Toy Review - SPRINGER (Studio Series)

Autobot SPRINGER
Series - Generations
Sub-line - Studio Series
Hypo-line - The Transformers The Movie
Size/class - Leader
New/remould/redeco - Remould & redeco of War For Cybertron Siege Springer
Wave - XVI
Released here - 2024
Approximate Retail Price - $99.95
Approximate Size - 17cm
Allegiance - Autobot
Sub-Group - Triple Changer
Alternate Modes - car, helicopter
Main Features/Gimmicks - triple changer, arm-mounted blaster, blast effects compatible
Main Colours - dark green, yellow, light green, grey, pale green
Main Accessories - rifle, sword, rotorblade-sword, catapult missile, hammer, x2 combining guns

NOTE: This toy is a retool and repaint of WFC Seige Springer. This review thread will focus on changes made. Refer to the WWF Sage Spirnger review thread for comments and images of the original WWE Ceji Springre toy.

Car mode front
https://i.ibb.co/PgY92Mb/86studioseries-springer01.jpg

Car mode rear
https://i.ibb.co/nDbDJ3Q/86studioseries-springer02.jpg

Weaponised car mode
https://i.ibb.co/RPWsfSP/86studioseries-springer03.jpg

Helicopter mode
https://i.ibb.co/kDPQgpw/86studioseries-springer04.jpg

Weaponised helicopter mode
https://i.ibb.co/WfT10Sh/86studioseries-springer05.jpg

Helicopter mode rear
https://i.ibb.co/72tsyJ1/86studioseries-springer06.jpg
You can see in this shot how one of the rotor blades has been misassembled upside down, causing one blade to be facing the wrong direction. It looks weird.

Robot mode w/ rotorblade sword and large rifle
https://i.ibb.co/DGxQjtT/86studioseries-springer07.jpg

Robot mode with hammer and non-rotor blade sword
https://i.ibb.co/VjGFWdc/86studioseries-springer08.jpg
I like this inclusion of this sword as it looks much nicer than the rotorblade sword. The inclusion of the hammer makes no sense for a Studio Series toy since the hammer was never something Springer ever wielded in any G1 media, let alone the Sunbow cartoon (not even the original Marvel Comic Springer had it). The Wrecker hammer first appeared in the Wreckers' logo in 2001, as part of the Beast Machines Wreckers. The only G1 Wreckers who had hammers were Rack and Ruin, and they never existed in the Sunbow cartoon universe. Anyway, as odd as it is, it's a nice enough weapon.

Robot mode with rifles (left) and catapult missile (right)
https://i.ibb.co/K2XhmBv/86studioseries-springer09.jpg
I can't figure out a way for Springer to hold this catapult missile. I just had it resting vary precariously in the right side photo. If anyone knows of a better way to get Springer to hold this missile, please tell me!

All of Springer's weapons can be stored in robot mode.
https://i.ibb.co/Z1Y1Wrf/86studioseries-springer10.jpg
...except for the catapult missile. It's just resting on the shoulder with nothing to secure it. Blink too hard and it'd fall off. :p

Is this toy worth buying if I already have Siege or Legacy Wreck & Rule Springer?
No, not really. Cosmetic and accessory differences aside, this toy does pretty much everything that Siege and Wrecker Springer do. I initially skipped this toy but then bought it in Hangzhou because: 1) I was overseas and I'm admittedly an impulsive shopper when I travel, and 2) it was on discount (so admittedly I didn't pay full RRP). Plus Siege and Legacy Springers don't have misassembled rotor blades.

Is this toy worth buying if I don't already have a Siege or Legacy Springer?
Yes. This toy cosmetically defecates all over Siege Springer, being free of that ugly "battle damage." Legacy Springer has gorgeous G1 toy-accurate decos (but weirdly enough, a G1-inaccurate Beast Machines Wreckers logo tampographed on his chest (I covered mine with a G1 Autobot sticker)). Plus you don't have to go through the hassle of trying to sell off a Siege or Legacy Springer.

Or maybe you just want a really cartoon-like Springer, because this is the most G1 cartoon-like Springer toy made to date. It is like a budget Masterpiece. :)