Beaten-up Beetras

Broken toys: Bootleg Beetras Beet-Gadol
Once upon a time this was a shining beacon of hope to the oppressed. A mighty machine bristling with firepower, dispensing justice and sowing fear among evil-doers. A power to be reckoned with.

These days, it’s mostly armless.

This was a bootleg of a Beetras toy called Beet-Gadol. Transformers fans would know the mould better as the Deluxe Insecticon Barrage.

Beet-Gadol was designed by Aramaki Shinji and produced by Takatoku, the same company that produced the Macross figure that would be resold as Jetfire by Hasbro.

Bootleg or original, Beet-Gadol was a pretty good toy for its time. An interesting insect mode, good robot mode and a very involving transformation considering its size. One of my favourite toys back in the day.

Toy links

Custom Killzone Helghast figure. [via]
Another fantastic creation by Jin Saotome.

i-SOBOT: armed and dangerous. [via]
Okay, maybe not that dangerous.

Saint Shinki Andromeda Juvisy.
Tanekohaaaan!!! reveals the Busou Shinki figure Seed Juvisy has found her seventh sense.

Optimus Prime pumpkin.
Awesome.

Animate your toys.
A demonstration of Stop Motion Pro software.

Among the flowers.
Another nice doll photo from cleric chan.