Third party group FansToys has just revealed the first prototype pictures for their project titled Willys! This project will be a Masterpiece inspired figure of Generation 1 Hound! So far we have prototype images of both alternate mode and robot mode, and a brief description that states “it will have a lot of diecast parts and rubber tires.” Standing approximately 16.5cm tall, Willys is scheduled to be available in November.
Will this one be making it on your collection shelves? Sound off in the discussion thread!
Staff Update: Preorders are already starting to come in.
mouschi
pm sent thanks!
tfwmongrel
Make me an offer, I'm in CO and I've been too lazy to list all the stuff I have to move. It has everything + box, good as new. Autobot insignia added.
OmegaTaco Supreme
I see him regularly on ebay. But sometimes you can lucky on the buy sell forums here or on the many TF fans groups on FB.
He is one of FT older figures, so he has be out for a long time now.
mouschi
Does anyone know where i can pick up one of these guys?
OmegaTaco Supreme
I actually sold my Willis pocketed the money and got the KO MP-47. I liked Willis, but in a group of more toon accurate bots he looked really out of place. The screw placement for his ankle rockers sucks and always came loose whenever transforming him and posing him. He was a great figure for his time, but FT needs to reattack this one like Telsa.
ChromeMagnus
Yeah, and until they resurface, we likely won't get trailers for their Primes.
Destruktiw
They just stopped doing carbots after Prime and Mirage. They did Seekers and they suddenly jumped to Blaster. It feels like they have no particular order for revealing figures. You just never know what they will do next. And yes I am dissapointed that after Mirage they didn't do any carbot anymore. Too bad because I really like their aesthetics and they are also cheap and don't give a damn about Takara. So I am not excepting to see Hound let alone Sideswipe or Ironhide which are badly needed. And yes they are terribly slow. One figure per year. Now it's even a question will they reveal or release anything more. They could be also as well dead but I hope that's not true. Some people believe they will tackle Coneheads because of Seekers but those are just assumptions.
ChromeMagnus
This should have been the Toy version. Then they should have made another one with all the grey parts painted olive for the toon version.
I wouldn't be surprised of TE/DS or whatever they'll call themselves next does a solid toon Hound.
Destruktiw
And also TT with that derpy facesculpt ugh. Willis 2.0 is a must. I can only imagine what FT can do with it today. Especially after seeing their Jazz.
junkbot
Your opinion is rock solid. I read where TT felt cheap and that was enough for me to not even think about their version. FT is solid.
Runabout
I have the TT Hound and have never been really happy with him. It feels cheap and the face looks ugly. I bought Willis a month ago and I really like him. It looks and feels better, even if it's not very toon accurate. Replaced TT Hound with Willis in my collection and I think it looks better now. But that's just my opinion.
darkeros
Surely Takara facesculpts aren't for me I had my Willis from a friend last year I think I was lucky.
View attachment 29542871
King Nergil
All facesculps for any MP Hound suck big time.
Mentasm
Very much depends on your definition of better. If you want toon, Hound all the way. Same for articulation. If you prefer something a little more toon/toy hybrid and value heft, Willis is a good option.
I have both and each figure has its merits and issues. I use Hound for bot mode and Willis is now in alt mode. If I had to choose it would be Hound, mainly cause I’m a Marvel/Sunbow guy.
ChromeMagnus
Willis was never actually reissued. It did come with both of those faces it's just that the derpy looking one the right that looks like it was designed by XTB/KFC from that time period was actually painted olive for more toon color accuracy. The better looking face sculpt was kept silver/chrome to resemble the color of Hound's face from the original G1 toy from the 80s. I just with the one on the left came in olive as well.
But yeah, Willis either needs an improved reissue or a 2.0.
mouschi
glorigous review – thank you!
Mormolyce
I really like both of them, FT did a bang up job but I'm edging a little towards the MP because of how it's magically smaller in vehicle mode.
junkbot
Willis by a long shot for me. Pass on the KO and official. My two cents.
Thibkaji
Wasn’t a reissue — FT changed it during production and shipped him with two heads. There was a white “original” head, which is what was shown on the early renders and prototypes (same as the picture on the right), and the silver-faced “2.0” head (as pictured on the left). Both came with Willis on first release.
Diesel
Those are some beautiful pictures! I REALLY want to get a Willis. It looks awesome and I absolutely LOVE Fans Toys Transformers. To me, there is no comparison. Fans Toys are in a class all by themselves.