Tip:
Highlight text to annotate it
X
{\rtf1\ansi\ansicpg1252\cocoartf1038\cocoasubrtf250 {\fonttbl\f0\fswiss\fcharset0 Helvetica;}
{\colortbl;\red255\green255\blue255;} \margl1440\margr1440\vieww15760\viewh21100\viewkind0
\pard\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\ql\qnatural\pardirnatural
\f0\fs24 \cf0 This is a TF Source video review of the coronation add-on kit for deluxe Starscream
by Megavolt Robot Factory. Starscream seems to have received a lot of love recently. We've
all ready reviewed the Gentai Ghost Starscream exclusive, an even larger and more expensive
ghost version of the Masterpiece mold has finally been confirmed via photos in Figure
King Magazine, and the debatably best leader class mold from Revenge Of the Fallen will
be the as of yet unreleased Starscream. The most iconic image of Starscream after his
ghostly visage is his brief stint as the newly appointed Decepticon Leader in the Transformers
Animated movie. This version has been coined Coronation Starscream and has only seen a
handful of official figures, all of them non-transformable busts or figurines. Back in 2008 3rd Party
Toy maker TFclub released an add-on set for the Masterpiece Starscream mold, and even
a Skywarp variant. The set was very popular amongst Starscream fans and it lead us to
the upcoming 2010 release of the coronation add-on kit for deluxe Starscream by Megavolt
Robot Factory. This add-on kit comes in a simple carded bubble. The back of the package
labels this product as MRF-00001, signifying this as Megavolt Robot Factory's first item
to be made publicly available. Also on the back is illustration showing an all black
Starscream decked out in the coronation gear lurched onto a throne holding a robotic head.
Apparently, the original concept for the packaging bubble was to mimic the shape of this throne
so that Coronation Starscream would be able to sit on it. The concept was unfortunately
abandoned due to production issues. The package includes 9 pieces total - a pair of shoulder
pads, replacement null-rays, and wing-joint assemblies. A single crown, cloth cape, and
Leader-1 replacement head are also included. \b
\b0 This add-on kit is not as removable as owners of the original Masterpiece coronation
kit might expect. Kit-bashers and moderate customizers should have no problem assembling
the pieces, but I will stress that the final assembly is somewhat permanent. A phillips
head screw driver will be required and additional tools such as a dermal may increase the ease
of assembly. Before we tackle the full assembly, it should be noted that the kit can be somewhat
applied to the classics seeker mold without disassembling any parts, however the cape
attaches better after replacing the wing hinges. The shoulder pads, null-rays and crown can
be easily applied to the figure and effortlessly removed. However, to really get the most out
of this add-on kit, you'll have to get your hands dirty and replace the wing hinges. It
is the suggestion of this reviewer to use the add-on kit with the Hasbro 20th anniversary
Starscream due to the white nature of the plastic used for the wing hinges and null
rays. The kit works with any version of the seeker mold, but the colors seem to look most
graceful with the 20th version. To complete the wing hinge transfer, start with the figure
in Jet mode. Remove the screws that adhere the wings to the hinge with your phillips
screwdriver and put them to the side. You may now want to test the kit hinges by placing
them on the wings to make sure they fit. If you have any trouble due to warping, you can
try using an x-acto blade to shave off some plastic so that the hinges can fit snugly
into the wing. Do not screw the new hinges in yet. Removing the original wing hinges
proved to be a tricky process for me, but using the blunt edge of the x-acto blade to
wedge the hinge bit from the rotating assembly, provided just enough leverage to force the
hinge to pop off of the main figure. If you choose to use an x-acto blade, please be careful
not to cut yourself while forcing the pieces apart. The next step proved the most difficult
- pegging the new hinges onto the figure's main body. I found it easier to force the
hinge on without the wing attached, but either way will work. Just make sure you don't put
the wrong hinge on the wrong side of the figure. The hinges have a enlarged flat top which
is used to secure the peg within the peg hole, but be careful not to force the peg in too
hard. Over-exertion may cause the delicate peg to snap off or create stress marks. I
used a dremel tool to create a bevel on the pegs. This made it a bit easier to ease the
peg into the peg hole, but do this adjustment at your own risk. Additional instructions
from Megavolt Robot Factory will be linked in the info of this video. When all is said
and done, you should end up with an incredibly augmented figure. The wings can now rotate
on an additional axis and fold backwards, much like the original G1 seeker toy. This
is an under-advertised benefit of this add-on kit. Starscream's wings no longer need to
lie flat against his back, which now allows the cape to position correctly behind him.
Once the cape is added, the colors of 20th Anniversary starscream really sing. The crown,
cape and red paint on this figure create an almost neon comic book appearance. As icing
on the cake, the kit includes a head that can replace the original seeker head by removing
a pin. Whose head you may ask? None other than Gobot Leader-1's cartoon face! Those
that have been fiending for a Leader-1 seeker redeco can finally rejoice. The one major
shortcoming of this set is probably the crown, which seems a little bit over-sized. In fact,
when placed on the head, it can no longer rotate. However, the added wing articulation
more than makes up for this slight problem. If you are a Starscream nut, you have to get
this add-on kit. The permanentness of this set is also appealing since it does in fact
change the figure. Moderate to extreme customizers will enjoy the process of putting this add-on
kit together, while it is also a great entry project into the world of customizing for
beginners. The short-comings are few and Megavolt has even shown a willingness to listen to
fans after public outcry coaxed the company to decrease the size of the crown and null-rays
to the current proportions. This is a unique kit that greatly improves the figure it is
meant to augment. If this is the first we've seen from Megavolt, we can definitely look
forward to what the company has in store for the future. In closing I would like to recount
this quote from the company's founder: Transformers have always been a passion and a hobby of
mine, and I'm just really excited that something I created can be enjoyed by other fans. Of
course, what happens next depends on how well this coronation kit does, but I am already
busy designing the next project, and crossing my fingers! Well Megavolt Robot Factory, we
are ready and waiting
for your next project.}