[Wheeljack35]

New RATCHET and IRONHIDE test prototypes from Energon TOWLINE


There are two new Transformer prototypes on eBay. Both prototypes are repaints of TOW-LINE from the Transformers Energon series. One is repainted as RATCHET (a white ambulance) and the other is repainted as IRONHIDE (a red van). You can view these auctions by using the following links:

Ratchet

http://cgi.ebay.com/...1QQcmdZViewItem

Ironhide

http://cgi.ebay.com/...1QQcmdZViewItem

[duh_prez]

You know, I would buiy both of those (& I don't have any nergon lol). I'm especially liking ratchet:)

[jcjdotcom]

Yes! I have been waiting for these repaints since the day I saw Tow Line. I can't wait!

[obiprime]

Im all over those and I thought I was over Energon. I especially like ratchet. So will these come out in Cybertron?

[duh_prez]

hmmm... towline is blue isn't he...
skids, ironhide + ratchet, 21st century style

[madman1366]

Well seeing there's a Ratchet too I guess that means THAT Ironhide isn't part of the convention exclusive set. I would have majorly pissed if it was cuz I want them both!

[DJ HMRising]

Those look pretty cool!

[Wheeljack35]

jcjdotcom, on Aug 8 2005, 10:52 AM, said:

Yes! I have been waiting for these repaints since the day I saw Tow Line. I can't wait!

You and me both

[SureShot]

awesome! now i can scratch that custom job off my list... anyone wanna buy a towline?

[synch]

I remember seeing these I THought the were just customs... where did I seem them at again?..

Anyways I won't buy these... quite simply put because these toys are not ratchet or iron hide & they look awfull as them! This toy is g1 thunderclash all the way... nothing else!

[StrykerX2K]

I normally don't like repaints a whole lot, but I would certainly buy these....I guess if this really will bring us back to G1.

[Reboundicon]

they look alright, but their legs are just to darn skinny =(

[Stevy Maximus]

madman1366, on Aug 8 2005, 11:50 AM, said:

Well seeing there's a Ratchet too I guess that means THAT Ironhide isn't part of the convention exclusive set. I would have majorly pissed if it was cuz I want them both!

I think they ARE con releases. MC has normally been very receptive to fan desires in their exclusive sets, and considering how many TF fans said they wanted a Towline repainted as Ironhide and Ratchet...

And bear in mind that even though MC has not announced Ratchet, on average their GI JOe cons get 2-3 additional figures, through secondary sets and attendee specials.

And these certainly won't come out in Cybertron as neither has provisions for Force chips.

[Doom Saber]

Could be exclusives since they have made Sideswipe and sunstreaker as exclusives

[SentinelPrime]

I so want those. Quite a shame if Hasbro made these con-only.

We get Car Brothers and Armada repaints in Universe, yet they choose to make THESE, something that could be a huge seller, limited.

Brilliant.

Of course if they are released to the main market, I'll eat my words. And I'll be first in line to get them.

[GaZ]

Very cool! I'm hoping for Universe, not con exclusive. That way I at least stand a chance of getting them (without buying 5 other crappy figures anyway).

Oh, and just in case anyone doubts the genuinity of these, the clear parts are a different colour (so can't be a custom job) and the seller does have other protos for sale.

But..... he also has Arcee in THREE different colour schemes. All look to be actual protos (not repaints), but it strikes me as weird why they'd have three repaints all at once Unless they're meant to be Moonracer, Elita-1 amd Firestar or something.

[Hound]

I don't like it at all. The mold was a nice homage, but it just doesn't seem to fit Ironhide too well. It gives off a much younger vibe and doesn't capture his age very well. I already have Towline and love him, but I don't need any more of him.

[madman1366]

Stevy Maximus, on Aug 8 2005, 04:22 PM, said:

madman1366, on Aug 8 2005, 11:50 AM, said:

Well seeing there's a Ratchet too I guess that means THAT Ironhide isn't part of the convention exclusive set.    I would have majorly pissed if it was cuz I want them both!

I think they ARE con releases. MC has normally been very receptive to fan desires in their exclusive sets, and considering how many TF fans said they wanted a Towline repainted as Ironhide and Ratchet...

And bear in mind that even though MC has not announced Ratchet, on average their GI JOe cons get 2-3 additional figures, through secondary sets and attendee specials.

And these certainly won't come out in Cybertron as neither has provisions for Force chips.

Well if they are then that would be a HUGE mistake by Hasbro. If these 2 were released in Universe they'd probably be the best selling Universe figures ever produced and would rake in big bucks. Not to mention if they are con exclusives it would bring out the massive fury of the fandom who don't want to or can't afford to spend hundreds of dollars for these figures.

Most of us had dreams of owning these repaints from the moment we saw the first pics of the figure, so if Hasbro decides to screw us over by making them con exclusives then it's going to get VERY ugly!

[FUGAYZIE]

Iiiiiiiii Lllllllllike'em!!! Its about time!

[ScottieEvil]

Those are the Master Collector molds. Ratchet is going to be the secret attendee only figure.

The rumor is the Deathsaurus from that set may be a black Cryotek

[synch]

oh frig... someone going pick me up them if they turn outto be true please lol I'll take any of the club exclusive stuff... Only thing I"m not sold on yet is the boxed set...

Cryotek again... dang, not as if the blue one isn't hard enough to find :S

[Stevy Maximus]

ScottieEvil, on Aug 9 2005, 07:57 AM, said:

The rumor is the Deathsaurus from that set may be a black Cryotek

Don't you mean black Transmetal 2 Megatron?

[Stevy Maximus]

madman1366 said:

If these 2 were released in Universe they'd probably be the best selling Universe figures ever produced and would rake in big bucks

Except Universe is dead. At best these would have been store exclusives and you would still have fans missing out (though granted, not as bad as with MC). And bear in mind simply because they are G1 homages (desired primarily by fans) doesn't, by any stretch, guarantee sales. There are a lot of adult TF fans, but we are not nearly as vital as some would like to think, it has been the graces of having a fan-oriented design team we've gotten the goodies we have.

Quote

Not to mention if they are con exclusives it would bring out the massive fury of the fandom who don't want to or can't afford to spend hundreds of dollars for these figures.

Welcome to the world of the GI Joe Classic figure fans. MC has been the single best venue for true classic figures which aren't the upteenth retread of the same 12 molds. I'm a HUGE Iron Grenadier fan, but I couldn't get the last con set for very reason you mentioned (cost). But unlike Joe fans, TF fans have a VERY good year ahead with Cybertron and Alternators. Assuming the DTC Joe line lasts another year, we're looking at best 24 figures, 5 vehicles, 8 comic packs, and maybe 3 or 4 multipacks between now and next July. That isn't even a third of what we would have gotten otherwise.

Quote

Most of us had dreams of owning these repaints from the moment we saw the first pics of the figure, so if Hasbro decides to screw us over by making them con exclusives then it's going to get VERY ugly

That is a big misconception. Hasbro has almost nothing to do with the exclusive sets. Master Collector designs the sets and basically "leases" the molds from Hasbro.
IF you must blame someone, blame MC for listening to the fans.

[Three Storms]

I thought I'd hate him, but think those two ended up looking cool as hell in vehicle mode. In bot mode it still looks awkward because of the big chest with small pelvic section.

[GaZ]

Stevy Maximus, on Aug 9 2005, 08:48 PM, said:

Except Universe is dead

Untrue. We saw new Universe figures in Cybertron style packaging