Rare BTS Look at Cheetor Proof of Concept Using Moonracer Pieces

Posted by william-james88 Mar 31, 2022 at 9:16am CDT 45,948 views

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Hasbro rarely shows us behind the scenes (BTS) looks at the Transformers process at the early stages and that is because the average fan will not understand what they see, as we've seen with fans in the past going ape over a Predaking mock up that was not indicative of the final version. So being given this BTS look at Cheetor here is quite the treat. To sell an idea, designers go into an arts and crafts mode, putting pieces of pre-existing toys together with what they have lying around to give an idea of what a new toy could look like. There is that famous story of a Kenner designer using a piece of his brown socks for a Jawa toy mock up shown to George Lucas, and we are resharing an example of the Trypticon mock up that was done with pieces of Fortress Maximus. For Cheetor, Mark Maher used a Moonracer toy and added cheetah parts to it and painted it. He also had a non transforming cheetah cut up to show how it might look like in that mode with the seams. Of course, Cheetor turned out quite different (especially since the same cheetah head is used for both modes) but that's par for the course since robot kibble has to go somewhere. The part I find particularly interesting is how the gut gun was the initial suggestion for this toy but must have been removed somewhere along the process after the figure was greenlit. And of course, this does not mean in any way that Hasbro planned initially on having Cheetor be a Moonracer retool, it's just a slim easy mold to use to craft up a mock up.

Transformers News: Rare BTS Look at Cheetor Proof of Concept Using Moonracer Pieces

Here is what Mark said on his Instagram page when he posted this image:

Beast Wars will always hold a special place in my heart, it was the series that got me back into Transformers. I had left briefly but energon was always still flowing in my veins.

Since toy making and engineering came such a long way from the late 90’s it was the perfect time for a resurgence. The idea of making maximals and predacons as close to the real thing as possible was just sooooo coooool! The Kingdom series literally knocked my socks off!

Here is the first initial concept figure for our lovable Cheetor. I was allowed to paint this without any restraints to help sell in the concept.

I had no idea that later on I’d be designing the Netflix release of this figure! Enjoy!

Trypticon Mock up, for reference

Rare BTS Look at Cheetor Proof of Concept Using Moonracer Pieces

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Re: Rare BTS Look at Cheetor Proof of Concept Using Moonracer Pieces (view post)

Comment by sol magnus Mar 31, 2022

Very cool inside look!

Re: Rare BTS Look at Cheetor Proof of Concept Using Moonracer Pieces (view post)

Comment by primalxconvoy Mar 31, 2022

I don't think the beast mode cheetah was cut up. It looks like the seams were simply painted onto the toy, to illustrate possible areas of transformation.

Also, if anyone is interested, the Takara "Generations" mooks sometimes feature similar design ideas using spare parts, like Gundam "gunpla" model kit parts, etc.

Re: Rare BTS Look at Cheetor Proof of Concept Using Moonracer Pieces (view post)

Comment by Emerje Mar 31, 2022

primalxconvoy wrote:I don't think the beast mode cheetah was cut up. It looks like the seams were simply painted onto the toy, too illustrate possible areas of transformation.

If you look closely you can were the light is catching edges, though I think it's more likely that he simply took an engraver to it and then painted in the new panel lines.

Pretty cool concept work, I really do miss the gun, though I would have been disappointed if it was just painted gun metal like that.

Emerje

Re: Rare BTS Look at Cheetor Proof of Concept Using Moonracer Pieces (view post)

Comment by Sabrblade Mar 31, 2022

This looks like where RED Cheetor got his weird brown deco from.

Re: Rare BTS Look at Cheetor Proof of Concept Using Moonracer Pieces (view post)

Comment by blackeyedprime Mar 31, 2022

Looks better than retail cheetah in a lot of areas even with the boxier chest.

Re: Rare BTS Look at Cheetor Proof of Concept Using Moonracer Pieces (view post)

Comment by TOO MUCH ENERGON! Mar 31, 2022

What I find especially interesting is how much the show model resembles this, much moreso than the actual toy we got. I suspect this is what Mainframe was shown when they began building the character model.

