Fans Toys FT-31E Bandit (Masterpiece Dead End)
Fanstoys items usually come with an outer plastic baggie to protect the box.
Same as with Ethereaon (Superion), the box is insanely large, spanning 21 x 12 x 10 inches in dimension.
Sigh.. given the size of the box, don’t expect it to arrive in pristine condition. Mine had a large corner dent. Bummer.
The parts for Marauder are stowed away in two different levels of styrofoam packing.
Ye ole Fans Toys protective film sheet. Though I wish they made this bigger, it barely covers much due to the size of the figure.
Ye ole Fans Toys protective film sheet again.
Since Bandit is severely mis-transformed to minimize packing size, there’s a lot to do get him proper.
Start with flipping out the feet to the proper orientation.
Then we need to do the backpack. Untab the hood and collapse like so.
Lastly, fold down the front of the alt mode to form the backpack.
Since this is a Third Party, non-official item, it doesn’t come with a faction symbol. It’s best to get some stickers from Reprolabels/Toyhax.com to make this guy more “toon-accurate”. Alternately, you can also use “water slide decals” to make them look even more flawless (you won’t see the edges, unlike with stickers) but I’ve never really had the proper skills, or time (usually needs to be individually cut first) to work with those.
For water slide decals, most folks recommend the one from Ocean Studio. Here:
http://www.unclebillyshop.com/decals-poster/ocean-logo-decals.html
To apply stickers, I find the best way to stick the stickers on is to use the tip of a blade, or a flat, small-tipped object, this way you have more control over the application, as compared to using one’s stubby fingers. You can also use the blade to help gently peel off a corner of the sticker in case you didn’t center it right and need to re-apply.
Depressingly fatalistic and extremely nihilistic, Dead End sees everything as pointless, as everything ceases to function eventually at some point anyway. Very hard to motivate, Dead End is often the last one to show up, if ever. Ironically, he’s also deeply vain and loves to spend his time polishing himself.
While Bandit does have diecast parts (the feet and mostly the joints), he does feel like he’s the lightest figure FT has rolled out for the Marauder/ Demolition Derby group.
Bandit stands roughly 8.5 inches tall and weighs 265 Grams.
I got QC 35 this time.
I find the design for his shoulders a bit lacking. They sometimes seem too low or too high after I pose the figure, a bit awkward.
While the figure does have a waist joint, the tab for the alt mode roof can limit the range of the rotation.
The elbow articulation is also somewhat limited due to the forearm design. You can’t get a full 90-degree bend here.
Bandit comes with iconic Compressor-air gun that shoots a 40,000-psi blast of air. He comes with two in fact!
While it’s nice that Fanstoys included two of his guns. I think he looks cooler holding just one.
Admittedly, the gap on the back is really annoying. It’s almost impossible to close that gap without shaving some of the tab connectors.
To mount the twin Compressor-air guns on the alt mode, first fold the handles in.
These clip onto the Bandit’s spoilers.
Overall, decent, but easily the weakest release for the Fanstoys take on the Stunticon team. The reduced amount of diecast parts relative to the other Demolition Derby team members is unfortunate (maybe a cost-cutting thing?). The huge gap in the alt mode roof is also very glaring and really does stick out like a sore thumb.
But it’s not all bad news. The paint for the figure is still top notch and on par for Fans Toys releases. The transformation is also enjoyable and not overly complicated compared to some of their other figures.
I’m just glad we’ve finally completed the Stunticon team in Masterpiece scale after 5 years! There was supposed to be some drama behind the scenes which lead to the massive delay with completing this project. .
“What’s the point?”
Gold
