Convoy, the first Cybertrons commander introduced in Transformers. A symbol of all good & virtue. Perhaps one of the ageless icon in the Transformers series. Now it is again immortalized in the TakaraTomy toyline THS.
Box art at the front
Yet again, the Japanese toys makers had made Convoy, ultra-small and surprisingly alot of details. This toy comes with alot of accessories & gimmicks. A vast improvement compared to the T.H.S.-01.
A look into the contents.
Like most premium toy package, this toy has a viewable windows to show the contents. A first looks the contents looks stunning.
Robot mode is the default form of the toy. It has about 12 points of articulation. Only lament is that the legs joints to the hips is not articulated. Otherwise, it will be very posable. The gimicks that comes with this robot figure is multiple hands for different poses and not forgetting the matrix is also included in the chest compartment of convoy, just like in the cartoons ๐
“Let the matrix light up our darkest hour”
The next transformation mode is Super mode, transformation wise it is not perfect transformation, not as shown in TV, head of the normal convoy needs to be changed to the super mode head. Otherwise, the transformation from convoy to super mode will be perfect. Other than that not much complains. Articulation is similar to the original robot. The backpack for the supermode can have its weapon activated using cyber keys.
With all weapons activated in super mode
Cyber key in action
The following transformation mode is into firetruck. It has the details but unfortunately the wings are quite floppy for there is no mechanism to hold the wings to the side in fire truck mode. The firetruck are able to roll with wheels. Too bad transformation is not perfect to hide convoy’s head
“Spot my head ?”
Next, space cruiser or gunship mmode. This mode lack of “what-is-shown-on-TV”. This will be my first and last attempt to transform convoy into this mode. The mechanism is unable to lock the cannons and its wings at a fixed place. Final result it looks more like a star.
An abomination
Last form of transformation, it is more like the backpack transform leaving convoy out of the equation. Convoy only acts like a gunner or some commander issuing a “CHARGE!!!” command to cannon fodders.
Summary :
This figure is small, so small that large hand will do the bidding of Megatron. Also keep it away from kids, it has very small parts and it cannot take too much punishment. The bright side is it is small compact that you can stash it without worrying about space economics. Great details and articulation to the robot of this size. Due to the details that the figure has, stickers are not included. This toy is great for Transformers diehard fans and collectors.
The package of this toys contain the main parts for tranforming such as the “backpack”, super mode head & a gun. 2 cyber keys were included and it functions just like in the cartoon. 3 pairs or extra hand for extra poses. A manual on transforming & a collector card.
Hands are more of PVC like material, same goes to the head but the head material is harder. Back pack, cyber keys and legs add on are made of plastics. The Galaxy Convoy figure is an amalgam of plastics and die cast. Die cast content solely located on the legs, the torso and hand is made of plastics.
Instruction manual and collector card
The instruction manual front cover features Galaxy Convoy, the instructions are all in Japanese but contains diagram that clearly illustrate the transformation process from the figure to Super mode, fire truck mode, space cruiser mode & heavy weapon platform mode. Transformation mode of this toy are authentic to the Galaxy Force series.
T.H.S. , Transformers Hybrid Style is one of the transfromers toyline from Takara now known as TakaraTomy. This toyline feature small compact with some diecast content. Not forgetting the details given on the toy is very impressive given to the size of this toy.
T.H.S.-01 is the first toy ever manufactured for the T.H.S. line. T.H.S-01 is Galaxy Convoy, the Convoy from the cartoon series Galaxy Force.
Nicely illustrated box artClear windows to view the contentsย
Like most standard packaging of Japanese toys, it featured a cover which can be open to display the contents.
The book like packaging is the signature casing to store this toyline. The functionality is to ensure mint like condition for the toy. Its cover can be open to display the item.ย
Looks like a book
A book ?
Almost open like a book
Opened, an impressive packaging
Stickers and Manual
Manual :
Although lacking of hard cover, but the illustration & step by step transformation guide is quite informative. Nicely colored.
Preface, introduction to pilot & machineSample of transformation instructionCenter fold, sorry no hentai here ๐Instruction to place stickers
Catalog cum teaser
Accessories :
Not too shaby or generous. Antanae/radar/sensor, pilot, cyclone, gunpod & ammo clip. Too bad pilot not posable or articulated. Cyclone also not possable or transformable. Cyclone act more like a display. Gunpod, can have the ammo clip attached & detached.
On the top, sensor, below it the pilot, below the pilot is the cyclone & gunpods with detached ammo clip
Main content :
From the first look, it has impressive amount of diecast. The die cast content concentrate on its main thrusters or its legs (in battroid mode). Other than die cast at the truster, its nosecone, wings, stabilizers are in plastics. Most of the part are solid except the stabilizers and the landing gears.
Paint job in certain part is quite sloppy aka not smooth.