Re: Rare BTS Look at Cheetor Proof of Concept Using Moonracer Pieces (view post)

Comment by Overcracker Mar 31, 2022

TOO MUCH ENERGON! wrote:What I find especially interesting is how much the show model resembles this, much moreso than the actual toy we got. I suspect this is what Mainframe was shown when they began building the character model.

Not unless they time traveled to see it. :lol:

As mentioned this Cheetor mockup uses the 2018 PotP Moonracer mold as a base, which obviously did not exist at the time Mainframe was making the CGI designs.

This is a concept for the Kingdom Line, not the original BW show. :HEADHURTS:

Re: Rare BTS Look at Cheetor Proof of Concept Using Moonracer Pieces (view post)

Comment by ZeldaTheSwordsman Mar 31, 2022

My favorite story of a mockup is the kitbashed Energon Optimus that led to us getting Bayformers that actually transformed instead of using bullshit metal shapeshifting.

Re: Rare BTS Look at Cheetor Proof of Concept Using Moonracer Pieces (view post)

Comment by william-james88 Mar 31, 2022

ZeldaTheSwordsman wrote:My favorite story of a mockup is the kitbashed Energon Optimus that led to us getting Bayformers that actually transformed instead of using bullshit metal shapeshifting.

Sounds like a great story, do you have a link to it?

Re: Rare BTS Look at Cheetor Proof of Concept Using Moonracer Pieces (view post)

Comment by TOO MUCH ENERGON! Mar 31, 2022

Overcracker wrote:
TOO MUCH ENERGON! wrote:What I find especially interesting is how much the show model resembles this, much moreso than the actual toy we got. I suspect this is what Mainframe was shown when they began building the character model.

Not unless they time traveled to see it.

As mentioned this Cheetor mockup uses the 2018 PotP Moonracer mold as a base, which obviously did not exist at the time Mainframe was making the CGI designs.

This is a concept for the Kingdom Line, not the original BW show.

My bad.

Re: Rare BTS Look at Cheetor Proof of Concept Using Moonracer Pieces (view post)

Comment by Nemesis Primal Apr 12, 2022

Starseeker wrote:
D-Maximal_Primal wrote:
Wolfman Jake wrote:
sol magnus wrote:
Starseeker wrote:Those of you who are saying you got Terrorsaur, where are you getting him? Are you paying scalpers prices? I sure as heck am not paying 90 plus bucks for a deluxe figure.

Mine was from Pulse.

Mine too.

Same

You're all lucky then. Every time I check there he's been sold out. I guess I'll just have to hope he'll be back at some point.

He's back in stock on Pulse right now, if you're still looking.

Re: Rare BTS Look at Cheetor Proof of Concept Using Moonracer Pieces (view post)

Comment by Starseeker Apr 12, 2022

Nemesis Primal wrote:
Starseeker wrote:
D-Maximal_Primal wrote:
Wolfman Jake wrote:
sol magnus wrote:
Starseeker wrote:Those of you who are saying you got Terrorsaur, where are you getting him? Are you paying scalpers prices? I sure as heck am not paying 90 plus bucks for a deluxe figure.

Mine was from Pulse.

Mine too.

Same

You're all lucky then. Every time I check there he's been sold out. I guess I'll just have to hope he'll be back at some point.
He's back in stock on Pulse right now, if you're still looking.

Thanks. I snagged him on Amazon earlier in the day. 43 bucks, so a slight overpay, but worth it for a character I definitely want. I've learned quickly not to rely on Pulse for anything lol.

Re: Rare BTS Look at Cheetor Proof of Concept Using Moonracer Pieces (view post)

Comment by D-Maximal_Primal Apr 13, 2022

sorry for the upcoming photo dump, but I had a lot of fun with the various Kingdom Hot Rodimi, and wanted to share the pictures.

Re: Rare BTS Look at Cheetor Proof of Concept Using Moonracer Pieces (view post)

Comment by Sabrblade Apr 13, 2022

Your pics just made me realize that Core class Hot Rod could represent his post-Rodimus Prime Micromaster upgraded form, and now I kinda want Core class Hot Rod when I didn't before now.

Re: Rare BTS Look at Cheetor Proof of Concept Using Moonracer Pieces (view post)

Comment by Emerje Apr 14, 2022

Sabrblade wrote:Your pics just made me realize that Core class Hot Rod could represent his post-Rodimus Prime Micromaster upgraded form, and now I kinda want Core class Hot Rod when I didn't before now.

