Hey guys. Here's a little on the KO Smokescreen. They FINALLY released it Box front: This isn't the first time I've bought a sealed Smokescreen of some description that's been packaged backwards. Anyway, the usual BT-style packaging is adopted again as this is a direct bootleg of something that was released in the Binaltech line, not a new KO-exclusive recolour. This one should also be available in the larger robot-mode packaging, similar to the way the Robot Masters were packaged. Box front (corrected): http://tinypic.com/mb0dw5.jpg Box back: http://tinypic.com/mb09pu.jpg Box top: http://tinypic.com/mb0ahd.jpg Box side: http://tinypic.com/mb0cwy.jpg Plenty in common with the official BT release, but when you put the two side-by-side, that's when the differences become clear: Box front comparison: While the KO has retained the names of Petter Solberg and Phil Mills on the rear windows, they have not retained the Subaru logo or name (or www.swrt.com website link) on the vehicle. Many sponsors are still there, including Prodrive, the company that runs the Rally team. The yellow is brighter on the BT, but the KO has lighter sparkly blue. On the KO, it does not say "2003" above the "Rally Monte Carlo" on the doors or roof. Petter Solberg's little piggie logo is also not on the wing mirrors even though this is the #7 car. Incidentally I have no idea if there is a KO of the No.8. Speaking of the piggie, as an aside, here is a pic I took of the pigge logo (and the rest of it) on the NEW for 2006 Rally Impreza at a motor show recently... http://tinypic.com/mb0swx.jpg Back to the toys, the rims on the BT are more gold like the real thing whereas they are not that gold on the KO. Box back comparison: http://tinypic.com/mb1ekn.jpg Many differences here in text, logos and photographs. Obviously the photos on the KO box have Autobot symbols and "Subaru" text replaced. Instead of "Subaru", the KO says "Winner". Box top comparison: http://tinypic.com/mb1fh4.jpg "Diversionary Tactician" instead of "Impreza WRC 2003" and Metals Transform logo instead of Binaltech logo. You can see the "Winner" text here as well. Insert: Here you begin to see that the toy has major panel and section alignment issues. This was also the case with the KO Streak. Car mode: http://tinypic.com/mb1nxu.jpg http://tinypic.com/mb1oa0.jpg http://tinypic.com/mb1qpi.jpg http://tinypic.com/mb1rt5.jpg Alignment issues or not, this is a beautiful vehicle. You can see that unlike the BT this KO's yellow decals are not bright or flourescent and almost all the sponsors are there, except "Subaru" and the "2003" on the doors. Some of the decals are white now (especially towards the back) as well. Figure mode: Yeah you're right, the hands are on the wrong way round. So not only was he packaged backwards, the assembly leaves something to be desired as well. That was soon remedied though... http://tinypic.com/mb1y0l.jpg http://tinypic.com/mb20kg.jpg There are of course issues, for example the chest does not click down easily and the waist pegs do not clip into the lower waist well at all. But it doesn't hinder display and as you can see, he still looks mighty. Notice the lack of Autobot symbols, or even the new symbols that A&L were using on the earlier KOs. The symbol on the handgun has also been blocked out. Here's a close-up of the chest and head sections: Another reasonably nice KO but the alignment issues in vehicle mode are a real shame. I did however find him a little less frustrating to deal with than Streak, yet Streak COULD be aligned reasonably well with effort in vehicle mode. It remains to be seen whether the same can be said for AL-01 Smokescreen. If I manage to get it straight enough, I'll post a picture. To finish off, here he is with the BT-01: All the best Maz
Cheers man, it certainly took long enough! Must have been issues with using the Subaru name on there, they're trying to get away with whatever they can. All the best Maz
Dude, I wouldn't try to get that one. Those KOs are kinda hard to get, plus some of them are highly priced due to shipping. Plus I have heard that the quality is not really that great (never had one so don't really know). I'm sure you could get one of the Alt. versions here or on ebay cheap.
Thank you for the info.....but I must have one, just one for my collection. Cause you never know if they will be worth money in the future. I only need one.
There goes another article for the bookmarks. It's nice to get a good review and killery pics in one article. Your formula is perfect. Im with IG, dying to see these at Big Lots. Shipping is murder , but for these it's probably worth it. Would love to get these to keep in robot mode next to the BTs in their car modes. Since the authentics probably have better part alignments for car mode. Those ko's look great . Another fine article you have.
Cheers man, although I don't consider these ones articles, just posts. I haven't been saving the text or anything. Nevermore had to show me where my original listing post was for me to update it. I think when my site's up I will start reviewing them properly, but maybe in less verbal detail than everything else. All the best Maz
I didn't know if you guys saw this or not: http://cgi.ebay.com/MISB-NEW-METAL-TRANSFORMERS-WINNER-STREAK-HURRY-UP_W0QQitemZ6056976571QQcategoryZ753QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
