Up for review is the Transformers MP-11T Masterpiece Thundercracker action figure. This figure was a Takara Tomy Mall exclusive released in November of 2015 and was limited to 2000 pieces in Japan. Thundercracker also received a broader release in the Asian market a few weeks later. This figure originally retailed for 14,904 yen (about $137.00 USD).
This figure is based off the character Thundercracker of the popular animated series "The Transformers" which first aired on TV in 1984.
Now, this isn't the first time Thundercracker has received the Masterpiece treatment. Both Takara and Hasbro had produced Masterpiece Thundercrackers in prior years, however for some collectors, neither one became the definitive version of Thundercracker in their Masterpiece collections including myself. More on that later.
PRESENTATION
Thundercracker comes in the standard Masterpiece style box with its basic black box with similar graphics to previous Masterpiece figures. This version is designated with MP-11T. The Thundercracker figure is pictured on the front of the box with both his robot and vehicle mode being shown.
On the back of the box, Japanese text is shown along with several more pictures of the figure in both modes, with some demonstrating some of the features along with his accessories.
FIGURE
Once removed from the box, Thundercracker comes in robot mode inside his plastic tray along with his tech specs biocard, instructions, and an orange translucent hologram pilot accessory.
What's noticeably absent is the stand that came with older masterpiece seekers. This seems to be the norm now with no stands with that last few seeker releases from Takara Tomy. Both the recent Skywarp and Ramjet figures did not include any stands.
Given the price and exclusiveness of the last few seekers, I find it a little disappointing it's not included as the stand provided some display options for both modes.
In robot mode, the figure stands about 8 and 1/2 inches from head to foot and about and inch taller when you include the fully extended wings.
In jet mode, the figure measures about 12 and 1/2 inches from the tip of the nosecone to the end of the rudders. The wingspan measures about 8 and 1/2 inches.
DESIGN
Thundercracker is a repaint of the Masterpiece MP-11 Starscream mold. This mold was originally retooled from the Masterpiece MP-03 Starscream figure back in 2008. Most of the changes were minor, but it allowed the figure to look closer to the TV animation model in robot mode. However with those modifications, the mold looks less realistic in vehicle mode, and some of the robot parts aren't as well hidden.
Regardless, Thundercracker retains his very iconic seeker look when in robot mode. Having the air intakes over the shoulders, the cockpit as the center of the chest, and the large wingspan sitting flat against the back of the upper body gives the seeker design a very regal look. I was also big fan of the uniformity of the design, and that the seekers shared the same design. It conveyed to me the whole military aspect of the Decepticons very well.
Some of the retooling did provide improvements on the figure including a slightly larger, better sculpted head and stabilizers for the feet that the MP-3 version lacks. This makes posing the figure so much better!
PAINT
Thundercracker is mainly colored in powder blue with some silver, red, white, and black paints applications highlighting some of the sculpted details, mainly on the upper body and wings. Thundercracker also has the traditional Decepticon symbols tampographs on his wings and nosecone.
Overall, the paint apps on my figure were neatly executed with minimal blemishing.
ARTICULATION
Thundercracker sports a decent amount of articulation with most of the articulation being present in the head, shoulders, elbows, arms, wrists, fingers, legs, and knees. It can swivel slightly at the waist, but it's very limited due to the way the waist is designed in robot mode. Overall, it has a decent range of poseability where the articulation is most present on the figure.
TRANSFORMATION
The MP-11 figure transforms in a F-15 Eagle fighter jet. The transformation is relatively easy with basically pushing the legs together, collapsing them into the body, folding down the wings and tailplanes, folding the shoulders, arms, & hands underneath the jet body, and unfolding the nosecone and cockpit to the vehicle position.
One thing I do like about the transformation is the new, improved head. I remember having clearance issues getting the head to pass through the upper body on the MP-03 version, because there is little clearance. The new head has collapsible sides, so it's easier to navigate through the transformation.
ACCESSORIES
Aside from the biocard and instructions, Thundercracker comes with a translucent orange hologram pilot. I guess it was to convey the illusion that he was being piloted by a real person to fool other humans. I don't remember Thundercracker or any other seekers using this in the show.
That's pretty much it on the accessories. Again, I would have liked to have seen the stand included with it.
QUALITY CONTROL
I know the MP-11 mold has had quality control issues varying from loose joints, bad paint applications, and parts that were assembled incorrectly. A perfect example would my Hasbro Masterpiece Thundercracker. When transforming into robot mode, the cockpit chest would normally slide down, and locks into the waist. Mine barely stays in place when I attempt to move or pose it.
On the other hand, my Takara Tomy Skywarp locks in perfectly, and stays in place.
Thankfully, the Takara Tomy Thundercracker is the same way as Skywarp and has minimal issues. Everything locks into place, joints are tight when posing, paints apps are well done, and plastic sprue marks seem minimal on my copy.
The only issue I came across was the large left wing. The panel that sits on the underside of the wing doesn't sit flush to the rest of the wing. It looks like I can take it apart, and reset the parts, so it'll sit flush. Hopefully, I can correct that.
Other than the wing issue, I haven't come across any other problems.
OVERALL
Masterpiece Thundercracker is a nice addition to the Decepticon ranks.
Whereas previous versions of Masterpiece Thundercracker took some artistic liberties that homages the G1 toy with it's darker blue colors or just the overall designs that didn't come as close to the TV show design, the MP-11T version makes up for it. The show accurate powder blue color is aesthetically pleasing to my eye, and this will be my default Masterpiece G1 Thundercracker.
I know the mold can be considered "dated" by some collectors, but it would take a lot to replace this as my definitive Thundercracker.
Given the exclusiveness and price of the figure, some collectors may be a bit leery to obtain it, and that's understandable. Still, I would certainly recommend getting him to complete your season 1 Transformers.
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