Toy Review - SANDSTORM (Legacy)

G1 Triple Changer SANDSTORM
Series - Generations
Sub-line - Legacy
Size/class - Leader
New/remould/redeco - New mould
Wave - 2
Released here - May 2024
Approximate Retail Price - $99
Approximate Size - 18cm
Allegiance - Autobot
Sub-Group - Triple Changer
Alt-mode - dune buggy, heavy-lift transport helicopter
Main Features/Gimmicks - Triple Changer, 5mm ports, winch
Main Colours - black and orange like a Liquorice Allsort! ;)
Main Accessories - Sandblaster rifle, pistol, roll cage, stretcher, winch

https://i.ibb.co/9tf8kdC/TL-sandstorm01.jpg

https://i.ibb.co/GTN1305/TL-sandstorm02.jpg

https://i.ibb.co/yy1sj0t/TL-sandstorm03.jpg

https://i.ibb.co/JKvqP7y/TL-sandstorm04.jpg

https://i.ibb.co/Cbyf48M/TL-sandstorm05.jpg

https://i.ibb.co/yNByBD1/TL-sandstorm06.jpg

https://i.ibb.co/3kBPdHc/TL-sandstorm07.jpg

https://i.ibb.co/bgWcKqJ/TL-sandstorm08.jpg

https://i.ibb.co/d4Cd3LV/TL-sandstorm09.jpg

https://i.ibb.co/BGvknWX/TL-sandstorm10.jpg

https://i.ibb.co/jwDCrMV/TL-sandstorm11.jpg

* Looks better in person than in photos.
* Love the G1-accurate head sculpt. <3
* Head has limited articulation; I can get 90 degrees of head turn.
* Incredibly well balanced figure despite being so top-bulky.
* Functional winch gimmick is pretty nifty, especially when operating the rescue stretcher in helicopter mode.
* Dune buggy and helicopter modes roll well. You read that right.
* Weapons can be stowed away in all 3 modes.
* The roll cage, stretched and winch have nowhere to go in robot, and so can combine to form a cage which Sandstorm can hold. Looks odd though.

Worth buying? It depends. T30 Sandstorm is still a very nice figure in its own right, especially with the IDW-inspired body and cartoon-like head. But as someone who prefers toy-accuracy, I'm loving the look of this toy. Recommended.

I put down 'only if cheap' - the sneaky leader pricing for triple changers has hit new levels with this guy. But what really frustrates is the QC on most copies affecting the chest locking in; and more gallingly, it's not a simple fix since the excess plastic can occur in a number of places. It's a delicate balance of trimming parts and adding topcoat or similar to get a good fit.

But once fixed it's a good figure. This one hits excellent nostalgia notes, this was my only triple as a kid and I really have to do a doubletake when I see him on the shelf in chopper mode.

I still really like the T30 design too, but it's never felt like
Sandstorm so I might custom that into a new character.

Do the same double take with the chopper mode, I'm leaving him in that for the moment.

I thought I was doing something wrong with the chest - didn't realise it was a QC issue.

Took me two tries to get the buggy mode tires into place for helicopter mode, one day the instructions will be clearer.

Would still rather he'd got the cartoon model face over the toy accurate one.

These days I just skip paper instructions and just head straight for the Emgo 'just transform it' vid. :D

Me too Sutton.

I didn't like this figure at first but it is growing on me. I love the helicopter mode and now I see it next to the G1 I really like the homage in robot mode.