Thanks to 2005 Boards member dalianjj for sharing images of the colored prototype of upcoming Fans Toys: FT-30B Iceman (Masterpiece Scale Air Raid).
We have a look at Fans Toys impressive take on G1 Aerialbot Air Raid in shiny and great cartoon-accurate colors. The images let us appreciate the figures in both modes as well as some dynamic poses. A comparison size image with the previously announced FT-30A Maverick (Masterpiece Scale Silverbolt) is also available for those who are asking for scale. It’s important to remember that the combined form is supposed to be in scale with Fans Toys Terminus Giganticus FT-20, so we expect a very big, if not the biggest combiner figure to date.
You can check the mirrored images on this news post after the jump and then sound off your impressions at the 2005 Boards!
Curium
I'm fully aware not everyone is as willing to be as lenient as I am, but I'm planning to judge FT on combiner going forward rather than based on the past. The two factors I will be judging will be how good Superion and Menasor are in combined mode, and how the release of Devastator goes. I believe the narrative that they found something wrong working on their first combiners and took the time to fix it. We probably won't ever KNOW whether that is the case or not, but how they come out (are they "fixed"?) and do they have similar delays on future combiners will be what I judge them on.
TONY BRUNS
It's the best plan for sure but I already have a Superion and a Menasor on display and I have more storage space than play/display space!
Dpuff
I started out storing my extra sets of both superion and menasor thinking id open them all at once when they were completed. Decided awhile back to open and play with them. Much more enjoyable that way.
TONY BRUNS
The release seems to be taking shape, which is good news!
But I think this is the last time I buy a combiner following the releases. Only Zeta Toys and Hasbro/Takara have “played the game” in recent years. I'm still waiting for this Superion, the X-Transbots Defensor and the FT Menasor and I'm tired of storing figurines for years hoping that the combine will be complete in 5 years minimum… while manufacturers increase other releases and shops pre-sales. I prefer to wait for the full combiner (-06 or the -F) which will necessarily come out afterwards.
Subotnik
In my experience ShowZ and BBB have always been basically the same price, give or take a couple of dollars.
Chrisola
Still no price or balance from BBB
Not fussed about getting it NOW NOW NOW but i would like to get the best deal (worried it might sell out at ShowZ), and it's pay day soon so need to budget for the month!
Curium
Last I actually saw they were all listed as 2Q 2024 (April – June), but they obviously won't all come out that fast. I just listed them in the order that is the last I'm aware of and assumed one per month (seems reasonable to me) and got August.
Why's Bandit?
Dpuff
Who's bandit?
Ryuu
I believe it's July?
Someone correct me if I'm wrong.
Curium
As long as something disastrous doesn't happen Slingshot will be out this year. I think Scrapper, Soundblaster and the Cassette pack are first, but Slingshot would be next after that, so August or September I would guess. Once US retailers have preorders FT has been very good about actually releasing products, they have not messed that up since Blitzwing and Trailbreaker back in 2016.
Mobb One
I haven't been in this thread in ages…it looks like viper is releasing soon?
What about the last member (slingshot?) is there an expected release window for him as well, or is it another bandit situation?
luckyman76
I think its a safe bet that Bonecrusher is done because the bottom half of the transformation is virtually the same with a different color. I am also fairly sure that at least either Hook or Long Haul is also done. Prototypes are definitely done for all members because they have had to combine this thing.
The functionality of the hans appears to be identical but remember the backhand is a different plate and likely to be different for each combiner. Also the method of attachment of the hand to the combiner may be different by necessity. I am sure they would TRY to rig it to be identical for quality and part conservation.
crdavismusic
That's been my prediction as to who is next to be shown off. If the forearm and hand has already been designed and molded, it makes sense to do him next.
If FT shows off some wild card like Hook next… IMO that would further solidify the notion that this combiner is done and ready to go.
Futureye
From these palms you could conclude that the Bonecrusher announcement is not very far from coming true. Maybe.
blast47
Capitalism says they don’t “pass” those savings to customers… just helps their own bottom line. The benefit for collectors may be less of a wait for some releases as the molds/R&D are already done.
mlgpapalouie
I think that Marauder proto just doesn’t have a screw cover there the other 2 have
Futureye
Yeah, I mean I think timing is at least partially the so-called "word of the day" with these combiners. Fans Toys can make similar parts at the same time for different combiners.
I didn't get around to comparing those two other palms to the Marauder’s palm yet, but you're right. The Marauder’s palm is the same, the only small difference is the deeper hole at the bottom of the palm. Otherwise similar.
Edit1.0:
Yeah, The only thing missing from Marauder’s palm is the screw cover, so that’s why the hole looks deeper. Thanks, @mlgpapalouie .
Redferno97
Marauder has the same hands too, I think these will be the same hands they use on all their combiners going forward View attachment 30350388
Futureye
I just looked and compared the palm of the Fans Toys Superion with the palm of the Fans Toys Devastator, and I found that they look very similar in many respects. So I thought that if the palms are so similar that Fans Toys can make parts for Viper and Wright in the same production run, then with such a method Fans Toys could perhaps achieve at least a small financial benefit.
This would also partly explain why Viper's release has taken so long.
View attachment 30350386
View attachment 30350387
jim380
Does FT do additional production runs after the initial release? I was told by a more “experienced” collector if you didn’t get it in the initial batch the vendors/shops selling afterward would probably getting it in the open market at a higher price if they need to do a back order