Diaclone Transformers Lambor (Sideswipe)

This is another of my childhood toys, and was my very first (and only as a child) Transformer. It has seen better days with heavy damage from high falls and crashes against the bedroom wall.

Transformers Lambor or better known in the USA as Sideswipe was one of the Diaclone Car Robot toys that was repackaged and sold as the Generation One Transformers by Hasbro (and later Takara). Lambor is a red Lamborghini Countach LP500S and belongs to the Cybertron (Autobot) faction. As this was pre-Transformers, it does not have the Autobot logo on its chest.

Lambor does come with a white flare gun (missing), 3x white missiles (missing) and a black and chrome shoulder missile launcher. The feet or rear part of the car is made of die-cast metal and the rest is plastic. It also includes a tiny Diaclone figure with magnetic shoes as a driver. I believe this was first released by Takara in 1983 or so, when I was barely starting primary/elementary school. Toys were certainly built to last back in those days.

Robot mode:


Front



Side


Back (note the chipped spoiler)


Car mode:

Top side


Rear side


Rear


Top


Bottom


Diaclone figure (approximately an inch tall)


Car with driver

Transformers Animated Deluxe Class Optimus Prime (Cybertronian mode)

Despite having washed out of the Autobot academy, Optimus Prime is a natural leader. Trained to lead the bravest of the brave into battle against overwhelming odds, he eagerly looked forward to his first assignment. It's just too bad the Decepticons were defeated ages ago, and the only crews left to lead are the maintenance squads that keep the Space Bridge network running. Since his assignment, he's lost track of his ambitions. The last thing he expects is the chance to test his leadership abilities in a battle to defend his home and fight for freedom.

With a double-handled Ion-axe weapon that converts to a giant war axe and a windshield that turns into a shield, this brave Optimus Prime figure is ready for battle. The toughest of trucks, Optimus Prime converts from robot mode to Cybertron truck mode to help the Autobots win the battle against the Decepticon forces.

This is a must have from the Animated Deluxe line. Very poseable figure with great articulation and the vehicle mode looks great too. The only gripe I have is that the axe head is a little loose fitting and pops off a little easily but all in all an excellent addition to the collection. This was purchased loose from Falcon's Hangar at a discounted price of $15, if I recall correctly.

Robot Mode:







Cybertronian truck mode:

Transformers C-888 - Dai Atlas, C-347 - Sonic Bomber, C-349 Road Fire, Big Powered

I acted on a slight motivation to rotate my toy displays and decided to snap some pictures of these beauties before returning them to storage. These three sets were among the last Transformers releases from the "vintage" era. By this time (around 1990), the popularity of Transformers were already at a decline with Takara releasing new toys for the Japanese market alone. They were from the standalone original video animation (OVA) Transformers: Zone, which followed the Transformers: Victory series. Only one episode of footage was produced before Transformers anime went on a hiatus until the Beast Wars series.

Dai Atlas was the main Cybertron commander and character in Transformers: Zone. He can transform into a base, jet, tank, and a robot. His legs contain a motor, powered by a pair of AA batteries under each front orange leg cover, that can move him forward or backward in jet or tank modes, or move Micromasters along the rubber treads down a ramp in his base mode.

Dai Atlas can combine with two other Cybertron transformers, Sonic Bomber and Road Fire, to form a giant jet or base called Big Powered. All of his motorized capabilities still work in this combined form, forming one giant rolling jet or base with multiple ramps. Each of them also come packaged with a Micromaster.

Dai Atlas was purchased from a Singapore seller of Yahoo! auctions. It is mint-in-box (MIB) with stickers unapplied, complete with all accessories, instructions and other paperwork. Unfortunately the box shows some wear.

Both Sonic Bomber and Road Fire were purchased in MIB condition from Singaporean retailer, Robo Robo, following the Dai Atlas purchase as I really wanted all three to combine and form Big Powered. Both come with all accessories and paperwork included, although Sonic Bomber had its stickers applied. All three are also available together in a Big Powered giftset (C-353).




Big Powered (combined jet mode)


Big Powered (combined base mode) as depicted on the individual rear box art


Dai Atlas (jet mode)


Dai Atlas (tank mode)



Dai Atlas (base mode)


Micromaster (with cannons)


Dai Atlas (robot mode)


Dai Atlas (with accessories)


Dai Atlas (in box tray)


Dai Atlas (unused sticker sheet)


Dai Atlas (MIB)



Sonic Bomber (jet mode)


Sonic Bomber (base mode) with Micromaster


Sonic Bomber (robot mode) with Micromaster


Sonic Bomber (used sticker sheet)


Sonic Bomber (in styrofoam box tray)


Sonic Bomber (MIB)


Sonic Bomber (rear box art)



Road Fire (tank mode) with Micromaster


Road Fire (base mode) with Micromaster


Road Fire (robot mode) with Micromaster


Road Fire (unused sticker sheet, mail-in survey and pamphlet)


Road Fire (MIB)


They each come with a pamphlet featuring other Victory and Zone releases


Final line-up before returning them to storage

Stay Real X Transformers

3rd apparel post in a row...Ashin (lead vocalist of Mayday) and No2Good followed up the Hello Kitty celebration to cash in on the theatrical blockbuster release of Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen in 2009 with two T-shirt designs under the Stay Real label.

Both feature Stay Real's mascot mouse - one in Optimus Prime helmet on white background and the other in Bumblebee helmet on black background. My white Optimus Prime tee was purchased at the now-defunct NCore at Far East Plaza while the black Bumblebee tee was purchased on a recent trip to Taipei earlier this year.

My verdict - cute, but not quite the chick magnet like the Hello Kitty tees.


Optimus Prime tee (front)


Optimus Prime tee (back). Transformers run on orange juice rather than Energon


Bumblebee tee (front)


Bumblebee tee (back)


Bumblebee tee (sleeve)