A1. As Bonty said, all of them were initially metal and then changed to plastic.

A2. Uhhh no? There should be the metal one in colour and then the plastic in grey. However I'm not sure about the European Classics release. Does yours have the indent on the bonnet for the rubsign? If so then it's a metal chest.

 

so theres a glimmer of hope that DE figures could show up here now, would be a nice suprise.

 

I wouldn't hold your breath but yes it's possible. I'm getting the deluxe pack from Kapow anyway so it'll make no major difference to me.

 

BH predaking reminds me of Lego Bionicle

 

Thanks guys. Yeah, Swindle has an indent on the bonnet where the rub sign is. All the signs point to them being diecast.... but they just look like colour cast plastic. I know that diecast can be difficult to identify a lot of the time, but wow.

Ahhhh.... So, THATS how these rumours start. No.
I am not sure how a leap is made between a US store exclusive line appearing at TRU in Asia, to it suddently manifesting over here in the UK. Considering we dont get half of the stuff that appears on regular shelves in the US, there is no reason currently to think that the DE line will ever come anywhere near us in the UK. But, still, I am sure MP Prime will be on the shelves today.... because Hasbro said 'November' and everyone has been expecting him for weeks as a result! Where is he?

Sorry, but a combination of huge leaps in expectation whenever a sighting happens on the other side of the globe, coupled with the frankly extremely bitter taste when yet another surprise sighting happens in another country and I know that we wont even get half the regular retail stuff leaves me pretty hacked off with the situation about now.

 

It's Quite possible the Classics (copper / gold card) Swindle might have a purple plastic chest.

If you want to tell if it's metal put it in the fridge for half and hour and if the chest feels colder than the rest of the body then it's metal.

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Just a reminder to those that are interested that the Transformer Prime Arms Micron #3: is supposed to be out any day now (If it's not been delayed that is).

Which is a bit odd if that is the case as I've not even seen them in colour yet. Ratchet, WheelJack, Starscream & Dobo

 

I have both my original classics/re-issue Swindle as well as a die cast chest version of him and can say that the Classics version is definately grey plastic.

 

+1 Predaking = silly ass

See, the sperg lord in me is screaming: A DRAGON IS NOT A CLEVER DISGUISE FOR INFILTRATING EARTH IF YOU'RE AN ALIEN ROBOT

My dream of (more/better) Earth disguises with animalistic robot modes will never dawn.

Also, where's the chappy with the Ainsley Harriet avatar?

 

I must concur - the new TMNT show is substantially better than Prime, unfortunately.

 

Sorry I'm a little late with this one, but have a look here for some Bruticus variant info;

FredsWorkshop.com

As for Dark Energon at UK retail, I'm fairly sure a UK poster asked H'UK (not the most reliable source, I know) and they said "No"....I'm in full agreement with CS, it is a bit of a leap of faith as TRU has differing exclsuives around the globe. As an example you can pick up Takara MP's in Aussie ones....!

That aside, you should order them from Kapow. He's offering them at UK RRP and he's the best UK source for TF's. That and he's ex-job, but I might be being biased...

 

It was Singapore TRU, but yeah, point stands SCS.

Many thanks for all the help on the Combaticons. They are made more difficult because I know that my Protectobots and other combiners were all bought in the 80s in G1... but these were a later purchase and I am not sure when. The gold card sounds plausable, but Onslaught isnt in the gold box... but that doesnt mean that the others were not!

I will check out Freds Workshop. Ta.

 

Perhaps Swindle had a Purple chest variant in the giftset issue or in a Japanese release ? Or it's just a running change no one noticed - I'd never rule out people missing things for years and years though like that Gold Hotrod toy Takara did that took years for anyone to know about. (or it may be metal - put it in the fridge   )

I know there was a good site for Beast wars variations can't say I've ever noticed on for G1 toys though as I don't tend to look g1 stuff up very often.

 

Cool, I remember having a look at that site when it was hosted on GeoCities or some such a few years back. Glad to see it's found a new home, thanks for the link.

 

I got my silas breakdown and grind rod in the post this morning from kapow. Silas is so awesome, he even comes with a sheet that has a load of micron combinations on it. Its the first figure I've gotten thathas this sheet in it.
Havent had a chance to open grind rod yet but he looks really nice in the box and I like the look of the next one , Aurora.

 

Seen the new turtles figures in Toymaster earlier today, they look pretty cool. Might get the four and maybe one of the larger talking ones becuase they're bloody funny.

Spent a lot of money today though on a 3DS and Lylat Wars 3D Saw Wii-U too but decided that at over £300 they're a bit rich for my blood at the moment. Maybe after Christmas.

 

Your welcome, I recall being overwhelmed by the sheer amount of stuff on there when I first found it; it's a great resource.

 

Managed to find me a FP Steelcore being sold in the UK, they only got one left now.

 

Nice, how much if you don't mind me asking? People were asking silly money on eBay. I'm not sure if they were selling tho', I'm glad I got in when I did.

In other news, AM-Orion Pax arrived today; thanks Andy  

I have also (scarily) realised that my order for DE-B'Bee will be the SEVENTH different deluxe deco of him I own....

 

It's a bit steep but I really wanted one and by the time I found out about the 2nd release they were gone but it's £89.99 with free shipping.

 

I try not to count that sort of thing