

Buy the KO haha

 

I think your best bet is indeed buying the KO...

 

Ya can buy mine (not KO) see here:

Fanstoys, Newage, G1 & more

 

I WANT MY SPACE CHOO CHHOO NAOW!!!

Eta anyone?

 

Nice pictures. I thought since you mentioned Moon Studios you might show some pictures of him.

 

Does anyone have the same problem as I do? The one of the smaller thrusters on the back is extremely loose and I have a feeling that's going to get lost one of these days. It looks like the ballpeg socket isn't deep enough to commodate the ballpeg on the metal thruster. Any kind of movement easily pops it out of the socket. Does anyone know any known fixes for this issue?

 

Might I suggest some FLOOOOOOOR POLISH????

 

Come on. Tell us how you really feel. You're among friends  

 

Guys what are your thoughts on the Toy color versions?

I have the US-T version (I grew up post G1 so my Astrotrain tended to be white with purple) on preorder but I am having second thoughts with just going with the regular grey version, my fears is the all that white is just going to be unpainted plastic like with Sovereign T and he is going to look super cheap.

 

With the cost/availability issues of good acrylic floor polish lately, I tend to use clear nail polish more than ever. It's thicker and dries faster, and is as good if not better on many situations. And a little bottle of quick-dry polish is quite cheap, if you avoid "fancy" brands/stores. (especially since clear is clear, it's basically just the raw ingredients)

Generally:
Ball-joint? Use Future/floor polish.
Tab/peg/slot/hole? Nail polish.

 

May I suggest KiKis special formula thing? That things works wonders

 

I paid for the Japanese version bc I like the look best

 

Cancel it. Wait for a sale if you really want it.

There will be plenty of cancellations, this is not cheap, and it is only 3 weeks until Christmas/Rent/Car Payments of cars people really can not afford/CC's/That trip people took on a HELOC.

You will be fine.