Unite Warriors Bruticus vs Fansproject Bruticus Part 4 of 6: Vortex vs ROTF Swindle

Well, this has an awkward title some of you may think. When I needed the figures to assemble Fansproject Bruticus, the TF forum member ended up selling me an Energon Barricade, ROTF Swindle, and ROTF Blast-OFF. I'll point out again that the Bruticus Maximus line consisted of Barricade, two copters, and two tanks. The ROTF version was the same mold but different colored. With the exception of Onslaught, the remaining members were in their G1 colors. So had I gotten Vortex, he would have had similar colors like the UW warriors version. Brawl would had been more greenish. The difference aside from colors is that Swindle is now a copter like Vortex and Blast-Off a tank like Brawl. Without further delay, here are the comparison pics.

Vehicle mode ( normal, vs, and with accessories) 

 

 

 

 

ROTF Swindle, though doesn't look as impressive as UW Vortex, looks great with his FP accessories. I like how FP once again redecorated a bland looking copter with some cool gadgets and armaments.  Though it doesn't look like something of the G1 era, I like how Swindle looks like he is some kinda bomber copter with the add-ons. The only thing I really didn't like on Swindle was that his rotors kept popping out. Once again, it wouldn't be a fair comparison to the UW version because Vortex has 4 rotors, but I just had to point that out.

Robot mode:

 

 

 

Well, Swindle can almost adhere to Vortex's weapons while Vortex can use some of the FP blasters. I like how you can lock on the smart missiles on Swindle's shoulders.  Swindle is definitely a huge improvement with the FP add-ons. Good going fansproject. Only complaint would be Swindle is overwhelmed by Vortex size wise.

Conclusion for this part: Well, no real comparison character wise. UW is still the way to go if you want official combaticons. Whether you get the Bruticus Maximus mold or ROTF one, the FP upgrades does wonders for the copters. I sometimes still can't get over how much it is an improvement when you compare and contrast it with upgrades and without. Well, next up and the last member comparison of the combaticon team. Toodles.

Unite Warriors Bruticus vs Fansproject Bruticus Part 3 of 6: Swindle vs Munitioner (not Swindle)

Welcome to part III. This time we examine Unite Warriors Swindle and Fansproject Munitioner (not Swindle.) FP Munitioner was the 2nd and last of the third party upgrade delivered to us alongside Explorer. Alright, well lets get started!

Vehicle mode comparison: 

 

 

As you can see the UW version engulfs the FP version. Good thing here is that their weapons are interchangeable. I like how the UW version is more yellow and a little more faithful to his cartoon counterpart. However, both don't look like the actual jeeps we saw in the cartoon. Both are fairly easy to play in this mode, so no qualms here once again for both.

Robot mode comparison

 

 

 

Sizing wise- UW overwhelms the FP version. FP isn't too bad looking especially that smirk FP gave him.... I dig it! Weapons are interchangeable once again. Both needs to use some kind of ankle tilt or supporter to stabilize themselves; FP uses these black slabs back at the feet (evidenced by the pic where you see their backs). Both figures have tight joints and pose pretty well. Both are kinda lacking when it comes to looking like their G1 counterparts, but I understand FP did their best at the time while the UW is based off of the CW/IDW continuity. Both lack the arm cannon he had in the show as well. If I had to pick one, I'm leaning towards UW Swindle.

Conclusion for this part: FP Swindle was a good stand-in for classics Bruticus and Combaticons prior to the CW/UW release. UW Swindle is the official Swindle and no doubt the better articulated and looking of the two. Until next time, the 4th combaticon comparison is around the corner.

Unite Warriors Bruticus vs Fansproject Bruticus Part 2 of 6: Blast-Off vs Explorer (FP Blast-Off)

Without haste, part II is up.  Up to bat is Unite Warriors Blast-Off and FP Explorer whom is "not" Blast-Off. Earlier I said in part I that Explorer and Munitioner came with additional accessories. What gun or arm piece came with whom, I forgot because it's been long since I put away the box. However, you can search for the details online. Without delay, let's get started.

