Transformers 2006 Dairycon Exclusive Flatfoot

QUICK INFO:
Name: Flatfoot
Line: Dairycon Exclusive
Year: 2006
Price: unknown

Function:  Law Enforcement

" Thank you for your cooperation. "

A no-nonsense, strictly by-the-book fellow. Has the entire Cybertronian Codex committed to memory. One of the very few Transformers who hates change. Commands respect in any situation. In vehicle mode, lights and sirens cause disorientation in his enemies. Armed with a semi-automatic laser pistol and a CO2 shotgun. In beast-mode, sensors allow him unprecedented ability to track his opponents. Eyes can fire 9mm lazer bullets. In robot-mode, equipped with an electromagnetic shield, and energon-cuffs.

Profile: "Freeze, lawbreaker!" are usually the first words out of Flatfoot's mouth. A no-nonsense, strictly by-the-book fellow. Has the entire Cybertonain Codex committed to memory. A true law-man's law-man. Despite this, Flatfoot is, by all accounts, an enigma. He is one of the very few Transformers who hates change. This can most likely be attributed to his forced 'transformation' from a vehicle alt mode (a changeform style which, ironically, was stolen by Bailjumper to commit crimes at The Leader's discretion) to his current Beast form. Refusing further change until his vehicle form is restored, Flatfoot prefers to remain in his animal mode. As a former Autobot Patrolman (and rumored member of the Cobalt Sentries) he continues to serve the cause and protect in his role as advisor to Bunny Convoy, offering advice and wisdom when needed. Unflappable calm. When others lose their way, Flatfoot is there to steer them back in the right direction. Commands respect in any situation.

Abilities: Sensors pick up the weakest radio transmission. Constantly tuned in to the police bands so that he can rapidly deploy to the trouble spots. In vehicle mode, lights and sirens cause disorientation in his enemies. Armed with a semi-automatic laser pistol and a CO2 shotgun. In beast-mode, sensors allow him unprecedented ability to track his opponents. Eyes can fire 9mm lazer bullets. In robot-mode, equipped with an electromagnetic shield, and energon-cuffs.

Weaknesses: Sometimes overlooks the big picture in his efforts to enforce the smallest rule. Easily upset by human youth, especially in their wild defiance of any authority. Has been vandalized more than once while giving a lecture to inner-city ruffians. He once stopped mid-speech to find that he was up on blocks with his engine and tires missing. Flatfoot doesn't feel he can best serve the cause in his current beast configuration. He longs for his previous vehicle-mode. Is resentful for having been maximized; this interferes with his normally even-handed judgement.

Strength: 8 Intelligence: 4 Speed: 7 Endurance: 7

Rank: 5 Courage: 9 Firepower: 7 Skill: 6

I am a fan of most of the creative and awesome exclusive creations that come out of the annual Dairycon Transformers convention...with the Spychangers being some of my favorite. The thing about these exclusives are they are severely limited and hard to come across on the secondary market. I don't remember when I got Flatfoot, but I do remember being extremely excited about adding my 3rd Dairycon Spychanger to my collection.

Flatfoot came packaged in a small mystery box. What I mean by that is you didn't know which Flatfoot figure you were getting. Was it the repainted Robots in Disguise Prowl 2 Spychanger toy or the lame McDonald's Beast Wars Happy Meal toy of Panther? Thankfully I knew which figure I was getting! 

The small box held an inner tray that slid out to reveal the toy inside. In this case (thankfully) it was the Spychanger version!

Flatfoot is a simple "redeco" of the RID toy Prowl 2. I'll admit that I'm really biased when it comes to the Spychanger toys as I love them all and I think they are all worthy of owning. The Dairycon people really outdid themselves with this particular toy. The new stickers they made for the hood, doors, windows and rear spoiler are excellent. If I didn't know better I might think this was a mass produced toy. Most of the toy in vehicle mode is unchanged besides the new stickers.

I love the Dairycon cow logo on the police shield! It just gives the toy even more character.

I was glad to see they chose to keep the gun as part of the toy. One of the best things about the last few Spychanger toys Hasbro made were the molds that allowed the weapon to be stowed underneath the vehicle...as with this mold. If you are familiar with these toys then there isn't much new here, except the paint added to the robot's face.

Awesome! The blue paint wasn't as carefully applied as the red, but I'm not complaining. This is another great touch they added to an already cool toy. The blue/red eyes on this toy reminded me of one of the Playskool Go-Bots toys, Cop-Bot as he too had light bar colored eyes.

