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\f0\fs24 \cf0 This is a TF Source video review of Fansproject Warbot Defender.\
TFsource tends to focus on a lot of Transformers-relate figures that you cannot find in US stores
and as such, many of the recently available 3rd Party toys have been made available on
TFsource.com. Fansproject is quickly becoming one of the most well-respected 3rd party Transformers-related
toy manufacturers out there after their incredibly successful City Commander armor kits and their
Superion upgrade kits. For the first time, Fansproject has created their very own stand-alone
figure which does not require a mainstream toy for assembly. Named the Warbot Defender,
this figure is an homage to Generation 1 Springer first seen in the Transformers Animated Movie.
It features die-cast metal parts as well as three completely separate modes!\
So has Fansproject struck gold for the 3rd time? Follow me as we watch this toy spring
into action.\ Warbot Defender, like all items shipped from
TFsource, comes expertly wrapped in cellophane for added protection to ease the Mint in sealed
box collector in all of us. Fansproject has really done a incredible job of packaging
this figure with 4 different layers of protection. There is an all-encompassing clear plastic
sleeve, then a 4-color card stock sheath, then a cardboard tray which houses the final
plastic bubble containing the toy itself. Included in the tray is the full-color comic
book and instructions, the sword, both hand guns, and an attachment for aerial display
stands.\ The comic book tells the story of Warbot Defender's
evil clone attacking his base, which could mean that we may see an evil version of this
figure in our future. Only time will tell if we end up seeing a WB002 or more... The
full-color booklet includes instructions in photographic form.
\b \
\b0 Warbot Defender comes snuggly packaged in robot mode. The first thing that is noticeable
is how many points of articulation this toy actually has. There are five joints in each
individual arm and they can rotate 360 degrees at the shoulder. The knees have what appear
to be double-jointed articulation due to their need to fold a complete 180 degrees durring
transformation. The figure brandishes a variety of joints, some incredibly strong and ratchet
while others are simple ball joints. The strong ratchets at the hips and thighs help to hold
some incredible poses.\ The one major flaw of this figure is it's
top-heavy demeanor, which causes simple standing poses to repeatedly topple over. The feet
are just a little bit too small and could benefit from a little bit more plastic for
the base of the feet. However, the last thing that you want to do with your Defender is
to pose him standing still! This figure can reach some amazing poses, and it is probably
the first Transforming figure that is able to realistically holster and unholster its
weapon by itself!\ All three weapon accessories are be easily
stored in robot mode when not being brandished by the bot. The guns are very sturdy but be
weary of the sword which has been molded so thin that it is indeed in danger of snapping
at any second.\ One of the great draws of Warbot Defender
is its excellent execution of two distinct alt-modes. Most triple-changers admittedly
suffer in at least one or two of their advertised 3 modes, but Fansproject seems to have discovered
the proper recipe. At first, this bot turns into some sort of futuristic armored car mode,
quite similar to the Botcon 2007 iteration of Springer. This tank is well-armed, and
very sturdy The design gives the impression that it could have been seen in the recent
Avatar films. The six-wheeled vehicle rolls very nicely on a flat surface. Once again,
the sword and guns may be stored on the vehicle, but it is not advised to store the delicate
sword piece under the vehicle for fear of breakage. The bright yellow hood and bright
blue windshield help to remind us all that Springer is back!\
After reaching armored car mode, the helicopter mode comes next. This transformation is far
more complex than one might assume from looking at still photos. There is quite a bit of reorganization
of parts within the car that help to create a very unique and definitively Springer helicopter
mold. The sword accessory finally reaches its full potential as the freely spinning
rotor blades of the copter and the die-cast leg housings become the tail of this stealthy
heli. The hand guns fit into nicely angled peg-holes that have until now been hidden
from sight. \ The display stand adapter may be connected
to the underside of the helicopter and attached to a separately available display stand for
the maximum display value. If anything shouts classics Springer, it is this beautifully
executed helicopter mold.\ Warbot Defender is meant to fill the gap for
a Classics-style Springer triple-changer mold. He is somewhere between a typical deluxe and
voyager class figure. When seen next to other Season 3 characters from classics or Generation
1, he seems to defy genre styles and fits in with either. We have already seen two iterations
of Springer in the classics universe, but each one was tailored to only one of the characters
2 alt-modes. If you've been craving a true triple-changing Springer toy, this is closest
you are going to get. \b \
\b0 Warbot Defender is incredibly well-designed. As Fansproject's name implies, each of its
creations are aimed directly at the wants and desired of long-time Transformers fans.
The ability for this figure to creatively stow and utilize his weapons in all modes
should definitely be tugging at the heartstrings of the original G1 collector.\
Although Warbot Defender has a bit of difficulty staying standing, most will find either of
the alt modes to be the most successful display option for this piece. This is something that
we expect Fansproject to address in any future creations. With the announced Bruticus upgrade
kit, Fansproject will continue to lead the way in 3rd party boutique Transformer items.
If you can afford to spend botcon exclusive prices for an exclusive 3rd party figure,
you will not be disappointed. Only time will tell if we will be able to see a Protector
upgrade kit in our future, or if paying over $50 for that classics Rodimus was just simply
a waste of time... }