Transformers Masterpiece MP-20 Foil Jack

So I don't usually write a review for items, but I felt compelled to for this.This is my first Masterpiece purchase, I got nostalgic one day as I was a huge Transformers fan when I was a kid, so looked on Amazon and found these collectibles.This is not a kids toy, this is for the more mature collector who appreciates quality and the transformers franchise.The quality of this is sensational, I was surprised at the level of detail and the sturdiness of it. I wasn't expecting it to be as good as it was, and its totally worth the money.In alt mode, if you showed it to someone they would just think its a normal model of a Lancia Stratos. The lines and build quality are very good, the cars rolls and functions as expected, and looks perfect. The details are fantastic, everything you would expect to see on a stratos.The transformation is a bit tricky in parts, took me about 15 minutes carefully working it out, the instructions didn't help too much but their are videos on you tube that are helpful. The plastic is strong, but there are some light pieces that if you put enough pressure on I could see snapping, so its best to take your time and carefully transform it. Although I don't imagine I will be changing it back and forth often, as its more a model rather than a toy.After the transformation the Robot mode looks fantastic, there is lots of character in this model. The articulation is good, seems to have a good range of motion on the legs and arms, the feet are sturdy and it stands up without a problem.Overall this is a fantastic piece, and no doubt in the future I will be buying more of these and start my collection.

Well done

Transformers Review: Masterpiece WheeljackIn the Transformers franchise there are a lot of warriors, maybe too many, and there are few who do other functions like medical or science. In the 1980s Generation One cartoon Wheeljack was one of the first scientist characters to be introduced and it became well known early into the series that his inventions, while brilliant, didn't have a great success rate.Not that it stopped him from trying anyway. One of his more successful attempts would result in the creation of the Dinobots in the Generation One cartoon, with Ratchet's help.Wheeljack was and still is memorable to fans for various reasons and to see a Masterpiece version of him is very nice and very welcome.So on with the review.~Alt Mode:Wheeljack's alt mode is the 1976 Lancia Stratos Turbo, like his original Generation One toy and the cartoon model.While it isn't fully accurate to the cartoon appearance, it is more accurate to the real life appearance and it is beautiful. It does lack many of the sponsors that the real life version had but I guess that was to be expected.The alt mode is beautifully made, from the beautiful red wheel rims to the minimalist paint scheme which works very well. It shows just enough without showing too much.The colours are largely white with red and green, there is a little yellow and some dashes of black in places. The two sponsors that were used are Lancia on the left side, if facing you, on both the front and rear spoiler and Alitalia on the right hand side, if facing you, on the same places as well as to both sides of the rare of the alt mode. There is a red Autobot symbol against a white background on the roof and on the doors are the numbers 539, like what the real life rally car had.The back of the alt mode has two red rear lights while the spoiler has the words Lancia on both sides. The windscreen is a translucent smoky colour, unlike the cartoon version which had a blue windscreen.The design is sleek and very 1970s, it's beautiful in it's gracefulness. His pistol becomes his exhaust while his shoulder launcher in robot mode can be slotted into the back of the alt mode.A lot of work has clearly gone into the beautiful alt mode, it really is quite the sight to see.~Robot Mode:The transformation to robot mode is involved but nothing too complicated as long as you're careful and don't use force, it's best to be gentle while using minimal force where needed. Since his side mirrors come separately and have to be slotted in then you have to be careful there since they can pop out a little too easily and being tiny then losing them results in a tough search.With patience though you can get the transformation down just right.In robot mode Wheeljack continues to have the same colours with new additions being more black in regards of his lower arms, his upper legs and waist, sliver for his faceplate, side ear like pieces and ridges on the top of his head. His eyes are a soft blue and his back wings are the same smoky translucent colour as his windscreen in alt mode.It is almost completely accurate to the cartoon model, almost, the chest is a little wider but that's to be expected really considering that they had to be able to incorporate the alt mode in just right.In this mode his articulation is very good, as good as previous Masterpiece cars, with head, arm and leg articulation being very well implemented. He can pose very well, his arms have a full 360 swivel but his wings can hinder that, his head has the full 360 turn and can look up, his legs have a full range of articulation as well as an ankle tilt in both feet which allows both feet to tilt inwards.His pistol can be placed in either hand and his launcher, non-spring loaded, can be slotted into either shoulder slot. His hands have the same range of articulation that previous Masterpieces have.Is robot mode is impressive, it has it's small flaws but those are to be expected really. It's still very impressive.~~So is he worth getting? Yes, he has flaws but what doesn't? His alt mode is beautiful and very accurate to the real life rally car while his robot mode comes very close to being screen accurate. His ear like pieces on the side of his head don't light up like the cartoon version but oh well, no matter, that would have probably limited the figure in many ways to implement such a feature anyway.He fits in very nicely with a Masterpiece collection and considering that an original Generation One Wheeljack toy will set you back a small fortune then being able to get a Masterpiece version which improves on the original G1 toy in so many ways then MP Wheeljack is a must get, just bear in mind that it has it's flaws and does require you to be gentle when transforming him.While I feel I prefer the Datsuns of Prowl, Bluestreak and Smokesreen a little more, I am finding myself liking Wheeljack more and more due to how beautifully made he is.Highly recommended, just be gentle when transforming him. But then you should always try to be gentle when it comes to transforming any Transformer.Beautiful figure, makes me very interested in seeing how Bumblebee, Ultra Magnus, Exhaust and Star Saber are going to turn out.And all done.