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Transformers: Beast Wars

FLASH LIOCONVOY
Movie Commemorative Exclusive

I don't recall where or when I purchased Flash LioConvoy, but it is a Beast War Movie Commemorative Exclusive which was released mid-to-late December 1998, and retailed for ¥2,980.  This exclusive is limited to 5000 pieces.  Flash LioConvoy is basically a repainted C-16 LioConvoy figure packaged in the original Japanese box with a windowed opening in front.  The box measures 11.75”x4”x6.75”.  Besides the obvious color change, there is an exclusive sticker (Yellow, Blue & Silver) applied to the window.

Even though I don't recall the purchasing details, I do believe I was expecting to add the standard LioConvoy to my collection but instead received Flash LioConvoy. Let’s say that I was quite happy to add another exclusive Beast Wars figure to my collection.

Flash LioConvoy has the following contents:

    1. LioConvoy figure
    2. Missile Launchers (x2)
    3. Missiles (x6)
    4. Catalog Sheet
    5. Instruction Sheet


Missiles & Launchers

The instruction sheet states that there should be 6 Missiles, but for some odd reason my exclusive contained only 5.  There are a total of 4 Missile Launchers but only 2 are detachable.  This release did not include a tech spec card unlike the original/standard release of C-16 LioConvoy.


BEAST MODE:  Flash LioConvoy is displayed in Beast Mode and in a leaping pose with his Scissor Claws extended, similar to the photo below.  His color scheme is comprised of a translucent Pearl plastic, Silver & Gold paint, Grey plastic, as well as Gold-speckled plastic.  The Gold paint is used on his claw nails and chest with Silver paint noted on his paws.  His tail and claws are Gold in appearance but do not match his Gold-speckled mane.


Scissor Claws extended

Flash LioConvoy measures approximately 11.5” in length when he is fully extended from claws to tail, but his Scissor Claws make up 2” of that length.


Close-up of lion's head with detailed eyes

If you look at LioConvoy’s face, you’ll notice the detailed paint job on his eyes which is nicely done.


Flash LioConvoy in Beast Mode

Flash LioConvoy has ball and socket joints at his shoulders which provides unlimited motion.  These joints are probably the loosest on this figure and looks like he’s ready to pounce on his prey when on all fours.  His hind legs have several joints such as ratchet-locking ball and socket at the hips, upper-leg twist, knee hinges (two parts), lower-leg twist and hinge at the ankles.  Now that’s a lot of moving parts from the hips down.

There is a button located under the center piece of his mane that releases the spring loaded flaps which are located to the left & right side of the center piece.  Press the center part then attach the Missile Launchers to the peg holes then secure the flaps in their original position.

The Scissor Claws on his front legs are spring loaded and can be tucked away underneath.  Pull down on the tips (at the elbow) passed the lips on either side of the claws compartment to extend the claws.
 


Flash LioConvoy in Attack mode

ATTACK MODE:  Press the center flap on top to release the 2 missile launchers.  Pull down the center flap underneath his chin to reveal 2 levers on either side (closest to his forearms).  This is a really tight spot, so unless you have small fingers or nails, you probably can’t lift these levers to activate 2 additional missile launchers which are located at the shoulders.  I found it easier to pull out the flaps manually. You can insert the missiles into their launchers and depress the levers/buttons to fire the missiles.


Mane flaps extended for "spinning blade" gimmick

The mane has a total of 8 flaps with 4 of them attached to a rotating plate which is yet another gimmick.  The first thing to do is to lift up 4 flaps; top, bottom, left & right. Now adjust his front legs down and back so that they are out of the way.  Press the Grey button on top to rotate the “blade”.  Press the button several times and watch it spin!


"Roar" gimmick
(move cursor over image)

On the top of his head is another button hidden in his mane.  When this button is pressed, the upper and lower jaws open up to reveal his Grey fangs and tongue.  This is another neat gimmick which simulates a lion roaring minus the sound effects :P  Move your mouse over the image above to see this gimmick in action.


