TFSS 5.0 Counterpunch

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Transformers Subscription Service 5.0 Counterpunch

Counterpunch is yet another late FunPub exclusive released homaging a previous one: Punch/Counterpunch was redone as a Collectors Club exclusive in 2010 using the Universe Lamborghini toy: the Sunstreaker transformation of the toy served as the Autobot Punch while the Sideswipe transformation turned it into Counterpunch. Since the Combiner Wars Lamborghini also served as Sunstreaker, and should have been Sideswipe, you could see why they might use it for another Punch/Counterpunch. However they've instead gone for it's slightly modified Wheeljack version which in turn opens up a second homage: A blue Wheeljack is Slicer who was made as a Botcon 2010 using Energon Downshift (Wheeljack!).

Effectively you know what to expect here, as you'll have probably bought the Countach a few times by now, the existing Combiner Wars to in blue, and it looks really rather nice.

The HandFootGun is coloured orange here, a reference to Punch's Twin Mortar Launcher I think, making it another FunPub HFG with a unique colour.

Transforming to robot mode reveals a brand new head which looks a lot like a more detailed version of the original Counterpunch head. Given that some of the 2016 FunPub head sculpts were so bad, especially Ravage/Tigatron on the CW Countach, I'm surprised that this head is this good and wonder if it was meant for a repaint that never happened....

Didn't expect to like this but he's better than I thought he would be!

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Future Repaints

I'd settle for a new head, chest and gun to make a Combiner Wars version of Sideswipe. If you're doing Sunstreaker, you HAVE to do Sideswipe. That would then give us Red Alert as an EASY repaint and also things like G2 Sideswipe, Deep Cover and Clamp Down. Part of me thinks that Tigertrack wouldn't be worth doing but the thought of having TWO almost identical yellow Lambo that turn into different robots is quite tempting! See also red Diaclone Countach LP500S Super Tuning and Police Car Diaclone Countach LP500S Super Tuning.

However I think we can do better than that. Most of the time a remould on a toy is to change it's appearance. A remould to how this toy transforms would make the world of difference. I'd have the bonnet hinged at it's base, connected to the neck plate which is then connected to a hinge at the top, slightly covered by the windscreen. Result: a bonnet that will still fold back, for combined mode, but one that will also fold forward onto the chest to make an even better Sideswipe.

Given the presence of a limb robot Jazz in Power of the Primes, assumed to be part of a new Autobot combiner, I suspect the chances of Sideswipe getting a similar toy are rising!