Hey guys,

I received the AL-02B black Lambor KO with flames yesterday, and just as Nevermore hinted at, it's not actually black but very dark metallic grey.

Here's the front of the box:



Not bad, quite attractive in the packaging which is the same as thatused for the AL-02C white KO Lambor as well. Speaking of the packaging, many of the original KOs that came out in BT-mimicking packaging are now being re-released in this blue packaging with slight changes to the moulding (eg the red Lambor KO now has the "VIPER" blocked over like the newer recolours)

Box top:
http://i1.tinypic.com/mkdjt0.jpg

Again "VICTORY" instead of "VIPER" etc

Box side:
http://i1.tinypic.com/mkdk05.jpg

The vehicle itself is striking enough as well. I'm not sure if
collectors will appreciate the flames on Ricochet more or the style used on this KO. There's a degree of cheesiness to it but it's not detrimental and it does help create a new look for this mould and make the KO stand out.

Here's the toy in the plastic casing on its display stand:



You begin to see the extent to which it has been decorated with the flames.

Car mode:



http://i1.tinypic.com/mkdl6v.jpg
http://i1.tinypic.com/mkdl7b.jpg
http://i1.tinypic.com/mkdlc3.jpg
http://i1.tinypic.com/mkdlcl.jpg
http://i1.tinypic.com/mkdmpx.jpg
http://i1.tinypic.com/mkdmqf.jpg
http://i1.tinypic.com/mkdmv5.jpg

Now most of the pics above were taken before some force was required to align the hood and front end of the car properly, the following pictures look better as a result:





http://i1.tinypic.com/mkdno0.jpg
http://i1.tinypic.com/mkdnrt.jpg

You can see the block over where it should say Viper just after the front wheels/by the doors. Yet, just as with the white KO, the "Dodge Viper" text is still on the rear bumpers. Again, as with the white KO, "SIDE SWP" is the plate.

Figure mode:



http://i1.tinypic.com/mkdnvc.jpg
http://i1.tinypic.com/mkdob7.jpg
http://i1.tinypic.com/mkdpu8.jpg


I found this KO to be much more resistant to my attempts at posing him and making him stand in a near-respectable position. The main picture shows off a neat pose but the other pictures show the best I was able to get out of him. Without modifications, the doors jut out backwards and the ankles don't rotate very well due to excess plastic. Also, he looks a bit dull from the front because you can't see the flames and there is no faction symbol. The alternative I
suppose is this:



Which doesn't look that bad actually.

Overall, this is one of the lower quality KOs, or then again I
probably just got lucky with the white one and unlucky with this one. The paperwork is identical to the white "RS" release by A&L.

I can't tell if this is supposed to be a Dead End KO, a Ricochet
alternate or a tribute to Deepcover, but it definitely has more of a Ricochet flavour to it than anything else. It really is a shame the flames are not more prominent in the robot mode seeing as they are what adds most character to this toy. Despite all of that, I do like it and I was impressed when I first saw it in vehicle mode. I would like these so so so much more if they were more easily poseable in robot mode. I must start modifying them.

Just to finish up, a few group shots of some of the Vipers I have from the various BT/Alt/KO lines:

Viper KOs Packaged:



With BT-02:
http://i1.tinypic.com/mkdta1.jpg

Vipers in robot mode:
http://i1.tinypic.com/mkdthz.jpg

Vipers in vehicle mode:



http://i1.tinypic.com/mkdtlg.jpg

One more thing, after messing with all of those KOs, transforming them, photographing them and posing them, you don't half appreciate the immense superiority and luxury that is a proper production Takara/Hasbro release Binaltech/Alternators Dead End...

All the best
Maz

 

Amazing simply amazing!

 

Wow I would pick up the black one as a Decpticon in a second

 

Damn, I wish KOs were easy to buy.

 

They're easy enough to get. Just look up zhjun106 on eBay and see if he has any for sale.

All the best
Maz

 

that color is amazing.

Paint the face red and call him WildRider.

 

Thanks.

 

That black looks more like a gunmetal gray to me for some reason... Maybe it's the lighting... But man, that is cool...

 

Now that is a nice flame job.

 

..and here we have Alt Skids...

Would be neat with some G2 Sideswipe decals here and there to mix in with those blues.
Wow man Im ashamed at myself for not owning these yet.

 

And people bash Hasbro for reusing and repainting molds.

 

Yeah but we expect if from KO outfits, not Hasbro who could atleast do a minor remold to make a figure worth buying

 

Thanks for the pics Maz. The flames aren't that bad.

 

now that looks even better than hasbro's attempt at a ricochet (stepper)

 

thats awesome, where did u get it?

 

Indeed it is better than richochet.

 

Awesome!

Hey, we see a race between Hasbro and A&L getting repaint done, see who is faster!

 

That is pretty sweet.

 

Look up eBay seller zhjun106, shoot him an email and ask for AL-02B and he will send you a quote with shipping to your location.

All the best
Maz