Hasbro Designer Mark Maher continues the behind the scenes looks at new Transformers figures tonight as he’s now posted one on his Instagram for the recently-revealed Velocitron Leader Galaxy Shuttle!
“Welcome Velocitron Speedia 500’s Leader GALAXY SHUTTLE. Now I know what some of you are going to say, he should be alot larger as he appears on the Transformers animated Victory series. The G1 toy did have a third mode but it wasn’t a sweet choochoo train. Well all aboard the crazy train because when I found this alt head in the mold from Siege Astrotrain I started spinning in my computer chair yellin “Wooooo”!!! Full blown Ric Flair strutting around my room!!
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One of my favorite things when I was a Master Model Artist for Transformers was when I recieved the first shot of the grey model prototypes shipped in. Most of the time, the extra alt head came in a seperate small baggy unidentified. I used to try and guess what character it was going to become and it soon turned into my favorite lil game!
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So, I didn’t get to work on this design for Astrotrain, but I have a special love for the bot, especially the G1 white version of the toy, def one of my favs as a wee young lad. As I was searching through the mold I stumbled on these images of Galaxies unused head sculpt and I just couldn’t resist.
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So, I did screw on Astrotrain’s head just to take a gander, might have to get back on my custom game and do up a special one for the shelf.
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Now I know some of yall didn’t get to buy this stylish dude, sold out on the Pulse real quick. I don’t have the info on anymore stock or release info either, so hang in there 😅 I unfortunately don’t know who from TT designed this awesome figure either. Sorry 😞! They did a fantastic job though, because this toy rules! Lots of fun! I do wonder if the designer that drew the sculpt for the launch pad realized it could be painted as a duel purpose helicopter pad 🤔
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Well this dude was a blast…off! 🚀 (oof dad joke)”
fanbase0000
I asked Hasbro pulse customer service this same exact question once. They said that for high-demand/exclusives Hasbro pulse always keep a small amount of inventory back/not for sale for potential replacement for QC issues, lost/damage items/accessories, or damaged packaging. Once all potential customer service issues are resolved after 1-2 months of the initial shipment, IF there are any leftover inventory (besides for Haslabs) it will go back for sale on Hasbro pulse.
RodimusRex
Possibly.
I'm getting the sneaking hunch that Pulse not only gets the 5% but possibly also takes retailer returns/cancellations.
Nothing to back that up aside from some of the restocks we see and the general principal that it would still be "retailer friendly" enough for retailers to likely be fine with it.
That doesn't mean we won't see it clogging retail either.
Take the following scenario:
Walmart orders enough for a 100k run.
Pulse puts up 5k.
Walmart notices Scourge isn't selling, asks for a 5k reduction in their order.
5k go up on Pulse.
90k still go to Walmart.
Rodimus Prime
So how did GS restock happen? Sold more to Wal-Mart?
T-Hybrid
Good because we seem to be on the inevitable path to Omega Sentinel and I'd like help getting prepped.
WereDragon EX
*raises hand* I'll do it once I find the space for such a city layout.
Q Prime
I mean, it dicks over European collectors by dicking over European Etailers who normally would've been able to sell them.
fanbase0000
when Hasbro pulse started to offer the partner exclusives, they stated that they are only allowed to offer for sale on pulse 5% of the total product inventory.
Dark Starscream
This.
Wal-Mart bought this as an exclusive. So the majoirity of the stock is at Wal-Mart.com.
Voytash78
This move mostly dicks over G.I.Joe collectors in Europe. Pulse is available in only 6 out of 44 European countries.
orangeitis
And the Dinoking retool of Core Volcanicus.
Sammael
Treating this as a Legends-scale Galaxy Shuttle, to accompany Titans Return Tidal Wave
Banannixx
EDIT: Bigger challenge -Omega Supreme and Sky Lynx aren't allowed.
Banannixx
I do, but I'm currently preoccupied. Maybe I can set it up tomorrow.
T-Hybrid
Will be interesting to see how long these take to get on shelves. Walmarts around here actually restocked with Scourge the last few days.
Neko-bot77
Coke Zero… all the great coke taste with just 1 calorie!
NemiMonkey
I like to think of it as his post Metrotitan rebirth form.
Prime of Shadows
Yeah I’ll be picking this up in stores. I managed to find Scourge and Override, I can find Galaxy Shuttle.
T-Hybrid
Okay so…has anyone with Astrotrain, Omega Supreme, Ironworks, Sky Lynx, and Airwave already started trying to rig up a Countdown Rocket base?
Boople Barp
Maybe the Velocitron GS is his post-diet appearance.
Q Prime
Oh it’s totally Hasbro dicking them over. It’s been stated by several UK action figure shops that Hasbro made them Pulse exclusive without any notice to the shops themselves, and the fact that some of these retailers are now stocking Classified import stock for higher prices shows that they did not give up on the line, or at least not willingly.