Tag Archives: Pipes

My Transformer Collection Showcase, Transformatorium

Transformers Collection – Combiner Wars/Unite Warriors

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And so the great cataloging of my personal collection continues.

The next instalment of the Generations line and the first installment of the Prime Wars Trilogy was Combiner Wars.  This is a toyline that a lot of people – now near a full decade later – tend to disparage.  However personally I feel that is both unwaranted and unjustified.  Combiner Wars brought back many of the classic Combiner teams,including many of the Scramble City groups such as the Aerialbots & Stunticons.  It introduced new teams such that which made the first female combiner Victorion, and best of all it’s signature piece was a huge Devastator, which remains the largest mainline gestalt ever made!

Toy Review – Unite Warriors Computron VS Combiner Wars Computron

The companion line in Japan was Unite Warriors.  These featured most of the same teams but with new paintjobs, and sometimes differered the moulds that Combiner Wars used for various individuals – the Technobots being a prime example.  So if you wanted to have both the Combiner and the bots who made them up on display, picking up both lines was a great option! (also the Aussie dollar was very strong back then, making it affordable enough to do so.  Sadly no longer the case).

 

My Transformers Combiner Wars/Unite Warrriors Collection

 

CW/UW Autobots

 

*Item #ACW0001: Transformers Autobot Windcharger

*Item #ACW0002: Transformers Autobot Warpath

*Item #ACW0003: Transformers Autobot Huffer

*Item #ACW0004: Transformers Junkion Wreck-Gar

*Item #ACW0005: Transformers Autobot Pipes

 

Combiner Wars Optimus Maximus, consisting of:

*Item #ACW0006: Transformers Autobot Optimus Prime

*Item #ACW0007: Transformers Autobot Ironhide

*Item #ACW0008: Transformers Autobot Mirage

*Item #ACW0009: Transformers Autobot Prowl

*Item #ACW0010: Transformers Autobot Stunstreaker

*Item #ACW0011: Transformers Autobot Hot Rod

 

Combiner Wars Sky Reign, consisting of:

*Item #ACW0012: Transformers Autobot Sky Lynx

*Item #ACW0013: Transformers Autobot Wheeljack

*Item #ACW0014: Transformers Autobot Trailbreaker

*Item #ACW0015: Transformers Autobot Hound

*Item #ACW0016: Transformers Autobot Smokescreen

 

Combiner Wars Victorion, consisting of:

*Item #ACW0017: Transformers Torchbearer Pyra Magna

(torso)

*Item #ACW0018: Transformers Torchbearer Rust Dust

(chest)

*Item #ACW0019: Transformers Torchbearer Skyburst

(arm)

*Item #ACW0020: Transformers Torchbearer Stormclash

(arm)

*Item #ACW0021: Transformers Torchbearer Dust Up

(leg)

*Item #ACW0022: Transformers Torchbearer Jumpstream (leg)

 

-Combiner Wars Superion, consisting of

*Item #ACW0023: Transformers Aerielbot Silverbolt

(torso)

*Item #ACW0024: Transformers Aerielbot Air Raid

(limb)

*Item #ACW0025: Transformers Aerielbot Sky Dive

(limb)

*Item #ACW0026: Transformers Aerielbot Firefly

(limb)

*Item #ACW0027: Transformers Aerielbot Slingshot

(limb)

*Item #AUW0001: Transformers Aerielbot Silverbolt

*Item #ACW0028: Transformers Aerielbot Alpha Bravo

*Item #AUW0002: Transformers Aerielbot Air Raider

*Item #AUW0003: Transformers Aerielbot Firebolt

*Item #AUW0004: Transformers Aerielbot Skydive

*Item #AUW0005: Transformers Aerielbot Sling

*Item #ACW0029: Transformers Aerielbot Powerglide

 

-Combiner Wars Defensor, consisting of:

*Item #ACW0030: Transformers Protectobot Hot Spot

(torso)

