FansProject
FansProject is a toy company created in 2008 that specializes in third-party Transformer toys and accessories.
Contents
History
2007
FansProject started out in 2007 as TFLab. Their first mass produced kit was the Classic Cliff Conversion Kit which was made in resin and produced in only small quantities. Its purpose was to upgrade the 2006 Classic Cliffjumper. This limited run kit sold out quickly and obtained high prices on the aftermarket.
2008
As FansProject 2008 their real debut was with their City Commander which was used as an upgrade to the 2006 Target exclusive Ultra Magnus. The "City Commander" set out to allow the toy to be more like the Ultra Magnus of Generation 1.
They also produced the ABT OP Upgrade Set for Alternators Optimus Prime/Binaltech Convoy, consisting of a transforming gas can that became a gun reminiscent of Generation 1 Prime's gun, as well as a Matrix add on.
2009
In 2009 City Commander had a few recolors and remolds, notably the sword wielding Shadow Commander, the energon transporting TFcon exclusive Powered Commander, chromed Henkei-inspired D.I.A. Commander and the add-on kit which gave City Commander the shoulder missile launchers introduced in later toolings, new face plates, and a new Generation 1 Magnus inspired converting rifle.
City Commander's claim to fame allowed FansProject to become a household name for Transformers fans, and paved the way for many other third-party companies to follow. This was only supplemented by the release of their G3 Trailer, notable for the ability to tow the Commander-series trailers around.
Their next few projects of the TFX Crossfires line were made by a smaller branch in their company, and were made to compliment the Transformers: Energon combiners. The first example of this was the Aerial Team Appendage Add-On Kit for Energon Superion Maximus, granting it higher pose ability and better proportions. This set came in grey and white versions.
2010
In 2010 came the first full figure from FansProject, Defender, designed as an homage to Generation 1 Springer, including the ability to turn from a robot to a truck or to a helicopter. This figure was well designed and had die cast placed at strategic points to not knock against any other point. This toy is notable for having enough pose ability and strategically placed holsters to allow it to take its gun from its holster and aim it, without the need of the collector to remove the weapon themselves.
The next point in the TFX Crossfires line granted us with Explorer an axe wielding sociopathic scientist, and Munitioner a weapon obsessed gun wielding sociopath. These two were designed to go together, as well as completing the ROTF Bruticus set to create a Generation 1 Bruticus, called Colossus.
Their later endeavors include the Protector designed to emulate Rodimus Prime, and the Targetmaster Sidearm.
2011
In 2011 FansProject released a series of toys homaging the original Insecticons called Backfiery, Stormbomb, and Thundershred. Explorer was remolded into a stand along homage to Micromaster Fireshot called Flameblast while Munitioner was remolded into an homage to Micromaster Growl named Warcry. Protector was recolored black and given a new weapon as Shadow Scythe. They also produced a limited run of recolors of the Sidearm toy as a fundraiser called Blesser.
2012
In 2012 they released Warbot Steel Core, an original design and Assaulter, an homage to Generation 1 Broadside. They also released their first Headmaster inspired toy Code, an homage to Generation 1 Chromedome.
2013
In 2013 FansProject released Car Crash and T-Bone, Downforce and Last Chance, homages to the Generation 1 Stunticons. The released their Headmaster inspired Quadruple U, Virus and Smart Robin. They released a set of recolors of their Colossus combiner called Explorer/Munitioner and original Glacialord characters Fangro and Tailclub.
