Fans Toys FT-55B Cassette Robots (Masterpiece Eject, Steeljaw, Ramhorn)
Fanstoys items usually come with an outer plastic baggie to protect the box.
Main box
Since this is a Third Party, non-official item, they don’t come with faction symbols. It’s best to get some stickers from Reprolabels/Toyhax.com to make these guys 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.
Each cassette comes with its own protective case.
Erase (Autobot Eject)
Functioning as the Autobot’s electronic surveillance and covert communications expert, Eject monitors the airwaves, trying to pick up the faintest Decepticon activity in order to warn the Autobots. Eject also loves to use Earth sports cliches and always inserts them into his speech patterns.
Obviously, Erase is a straight up redeco of Fast-forward (Autobot Rewind from the FT-55 Recorder set).
Erase stands roughly 3.5 inches and weighs 29 Grams.
Diecast parts include:
-Chest panels
-Lower legs
-Feet.
Erase comes with Eject’s “Electrical Overlord Guns”.
Like Fast-forward, the gun can be taken apart and stored in each leg cavity. Be careful though, as you might accidentally break the gun barrel if you’re folding the leg wrong.
Unfortunately, like his buddy Fast-forward (Rewind), he only comes with one gun (as opposed to Frenzy and Rumble’s dual weapons,).
“It’s game time!”
“Touchdown!!!”
With his “twin”, Fast-forward (Rewind).
Loudspeaker (Steeljaw)
Steeljaw can electromagnetize his body when in cassette mode, allowing him to stick to any surface to avoid detection.
The tracker of the group, Steeljaw’s olfactory sensors can pick up the scent of any target from as far as 800 miles away. His bite is capable of cutting through foot-thick metal. Cooly professional (unlike his fellow cassette, Ramhorn), Steeljaw likes to stay on point during missions.
Loudspeaker weighs 34 Grams.
Diecast parts include:
-Center section of the torso.
-Legs
Loudspeaker comes with Steeljaw’s twin solar-powered pellet guns that fire 1200 rounds per minute. According to Steeljaw’s bio, these guns are less effective when not in direct sunlight.
Openable jaw.
Amplifier (Ramhorn)
In cassette mode, Ramhorn is able to vibrate and destroy any device he’s plugged into.
Territorial, bad-tempered and highly aggressive to everything around him, Ramhorn will take any excuse to smash into anyone and anything, be it friend or foe.
Opening mouth.
Note that transforming the hips will be insanely hard the first time around due to the super tight hinges. I recommend using a tool like a spudger to help pry the butt-folding sections free.
Amplifier weighs 36 Grams.
Diecast parts include:
-Center section of the torso.
-Legs
Amplifier comes with Ramhorn’s three laser-guided, heat-seeking missiles.
With Recorder (Blaster) and Fast-forward (Rewind).
Unfortunately, due to Recorder’s dark chest window, you can’t really make out if there are any tapes inside or not, so putting them into his chest doesn’t really do much.
“The Sound Machine” crew.
“Sic ‘em!”
While you can let the twins ride on the beasts, it doesn’t quite come together as the proportions are kind of off. Ah well…
Overall, pretty decent. What you see is what you get. The figures are very well done in terms of materials and paint and the set is a perfect companion for FT-55 Recorder since we get all of the remaining members of his crew in one package. It is a bit on the pricey side though for just three small bots, but it is what it is.
On a personal note, while it is true that in the cartoons, Blaster’s humanoid tapes didn’t have much in terms of special physical abilities or weapons (unlike Frenzy and Rumble’s “piledrivers”), I do wish Fans Toys added something to Erase and Fast-forward to make up for their single gun accessory. It just seems like a missed opportunity to try to add something new and unique to the figures IMHO. Ah, well…
Gold
