The 3rd party Mech Ideas Apex and Geminus (Demolition Crue) figures are a fantastic homage to the G1 Jumpstarters Topspin and Twintwist. MI made the G1 pair as well as one set of exclusive repaints representing one of their South American variants but there was quite a few more color schemes they could have made. Of course the most recognizable is in their G1 colors, even though they were never on the cartoon, they did make appearances in the old comics as well as the modern IDW series as members of the elite Wreckers team. I swapped in chrome parts from MI's Robot Manuel X/Prototype X and Robot Basil Z/Project Z exclusives to better resemble the G1 toys. Also added some reprolabels. These two represent their Diaclone "Baku-ten" (Blast flip) color schemes. I got the originals at Botcon 2016 and knew I had to repaint the Mech Idea figures into these colors. These are their alternate Diaclone color schemes as seen in this nostalgic pre-TF commercial. The Jumpstarters were sold in different colors in South America. Salt Man X from the Topspin mold was available in red/white as well as green/white colors. Salt Man Z from the Twin Twist mold had three possible color schemes, blue/yellow (Argentina), black/yellow (Brazil) as well as blue/orange. I'm still working on the third color variant! Robot-Man X from the Topspin mold was available in red/yellow or green/white color schemes. Robot Man Z was only available in black and white. They were sold in Generation 2 styled packaging by a company called Antex exclusively for the Argentinian market. I didn't do too much customizing on these two, as Mech Ideas had made this pair as a Auto Assembly 2013 convention exclusive - I just added some Reprolabel G2 Decepticon faction symbols and some paint/stickers for their eyes. Hope you enjoyed this brief history of the Jumpstarter molds using Mech Ideas Demolition Crue!
With the announcement of the upcoming Titans Returns Topspin, now I kinda wish I waited to repaint him instead of the 3rd party figures Would have been cheaper for sure!
Nah dude, you know deep down these will be so much nicer! It's always a funny one because way back in the early 80s a red/silver/blue OS KO of the jumpstarters was one of the first robits in my collection I remember my nan getting me the two from an proper old style tat shop in what was the bullring in Birmingham Absolutely love these mate, thanks for reminding of the memories
Yeah, I think everyone who was a kid in the 80s had that one flimsy oversized Topspin knockoff with the nosecone that folded up in front....
Nice repaints. You could always continue repainting the official version/s, once they're out, as other versions.
Very nice, always thought the jumpstarter toys were underrated. Finally we're getting official updates from TR(not counting the FOC repaints). Hopefully Twin Twist as well. The mech idea ones are great to. Also thanks for the history lesson.
Nice to see the Mech iDeas Demolition Crue getting some love. Can you believe this mold is 10 years old now!?