Development
FansProject version of Apeface, Hardhead and Snapdragon were among the toys featured in the third-party panel at TFNation in August 2016.[1]
Dinogo was among the unreleased third-party Transformer toys on display at TFNation in August 2016.[2]
Reception
The Radio Free Cybertron podcast for September 11th, 2014 discussed FansProject Monstructor and Dia Atlas homages in the news.[3]
The Cybercast podcast for September 13th, 2014 discussed Cubrar, Steel Core, Volar and Monstructor homage in the news.[4]
FansProject female Dinobot, Dia Atlas homage and Snapdragon homage were displayed at STGCC 2015.[5]
The Retro Robot Radio show for January 24th, 2016 discussed FansProject Ankylobot, Brontobot and Severo in the news.[6]
The Retro Robot Radio podcast for February 7th, 2016 discussed the FansProject female Dinobot, Trainix Alpha and Trainix Delta in the news.[7]
Products
2007
- Classic Cliff Conversion Kit (Upgrade for Classic Cliffjumper)
2008
- ABT OP Upgrade Set (Upgrade for Alternators Optimus Prime)
- City Commander (Upgrade for Classic Ultra Magnus)
2009
- Aerial Team Appendage Add-On Kit (Upgrade for Energon Superion Maximus)
- D.I.A. Commander
- G3 Trailer
- Powered Commander
- Shadow Commander
2010
- Defender (Springer)
- Explorer (Blast Off)
- Munitioner (Swindle)
- Protector (Rodimus Prime armor for Classic Rodimus)
- Sidearm (Firebolt)
2011
2012
2013
- Code Virus Version (Chromedome, a Code recolor)
- Car Crash (Breakdown)
- Down Force (Dragstrip)
- Explorer/Munitioner (Blast Off & Swindle)
- Fangro
- Last Chance (Dead End)
- Quadruple U (Weirdwolf)
- Quake (Shockwave)
- Smart Robin (Brainstorm)
- T-Bone
- Tailclub
- Tusker
2014
- Columpio (Generation 1 Sludge)
- Cubrar (Slag)
- Diesel (Motormaster)
- Kar Krash (Generation 2 Breakdown)
- Megazero
- Razorspike
- Recoiler Core (Rack)
- Revolver Core (Generation 1 Roadbuster)
- Riftshot Core (Ruin)
- Sigma L (Mindwipe)
- Steel Core Trailer
2015
- Combes Robin (Sonic Bomber and Sonic)
- Crox (Skullcruncher and Grax)
- Dinoichi
- Dinoni
- Dinosan
- Dinoshi
- Knight (Sixknight)
- MADLAW (Quickswitch)
- Osmi
- Positum (Optimus Prime)
- Tricerabot
- Volar (Swoop)
2016
Unreleased
- Ankylobot
- Brontobot
- Browning II (Highbrow)
- Collector (Wreck-Gar)
- Dia-Z
- Dinogo
- Dinoroku
- Severo (Grimlock)
- TFX-06 (Robots in Disguise Classic Votyger Optimus Prime armor)
- TFX-07 (Robots in Disguise' Classic Voyager Ultra Magnus armor)
- Unnamed Apeface homage
- Unnamed female Dinbbot
- Unnamed Minerva homage
- Unnamed Snarl homage
- Unnamed Snapdragon homage
- Warbug Backfiery
- Warbug Stormbomb
- Warbug ThunderShred
References
- ↑ http://news.tfw2005.com/2016/08/20/tfnation-2016-3rd-party-panel-roundup-321920
- ↑ http://news.tfw2005.com/2016/08/20/tfnation-2016-3rd-party-roundup-321803
- ↑ Brian Kilby (September 11th, 2014). "Radio Free Cybertron". http://www.tfradio.net/ (Podcast). TFW2005. http://www.tfradio.net/podcast/2014/9/11/radio-free-cybertron-382.html.
- ↑ Josh (September 13th, 2014). "Cybercast". https://www.youtube.com/user/G1Hexatron?feature=watch (Podcast). Josh. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1tH3hXgNJ4E.
- ↑ http://news.tfw2005.com/2015/09/11/third-party-unofficial-transformers-display-from-stgcc-2015-301168
- ↑ Mathew Robert Ignash (January 24th, 2016). "Retro Robot Radio". http://www.youtube.com/user/RetroRobotRadio?feature=watch (Podcast). RetroRobotRadio. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kz64P8gLYSo.
- ↑ Mathew Robert Ignash (February 7th, 2016). "Retro Robot Radio". http://www.youtube.com/user/RetroRobotRadio?feature=watch (Podcast). RetroRobotRadio. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-cnqxmkUNwE.