In term of proportion, in fighter mode, the thruster looks rather imposing & over sized. In guardian & battroid mode, its legs is noticible big & imposing.
There is also noticable gaps at the wing.
In guardian mode & battroid mode, its flaw will be shown. Complain is on floppy joints of the arm, elbow, wrist, legs(joining to the hips).
The grip on the gunpod is not so great, with floppy wrist, the hands will not be able to support the weight of gunpod.
Transformation, is near to perfect but not perfect due to the sensor or radar needs to be attach & detach during the transformation.
Landing gear is part of gimick but poorly executed for it is not able to support the fighter weight, & the rear landing gear will retract automatically due to its weight concentrate on the thrusters.
With gunpod attached with one side of the wing. Unfortunately, the ammo clip is left out.
Cockpit open without pilot
Cockpit with pilot
Cyclone storage compartment
Poorly executed landing gear, it does not support its own weight
Part of the gimick, missle pods opened revealing micro missles to be unleashed
Conclusion :
Good : Good amount of die cast, good packaging
Bad : Floppy legs, heel & arms. Bad paint job. Not perfect transformation.
Not recomended for perfectionist. But good addition to a hardcore fan of robotech new generation or mospeada.
VoltesV : Generally the robot mode & vehicle mode is nice. For picky players, the vehicle mode of the Frigate (aka Legs of VoltesV) does not look like a frigate. Overall its a good toy for play & display.
Dancouga : It doesn't do much justice the points. However, its strongest reason that I had bought danny is; each of the machine Eagle, cougar, liger & moth looks very much like its Anime counterpart. On top of that, each of the machine can convert from robot mode to machine mode, to aggressive beast mode & part of Dancouga. Exception for the eagle it does not have a clear division of aggressive beast & machine mode. However, I'm glad I bagged this gokin.
Gunbuster : At first look was planning to pass this gokin. But due to alot of poison & good review… wat the heck… juz bag this little bugger. Heck… calling it little bugger will not do it much justice as it is undeniable is the most possable with a satisfying "click" sound (reminds me of some of the old days Transformers). My only lament for this gokin is its alternate spaceship mode is far from perfect… need to swap parts
A superlative trivia : 1. Tallest, Dancouga is the tallest followed by Gunbuster… then … (*Height is taken based on measuring from foot base to the head.) 2. Most posable, Gunbuster, Voltes… then.. 3 Heaviest, Dancouga, Gunbuster… then… 4. Most innovative transformation… Dancouga, Voltes… Gunbuster last for it needs no swap parts
Behold the original Convoy from Transformers (yeah it Optimus Prime but I prefer to call it convoy here).
Front box of THS02 Hybrid Style Convoy
Small stature does not discourage Convoy to stand tall & proudly
Front box of THS02 Hybrid Style Convoy box with windows
The Japanese has done it again in compacting their product. THS02 also known as Original Convoy is Takara line of transformers robot for ppl with space problem
Front box of THS02 Hybrid Style Convoy master piece at 13cm
It is standing at less than 13 cm height, with some diecast content. Robot mode is impressive but abit fragile for big hands. Articulation is good if not excellent for a robot at this size. Most of the weight is felt at the legs due to the die cast content over there.
Front box of THS02 Hybrid Style Convoy back view, legs are full of diecast
Did I mention that midget convoy can transforms into a truck, this package do come with a trailer & a roller & tonnes of accessories. The only lament is the truck mode is below expectation. The makers can do it better. *Update: I have lost the pictures to truck mode and I cannot find those pictures in my backup drive, so I am not going to bother transforming this toy again, as it is too tedious
Wow truck mode… but with tonnes of gaps… Robot in disguise exposed :S
Front box of THS02 Hybrid Style Convoy back view, with back pack on display stand which is includedFront box of THS02 Hybrid Style Convoy in full glory
If you can ignore its short coming, this piece is a keepers.
Some fanboy call it Danny, most ppl will know it as Dancouga.
Dancouga is a japanese anime based on combining super robot genre in the late 80s.
Plot of super robot… You know those shows that stress on good triumph over evil. Being brave & heroic thingy. Battling villians using their omnipotence robot with a sure kill move. Yeah you will knows it coming when the show is about the end with good guys winning. Most of the time saving the day/world/universe & saving the damsel in distress. Then happily ever after.
Robots which make Dancouga, Dancouga
This dancouga toy is from bandai ่ถ ๅ้้ญ/SOC line or Soul Of Chogokin, in chinese pin yin Qiu He Qin Ling , literal translation super combine metal/gold spirit. Qiu He Qin or not this toy pack with diecast metal & plastics. For the standard of toy at the 21st century the metal content is above average.
Also not forget mentioning, the combining robot each has 2 alternative form, which is aggressive beast mode & vehicle mode, except for the smallest robot which is the head.