*Item #ACW0031: Transformers Protectobot Groove

(chest)

*Item #ACW0032: Transformers Protectobot First Aid

(right arm)

*Item #ACW0033: Transformers Protectobot Blades

(left arm)

*Item #ACW0034: Transformers Protectobot Streetwise

(right leg)

*Item #ACW0035: Transformers Protectobot Rook

(left leg)

*Item #AUW0006: Transformers Protectobot Hot Spot

*Item #ACW0036: Transformers Protectobot Rook

*Item #AUW0007: Transformers Protectobot Graze

*Item #AUW0008: Transformers Protectobot Groove

*Item #AUW0009: Transformers Protectobot Streetwise

*Item #AUW0010: Transformers Protectobot First Aid

 

-Combiner Wars Computron, consisting of:

*Item #ACW0037: Transformers Technobot Scattershot

*Item #ACW0038: Transformers Technobot Afterburner

(right arm)

*Item #ACW0039: Transformers Technobot Strafe

(left arm)

*Item #ACW0040: Transformers Technobot Lightspeed

(right leg)

*Item #ACW0041: Transformers Technobot Nosecone

(left leg)

*Item #AUW0011: Transformers Technobot Scattershot

*Item #AUW0012: Transformers Technobot Afterbreaker

*Item #AUW0013: Transformers Technobot Strafe

*Item #AUW0014: Transformers Technobot Lightsteed

*Item #AUW0015: Transformers Technobot Nosecone

*Item #ACW0042: Transformers Technobot Scrounge

*Item #ACW0043: Transformers Technobot Cybaxx

*Item #ACW0044: Transformers Technobot Scattershot (vehicle mode)

 

CW/UW Decepticons

 

*Item #DCW0001: Transformers Decepticon Megatron

*Item #DCW0002: Transformers Decepticon Armada Megatron

 

*Item #DCW0003: Transformers Decepticon Starscream

*Item #DCW0004: Transformers Decepticon Thundercracker

*Item #DCW0005: Transformers Decepticon Skywarp

 

*Item #DCW0006: Transformers Decepticon Skywarp

*Item #DCW0007: Transformers Decepticon Thundercracker

 

*Item #DCW0008: Transformers Decepticon Shockwave

*Item #DCW0009: Transformers Decepticon Viper

 

*Item #DCW0010: Transformers Insecticon Bombshell

*Item #DCW0011: Transformers Insecticon Chop Shop

 

*Item #DCW0012: Transformers Decepticon Buzzsaw

 

*Item #DCW0013: Transformers Decepticon Cyclonus

 

-Combiner Wars Devastator, consisting of

*Item #DCW0014: Transformers Constructicon Long Haul

(torso)

*Item #DCW0015: Transformers Constructicon Hook

(head & shoulders)

*Item #DCW0016: Transformers Constructicon Scavenger

(right arm)

*Item #DCW0017: Transformers Constructicon Bonecrusher

(left arm)

*Item #DCW0018: Transformers Constructicon Scrapper

(right leg)

*Item #DCW0019: Transformers Constructicon Mixmaster

(left leg)

*Item #DUW0001: Transformers Constructicon Long Haul

*Item #DUW0002: Transformers Constructicon Hook

*Item #DUW0003: Transformers Constructicon Scavenger

*Item #DUW0004: Transformers Constructicon Bonecrusher

*Item #DUW0005: Transformers Constructicon Scrapper

*Item #DUW0006: Transformers Constructicon Mixmaster

 

-Combiner Wars Menasor, consisting of:

*Item #DCW0020: Transformers Stunticon Motormaster

(torso)

*Item #DCW0021: Transformers Stunticon Blackjack

(chest)

*Item #DCW0022: Transformers Stunticon Drag Strip

(right arm)

*Item #DCW0023: Transformers Stunticon Dead End

(left arm)

*Item #DCW0024: Transformers Stunticon Brake-Neck

(leg)