FP Explorer vehicle mode and comparisons with Unite Warriors Blast-Off

 

I am glad to say that for once I am digging the Unite Warriors Blast-Off. I did say that I wasn't wowed by him in my UW Bruticus review, but after comparing him to Explorer, I totally had a new found respect for him. Explorer just felt really cheap to me and looked a little generic in comparison to the UW version. Explorer also lacked pegs to mount weapons whereas the UW version shines on this aspect. There are positives in the FP version though. He has the right color scheme with the mocha brown color rather then the caramel color UW used. Explorer didn't fall apart as much as the UW version (i.e. head pops off easily and sometimes the cockpit). The blade Explorer uses in robot mode is used for his tail fyi.
Both transform fairly easy so no qualms on both figures on difficulty.

Robot mode

 

UW Blast-Off is nearly twice the size of Explorer. They can both exchange weapons as Explorer can hold Vortex's blaster whom I do give to Blast-Off occasionally. Blast-Off can somewhat hold the knife Explorer wields. Despite UW Blast-Offs bulky chest, I liked that version better overall. Explorer, who was a good classics fodder prior to the UW release, is too small and he is lacking the G1 features the UW version has. Once again, it's the mocha brown on the FP version that gives him points, but it's not enough to topple the UW version. Thanks for reading. Next combaticon coming in part III.

Unite Warriors Bruticus vs Fansproject Bruticus Part 1 of 6: Onslaught vs Barricade (FP Onslaught)

Welcome to another edition of Unite Warriors Bruticus featuring Fansproject Bruticus. Originally known as Bruticus Maximus of Transformers Energon fame, FP made 3rd party parts to upgrade Bruticus Maximus to look more G1 esque. FP released two box sets: One being Munitioner (Swindle) and Explorer (Blast Off). It replaced one of the tanks and helicopters of the BM mold and featured additional arnaments for the remaining team members. Reason I said one of the tanks or helis was that eventually the BM mold was re-released in other colors as a revenge of the fallen gimmick. So it was up to the TF user fanbase to upgrade which version, whether it was the Energon or ROTF mold, to their liking. The result: The upgrades was widely accepted and it brought a shine and neat feel to the Bruticus mold. The FP version served as classics Bruticus until the combiner wars version came to play.

For this part: I have Energon Barricade. When I started to collect this figure, the third party accessories were nearly sold out. I managed to snatch Munitioner and Explorer but I was lacking the BM molds. As a forum member of TFW2005.com, I was able to obtain the Energon version of Barricade through another forum member. Btw, here are the pics.

Original Vehicle mode without FP upgrades.

 

With upgrades

 

Baseport 1

Baseport II

 

Takara Tomy Transformers Unite Warriors/Combiner Wars UW-07 Bruticus 2 of 2 review! UW Bruticus

Combaticons, merge to become Bruticus! Amid some of the issues discussed in part I, does combined form Bruticus fare any better? Well, that's why you are here, right? Nah, you are here to see the pics. Anyhow, let's get started!

Official look and combined form

 

 

Ah, yes. Flex them muscle.

 Two words: Simply awesome! Bruticus stands pretty well this time around. Defensor had some wobbly hips and Menasor, well, was just bad when it came to standing. The toon colors are painted nicely and I definitely love his 4 bladed look on his left arm (Vortex). Superion, imo, still poses the best though Bruticus is a huge improvement over Defensor and Menasor. In case if you didn't notice by now, Swindle's and Brawls leg is color-coded the same. You can actually mess with Brawl's turret here. You can raise it knee length or lower it. Your move.

Hiking with God in Oahu 6/29/16 Lulumahu Falls

The day was raining before but that didn't deter us from going to Lulumahu Falls. Thank God there was some parking left when we got there. It was roughly 10AM that day. When you get to the gates, there is a slashed fence section to the left. Just go in. If you come across a bamboo forest while walking, don't go in there. When you hit this green hill-like area, you may have to get dirty a little. After you climb this portion (1st pic). Just go all the way to your right until you encounter some stairs. Go up those to make life a little easier.

Once you get to the top, you will encounter the Nu'uanu resevoir. Just follow the path to your right until you hit a grafitti wall. Take some pics, admire it, whatever you like.

 

My bro running

Courtesy Christina Hu

You will see some steps across the wall, go up and begin your hike. It's very muddy especially after it rained the previous day. You will encounter stream water. From this point on, you are going to criss cross between rocks and muddy land a few times before you hit the actuall fall. It's probably going to be at least a 30mins hike to the fall. Have fun!