I keep browsing the various Transformers message boards and occasionally eBay looking for one of the last of the Dairycon exclusive Spychangers (Bailjumper from 2005), but so far no luck what so ever.  If I ever find myself in Wisconsin around the time of a Dairycon convention being held I will find away to attend as I find their humor, stories and exclusives toys very entertaining.

Transformers 2007 Dairycon Exclusive Checkers

QUICK INFO:
Name: Checkers
Line: Dairycon Exclusives
Year: 2007
Price: unknown




Function:  Urban Surveillance
Quote: " I like Mankind just fine; it's people I don't trust. "

Profile:  Checkers signed up with the Autobot army to travel to strange new worlds and seek out new life. He ended up stuck in major American cities watching for Decepticon activity. To quench his boredom, he began listening to right-wing political talk-radio. He found kindred spirits in the hosts, even though some of their views can border on the extreme. Some Autobots (Beachcomber, for example) cannot even stand to be assigned with him due to his right-wing leanings. Wreck-Gar thinks that Checkers sounds a lot like a character from the ancient TV sitcom All In The Family. Openly campaigns for political candidates by attaching ads to his vehicle-mode roof. Dislikes being assigned to Milwaukee, and absolutely refuses to operate in Madison.

Abilities:  Checkers can monitor all radio, infrared, and microwave frequencies, including secret police and military channels. While his vehicle form isn't particularly fast or durable, it is dependable. With regular maintenance, he is virtually immune to breakdowns.

Weaknesses:  Sometimes takes his political views to the extreme. His roof light is permanently stuck in the "off duty" position.

Strength: 8 Intelligence: 4 Speed: 7 Endurance: 7

Rank: 5 Courage: 9 Firepower: 7 Skill: 6

Finally! I was able to track down another awesome Dairycon (Spychanger) exclusive. We'll take a look at one of 2007's exclusives from one of the wackiest Transformer conventions....Dairycon!

Wow, all I can say is that I am so impressed with the packaging of this guy. For this to be a fan made toy offered at a unofficial convention I'm blown away. Whoever handles the graphic design for the packaging @ Dairycon should get a raise! While the box and insert tray are made from thin cardstock it has a very professional look. From the black and white street layout in the background to the checkered pin stripe around the bottom of the box...this thing is beautiful. Did you notice the age group listed in the upper right corner? Ages 30+ ...hilarious!

The back of the box is just as beautiful as the front. As you can see there is a nice "illustration" showing you how to transform Checkers from robot mode to his taxi mode and the equally awesome 'quote' below: "errrarrrarrerrarrerrarearaaarr..." As with the Ages 30+ on the front of the box you can see a in the bottom left corner a image stating that is not intended for ages 0-29. Classic!

Top, bottom and sides of box

Now let's do the unimaginable and open the sealed box! Here's a closer look at the inner plastic tray that houses Checkers and his gun along w/ the paper tray.

Here's a close up of the inner tray that uses the same street map layout as on the outer box.

Checkers is a repainted Prowl 2 Spychanger from the Robots In Disguise (R.I.D.) line. The thighs, front car grill and robot face have been painted black while the the outer car parts have been painted taxi cab yellow. The rest of the head is a nice shade of gray while the eyes have been carefully painted a line green color. I can't stress how good the robot's head has been painted. Great care was exercised here. The large checkered area w/ the Dairycon cow logo is actually a sticker.

As with the hood the rest of the design on the sides of the car as well as the 555-TAXI on the back of the car also stickers. The light bar on the top of the car has been painted white. Until I took a closer look at the toy I didn't realize the windows has been covered with a dark brown colored sticker. There is one small Autobot symbol still exposed on the back window.

Top and bottom views



Generation One styled Tech Specs

Overall this is one of the best fan made toys I've seen to date. There are several different characters made from various Spychanger molds for the Dairycon convention over the years. The only other one I have is Domino from 2008. I would gladly pay good money to acquire the others. If you are a fan of fan made Transformers, Spychangers (as I am) or just a crazy fan who likes taxi Transformers then this is a must have. I'm not sure how many of this toy were made, but because of the convention being so regional I don't see a lot of these exclusives available for sale on the secondary market. Because of this they can tend to be a tad on the expensive side...but well worth it. It is so obvious that a lot of thought and care go into the planning, creation and execution of these toys. A+ in my book.