In some ways, this is the piece 'that started it all' as far as Japanese Transformers are concerned. This is likely the very first Takara boxed Japanese TF... 01-Convoy.
From what I understand, there are a number of versions of this piece, a number of variations. My collector buddies Chaos Kit, Maz and Himawari would know a lot more than me, so I'm not going to pretend to state where in time this particular came about, but just state what I see.
This came from the collection of long time veteran collector Devstar37, so I'm quietly confident it has not been frankenstein-ed together in terms of parts.
Some key features which are evident in the photo above and below are:
- box is stamped "Takara Co Ltd. 1982"
- metal plates trailer (evident from the 4 holes are the side of the trailer)
- roller with no tabs (ie: does not have the 2 spokes at its rear; can tell from the way the styro is cut to fit roller in)
- bloated gun (the styro is cut for a bloated gun, so it must be original)
- bloated hose pump, hose attachment and fists (not pictured).
- grey missiles
- VSX style super launcher (see second picture below)
Comparison. Left - metal plates version of 01-Convoy, box is stamped "1982". Right - sticker trailer version of 01-Convoy, box is stamped "1985"
Metal plates trailer
Comparison. Left - metal plates version of 01-Convoy, box is stamped "1982". Right - sticker trailer version of 01-Convoy, box is stamped "1985". However, note that both trailers have the exact same stamping, despite one being a metal plates one and the other being a 'regular' sticker version.
Another comparison. Left - metal plates version of 01-Convoy, box is stamped "1982". Right -
sticker trailer version of 01-Convoy, box is stamped "1985".
VSX-style super launcher for Roller. See that its a flat plate compared with a regular Prime's trailer that has a rectangular box with 2 recesses for Roller's end spokes to attach to.
This begs the question - just how super is the VSX-style 'super' launcher? Glad you asked, because I am going to show you..... find out here.
Related Posts:
- #1 of 36: Operation Combination TF-01: Sixbuilder
- #2 of 36: D-56: Ramjet MIB
- #2A of 36: D-56: Ramjet MIB, redux
- #3 of 36: 26-Grimlock MIB
- #4 of 36: 27-Sludge MIB
- #5 of 36: 28-Slag MIB
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- #9 of 36: 22-Starscream MIB unused
- #10 of 36: 23-Skywarp MIB unused
- #11 of 36: 24-Thundercracker MIB unused
- #12 of 36: D-57: Thrust MIB
- #13 of 36: 29-Snarl MIB
- #14 of 36: 30-Swoop MIB
- #15 of 36: 49-Laserwave MIB (aka Shockwave)
- #16 of 36: 16-Megatron MIB
- #17 of 36: 48-Astrotrain MIB (white)
- Interlude - Takara Japanese boxed Decepticon Seekers - 22-Starscream, 23-Skywarp, 24-Thundercracker, D-56: Ramjet and D-57: Thrust
- Interlude - Fight! Super Robot Life - Japanese Transformer Takara boxed Dinobots MIB
- #18 of 36: 40-Kickback MIB
- #19 of 36: 41-Bombshell MIB
- #20 of 36: 42-Shrapnel MIB
- Interlude - Fight! Super Robot Life - Japanese Transformers Takara boxed Insecticons MIB
- #21 of 36: 01-Convoy MIB (metal plates trailer; bloated parts)
Until I saw this post, I had no idea that the super launcher had a completely different plate for the launcher. That's awesome.
ReplyDeleteyes, it's quite different. the entire assembly seems to be different too.
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