*Item #DCW0025: Transformers Stunticon Breakdown

(leg)

*Item #DUW0007: Transformers Stunticon Motormaster

*Item #DCW0026: Transformers Stunticon Offroad

*Item #DUW0008: Transformers Stunticon Breakdown

*Item #DUW0009: Transformers Stunticon Drag Stripe

*Item #DUW0010: Transformers Stunticon Dead End

*Item #DUW0011: Transformers Stunticon Wildrider

*Item #DCW0027: Transformers Stunticon Blackjack

 

-Combiner Wars Bruticus, consisting of:

*Item #DCW0028: Transformers Combaticon Onslaught

(torso)

*Item #DCW0029: Transformers Combaticon Vortex

(right arm)

*Item #DCW0030: Transformers Combaticon Blast Off

(left arm)

*Item #DCW0031: Transformers Combaticon Swindle

(right leg)

*Item #DCW0032: Transformers Combaticon Brawl

(left leg)

-Combiner Wars G2 Bruticus, consisting of:

*Item #DCW0033: Transformers G2 Combaticon Onslaught

(torso)

*Item #DCW0034: Transformers G2 Combaticon Vortex

(right arm)

*Item #DCW0035: Transformers G2 Combaticon Blast Off

(left arm)

*Item #DCW0036: Transformers G2 Combaticon Swindle

(right leg)

*Item #DCW0037: Transformers G2 Combaticon Brawl

(left leg)

*Item #DUW0012: Transformers Combaticon Onslaught

*Item #DUW0013: Transformers Combaticon Vorter

*Item #DUW0014: Transformers Combaticon Swindle

*Item #DUW0015: Transformers Combaticon Brawl

*Item #DUW0016: Transformers Combaticon Blast Off

*Item #DCW0038: Transformers Combaticon G2 Shockwave

 

-Combiner Wars Liokaiser, consisting of:

*Item #DCW0039: Transformers Decepticon Dezarus

(torso)

*Item #DCW0040: Transformers Decepticon Guyhawk

(right arm)

*Item #DCW0041: Transformers Decepticon Fellbat

(left arm)

*Item #DCW0042: Transformers Decepticon Drillhorn

(right leg)

*Item #DCW0043: Transformers Decepticon Ironbison

(left leg)

*Item #DCW0044: Transformers Decepticon Ion Sythe

(sword)

 

UW-EX Woman Destron Combined Female Soldier Megatronia, consisting of:

*Item #DUW0017: Transformers Destron Megaempress

(torso)

*Item #DUW0018: Transformers Destron Lunaclub

(arm)

*Item #DUW0019: Transformers Destron Moonheart

(arm)

*Item #DUW0020: Transformers Destron Flowspade
(leg)

*Item #DUW0021: Transformers Destron Trickdiamond

(leg)

 

Count: 124

 

Toys Review – the Combiner Wars Combaticons!

Ask Trev!, Transformatorium, Transformer Toy Reviews

Ask Trev: Pipes versus Huffer

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This question comes from Katrina in Sydney:

 

Pipes and Huffer have the same alt mode but different robot modes. Which is your favourite?

Such cute little alien war machines!

It’s true that most of the 1986 Autobot Mini-Vehicles are just slight retools of their 1984 counterparts.  The likes of Swerve, Tailgate, Hubcap and Outback are simply recolours of Gears, Windcharger, Cliffjumper and Brawn respectively with new face sculpts (OK, Outback got a new gun as well which was pretty slick).

However Huffer and Pipes are the exception.  As well as a new colour scheme and face sculpt, the Transformation from Robot Mode from Vehicular mode was slightly changed.  Instead of the cab of the truck becoming a hood as it did with Huffer, it became a backpack for Pipes.

But are their alt-modes really the same?

