KO Korner: Transformers G3 Inferno

In my years of collecting Transformers, I've come across some wild knock offs (KOs). In the later years of my collecting I've even started to search out particular Generation 1 KOs to add to my own personal collection. I've obtain many that I really like, however this one has got to be one of the most intriguing I've found.

When I used to frequent the forums over at TFW2005.com, I had heard other members talk about a G3 Inferno. I had no idea what they were talking about. I knew Inferno had shown up in the G2 series, mostly unchanged from his G1 version; but G3? Years later I actually ran across a eBay listing with a Buy It Now so cheap I couldn't believe my eyes. I quickly bought and paid for the item, even though it was incomplete. I had posted on TFW about my latest finding and believe it or not, but someone had the blue "wing" accessories I needed to complete the figure! He didn't really want to give them up as he had hoped to find the figure himself, but I eventually wore him down and he sold me the parts. I proudly present in all his garish colored glory, G3 Inferno.

I've also heard that some fans refer to this figure as "Crapple" or "Grapferno". Some archived threads mentioned this was a very common KO in Canada. I can't comment on that as I know this is the only specimen I've ever seen for sale.

I'm not sure why I like this guy, but I do. I do find the color choices to be odd, yet they don't look that hideous to me. The touch of blue helps break up the red and yellow, odd choice but still effective.

His head appears to be unaltered from the original G1 Inferno head, yet it's cast in solid black plastic with no paint apps. Now the lack of paint apps doesn't surprise me since this is a KO after all, but why black? His fists and gun also seem to be 1:1 replicas of the original accessories.

I feel as if I lucked out a bit as the joints are fairly tight. He holds together great in both modes. No mold flashings or cheap feeling plastic either. Rubber wheels too! Even the chromed parts still look pretty good. As expected though, there aren't any markings on this toy so I have no idea who made it or when it was made.

As you can see, his water squirting cannon from his G2 release is also present. I didn't test it, but it appears to be fully functional. I was always more of a fan of Grapple than Inferno, but I guess I kinda get the best of both worlds with this release.

G3 Inferno has quickly become one of the centerpieces of my G1 KO collection. I have no idea of it's secondary market "value" as I really don't care. I just enjoy owning this great conversation starter! Good luck if you are trying to locate this figure. I haven't actively looked for it, but when it was it took me a good long time before I stumbled across the one eBay listing that I purchased. Hope you enjoyed a look at this eclectic piece of Transformers G1 KO history.

Transformers 3rd Party: Maiden Japan - Generations Inferno add-on kit

Third party Transformer products are everywhere now.  Unless you've been living under a rock then you've probably seen some of the products or at least heard of companies such as Fans Project, iGear or TFC Toys.  There are plenty of smaller companies out there that produce great items that just don't have the same exposure as the big guys.

One of these companies is called Maiden Japan.  I had never heard of them until a friend of mine pointed out a thread on TFW2005.com with custom armor for your Reveal the Shield Wreck-Gar.  Slap these pieces on and bye-bye Wreck-Gar and hello random Junkion!  I never had the cash at the time so those sets came and went.  I hadn't heard of Maiden Japan again until when they recently resurfaced with a simple upgrade for Universe / Henkei! Inferno.

Inferno received an excellent upgrade with this new voyager size mold.  He is missing a few key components from his G1 days however and I believe TFC Toys was the first to try and remedy this.  The Gears of War set included (among other things) a white extending ladder.  Since then I've seen several custom mods with various ladders and they all look nice, but since I display my TFs primarily in robot mode I felt the ladder was an unnecessary purchase.

Take a look at the awesome head sculpt.  Notice anything missing?  The white wings!  Yeah, I never understood the significance of them during the G1 days either, but they are a part of his look.  This is where Maiden Japan's latest effort comes into play.

  

  

This simple, yet beautiful piece is color matched near perfectly for your Universe Inferno.  Have the Henkei! version instead?  No worries as the same piece was made in those colors as well.  In fact there is even a kit already made for the forth coming Million Publishing exclusive Artfire...which reminds me I need to order (the kit, not the figure).

I'm not a handy or adventurous collector.  I don't custom or mod toys.  I'm too afraid I'll screw up the toy or once it's taken apart I won't be able to re-assemble it correctly.  That's why I was thrilled to find that this piece just slips on the back of Inferno's head.  No assembly/dis-assembly required!

I know it's not a glaring change, but it looks great once applied to the figure.  Sorry for the flash as it kinda washed out the white wings.  The red used matches the rest of the toy really well.  The whole head piece is a one solid piece and the level of detailing is fantastic.

The only downside to this piece would be that it takes away from the ability to rotate Inferno's head.  I believe it would also block light from entering the back of the head for the eye's light pipping.  Neither one of these "issues" really effect me.  I think this is a simple, yet awesome little upgrade kit.