Quality Issues on Takara Tomy Transformers Encore God Fire Convoy, Possible Recall in Japan

Yikes, for an expensive collectors' oriented reissue to have quality issues, I wouldn't think that would be worth my money at all...

Where the hell were these watch dogs when Trypticon was release huh?

This was probably my most anticipated figure(s) of the year. I've got three of the original RID Primes and a Magnus, the Sam's Club Prime and Magnus, the Both pairs of Spy Changers Prime and Magnus, and Titanium Prime (and "Hot Zone"). So I've been looking forward to adding this guy to my collection. He's in the mail, already running late despite EMS shipping, and I'm looking forward to having him in hand, but this is a little discouraging.

I did just read on TFWiki that the issue is with the ankles not allowing his truck mode to tab properly, if that's all it is I can probably live with it.

Emerje

Overcracker wrote:Unless there's some really bad degradation of the molds, I'm willing to bet this is just the standard issues the combined mode had and went unchecked.

Last I checked the issues were mainly on Fire Convoy having parts warped and his hips so restrictive that the cab transformation is virtually impossible.

Yeah, I can see where the issue is caused by the feet.



The roof of the truck cab is a bit uneven and the seam between the windows don't come together completely causing a gap at the top. It isn't great, but it doesn't ruin the figure completely for me.

Emerje

I think another issue with the set was the toy was designed during a time where a higher quality plastic was used. Has/Tak has been using a lower grade plastic for years that something like God Fire Convoy just can't handle.

JelZe GoldRabbit wrote:

chuckdawg1999 wrote:I think another issue with the set was the toy was designed during a time where a higher quality plastic was used. Has/Tak has been using a lower grade plastic for years that something like God Fire Convoy just can't handle.

Mold degradation may have a part in that as well. It's now 18 years old, and used quite a bit in the first 5 years. Most notably is the Cybertron gift set from 2005, which IIRC had this off feeling already.

Yes, it does, I have that set. It also didn't help the instructions weren't clear on how extended Optimus' legs have to be for combined mode.

i got mine a few days ago. here's some problems i've encountered:
1: prime's cab doesn't fit together perfectly. the arm panels are actually to blame for this, they're slightly warped and don't sit flush with the top of the truck.
2: one missile really, REALLY likes to fire off even if you don't touch it.
3: the panel that covers the hole the combined mode head leaves behind doesn't sit flush, in either combined or vehicle mode.
4: UM's hands don't peg into prime's without sanding them down first.
5: plastic quality in prime's vehicle back end feels... off. if you try to move the ladder ,it bends the connection points between pieces. not in a way that permanently damages it, but enough to cause worry
6: prime's legs leave a small gap in the cab when in vehicle mode.
7: the pieces that are screwed together to make prime's base shoulders don't line up with each other.
8: some of the plastic parts on UM split along the seams, where they'd normally be glued to held together. he still holds together and transforms fine, but it's worth mentioning.

i haven't tested the electronics because i didn't care about putting in batteries.
now, a few things to note:
1: the plastic quality overall feels good. a few parts seem worrying, but they'll likely disconnect before breaking.
2: paint is good
3: the joints are all solid, and i found not a single one that needed tightening.
4: everything still transforms and combines perfectly fine.

We recently wrote of the possibility of Takara recalling some Transformers Encore God Fire Convoy (RID Omega Prime) sets in Japan. Due to the high price tag for a toy may fans already have in one way or another, not many had experienced this rerelease to know exactly what was wrong with it. And fans who were saving for this set or wondering if they should get it were left confused as to what might be wrong and if it was still worth getting it.

Well, fellow Seibertronian megamanfan wrote down all the issues this rerelease has, from experience with the toy. So, if anyone is still wondering if this is worth getting and what the fuss is all about, here are the words from megamanfan:

megamanfan wrote:i got mine a few days ago. here's some problems I've encountered:

1: prime's cab doesn't fit together perfectly. the arm panels are actually to blame for this, they're slightly warped and don't sit flush with the top of the truck.
2: one missile really, REALLY likes to fire off even if you don't touch it.
3: the panel that covers the hole the combined mode head leaves behind doesn't sit flush, in either combined or vehicle mode.
4: UM's hands don't peg into prime's without sanding them down first.
5: plastic quality in prime's vehicle back end feels... off. if you try to move the ladder ,it bends the connection points between pieces. not in a way that permanently damages it, but enough to cause worry
6: prime's legs leave a small gap in the cab when in vehicle mode.
7: the pieces that are screwed together to make prime's base shoulders don't line up with each other.
8: some of the plastic parts on UM split along the seams, where they'd normally be glued to held together. he still holds together and transforms fine, but it's worth mentioning.

I haven't tested the electronics because I didn't care about putting in batteries.
now, a few things to note:

1: the plastic quality overall feels good. a few parts seem worrying, but they'll likely disconnect before breaking.
2: paint is good
3: the joints are all solid, and i found not a single one that needed tightening.
4: everything still transforms and combines perfectly fine.

So being recalled.... would that up the value if you held on to it? Or would it be known as a lemon.... and worth less in the long run? I have the original RiD release; but the non-chrome and sword are tempting.