A few months ago I picked up what appeared to be an excellent condition, mostly complete Diaclone Starscream at a flea market. The woman there didn't seem to know much about Diaclones, and said she bought it at an estate sale. Anyway, I grabbed him (for $18) and then did a little research online after the fact. What's killing me is that all signs point to it being the real thing, BUT...there is no date stamp on him anywhere. I've posted some pics below... can anyone shed some light? Is he the real deal or not? Any help would be most appreciated.

Isnt there a stamping? Like TAKARA somewhere on Starscream? oh wait haha you said there isnt a date stamp. But there are no takara stamps? It could be one of the really good KO from taiwan or china (early 90s)

No stamping whatsoever. But everything else about him looks pretty legit, including the pilot, the unridged canopy, the stickers and the hard plastic nosecone. If it's a fake, they certainly went the extra mile.

Incidentally, I haven't come across too much info about early '90's KO Seekers in my "research" on Diaclones and such. Got any idea where I could read more about that particular group/era?

If it says Kingdam on the wings (within the red stripe) its a knockoff. The diaclone version actually said diaclone (within the red stripe)on the wings. But yah the Kingdam knock off is almost spot on to the real thing

Since the one I have says DIACLONE on the wings, would that make it genuine without a doubt, or were there bootleggers who also stamped DIACLONE (as opposed to KINGDAM or anything else) onto the wings?

Kingdam Starscream has different plastic color than the Diaclone one. the Diaclone one should match a G1 Starscream. FYI sometimes the seekers came with their date stamps on the inside of the legs, not the outside. One of these day's I'll dig up my Kingdam Starscream and do a comparison.

This seeker matches G1 Starscream; my bad for not comparing the two in my photos. Oh, and I checked the insides of the legs... still no datestamp to be found...

sigh....

You know Tripredacus,
I don't want to come across as a dick, but everytime I see one of your posts "sharing info" I roll my eyes because most of it is either partily true, inaccurate, or smug comments that do not come across well like "it's GIG not GIGI". I understand you are only trying to help out which is a good thing, but if you don't know 100% then it is best to not say anything, or say up front that you are not sure. If I'm not sure about something, I'll either get the toy in question, or do enough research until I know for sure. Otherwise, I won't comment. I really try not to rant since I hate reading everyone else and their mother ranting (leading to flames) but it's because of misinformation that makes things that much harder to sort out. Especially for the newbies.

Anyhow, back to the topic,
Yes it is a Diaclone starscream. The Japanese Jet (not joustra) Diaclones had no manufacture or date stamps. They were not added until AFTER they were released in TF packaging. Yes, it is possible to find a TF jet without copyright info, but it is very rare or htcb.
The stamping is ALWAYS on the outside. If the stamping is on the inside, it is because it was swaped.
Thanks. -Himawari

Appreciate it, thanks!

Thanks, Himawari. What part of my response was inadequate? Should not G1 Starscream have the same plastic color as Diaclone Starscream? It is no lie that some Diaclone Starscream toys got repackaged in the 1984 G1 releases. I personally know that Kingdam Starscream is a lot different from G1 Starscream. I own two of each.

"FYI sometimes the seekers came with their date stamps on the inside of the legs, not the outside."

I've been collecting for some time, and still suprised what I come across, but to this day I still have never seen a MISB jet with copyright inside the legs. Not to say that it doesn't exist, but until I or someone else can show proof, I wouldn't say it exists. Of course this doesn't apply to faith or religion. They are toys, so a scientific approach is appropriate.
BTW, which version kingdam do you have? Are they both the same or different boxed versions?
Thanks. -Himawari

I think I had a 2nd year Seeker (Dirge or Thrust) with the date stamp on the inside. Since those guys were all from the same mold as Starscream and the other JetRobos, I can only imagine that I got one with his leg parts on backwards.

