Transformers Masterpiece Fans Toys FT-45 Spindrift 2.0 (Masterpiece Seaspray)
Fanstoys items usually come with an outer plastic baggie to protect the box.
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.
I didn’t have time to break out any of the other Minibots (Spindrift kinda came in suddenly and I opted to open asap to check for QC issues), but there’s an image of the box to give you a good idea of how tall he is in general.
As usual for Fans Toys, their figures tend to come in a bit mis-transformed. In this case, all you have to do is just flip up his chest panel, and you’re all set.
Seaspray functions as the Autobot’s Naval Defense strategist. Underwater, he is rarely outmatched in combat. Sadly, however, on land, he’s not so useful. He’s actually one of the physically weaker Autobots, but more than makes up for it in terms of courage and spirit.
This figure is actually the version 2.0 release of the character under Fans Toys. The version 1.0 was leaner and less toon accurate. It was fortunate I had yet to grab any version of Masterpiece Seaspray from the various Third Party versions when this was announced.
Spindrift 2.0 stands roughly 5.75 inches and weighs 202 Grams.
Diecast parts include:
-Sections of the torso
-Thighs
-Sections of the feet
-Some of the joints
Heh, I got QC 34. No problems here, good job QC 34!
The set actually comes with an alternate “G1 toy” head, featuring a “visored” look and grills on the mask plate. You will need to unscrew the halves on both heads before reassembling them on the torso. It’s too bad you can’t mix and match by taking the grilled mask off the alt head and put it on the main head though, that would’ve been more interesting.
While the thighs and knees sport awesome soft ratchet joints, somehow the ankles are floppy. I wish they somehow improved this before releasing the figure. It’s not a deal breaker as there are no real balancing issues, but it can be a bit off-putting if you’re particular about floppy joints.
Spindrift 2.0 sports a more toon-accurate “dad-bod” design, while some folks prefer the 1.0’s leaner but non-show-accurate look. I guess it’s a matter of personal preference. I personally prefer toon-accuracy.
The figure also features a rotating panel on his torso, for hiding his Autobot symbol (if you choose to stick one on) when you transform him. It’s a bit hard to rotate though, as the joint is very tight.
Sheesh, transforming his feet for his hovercraft mode is a pain. The panels for the soles of his feet will absolutely pop off, even if you’re really extra careful. It’s not super bad, as the peg is metal , but it’s not something you would expect from FT’s engineers. The rest of Spindrift is actually somewhat enjoyable to transform (except for tabbing all the panels together, as usual).
Spindrift comes with two blasters.
Hovercraft mode
Spindrift’s guns can be slotted into the sides of his vehicle mode.
Alternately, you can also slot them up top, to recreate his look from the cartoons, but be warned, flipping up those small panels is no easy task. I just opted to unfurl the legs and work my way back, instead of trying to open the panels while he’s in hovercraft mode.
Overall, not too shabby. It’s probably the most show-accurate Masterpiece version of Seaspray out there. It’s got good heft to it and beautiful paint as usual for Fans Toys. The downsides are that it’s a bit on the short side (I was expecting him to be at least Brawn size), some floppiness around the ankles and the lack of solid accessories (at least Dune Runner/ Beachcomber came with more extra heads). Not real deal breakers but it would’ve been nice to have a “closer-to-perfect” toy.
Other options for an MP Seaspray include Toyworld’s Wavebreak, Zeta Toy’s Deep Sea and X-transbots’ Neptune. Neptune would probably the most enjoyable, thanks to all the accessories that set comes with.
Hmm.. I think I’m almost complete the Minibots, I just have to track down Badcube’s Backland/ Outback to complete the team.
Gold
