The Energon Pub

Transformers fansite HK-TF.com, best know for releasing early images of upcoming products from Takara Tomy and Hasbro, has somehow gotten their hands on a fully painted version of the upcoming and eagerly awaited Fansproject TFX-04 Protector armor and his Targetmaster TFX-05 Sidearm. As we all know by now, these third party accessories are intended to upgrade Henkei/Classics Rodimus (Hot Rod) to Rodimus Convoy/Prime. These new images not only give us our first, definitive look at the fully painted set, but also show the Protector figure standing next to Classics Optimus Prime and Fansproject's City Commander for size comparisons. Also included in the gallery are pictures of the trailer set up in battle station mode and Protector's version of Roller identified as "Guardian" in a post on the Fansproject site. Sold separately, the Fansproject Protector set and Sidearm Targetmaster are both scheduled to be released at the end of December.

To view the entire gallery of photos, click HERE.











As a reminder, these accessories are from a third party toy maker and are not licensed or endorsed by Takara Tomy or Hasbro.

This is what happens when your TF's hit the 'Roids!

This is just Pure undivided awesomeness in it's purest of essence

I'm not sure why, but for some reason I just don't like it. I was so excited for this, but it just looks too blocky. I know it's supposed to be because it's armor over another figure, but, I dunno. I am now on the fence.

If this set does somehow manage to get released at the end of this year, it will tie the Crossfire 2 set as my pick for Transformer of the Year. If not, they'll be the front runner for TotY 2011.

Fansproject just keeps getting it right. IMO, this is exactly what I expect the Classics version of Rodimus should look like. Amazing!

And once more Fansproject has delivered a staggering homerun. This looks effing awesome, the colours look amazing, though people who bought the re-release just for this upgrade will have some colour matching problem's, the trailer/base mode looks pretty good and the inclusion of an upgraded Roller is pretty slick. When I saw Sidearm, I thought for a moment they brought back their plan for the mini gun mode Classics/Henkei Megatron. Sidearm is a nice extra and thank god he isn't too expensive. However, one must wonder why he is seperate. Would a target master really take up so much room he couldn't be included in the box with the upgrade? This just means extra shipping costs for the customer.

MINE!

Fansproject, here is my money, give it to me NOW!

Looks great, I am excited. I recently cancelled the Takara Hot Rod masterpiece in favor of the Hasbro release, so this will be my only Rodimus trailer around, and I must say it looks great. The blockiness works for me, since when Rodimus first changed they focused on "blocky" features (fingers, etc) Sure its not 100% perfect, but its pretty damn good.

SWEET SALLY IN THE ALLEY~?!!!!
this juz make my day~

Trikeboy wrote:And once more Fansproject has delivered a staggering homerun. This looks effing awesome, the colours look amazing, though people who bought the re-release just for this upgrade will have some colour matching problem's, the trailer/base mode looks pretty good and the inclusion of an upgraded Roller is pretty slick. When I saw Sidearm, I thought for a moment they brought back their plan for the mini gun mode Classics/Henkei Megatron. Sidearm is a nice extra and thank god he isn't too expensive. However, one must wonder why he is seperate. Would a target master really take up so much room he couldn't be included in the box with the upgrade? This just means extra shipping costs for the customer.

I'm not sure where I read this but there was a convention where Hasbro was asked on its stance towards 3rd party companies and their products. Hasbro said it didn't mind them so long as they're not making an extensive amount of money per item. I think there was a $100 limit per item in which Hasbro said that they would take legal action if it were to equal or surpass the amount. Again, I don't have any sources to back this up but I remember this somewhat mentioned in an article. Also a lot of other members talk about this from time to time.

If the above holds true, then to answer your original question, they are separate so as not to exceed $100. The trailer by itself is already $90. Imagine how much more it would be with the Target-Master included.

i am GLAD pre-ordering it! Yippy!!!

I really want one, but unless they make a version that matches the 3 pack Rodimus, the colors wont match. I passed up a chance to get the Hasbro version and now these damn hoarders have the audicity to jack up the price of a Hasbro Rodimus to 100 bucks they should be ashamed of themselves.

I dunno. I was looking forward to it but now seeing it in color I don't think I wanna spend out that kind of money for it especially given that it would be more expensive having to import it. The trailer mode looks fine, I'm just not sure I like the armor mode. Just too blocky for my tastes but I get why it's like that as it's armor made from a blocky trailer but at least it doesn't look all cartoony like Magnus' armor. I still prefer it over the Masterpiece Rodimus though but I might just keep my Classics Hot Rod as he is unless this goes down in price or I suddenly gain a lot of spare money. Shame I can't see it in person to make a final decision like I can more easily a Hasbro product in stores. The head and chest area are putting me off the most but they might look different in person.

