Transformers Fans Toys FT-17 Hoodlum (Masterpiece Hot Rod)
Fanstoys items usually come with an outer plastic baggie to protect the box.
Since this is a Third Party, non-official item, it’s best to get some stickers from Reprolabels/Toyhax.com to make this guy more “toon-accurate”.
To apply, I find the best way to stick the stickers on is to use the tip of a blade, this way you have more control over the application, as compared to using just your 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.
Hot Rod is a brash, stubborn, young Autobot. Full of self confidence, he often charges into battle without thinking (which is ironically, the opposite of Rodimus Prime, who at times has self doubt after becoming the leader of the Autobots). Friendly, honorable and brave, Hot Rod always lets his actions do the talking for him.
With Daniel from the MP-22 Ultra Magnus set.
Deployable visor (just like in the Lookout Mountain scene)
Buzzsaw
Photon Lasers
He comes with his Targetmaster (Firebolt)
Back on Nebulos, Firebolt was actually a quiet scholar, which makes him a strange partner for the hot-headed, always impatient, young Hot Rod.
Target on!!
Transforming him is a bit more difficult than expected. I couldn’t get mine to tab down all the way in the back. Also, there are reports of scrapping the paint on his chest plate if you aren’t too careful while rotating the collar. Be VERY, VERY mindful of this. I just tried keeping the collar and attachments as straight as possible and went really slow to avoid the paint scrapping issue.
His vehicle mode actually has a hidden slot on the engine that can be used to post his guns and Targetmaster, this feature is not indicated on the manual for some reason.
Opening canopy – I didn’t have Daniel from the MP Ultra Magnus set out at the moment to try and see if he fits in though. I’ll have to try this again later.
Hoodlum stands roughly 8 inches (counting the tips of his spoiler) and weighs 284 Grams. Firebolt stands roughly 3.25 inches tall.
Diecast parts include:
–Chest plate
–Thighs
–Feet
While Hoodlum does look better proportionally than the official MP Hot Rod, he does not come with the Autobot Matrix of Leadership, likewise, he does not have an opening chest compartment to store the said Matrix (unlike MP Hot Rod).
Sculpt-wise he does look good, but there are a few eyesores in the design that ruin the visuals on this thing. Namely the pegs on the shoulders and the forearms.
He comes with an alternate “Rodimus Prime” faceplate. I guess this works if you’re going to use him for CHUGs scale purposes? Changing the face plate requires using a screw driver to unscrew the default plate.
Due to the design, Hoodlum cannot raise his shoulders sideways (no armpit joint).
Comparison with MP-29 Hot Rod
Given how Hoodlum is wider than MP Hot Rod, I don’t think he will fit inside Optimus Prime’s Trailer.
Overall, I think it’s pretty good. It’s not perfect (lack of the armpit joint, those odd pegs sticking out visually), but I think he does look better than the official Masterpiece Hot Rod, thanks to the improved proportions and solid sculpt work. Also, if you have the Fans Toys 1986 movie characters, then getting this piece is a bit of a must to make the set look better, as the official Hot Rod is too small when put with the other FT releases.
As far as I can recall, there are no other third party alternatives for a Masterpiece Hot Rod since companies tend to shy away from characters that already have official releases out and focus on ones that have yet to get a proper Masterpiece release.
Gold
