Seibertron.com Energon Pub Forums

I just got my order in this afternoon, and I absolutely love the design! Wonderful transformation sequences and the legs are probably my favorite sections to complete. I really like that the black bottom gets pushed over and helps fill in the hallow area.

What I don't like are the paint apps. It seems that the coat of red paint on some panels weren't thick enough, and there's a small stress mark on his visor. I might just touch that up with some black paint or a marker. Thankfully the silver paint apps are pretty near perfect.

So I decided to check a couple of YouTube video tutorials regrding the removal of steel pins from Transformers.
These short and informative clips gave me the confidence to take a crack at my factory faulty MP-12 Lambor.
Its tool time!

I unscrewed the rear panel (butt) which released the upper body from his legs.
First part successfully done.
Now the difficult part. I carefully started tapping at the problem pin until I felt movement, this gave me a small piece of pint to grip with pliers.
Gently pulling and twisting at the pin it popped out with ease.
Second part successfully done!

Turning the waist/hinge part around, popped the pin back in and tapped it back. All good.
Slotted the upper body back onto the legs and reattached his butt.
Job done!

My relief that I hadnt destroyed this Masterpiece was met with a loud Homer-style 'Woo Hoo'!

A couple of twists and turns and Transformers MP-12 Lambor was successfully transformed as he should be!
After my initial excitement of receiving him, marvelling at his awesome alt mode, then the let down of him being built incorrectly, this has given my feelings towards this latest Takara Masterpiece offering a much needed boost.

Now I just need to tackle his poorly glued head!
By the way, why has he got a flip open head?

Nice one. Well done.

robotmel wrote:By the way, why has he got a flip open head?

It's to allow clearance for the head to fit in alt mode. It gets pretty cramped in there.

Glad to hear you've fixed your Lambor, Robotmel.

robotmel wrote:Job done!

My relief that I hadnt destroyed this Masterpiece was met with a loud Homer-style 'Woo Hoo'!

A couple of twists and turns and Transformers MP-12 Lambor was successfully transformed as he should be!
After my initial excitement of receiving him, marvelling at his awesome alt mode, then the let down of him being built incorrectly, this has given my feelings towards this latest Takara Masterpiece offering a much needed boost.

Nice work, glad you now properly enjoy MP-12!

After taking a closer look at MP-12s poorly head, its another disaster, just like the waist!

There is a steel pin which goes through the front part of the head which seems to hold on his face?
Now this pin is too short which is why hes doing a Travola/Cage face off!

Ive decided not to tackle this pin as I dont have a replacement long enough, so its going to get glued, being careful not to accidentally glued his flip back head down also!!

I wonder if its possible to get a complete replacement head for MP-12?
Maybe some 3rd party company will create one.

robotmel wrote:I wonder if its possible to get a complete replacement head for MP-12?
Maybe some 3rd party company will create one.

Maybe someone on Shapeways will have a go. You could always commission one.

It's so good to read that you fixed your figure.

My Masterpiece Sideswipe arrived last Thursday - £78.49 in total from Kapow Toys, arrived a day after being dispatched - and thankfully I haven't had any QC problems with him. The paint work is in great condition, no parts put together badly. He's in pretty much perfect condition, I like him a lot more than MP Hot Rod/Rodimus Prime and Megatron, that's for sure.

Now to keep waiting for the hopeful release of MP-10 Optimus Prime in the UK, still waiting.

ReinaHW wrote:Now to keep waiting for the hopeful release of MP-10 Optimus Prime in the UK, still waiting.

Hoping Toys R Us get MP Thundercracker first... but MP Prime will do!

In just under 2 weeks I head off to the US so hopefully i will be able to pick up both MP figures there and possibly fill in a few holes in my Prime collection.

The problem with my MP-12 Sideswipe was not with the paint or body being assembled backwards but something different. I had noticed immediately upon removing him from the box, that the black plate on the rear right side (in car mode) would not close all the way, preventing his right rear tire from touching the ground.

It took me a while to figure out exactly what was causing that problem, and in the end I found out that the reason was because his one leg wouldn't fold in all the way. For those who don't have this figure, while transforming to car mode you fold Sideswipes lower legs backwards onto his thighs (as if you laid on the ground and had your legs bent with your feet by your butt).

It was then that I discovered that his leg wouldn't close all the way because the location of the pin in his knee joint was "off" compared the other (properly folding) knee joint. I'd say the pin was about 1/16th inch off-centered.
So when you fold the leg closed, the white thigh piece and the flat red part of Sideswipes lower leg are next to, and touching each other. But because of this mislocated knee pin, the lower, rounded "knee area" of the thigh piece is in the way and will not allow his leg to close all the way. And THAT was why the bottom black plate wouldn't close all the way, preventing the right rear tire from touching the ground.

SO, even though I didn't want to, I found the exact location where the bottom rounded area of his "knee piece" was in the way, and trimmed it flat with a hobby knife. After doing that, the problem has been solved and Sideswipe has all four tires on the ground in vehicle mode. That's when I decided to look on the internet for anybody else having issues with Sideswipe and found this post. Has anyone else had any problems like the one I just described?

reed212 wrote:Has anyone else had any problems like the one I just described?

It seems not.

I opened mine today and, apart from the thin coat of red over the black window parts, he's perfect. He's got an amazing transformation and in my opinion is one of the best TFs yet. He, along with MP-10, is one of those rare figures that looks really cool just standing - he doesn't need a great pose to look good.

Mykltron wrote:

reed212 wrote:Has anyone else had any problems like the one I just described?

It seems not.

I opened mine today and, apart from the thin coat of red over the black window parts, he's perfect. He's got an amazing transformation and in my opinion is one of the best TFs yet. He, along with MP-10, is one of those rare figures that looks really cool just standing - he doesn't need a great pose to look good.

And yet his twin brother with the funny ears is the narcissist of the show.

@reed212 Nope mine do actually work!

I dare not even look at mine just in case there is something else wrong with it!

He is a very fine piece when all said and done. Should we ever see a U.K. release (or Toys R Us Exclusive, whatever..) I wonder if there could be any sort of variation?

I think that we have already been told that there will not be a Hasbro version of this masterpiece figure.

Ravage XK wrote:I think that we have already been told that there twill not be a Hasbro version of this masterpiece figure.

Really? When did all this happen? Bloody buggers!

At least give us a MP Thundercracker...

I couldn't remember where I read/heard about no Hasbro version, maybe it was in a video review but I googled and found this page which refers to it. I don't know how valid it is though

http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/transform ... -3174.html

Less paint apps is the only likely change but there aren't that many anyway. I suppose a grey gun would happen.

Ravage XK wrote:I couldn't remember where I read/heard about no Hasbro version, maybe it was in a video review but I googled and found this page which refers to it. I don't know how valid it is though

http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/transform ... -3174.html

I'm sorry, but a YouTube reviewer's "sources" are less reliable than you think. We (the fandom) hear plenty from sources that don't pan out. Whether it's HasTak or 3rd party, it does fall through sometimes.

However, it IS true that Aaron Archer said Hasbro doesn't have the Lamborghini license currently. He didn't say they wouldn't try, or wouldn't get it, just that they don't have it right now. Big difference.

Still, just to be on the safe side, I'd recommend importing the TakaraTomy original. You never know when it might just end up getting the axe.