TakaraTomy have announced another reuse of the Masterpiece Sideswipe (Lambor) mold in the form of MP-14c Clampdown.  Clampdown was a character produce by Part One Limited for e-Hobby Shop.

http://takaratomymall.jp/shop/g/g4904810842545/

Click on the title for the story to see images

Youtube user kbigstonehas posted some rare footage that was recorded at the 1983 Tokyo Toy Show. This event is very important in the history of the Transformers line as it was at this show that representatives from Hasbro Inc spotted Takara's exhibit of both their Diaclone and Micro Change toy lines which started the process that lead to the creation of the Transformers.  Whilst the quality of the footage is not great in places, it does feature both of these Takara lines being displayed.

Botcon 2012 registration went live, for attending packages, just before midnight UK time. Non-attendee packages are due to go live sometime next week.  As well as putting the registrations live two small images were also published of the complete Botcon set which confirmed the molds of the rest of the figures.  Metalhawk, as predicted, is a a recoloured classics Thunderwing with a new head sculpt whilst Ultra Magnus is a diaclone coloured G2 Optimus Prime.

Botcon have also tweeted some concept art of the Metalhawk head that can be seen in the additional images section below.

Maz, who runs TF-1.com, has just published a new article on the Ceji Joustra Diaclone line.  The article, which is over 10,000 words and contains over 100 images, is the result of his 14 worth of research.

Rather than try to describe this article to you, I thought it would be best to let Maz himself elaborate on the piece.

"For the last month or so I've been putting together the biggest, most comprehensive and ambitious article I have ever written, numbering over 10,000 words and containing over 110 photos. It is the fruit of nearly 14 years of collecting and the incredible contributions of many generous, enthusiastic, knowledgeable and unique collectors throughout the world.

This one feels like my life's work, but I cannot take sole responsibility for it by any stretch as the credits will show just how much input others have had in shaping what I hope will be for the forseeable future, the definitive article on the conception, history, evolution and fate of the Ceji Joustra Diaclone toy line from Europe.

Ceji Joustra Diaclone Overview

• Diaclone roots and inception
• Joustra Diaclone comic cover scans
• Pictures of all Joustra Diaclone toys found to date including never before seen world first Wave 2 pictures!
• Magazine and print adverts for Joustra Diaclones
• Dealer Catalogue scans from 1984 and 1985
• Theories on unanswered questions and mysteries around the toy line since day 1
• Eventual fate of the Joustra Diaclone line and what happened to the toys
• Paul Vromen's incredible sidebar artwork for this article

As if that wasn't enough, it is absolutely a wonderful pleasure to introduce a brand new website dedicated entirely to the Ceji Joustra Diaclone toy line created by RpChristophe, a French collector, researcher, enthusiast and someone I consider a great friend:

JOUSTRA DIACLONE

• Full scans of all Joustra Diaclone comics found to date
• Exploded packaging images for all Joustra Diaclone toys found to date
• Bio of the Joustra Diaclone wave 1 artists Paul & Gaetan Brizzi
• Available in French and English

• New packaged and loose images

• Info and pics updated to reflect discoveries made by Mijo at 20thcenturytoycollector.com

• New photos of packaged and loose Mexican Prowl
• Updated copyright stamping variant information
• Paul Vromen's Prowl artwork added to sidebar

• New variant of Mexican Smokescreen "Smokestreak" found

Massive thanks to all involved, especially Christophe, Mijo, JB, Paul and all article contributors. It's been an unforgettable joy to work with you all, and get to know you all.