The ExoSquad FAQ: Toys
Q: Where can I buy the ExoSquad toys? Do you sell the
toys?
A: There is, to my knowledge, no recommended way of acquiring ExoSquad
toys other than going to the store and buying them. Last reports were that
some of the toys could still be found at a few Kay-Bee Toy Stores, as well
as Big Lots. Newly available at KB/Toy Works is a line by the name of Tech
Wars, which consists of recolored Field Communications, Aerial Attack,
Police Enforcer, Ground Assault, High Speed Stealth, and Command
e-frames. Although the packaging and figures aren't ExoSquad, it would
be a way to get these particular e-frames.
I have e-mailed Playmates Toys, Inc. (the people who make
the toys) and the response was that they do not fill mail-orders.
As far as web pages go, you can occasionally run a search for ExoSquad at eBay (an online auction service that
occasionally sees ExoSquad toys sold), or, more specifically, their Action
Figures section. Be warned that not all auctioners are necessarily
trustworthy.
Others have found web pages that list some ExoSquad toys for sale. They
are at http://www.kumachans.com/exosq.htm
and http://www.splashpagecomics.com/exosquad.htm
As I have no past experience with them I cannot recommend the people who
run the pages as trustworthy or reliable, so deal with them at your own
risk.
Those interested in toys from the Robotech line may have more luck at the
newsgroups alt.tv.robotech or alt.fan.robotech.
I do NOT sell the toys myself. There is no way to acquire them through
me. Please don't ask.
Q: Why are there toys on the list that I don't
remember ever seeing in the stores?
A: Many of the toys listed with the first line on the Promotional List were
never released. The list is apparently that of the original plans for
the initial production. Some of these, such as the Pirate fighter, Neo
sapien walking e-frame, and Olympus Mons, probably never made past the
prototype stage (if they even got that far). Others, like the NeoFighter
and jumptroops, were apparently reworked into toys that were issued.
Others, like the Cyberview line, can't be found in stores because the
line was discontinued before they could be released in all areas. (It
should be noted that fans have reported that Cyberview was released in
at least the UK, Singapore, and parts of the US.)
Q: Why does the picture of the Sub-Sonic Scout
E-Frame show Wolf Bronski in the cockpit; why don't I remember the
Livanus Troop Transport E-frame having that camouflage paint
job?
A: I got the picture of the Sub-Sonic Scout at the Playmates toys page,
and they actually had it from their Medieval E-Frame link, while their
Sub-Sonic Scout link connected to a picture of the Medieval E-Frame.
Apparently they just got the two confused, Marsala was sold with the
Sub-Sonic Scout.
The Troop Transport E-frame was sold with a plain light brown color. The
picture of it that you see is courtesy of Gary Anderson, who had
customized his.
Q: Why were Robotech toys released as part of a
joint ExoSquad/Robotech toy line? What is the relationship between
ExoSquad and Robotech?
A: I have recently been in contact with Ron McPherson of From Art to Design,
Inc. He has done work for Playmates Toys, Inc. including art for the toy
boxes in the ExoSquad/Robotech series. He responded to me:
"Re: why ROBOTECH was added to EXOSQUAD line. MONEY and Story extensions
for the animated series. PLAYMATES Toys needed line extensions and
Universal needed more storys so they licensed the old ROBOTECH characters
to add to EXOSQUAD because the were an acceptibly close match Up."
So it seems as though Playmates Toys inspired it, rather than Harmony
Gold. That would discredit speculations that the Robotech release was in
some way motivated by Harmony Gold's lawsuit with FASA over BattleTech
mecha designs. It also reduces the likelihood that this was merely an
experiment to see if a Robotech line might survive on its own.
The mention of "more stories" does, however, lend credence to theories
that the alien threat that arrived in the final episode, "Beyond
Chaos", was a threat to Earth in the Robotech series (or was in some
way related to Robotech). It should be noted, though, that the art often
shows Zentraedi Pods and Invid Troopers fighting alongside ExoFleet
e-frames, sometimes with Terrans visible inside.
Q: Is there any way to fix a Bronski Ground Assault
e-frame whose missiles no longer fire?
A: (courtesy Hepcatcrow@aol.com) "My Bronski has done the same thing
numerous times, however it's not that hard to fix. Carefully lift up the
sticker on the panel above the handhold and remove the screw below. Use a
screwdriver that fits well but is not very large
(If you have ever received a "Cool Tools" wood cutting kit [they didn't know
me very well] use the screw driver that came with it, it's great for fixing
Exotoys)! Then remove the screw on the rear of the arm, the panel should be
free place it and the screws that attached it in a safe place. Under the
panel you will find an another screw, remove it and place it where it
won't be lost. Take front of the arm out (green missile loading area) put
the firing knob (which should be separate from your missile loading pod
[green thing]) down with your screws. Carefully remove the tape that is
holding the pod together (if you do a good job you can use it again),
remove the casing and gently take out the mechanism straighten the screws
accordingly (use your screw driver as a mold for the springs if it is of
proper size). It's a little tricky but, carefully put the spring loaded
launch mechanism back in it's proper housing, now replace the tape (get
new tape if needed) and put launch pod back in the arm and replace all
screws and panels remove. You should be done. Now test out the missile
launcher, turn the firing knob a few times, gently drop each missile into
it's loading bay, see if bounce a bit, gently push each missile into
firing position and fire them slowly. If a missile does not fire or will
not go into position, you may have to start over again. However there is the
chance that the spring in that missile bay is beyond repair, you live
with or try to replace the spring in question, but that might not work so
I don't recommend it.
"Always remember where all the parts go, this even more important if you
remove the entire arm from the body (it's not necessary, but you might
find it easier to work if this is done, watch out for small black piece).
Also don't lose any parts, i.e., screws, they can very hard to replace.
"I don't guarantee that this will work for you, I have done this at least 10
times so I know what I'm doing, if you follow my instructions and be careful
it should work fine, unless the spring is too badly damaged."
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