This was why I bought the CW Legends Hot Rod, to stick him with Selects Star Convoy.

Emerje

Re: Rare BTS Look at Cheetor Proof of Concept Using Moonracer Pieces (view post)

Comment by Rtron Apr 14, 2022

Sabrblade wrote:Your pics just made me realize that Core class Hot Rod could represent his post-Rodimus Prime Micromaster upgraded form, and now I kinda want Core class Hot Rod when I didn't before now.

This was my thought when he was first revealed. Alternatively, you can just stand Commander Rodimus next to your Beast Wars figures, and consider him in scale with them, and bam, he's suddenly micro-master sized.

Re: Rare BTS Look at Cheetor Proof of Concept Using Moonracer Pieces (view post)

Comment by D-Maximal_Primal Apr 15, 2022

Emerje wrote:
Sabrblade wrote:Your pics just made me realize that Core class Hot Rod could represent his post-Rodimus Prime Micromaster upgraded form, and now I kinda want Core class Hot Rod when I didn't before now.

This was why I bought the CW Legends Hot Rod, to stick him with Selects Star Convoy.

Emerje

My CW Rodimus also serves as my Micromaster for Star Convoy. This core one is Iaconus' Commander

Re: Rare BTS Look at Cheetor Proof of Concept Using Moonracer Pieces (view post)

Comment by Rogue-Primal May 2, 2022

Just bought a Waspinator figure for myself with spare change.
Despite being a decent figure a few issues bug me.

-Purple wings and eyes

-The insect feet on his legs are not moveable, i wanted to try to move them backwards like on his arms but the insect legs fell out of their "mushroom joint sockets" and were difficult to fit back onto the figure. :BANG_HEAD:

-Barrel is barely noticeable on his gun, it's not visible in many photos.

These toys are major all suffer from poor sales related to high pricing. Some barely sell Ractonite,Kingdom re-release of Arcee, Ravage+Laserbeak, Earthrise Rescue Patrol set, Earthrise Deccepticon Battle Squad set, Soundbarrier,Kingdom Core Class Starscream and Earthrise Battle Squad.
Worst ones are Pteraxadon and Siege Aimless

Re: Rare BTS Look at Cheetor Proof of Concept Using Moonracer Pieces (view post)

Comment by chuckdawg1999 May 2, 2022

Rogue-Primal wrote:Just bought a Waspinator figure for myself with spare change.
Despite being a decent figure a few issues bug me.

-Purple wings and eyes

-The insect feet on his legs are not moveable, i wanted to try to move them backwards like on his arms but the insect legs fell out of their "mushroom joint sockets" and were difficult to fit back onto the figure.

-Barrel is barely noticeable on his gun, it's not visible in many photos.

These toys are major all suffer from poor sales related to high pricing. Some barely sell Ractonite,Kingdom re-release of Arcee, Ravage+Laserbeak, Earthrise Rescue Patrol set, Earthrise Deccepticon Battle Squad set, Soundbarrier,Kingdom Core Class Starscream and Earthrise Battle Squad.
Worst ones are Pteraxadon and Siege Aimless

A few things BUG you about Waspinator? :-D

Re: Rare BTS Look at Cheetor Proof of Concept Using Moonracer Pieces (view post)

Comment by william-james88 May 2, 2022

Rogue-Primal wrote:Just bought a Waspinator figure for myself with spare change.
Despite being a decent figure a few issues bug me.

-Purple wings and eyes

-The insect feet on his legs are not moveable, i wanted to try to move them backwards like on his arms but the insect legs fell out of their "mushroom joint sockets" and were difficult to fit back onto the figure.

-Barrel is barely noticeable on his gun, it's not visible in many photos.

These toys are major all suffer from poor sales related to high pricing. Some barely sell Ractonite,Kingdom re-release of Arcee, Ravage+Laserbeak, Earthrise Rescue Patrol set, Earthrise Deccepticon Battle Squad set, Soundbarrier,Kingdom Core Class Starscream and Earthrise Battle Squad.
Worst ones are Pteraxadon and Siege Aimless

Industry proffesionals and retailers all state that the kingdom line is selling well as a whole. Hence why we got an extra wave.

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