One of these trucks is not like the other one

Well, yeah, for the most part.  But there are subtle differences.  The moulded grill and headlight motif on the front of the truck has been slightly changed from Huffer to Pipes. The tail-end of the trucks tray, which becomes the robots feet, is slightly more pointed on Huffer than Pipes.  Perhaps the most notable difference besides the colour scheme is the smokestacks, which on Huffer and slightly indented, whilst on Pipes they are well and truly, well… pipes.

Overall the differences are negligible, but far outweigh the differences between the other mini-bot recolours of that era.  I’d be hard-pressed to say which I like more as both have their charms.

Robot Modes

Huffer: “My elbows go the wrong way!” Pipes: “At least you can still pick stuff up”

Here is where the differences really stand out.  As stated, Huffer has a sort of canopy whereas Pipes has a large backpack.  From the back Pipes is easily the weaker of the two, having an entire truck cab hanging off his back.  However this is where his weaknesses end.  His arms are far superior to Huffers, and whilst Huffer could be said to have hands of a sort, it’s the orientation of his arms that lets him down, resembling some form of preying mantis idue to the backwards elbows.  The head of Pipes too is superior, having an actual sculpted head that sits in front of the backpack, rather than some form of wide mask half-hidden under a hood.

 

So to answer Katrina’s question, I have to give it to Pipes, on the whole he is an improvement on his predecessor.

Legends ‘LG35 Super Ginrai’ vs Titans Return ‘Powermaster Optimus Prime’

But what about other iterations?

Huffer, being a legacy character from the 1984 cartoon, has turned up in multiple toylines such as KRE-O, Power Core Combiners, Timelines and even Transformers Prime.  Pipes however has only had another two outings, both retools of existing Huffer figures.  So lets have a look at these to see who is the superior in these new iterations of classic characters.

 

Combiner Wars

Prime-wannabe’s

If there is one set of Huffer/Pipes figures where the alt-modes are exactly the same then it is Combiner Wars.  Not only are the altmodes the same, but the robot modes are exactly the same too, the only differences being in colour scheme and sticker placements.  As such, it’s pretty much impossible to pick one over the other.  I will say I never understood why they gave Pipes a red face, he looks like Tracks squat brother (or me when I’ve been out in the sun too long).

 

Kingdom

We finally busted into the Deluxe Class!

The third outing of Pipes, being again a retool of Huffer, is in the Kingdom line.  I found both these toys to be quite clever and both are certainly the most toon-accurate versions of the characters we have ever had in their robot modes.  Highlights for me included that Pipes now has pipes attached to his outer forearms like in the cartoon instead of the toys arms functioning as the pipes themselves. Huffer now sports a canopy of sensible size, and the way the sides of his alt-modes tray join together to form a very Halo-esque weapon is a really cool idea.  I couldn’t fault either of them.

Pipes & Huffer: Both ready to smoke you!

In their vehicular forms, the fronts of the vehicles are actually (bar colour) exactly the same, having less differences than their G1 toy counterparts.  The differences only seem to be at the back, where Pipes is toting his pipes and Huffer’s gun and shield serve to form a tray.

But wait, there’s more!

Can’t decide between Pipes and Huffer?  Why choose either when you can have Puffer!

Puffer: ‘Even I haven’t heard of me before!’

Soooo…. The story behind this is that in certain parts of the world, when Pipes was released he was a straight up recolour of Huffer, rather than a retooled version.  The storyline behind Puffer is that Huffer and Pipes got sucked into a time-vortex (as one does) and they were fused together into the one being.  Like so many other extremely obscure characters (who can easily be recoloured from an existing figure), Puffer now has his own official toy.  This Puffer though, is essentially Pipes slightly recoloured and with a G1 toy accurate head.  Whilst there is little of Huffer to see in this figure, if you can’t decide which you like more out of Pipes and Huffer, then Puffer may be for you!

Toys Review – Legacy Motormaster & Drag Strip

So, overall, Pipes or Huffer? 

