Transformers: Dark of the Moon Deluxe Leadfoot

As you know if you’ve been collecting Transformers since before Transformers: Dark of the Moon came out Hasbro canceled Deluxe Leadfoot.  Unlike Soundwave and Que, who were released on English cards in Australia (and are exactly what would have been released here) Leadfoot was only to be released as a 2-pack Target Exclusive.  The original Hasbro info on the two pack said he was going to be packed with a repaint of Topspin called Twin Twist.  However, after cancellation one showed up in an ebay auction (pictured above) but it was Leadfoot packed with an unaltered deluxe Topspin.  In recent months an ebay seller has been selling USA version Deluxe Leadfoots.  Presumably they were produced in some quantity, but never packaged.  Since the Topspin was not repainted, it wouldn’t be worth looking for loose.  I recently picked up a USA version Leadfoot to go with my Japanese version.  Unlike Que and Soundwave, whose Japanese and USA versions appear to be identical, Leadfoot has significant differences.

(USA on left Japanese on Right)

Vehicle Mode:  Leadfoot is well detailed, and like Deluxe Topspin is in his weapons vehicle mode.  The USA version has the painted Target logo as well as the “42” and other sponsor logos.  The Japanese version has silver engines.

Robot Mode:  Leadfoot’s robot mode is short and fat, and to my recollection (I haven’t watched it in a while) a decent likeness to this CGI self.  (Yes, I’m aware the Japanese version isn’t quite transformed properly, his wheels should be folded in at his sides.)

Overall:  This is a pretty good toy and it’s doubly a shame that we didn’t get it since there is no way to complete a set of deluxe Wreckers without spending a lot on ebay.  Hasbro has claimed they are still working on getting the toys released.  There track record on unreleased toys being released hasn’t been good, but we are getting the Prime First Edition toys, so I guess we need to give them the benefit of the doubt for now, but I’m not holding my breath.

Thanks for reading!