masterforceuk.blogspot has uploaded a great set of photos showing Masterpiece Ratchet in its prototype form. This set of images is interesting because it shows what parts were retooled on Ratchet from the Ironhide version indicated by the blue portions of the toy. Seeing images like these provide a great look at the various design stages not often seen by fans and collectors.
Also pictured here is what looks like a Masterpiece Tracks prototype. Earlier in February, we covered a prototype story featuring Tracks as well, so maybe we’ll be seeing more Masterpiece prototypes in the future.
Feel free to discuss with the discussion thread linked below.
LECHITY
Agree, very cool way to represent differences between the 2 figures.
ComputronX
Looks like the red parts are from Ironhide and identical, the blue parts are all new molded pieces.
I hope that (black) Tracks is not just a early proto from the already released mold.
Beemer
Agreed. For a company claiming that they're always strapped for cash and that's why they can't give us the little niggling details that fans are clamoring for, I can't see why the stripes around the thighs warranted a new part.
Here, we have photographic evidence that Has/Tak can't see "the forest for the knees."
divinecomedy
Or the stupid stickers.
BenLeong
I agree that it's great to see their efforts to painstakingly replicate every last detail from the animation models. But that just makes it all the more baffling how those hip-panels wound up being in the design.
shadowfall1976
Well, it's definitely an official Masterpiece thread now…
tunaflash
Here we can see exactly where they gave up on developing this into something I would buy. Plus I don't trust Tak to not screw paint up and still ship out items after that whole blue Bluestreak thing. Here's hoping 3P tackles G1 IH/Ratchet and does the robot mode correctly!
Autovolt 127
Looks nice.
Is it weird I'd like this deco to become a future exclusive repaint.
Novaburnhilde
Good to see, he looks great so far.
Wow, he does look a bit like a Prime!
Ratchet-imus Prime… Ratchimus Prime, Ratchet Prime, Something like that.
Sovietbot
Prototype – Ratchet Convoy aka Ratchetus Prime?)
Enterlaw
That Tracks white prototype looks pretty cool.
Silvershot
If all they had done was switch the head and add the lightbar, nobody would have complained – that's the basic difference. But to take the added time and cost the make the other slight differences really shows how much TT loves the line, and wants to make each character as best as possible. It's small details, but those are usually the ones that count.
griffn29
Wow. Nice stuff.
Metal Sonic
I sold my MP-25, but I think I'd happily make a fool of myself and buy a toy deco version.
shadowfall1976
Exactly my feeling. For one thing cartoon is the only thing to draw detail from except the toy shin and platform stickers. It's not like the toy had tons of molded detail in places it could transfer to a MP.
I think people overlook that when saying Ironhide doesn't look like the other carbots. The other cars had toy detail and a lot on some, even more stickers to pull detail from. Magnus may not be heavy on the paint, but he has every bit of toy detail molded on him.
Dean ML
Correct. Just like the character models. That kind of attention to detail is what I love about this line
shadowfall1976
Not sure about the panels, but Ratchet doesn't seem to have the side leg detail on the lower legs that Ironhide has.
Matty
Very cool. Thanks for sharing.
Dean ML
Love seeing process stuff like this. What's different/new with the rear van/leg panels? Gotta get my Ironhide off the shelf…