ROBOT MODE:  To transform Flash LioConvoy from Beast to Robot, first extend the hind legs at the hips and knees so that they are aligned with the rest of his body.  Rotate the legs at the upper-leg twist 180°, then the ankle joints 180° and then pull out the Grey heels which are hidden under his rear claws/paws.  Now press the center part of his mane to spring open the flaps with the Missile Launchers and pull out the mane parts on the left, right and underneath his body.  You should be able to see all the Grey parts which were hidden under his mane.  Separate the left and right fists and the Robots shoulders which are connected to pegs.  Once you have done this, the chest piece should fold downward which connects to his waist.  The head, back and tail shell needs to be pulled out and down and should be perpendicular to the rest of his body (chest & legs).  Rotate the head/torso piece clockwise 90°, lift the center mane part which has a hole, then lift the Pearl back piece upward and fold the top down.  The lion’s head should be on his left shoulder (tail on right) in reference to his torso.  His head is hidden inside a compartment within his torso.  Rotate the lion’s head downward slightly then pull down the door then rotate his head upward 180°, then secure the door.  Now with his torso shell, connect the pegs so that you make a U-shape for the shoulder/chest piece.  Extend both arms downward at the shoulder, elbow, and wrist joints so that it is parallel with the rest of his body.  Rotate the chest piece upward 90°, rotate the arms downward at the shoulders 90°, then push the lion’s head/back piece down which should lock into place.  Fold back the left and right mane pieces so it rests on his back and torso.  Now rotate the lion’s forearms (behind Robot arms) upward 90°.  The final transformation for Robot Mode is complete and Flash LioConvoy now stands at approximately 9.5” tall.

Flash LioConvoy has several point of articulation with several kinds of joints which are listed below:

    1. Head - swivel
    2. Shoulders - ball and socket
    3. Elbows - ball and socket, hinge
    4. Wrists - hinge
    5. Waist - swivel
    6. Hips - ball and socket, ratchet-hinge
    7. Knees - upper-leg twist, two-part hinge
    8. Ankles - ankle-twist, hinge


Flash LioConvoy in Robot Mode

The first gimmick is the hidden Missile Launchers.  There is a lever underneath his forearms which activates/releases the Missile Launchers hidden behind the Gold-speckled pieces that flip outward 180°.  Insert the missiles then depress the buttons on the launcher to fire them.


Hand-held Missile Launchers

The second gimmick is hand-held Missile Launchers.  Just remove the launchers from his right shoulder (under mane parts) and insert the launcher’s peg into his fists.  Insert the missiles and viola!  Press the button on the launcher to fire the missiles.


All 4 Missile Launchers extended
& Matrix exposed

The third gimmick is the Scissor Claws which were identified in Beast Mode.  Rotate the lion’s arms 180° then flip out the claws.


All 4 Missile Launchers &
Scissor Claws extended


Mane flaps extended for
"spinning blade" gimmick

The fourth gimmick is the spinning blade on his right shoulder. This too was identified in Beast Mode.  Lock down the Missile Launchers that are on his right shoulder.  Rotate the 4 blades (top, left, right, and bottom) outward 90° then make sure his arm is not in the vicinity of the blade’s rotation.  Push down the Grey button on his shoulder and watch the blade spin.


Button on top of mane activates
"spinning blade" gimmick

Flash LioConvoy has a panel on his torso that can be opened to reveal his Matrix.  His Matrix isn’t painted in two colors as with the standard release of LioConvoy, but rather one color is used.  It doesn't really stick out that much since it's entire section is painted Gold.  It's kind of plain in my opinion.


Matrix & rub sign under torso door

On the inside of the panel door is his rub-sign with the outer panel door displaying his molded Cyberton symbol.  His torso is spray painted Gold which fades out to Grey (lower-half).
 


Flash LioConvoy with Cyberton
emblem on chest

His head is mostly painted Gold with a Silver mouthpiece, Grey antennae and Blue eyes.  His helmet looks great in this color scheme.


Close-up of Flash LioConvoy's head

That's about it for this review.  Flash LioConvoy has a challenging transformation from Beast to Robot Mode and vice versa.  His color scheme isn't too bad and I really like the Gold-speckled mane.  Although, I think the Scissor Claws and tail should've been made to match his mane.  Besides having loose joints, overall, he's an excellent figure to add to your collection and receives a thumbs-up from me :)!

 

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