Transformer Masterpiece - MP-4 Cybertron Commander Convoy Complete Version

Series	Transformer Masterpiece
Title	MP-4 Cybertron Commander Convoy Complete Version
Release Date	September 2006
Manufacturer	Takara
Suggested Price (JPY)	18,000
Scale	Non-Scale
Height (cm)	Vehicle: (L x W x H) 23.5 x 8.5 x 13.2 cm (approx) Trailer: (L x W x H) 33 x 9.5 x 16.5 cm (approx) Full Length: (L x W x H) 48.5 x 9.5 x 16.5 cm (approx) Robot: Head Height 32.0 cm (approx)
No. of Parts	1 Convoy + 1 laser rifle + 1 Megatron pistol + 1 Energy Ax + 1 color manual + 1 ID Card + 1 trailer
My Rating	Very Good

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Comment
Takara's Masterpiece is a commemorative series to celebrate 20th Anniversary of the ever-popular Transformers series. It is first release in year 2003, as MP-1 Convoy featuring an anime accurate design and most probably the most impressive G1 Convoy ever seen to date in the Transformers toy line.

Takara made a disappointing move in their previous MP-1 release. It is the exclusion of a trailer and that is necessary in making Convoy unique among other Transformers. After 3 years, Takara finally answer to the fans demand and releasing a Convoy with a fully functional trailer.

This MP-4 Convoy is the same item as in MP-1 where all the good stuff and the bad stuff are being brought over. The good stuff includes the same impressive paint job, well-articulated and stylized robot and it comes with tons of features and details. Since it is basically the same mold, it also inherited the same defects. For example, the window on the left side of the chest is slightly slanting down inward direction, where it should be parallel with the right side. This is clearly seen on MP-1 and yet this defect is not rectified after 3 years.

I am been comparing both MP-1 and MP-4 Convoy side by side, up and down and the following are the difference that I notice between both version.

The chest windscreens on MP-4 have bluer tinting.
The tail lights on MP-4 feet are paler and painted less vivid as in MP-1
The right Commlink is showing a photo of Grimlock instead of Bumblebee
The left Commlink is showing a photo of Megatron instead of Star Scream
MP-4 instruction manual in now printed in black on white. It is easier to read comparing to the white on black manual as in MP-1. The manual now includes instructions for the trailer.
MP-4 ID card comes with a trailer in the photo
MP-1 comes with 2 spare parts for replacing the rubber grip on the Matrix’s battery casing, which is now missing in MP-4. The mentioned parts are not necessary.

All these difference are minor. Takara is pushing their luck here to release another one of the “seemingly” upgraded version of MP-4 Convoy. The bottom line is both MP-1 and MP-4 are identical thus I am not going into the details for the robot and vehicle mode.

The trailer is impressively large with multiple modes to transforms into including a headquarter mode, a container-cannon mode, and a repair-dock mode. Owners of THS-02 Convoy might find similarity between the THS-02 with this MP-4 trailer as the design is brought to you from the very same designer, Shoji Kawamori, who widely known as an extinguish mecha designer where one of his many famous work includes the Macross series.

I am slightly let down with this MP-4’s trailer when comparing to THS-02 Convoy’s. Kawamori’s design on THS-02 is beautifully done with jam-packed details and features. This bigger scale trailer should provide more room for improvement but then Takara is merely pushing out a dumb-down version of THS-02’s trailer.

This MP-4 trailer does not come with a jet pack, “Roller” and its refueling cable. Moreover, the turret is dumb down with a less articulated repair clasp where one is needed to move the turret guns upward for the clasp to be at the bottom position. Furthermore, the double-handle grip for the turret is omitted and replaced by a single-hand gun-grip that is, without a single doubt, not as cool as in the smaller version.

Also, note that recent Takara’s quality control is plummeting down the drain. Paint run, wrong painting, paint chipped off and smudges are some of the common issues on this MP-4 Convoy. It is unlikely that you will get one without any manufacturing defects but cross your finger anyway and hope that your box of MP-4 does not come with “too many” defects.

In term of value, MP-1 was retailing at 9,800 yen whereas Takara is slapping in a humongous 18,000 yen price tag for this MP-4. Come to think of it. We are paying a premium price almost equivalent to another MP-1 Convoy just for this plastic dumb-down version of trailer. Funny thing is fans or dumb “sucka” like me are still buying.

In conclusion, Convoy is still impressive as ever but there is nothing new to be seen. The trailer does make Convoy complete but then the half-hearted copy-over job is nothing to be in awe of. I will highly recommend this item to those who does not already own a MP-1 Convoy as this is still the best Convoy out there in the market. Those proud owners of MP-1, it is up to you to judge whether it is an item worth buying.

This item is purchased locally at Berjaya Times Square.