In 1987 the Transformers introduced a plethera of new bots for kids to gobble up. Not only did they introduce the concept of the Headmaster this year, but the Targetmaster series as well. Targetmasters were weapons that accompanied the main Transformer, except these weapons also Transformed, in very rudimentary ways, into a robot as well. These weapon partners were called nebulons, and each of these made up the Targetmasters Subset. That first year featured a plethera of Targetmasters, and although many would survive to be rereleased in 88, the Movie Targetmasters were only available in 87' and are some of the hardest to track down Transformers in the entire Transformers G1 line.  
   
   
   

The movie character Targetmsters were comprised of Autobots: TM Blurr, TM Kup, and TM Hot Rod, and the Decepticons featured TM Cyclonus and TM Scourge. Each of these had retooled versions that allowed them to hold their new TM Nebulon partner, in both robot and vehicle mode. What makes these guys so hard to find, is not only were they released for only a year, but also only in the US and Canada. Although in Europe, we have found boxed versions of TM Blurr & TM Kup, there is no evidence of the Decepticons that has surfaced yet.

In addition, both the TM Hotrod and TM Scourge had an error on the front of the box that reads "_____ Transforms into Misfire's Weapon" instead of "Transforms into Scourge's Weapon" or "Transforms into Hotrod's Weapon". Corrected versions of Hotrod have surfaced, with both a sticker and printed version. But for Scourge no corrected version has yet to surface. My personal feeling is that Scourge was pretty lame looking, as my friend once said "He's just a pretty lame looking tugboat when you think about it". But anway, Hotrod was a major character and fan favorite, Scourge looked pretty cheezy, and probably didn't deserve the name "Scourge. But as to why this guy is rare... read on.

 
     
 

As many people have now found out, thanks to resources such as: Here that while the other movie characters were packed two per case, Scourge was just packed one per case. This seems to hold true, as many of the other Targetmasters show up more frequently, but on the whole they are all hard to find.

In my years of toy hunting, I've only ever come across three Targetmaster Scourge MISB. A few of you will recall that 2 years ago xencloud on Ebay, a high-end Transformers collector sold his TM scourge MISB on ebay. With 2 days left, the bidding was over $1200, and the auction was ended. In reality, another collector offered him $2400 for the TM Scourge, and he took it. In my opinion, TM Scourge and the US Piranacon Giftset are the two hardest to find items in the US Transformers line. The TM Hotrod corrected box is likewise, very hard to find, but as a variation I don't find it a normal release. If a corrected TM Scourge does exhist, it is definitely above the Piranacon giftset & error version TM Scourge.

Since I have now obtained a second TM Scourge MISB, I plan to auction it in the coming months on Ebay. If you are interested, I can add your name to a mailing list and let you know when I plan to auction this off. This is a true gem, C9+ box, and the box is in better condition than the one Xencloud auctioned on Ebay. I am happy to provide written details to all the fine points, as well as more pics of any particular part. Whoever wins this item, will be very pleased with it, and I know the entire history of the piece, from when it left the store shelf until it came into my hands. With no "shady" background behind it at all, it is legitimately MISB and will be the tugboat pinnacle of anyone's collection.

If anyone is interested in offering a buyout to tempt me not to put it on Ebay, it has to be a fantastic offer, of either trade or cash. To be added to the mailing list or to contact me send email to:

   
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