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Transformer Binaltech - BT-08 Meister Feat Mazda RX-8 |
| Series | Transformer Binaltech |
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| Title | BT-08 Meister Feat Mazda RX-8 | |
| Release Date | September 2004 | |
| Manufacturer | Takara | |
| Suggested Price (JPY) | 4,980 | |
| Scale | 1/24 | |
| Height (cm) |
Car: 17.8 cm (L) x 7.6 cm (W) x 5.6 cm (H) Robot: 18.5 cm |
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| No. of Parts | 1 Mazda RX-8 (red version) + 1 10-pages instruction manual + 1 Meister ID card + 1 (10cm x 10 cm) sticker of Autobot Logo | |
| My Rating | Very Good |
Related Items:
Comment
Transformer Meister (a.k.a. Jazz) makes an
appearance in Binaltech series as BT-08 Mazda RX-8.
Takara choice of RX-8 for a Binaltech release is not
surprising from a car that is awarded ‘2004 Car of
the Year’.
Although, Generation 1 Meister is a white Porsche and now in Mazda form, Meister does retain his signature white color, head sculpt and its general transformation sequence. BT-08 comes with two color variations. One is the signatory white and the other is in red. The red version is a limited one-time production release and the actual Mazda RX-8 production color. Meister comes with a secret weapon; a gun that transform from the car muffler.
This item is purchased along with Tetsujin-28 while I was shopping in Mongkok, Hong Kong. Personally, I prefer the signatory white but could not find one without paint chipping at the side spoiler. All white versions seem to have some manufacturing problems. In the end, I took this slightly more expensive version.
Packaging
Meister comes packaged in the usual Binaltech box
design with clear plastic on all but the rear side
of the box. The vehicle is safely resting in clear
plastic tray secured with twisted wires. At the
bottom of the box located a plastic wrapper
containing an instruction manual, Meister ID card
and an Autobot sticker (10cm x 10 cm).
The instruction manual is colored and 10-pages in volume. It contains brief introduction and pictorial instruction to transform the vehicle into a robot. The manual is in Japanese only. Binaltech instruction manual in prior releases comes with schematic diagram of the transformation sequence in white on black. I believe most of us found it hard to read. Takara made a welcome change on the manual by inversing the color of the schematic diagram. It is now in black on white and a lot pleasing to the eyes.
Vehicle
Meister in vehicle form is a beautifully recreated
1/24 scale replica of Mazda RX-8. Its hood is can be
open to reveal the engine. All four doors can be
open revealing a detailed interior with dashboard,
steering wheels and hand brakes. Even the inner door
panels are detailed. A unique feature of the RX-8 is
that both back doors swing backward.
Since the first release of Binaltech series, the tires for this RX-8 are again from an unknown manufacturer by the name of “Cybertronian” with chrome silver sports rims. All wheels rotate and the front wheels can be steered. The front seats are of a stylish silver and black design and are foldable. The front doors come with side mirrors that are plated in silver mimicking a true mirror.
At the rear of the car located the sole license plate mark with an Autobot logo and the word “MEISTER”. Lower down located the huge chrome silver muffler, which is detachable and convertible to a secret weapon.
The paint job is well executed but still plague with the paint-chipping problem. Therefore, extra care is advisable during transformation. Metal is applied to the outer car body except for the front and rear bumper. The rest of the parts are in plastic.
Robot
The robot mode is using the same head sculpt as in
Generation 1 Transformers. Meister has a better
articulation comparing with Hound. For a start, the
shoulders are extended with full articulation. Its
elbows are double hinged and both hands come with
moveable forefinger and the last 3 fingers but the
thumb is fixed. Its waists rotate sideway. Both feet
are from the car rear where its bumper extended for
positioning and stabilizing the figure. The knee and
hips comes with geared joint for extra stability.
One of the design features I like about Meister is that the rear portion of Meister in robot mode comes with neater and shorter flap. Unlike Lambor which comes with a clumsy car hood dangling behind its rear, Meister rear portion form from the car top and the windscreen are folded, leaving this dangling piece not to drop below its knee level.
Another point to note is that both front wheels steered in union owing to a bar located at the bottom side of the car hood. This bar comes with magnets to lock both separate wheels together and steer them in union.
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| Bottom of the car. Muffler is detachable tranforms to Meister Secret weapon. | |
| Mazda RX-8 in Velocity Mica Red. |
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| Cool tail lights and a Mazda Logo. | Hood and all four doors opens. Rear doors swings backwards. |
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| Meister in robot mode. | Both windscreen foldable resulting in a shorter rear. |
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| Side views of Meister in robot mode. |
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Document Date : 2005-02-11 |
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