A reminder that Prime and Magnus aint the only Autobot trucks on the block

Well, for me it is hands down Pipes, and for me that is a purely sentimental reason.  Pipes was one of my first ever Transformers, and was the first Transformer I ever got a double of when a mate gave me another one for my 9th birthday.  Still have them both too 😊.  I liked in the cartoon how Pipes seemed to straddle between mechanic, field medic and a quasi-field commander, whereas except for lifting the odd mammoth, Huffer seemed to do nothing but whine, barely built anything and for the most part simply vied with Gears for title of biggest complainer on The Ark.

G1: Emotions aside, talking about toys then I feel that Pipes has the better robot mode, despite Huffer having hand indents.  Vehicular, despite the minor differences, I don’t favour one over the other.  Winner: Pipes

Combiner Wars: Exact same vehicle mode so no favourite; in robot mode I gotta take points off Pipes for having the red face.  Winner: Huffer

Kingdom: A draw, as though I like Huffer’s robot mode that smidge more, and he has the cool gun and shield that become the truck tray, Pipes finally has dedicated extra pipes, living up to his namesake.  Winner: A draw, with a special shout out to Puffer for being such a unique character.

Got anything to say about the figures examined, or Pipes and Huffer in general?  Pop it in the comments section below!

Toy Review: Autobot Ark & Teletraan 1

 

 

Transformatorium, Videos

Video – My 150+ Generations Autobots

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Several months ago I did a short video showcasing from my personal collection 100+ Generations Decepticons.  Well now it is the Autobots turn.  These figures are mainly of G1 characters who have received an update through toylines such as Thrilling 30, Combiner Wars, Legends, POTP and so on.

So enjoy this short video I made of the display.  Also below you will find some screenshots and a full list of the Autobots onshow, along with links to reviews of many of the figures displayed here – have fun!

 

 

Air Raid,  Afterbreaker, Afterburner, Alpha Bravo, Alpha Trion, Arcee

Beachcomber, Blades, Blaster, Blurr, Brainstorm, Brawn, Broadside, Bumblebee

Caliburst, Cerebros, Chromedome, Chromia, Circut, Cliffjumper, Cludburst, Cloudraker, Computron, Cosmos, Crosscut

Depthcharge, Dustup

Eject, Elita-1

Fastlane, Firefly, First Aid, Fisitron, Flak, Fortress Maximus

Gears, Getaway, Groove, Godbomber, Grappel, Grimlock

Hardhead, Highbrow, Hoist, Holepunch, Hot Rod, Hot Spot, Hound, Huffer

Impactor, Inferno, Ironhide

Jackpot, Jazz, Jumpstream, Junkheap

Kup

Landmine, Lightspeed, Lightsteed, Lio Convoy

Metalhawk, Metroplex, Mirage, Moonracer

Nightbeat, Nosecone, Nova Prime, Novastar

Omega Supreme, Optimal Optimus, Optimus Prime, Orion Pax, Outback, Override

Perceptor, Pipes, Powerglide, Prowl, Ptero, Punch, Pyra Magma,

Ramhorn, Ratchet, Red Alert, Rewind, Roadbuster, Roadhandler, Rodimus Prime, Rook

Sandstorm, Sawback, Scattershot, Scoop, Scrounge, Seaspray, Sentinel Prime, Shuffler, Sideswipe, Silverstreak, Silverbolt, Skids, Sky Lynx, Skyburst, Skydive, Slash, Slingshot, Sludge, Slug, Smokescreen, Snarl, Springer, Steeljaw, Stripes, Stormclash, Strafe, Streetwise, Sundor, Sunstreaker, Super Ginrai, Superion, Swerve, Swindler, Swoop

Tailgate, Tracks, Trailbreaker, Topshot, Topspin, Twin Twist, Twinferno

Ultra Magnus

Victorion

Warpath, Wheelie, Wheeljack, Whirl, Windcharger, Wreck-Gar

 

Related Video

My 100+ Generations Decepticons