I'll probably still order Sidearm as he's a cheap lil extra.

This looks great and it will be mine. Is there any robot pics of sidearm? I didn't see any.

I really like that it takes deluxe Hotrod and basically makes him the same size as voyager Optimus Prime. Which is what you expect to happen when he evolves into a Prime.

I really want one, but unless they make a version that matches the 3 pack Rodimus, the colors wont match. I passed up a chance to get the Hasbro version and now these damn hoarders have the audicity to jack up the price of a Hasbro Rodimus to 100 bucks they should be ashamed of themselves.

hate to give you bad day but pepople allready had prices jacked up on ebay i was loking ebay before fansproject treailer was even mentioned in the works cheapest one i saw 50 to 75 then up depends on seller & if its henkei but they pretty much even each other out almost

looks good to bad no close up on face would like t osee that better is it me but does his forarm seem blocky & BULKY looking it makes the rest of arm look weak they stick out more than his shoulders do to me it looks weird but its something i can deal with

i have never got a third party piece but im getting this badly

Oh, that is GORGEOUS! MINE!!!!!!!!!!

AutobotJazz87 wrote:

Trikeboy wrote:And once more Fansproject has delivered a staggering homerun. This looks effing awesome, the colours look amazing, though people who bought the re-release just for this upgrade will have some colour matching problem's, the trailer/base mode looks pretty good and the inclusion of an upgraded Roller is pretty slick. When I saw Sidearm, I thought for a moment they brought back their plan for the mini gun mode Classics/Henkei Megatron. Sidearm is a nice extra and thank god he isn't too expensive. However, one must wonder why he is seperate. Would a target master really take up so much room he couldn't be included in the box with the upgrade? This just means extra shipping costs for the customer.

I'm not sure where I read this but there was a convention where Hasbro was asked on its stance towards 3rd party companies and their products. Hasbro said it didn't mind them so long as they're not making an extensive amount of money per item. I think there was a $100 limit per item in which Hasbro said that they would take legal action if it were to equal or surpass the amount. Again, I don't have any sources to back this up but I remember this somewhat mentioned in an article. Also a lot of other members talk about this from time to time.

If the above holds true, then to answer your original question, they are separate so as not to exceed $100. The trailer by itself is already $90. Imagine how much more it would be with the Target-Master included.

Umm.. $100?

Loving the block look and yet he is still not a brick in the regular sense. His rifle looks really badass. The added wing spoiler was a great touch up. Shows that they do listen to the fans. He is the same size as Prime, which imo, he should be. Not a trailer guy, but I will definitely have that piece of artillary on display. I cannnot wait to have him next to my City Commander and Defender pieces with a sprinkle of Hasbro's Blurr, Kup, and Wreck-Gar on the side. And finally that targetmaster figure for $9.99 is the icing on the cake that wasn't necessary but they did it anyway. Fans Project, you continue to impress me. Happily anticipating December's release of this add-on.

Does anyone know how much this would be with shipping to the UK? I emailed Robotkingdom about it several weeks ago but never got a reply. I just want to get the total price and then decide if I really want it or not.

I don't kno...

I have Classic USA (HOT ROD) Rodimus / and he looks perfect with ENERGON Rodimus.

So for me this armor is kinda w/e-ish. The awkward trailer cannon is odd.

Energon Rodimus has same gun as classic rodimus too.

I ... don't know...

I love the targetmaster though. Get a few!

This is gonna be so great! I think its cool how hes the size of a voyager class, plus you got that new/rebuilt type of look to him which gives him this interesting feel. I'm really loving the painted pictures.

Huh. I have to admit I'm not fully impressed with the coloring. The yellow looks way too bright. I would've preferred a metallic color to look more like the G1 figure. But then I guess the MP has yellow too, so it's not that big of a deal. Just looks a little bright. Actually, looking at the MP, I think the problem is the 'collar' piece. Should be orange or red instead of yellow. The fists should be black too, but that's minor. Still looks awesome, and I'm looking forward to it!

I could sit back and cross compare G1 Hot Rod to the G1 Rodimus, the Classics mold, and this upgrade all day. This truly is a thing of beauty.