Yizhi571 has updated his post on TF08.net with more images of the test shot for the Transformers Revenge of the Fallen Soundwave toy. The images shows the size of the figure in robot mode, compared to a packet of cigarettes.  Yizhi571 has also  confirmed this figure appears to transform into a Satellite.

Japanese store Amiami has updated it's listings for Transformers Henkei Dinobot, 25th Anniversary HotShot and the Micky Mouse Transformers, as well as Henkei Hound, Cheetor and Infero with various more images.

Transformers Henkei Dinobot include the first colour images of the Japanese version of this figure.

Dinobot, Micky and Hotshot

Chinese testshot seller yizhi521 of TF08.net has posted three images of the first toy from the upcoming Transformers Revenge of the Fallen series. The images are rather blurred and TF08 point out that this sample is not for sale unlike all of the other leaked figures featured on their website.  Rumours have started that the toy is Soundwave though it is too hard to make out from the images.

Ozformers has a nice round up, with a few pictures, from a Transformers Animated promotional event which took place in Australia over the weekend.

Here's a basic summary but check out Ozformers for the full article / details.

Some of the interesting things discussed during the day:
- Eric is in Australia until February, on a 'working holiday', but would love to come back. He said that the temporary relocation is part of an initiative at Hasbro now to have the more important people exposed to other branches of their (global empire) company, and have the branches benefit from it in the process (or something like that - it sounds like something they could be doing a lot in future).
- He's been working his normal job, but just more efficiant (no distractions like at their US offices).
- He's been around a fair bit of Australia while here (as a tourist), and hopes to visit New Zealand before he heads back to America.
- He pointed out to us that he has been responsible for designing all of Animated, not just Oilslick (which I thought was his only Animated figure, because it was on the tfwiki). He mentioned that there is a complete list of his works on tfw2005 site somewhere (I couldn't find it).
- On the topic of Oil Slick, he said that it was originally intended to have slime in the second barrel (the one with the lid, not the chain weapon), and slime in the bucket over his head. When that didn't work (potential for leaking during transport from China was the issue), they looked at having water in the bucket over his head, but found out that it is 'not a good idea to have anything from China with water in it', in case it gets consumed by a child (seems that the water from China isn't the healthiest in the world). In the end, the toy was left without anything, but like Animated Swoop's weapon or Universe Galvatron, the original features are still there.
- Aside from the Toasted TV interview, he has also been interviewd on TTN (kid's news show) and FHM (men's magazine).
- Is working on 2 of the size classes for the TF2 Movie line, one of which is the Voyager size (I think he said Scout was the other). As expected, he couldn't say anything else about the movie, other than how great he thinks the toys are coming.
- Mentioned that the Animated Sideswipe in the UK comic was something they drew up without telling Hasbro, and told them to change it because it was a character they would probably do eventually.
- His thoughts on some of the good quality custom TFs, is one as a fan, who want's to get a 'City Commander' (Classics Magnus trailer) for himself.
- Told us why we haven't seen any Animated Constructicon toys yet, but I can't say why here at this time.
- Described the Animated Arcee toy a little, being a whole new Deluxe sized mould, and isn't all pink.
- Said that the neutering of Animated Swoop's weapon (was designed to extend the flame spikes when pulling on the chain), but didn't pass safety tests (if swallowed, it could get lodged in a kid's throat, and pulling the chain to remove the toy would hook it in even more).
- A fan of Translucent plastic on TFs, but not of Mighty Muggs (don't blame him - they're an abomination...).
- He prefers the creative freedom of doing new characters over homage characters. And says that he's just about done about all the major Gen1 character homage toys for Animated, as more of the focus will be on new characters now (after next year).

He also discussed a fair bit about the design process - what he does, what some of the restriction on him are, and how most turn out close enough to how he wanted them to.

And a few things from the Marketting Managers:
- The Animated cartoon will return to Australian free-to-air (Toasted TV on Channel 10) by the end of November, on weekdays.
- Delay with the release of 25th Optimus here (probably won't be in stores until early January now)
- And I think there was a similar delay with Special Edition classics as well.

Due to the recent server problems we missed reporting this news on Saturday.

Oddsey posted the following sighting on our message board of Transformers Animated Wave 3 Sentinal Prime and Swoop being in stock at Sainsbury

"Just picked up Swoop/Sentinel for £4.99 each from a Sainsbury's in Nottingham.(Castle Boulevard store)
I think this is the first sighting of that wave so far, so you may want to wait before trying your local store. Give it two or three weeks just to be on the safe side.

Be aware that some stores also do not stock toys, or may have only a small range that does not include Transformers.

Use this page to find the details of your local store, including phone number so you can ring and check if they have 'em in stock.

http://www.sainsburys.co.uk/shoppingand ... _secondary

Also be aware that there is the possibility that they may have sold out of said figures before you arrive.

There are many other possible reasons that your local store might not have them available, such as Fire/Flood, other acts of God, industrial action, amongst others."

T-4-E posted this evening to remind everyone that "The 1/2 price sale in Sainsburys is only until this wednesday. I picked up a Swoop & Sentinel Prime on Sat for £4.99 each plus some Wave 1 Uni Legends at £1.49 each and Uni Robot Heroes for £2.99 each."

Happy hunting

We have updated the Conventions Images section of the website to contain three new image gallery mirrors of recent Japanese hobby conventions.  The conventions covered by the updates are:

The Bandai Hobby Show 2008 - This event took place on the 19th October and the gallery contains 509 images. (some images may not be suitable for minors)

The Revoltech Expo 2008 - This event took place on the 25th October 2008 and the gallery contains 95 images. (some images may not be suitable for minors)

The Transfanket 2008 - This Transformers fan event took place on the 3rd November and the gallery contains 71 images from the event including the customs, artwork and dealer stalls.

The first two galleries contain no Transformers related images, though they have been included as we know that many of you may be interested in some of the items shown at the event, such as the clear jet that was shown at the Bandai Hobby Show

TFW2005 member Tamo536 has posted several images and a short review of the Transformers Universe Cheetor figure.

The toy features a more accurate cheetah mode, but is said to suffer in robot form.

You can see the images and information here.

As many of you have found out we have been experiencing a few issues with the load on the webserver over the last few days, which has resulted in limited access to our websites Transformers At The Moon, Transformers Animated, Lucky Draw Transformers and The Visionaries.net.

Steve spent half of the day today optimising various areas of the site and the server to help with the load, but this has proven not to be effective enough.  We will continue to work on a fix for this over the weekend and throughout the week until the site is back up and running permanently.

We simply ask for your patients and suggest trying the website again after a 5 minute delay if you receive the errors.

BBTS have posted the first colour image of the upcoming Transformers Disney Label Mickey Mouse (normal colour) figure.  The toy, as expected, is coloured like Optimus Prime.  You can view the image below.

ENI have received the first image of the cover of the Transformers Animated series two DVD which is due for release on the 6th January 2009.  You can view the full size image here.

 Ray from RobotKingdom has sent us an email letting us know that the Transformers Universe Special Edition figure will be in stock at Robotkindgom from the 19th of November.

Board member Frenzy Rumble has submitted the following news story regarding Transformers Revenge of the Fallen Devastator

"some news right leg dump truck left leg bulldozer right arm wheel loader left arm truss crane right shoulder excavator left shoulder articulated dump truck head mack cement mixer"

Japanese online store Maruzen toys have updated their website with some new images of Masterpiece Grimlock and Transformers Disney Label Mickey Mouse.

You can view the mirrored images below.