New variant discovery! Bugger, Bugger, Bugger!

[Thundershot]

It's a bigger problem for our Steve than for the rest us, Hopper, you see the majority of us will be happy to have one loose example of each variation.

Steve, on the other hand, will now have to track down loose, M.O.C & every possible card variation available.

[SteveD]

I repeat - DAMN!!!!

I can see lots of "can you possibly send me a close up of the head" messages coming to eBay sellers.

Although, is it me, or has AF become scarce on eBay of late???

[SteveD]

Is it def a variant on sea skimmer? Could be an "old mould v new" type thing.

[Thundershot]

Here's both of my 's:

Heads.jpg (1.43 MiB) Viewed 4163 times

Well I never!
One on the left is a round microphone, right is the elongated version.

Interestingly the paint app/masking seems to be set up for the elongated moulding.

[SteveD]

Most of mine are elongated it seems. If you look close there is almost a fault there on most of the elongated ones too. Suggests to me the round mould perhaps got a bit tired??

[Hopper]

Yeah, me also.
A definite yes on the Sea Skimmer

I'm good because I only collect the loose figures, but apologies, Mr D, etc.

[SteveD]

It's too small a variant to do moc to be honest. You have to look really close to see, and even then it's hard - especially through a bubble. There's no chance of telling from eBay photos.

[Chopper]

There goes my theory. Notice on the round mic version the paint pattern is the same as the egg mic version? The painting process must have been the same for both and part of the face isn't painted. It can't be a worn out mold as Surfer came after the Assault figures. It has to be two different molds.

[Hopper]

Interestingly, there is a test press/blank/prototype thing of the ground assault on ebay (one of you guys selling?)
Anyhoo, it is the round mic version
Ebay sale # 251441190186

Not sure this helps the story, but overall yes, I agree with Chopper - it has to be two different moulds as Surfer is post Series 1: if the mould had broken during Series 1, then there would have been no Round Mic version, only Long Mic.

Here's a close up of the head of the prototype for those of you interested.

[tintinlostsnowy]

It's too small a variant to do moc to be honest. You have to look really close to see, and even then it's hard - especially through a bubble. There's no chance of telling from eBay photos.

"The 3 on Tintin's attic clearout seem to be the rounded one? "Hint hint"

I tried to get close up's but not happening at the min.