As for the Kingdam, I have one complete in box and one that is loose with the wings. They appear to be the same version, but I don't have another box. Its this one:

I remember this time on Cybertron, when ol Diaclone SS and the TF SS met up in a bar, it was LOVE at first sight! They checked each other's inner legs for "copy rights" or so they said, and checked out the differences in the wings, the R+R emblem and Starscream made up things it could have meant. Rocken Robo, Ravaging Rusty, the list went on and on, the energon drinks flowed like wine and they passed out in the corner...

Then the cockpit of the Diaclone one cracked open, as the to Mech's were passed out, slumped together arms around each others shoulders, and a little human came out in a yellow robo suit. The terrified little guy stood there looking up at the smiling con on the left, and the blank stare of the other on the right. He stood there for a moment, not sure which to be more terrified of, the fact that right there was one of the most powerful Decepticons of all time that could squish him like a bug, or the weird antics and affections he bestowed on the Mech that was essentially him...

That item there looks like a real bugger ta me. The launcher fire nicely? That reminds me, one of these days I gota find a TC tail wing, one of the blue ones, my TraS one is missing it. And I don't have a Diaclone SS, I have the Kingdam one...

Don't know if either one of these pages is a help...

Jets

Diaclone

Which has pretty much been my struggle ever since buying him. I pored over Fred's Variations Page like a fiend reading about every nuance and detail of Diaclones, Diaclone-era bootlegs, TF-era Diaclone molds, etc. Everything about this guy seems to be the real deal according to what I've read...except for the date stamp issue. None to be found between the legs...



In fact, it works better than most of my vintage TF launchers.



Fred's site is a God-send, and every month or so I have a reason to devote precious hours of my life to it. Sometimes I even find myself going through it purely for entertainment/amusement value as opposed to research-related reasons. The links you sent were the first place I went to when I bought him. They sort of confirmed that what I'd found looked legitimate...but I figured I get a few good pairs of eyes over here to look at it and tell me once and for all.

To all of you that have contributed to this thread so far... Thank you very much. You guys rock!

On a related note, is there somewhere that I can get genuine Diaclone pieces that I'm missing for him? As much as I tend to deal on eBay, I'm really kind of nervous trying to find these particular things out there. It would be all too easy for someone to take a 1984 missile or fist or whatever and call it a Diaclone. Does anyone here deal in vintage Diaclone accessories? I can't afford to spend much $$ on TFs right now, but if someone here has the Diaclone parts I'm looking for, I might make an exception if the price is right, or I might be willing to trade something as payment. Anyway... assuming this Screamer is the real deal (and the general concensus is that he is indeed), I need his launcher, 1 long missile, 2 small missiles & his right fist. I might try to get my hands on a genuine box and foam insert in the future, but for now the actual accessories will do.

If anyone can be of any help, I'd greatly appreciate it. In the meantime, I may start building a want/trade thread in the next few days in case anyone's interested.

Don't forget Diaclone.net for pics, or it "can" work well with a web translator. Also make sure to check Maz' site too, although I don't know if he has a Jet Robo page or not... He seems to be more into the Car Robos than anything...

Here is some more informations for you:





From here: I'm not sure but perhaps the mold variations between the Acrobat and Fighting Types are the same as compared to other verions?

http://www.tf-1.com/articles/pretf_frame.php?art=f15acro

My specimen has it all: the hard nosecone, the longer tips on the wings, shorter pegs on the wings, the solid-tipped rudders, the super-powered launchers, the lack of a datestamp.... You guys have me pretty much convinced - I snagged an excellent condition Diaclone Starscream for $18! Now I just need to get the missing pieces and I'll be good to go...

Again, you guys are awesome!! Thanks for all your help!

Jets sold in Europe with a boxed stamped 1986 also had a plastic nosecone... And tires.

Edit: and about this:



He's so right with this comment. That's annoying. Can't guys read the logo?

Personally I'd be happy if it was a fake for $18! it looks so nice!

However I have to say I'm convinced its genuine! - want to make a quick $2 profit? lol

Its kinda funny tho, back in my "early" days I thought it was Gigi too.