Toy Review: Generations Leader Jetfire

Name – Jetfire
Series - Generations
Sub-line - N/A
Size/class - Leader
New/remould/redeco - New
Wave - 1
Released here – Yes (independents - Sept)
Approximate Retail Price - AU$80 to AU$100
Approximate Size – unknown
Allegiance - Autobot
Alt-mode – Jet
Main Features/Gimmicks – Jetfire/Skyfire face; chromed weapons
Main Colours – white, red
Main Accessories – 5 guns, 1 fast pack

JET MODE:

http://i.imgur.com/Lp8AFoI.jpg

Jetfire transforms into a sleek white and red jet which looks really nice. The undercarriage kibble (robot arms and legs) aren't too bad. Note that it is easy to see the second fake cockpit on the underside.

http://i.imgur.com/QjVYXk4.jpg

All weapons and the fast pack attach in jet mode, which looks nice except for the missile launcher which protrudes too far from the nose. A really nice jet mode.

TRANSFORMATION:

Transformation is easy and not too hard. The plastic quality isn't the best, probably made worse due to the hollowness of all the parts (thighs, forearms etc are all hollow). As you would expect, all the jet parts are back kibble. Not a very inspiring or clever transformation but it gets the job done.

ROBOT MODE:

http://i.imgur.com/OAIBI8o.jpg

The robot mode is really nice, it's got good aesthetics and poseability is good. As mentioned, most of the limbs are hollow (even if it is not required for transformation) to save on plastic, so Jetfire feels very light for it's size. He is also smaller than previous Leaders (slightly bigger than Ultra at a rough guess) but on par with the AOE Leaders.

http://i.imgur.com/lbCaZfP.jpg

Once again, all weapons attach and the Jetfire is a separate faceplate that you clamp on. A nice touch is if you don't use it, it can attach to the main gun for storage. The missile launcher is very sensitive, you're likely to accidentally fire the missile when handling it. The boosters also point way too far above his head but you can turn it around to be more in proportion.

CONCLUSION:

Initially, I didn't really like Jetfire due to the hollowness, light feel and uninspiring transformation (it felt like the 2006 Classics Voyager mode did a better job) but he has grown on me. He costs around AU$60 to AU$75 to import which is still cheaper than local prices. Recommended.

I saw/handled this toy IRL a few weeks ago and the robot mode looks fantastic, but the wings on the jet mode don't look well proportioned. The wings would look better if they were longer/thinner, and the horizontal stabilisers could probably be smaller. I might get this toy if I saw it in store, but it doesn't appeal to me enough to go to the effort of importing one.

Some comparison piccies...

1985 Gen1 - 2013 HK Henkei (redeco of 2006 Classics) - 2014 Generations

http://www.toycollectors.com.au/blog/c229.jpg

Jet modes of various toys that are Jetfire/Skyfire, or inspired/homaged...
http://www.toycollectors.com.au/blog/c230.jpg

Robot modes...
http://www.toycollectors.com.au/blog/c231.jpg

No Titanium Jetfire?:D

I was thinking about including it, but it just stood out too much in both modes due to the Cybertronian alt-mode.

I still like classics Jetfire the best.

My main gripe is the hollowness. While a more complex transformation would be nice, I'm content with the current transformation.

The hollowness is a gripe because it feels like I'm holding a voyager and not a leader. It's a bit silly considering Jetfire is the tallest of the 'normal' Transformers.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by FruitBuyer

My main gripe is the hollowness. While a more complex transformation would be nice, I'm content with the current transformation.

The hollowness is a gripe because it feels like I'm holding a voyager and not a leader. It's a bit silly considering Jetfire is the tallest of the 'normal' Transformers.

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I just can't understand the need some fans seem to have for Transformers to have specific weights. While I do get that exposed hollow parts are ugly, the fact remains that engineering has improved since the 1980s and 1990s and as a result our toys today are by and large stronger and lighter. That's a good thing, not a bad thing! In Jetfire's case specifically, he is still clearly quite a large toy, being taller than the G1 and Classics versions as a modern leader class toy. The fact that he weighs less is neither here nor there, surely?

Nonetheless, as much as I want to like Jetfire, I'm struggling. I think it's all the white. I may just wait for the leader class Thundercracker redeco.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Zommael

I just can't understand the need some fans seem to have for Transformers to have specific weights. While I do get that exposed hollow parts are ugly, the fact remains that engineering has improved since the 1980s and 1990s and as a result our toys today are by and large stronger and lighter. That's a good thing, not a bad thing! In Jetfire's case specifically, he is still clearly quite a large toy, being taller than the G1 and Classics versions as a modern leader class toy. The fact that he weighs less is neither here nor there, surely?

Nonetheless, as much as I want to like Jetfire, I'm struggling. I think it's all the white. I may just wait for the leader class Thundercracker redeco.

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How is lighter better? Lighter implies less plastic used which means cut corners. How can you justify less material as better?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by FruitBuyer

How is lighter better? Lighter implies less plastic used which means cut corners. How can you justify less material as better?

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Quality of material and the way that material is used. I can see Zommamel's point. I am going to go out on a limb here and assume that since the 1980s, better stronger plastics have been developed, which means that you should be able to use less for the same effect.

Sure, the hollow limbs look awful from behind and personally I'd prefer they were covered up. Let's say they did cover them up, we'd never know that he was hollow until you cracked him open.

TBH though, I don't really worry about the weight of Transformers anymore, although it is nice when you pick a figure out of the box, it's chock a block full of metal and it just has that heft to it. Although that can also be a bad thing. Alpha Trion's legs are generally too heavy to hold a set pose for example.

While I understand that, it is still a sign of corner cutting and that is never good. The fact that they didn't even bother with covering the hollow pieces exemplifies this. Of course it's not just a trait of Jetfire, there are plenty of other figures that have this.

I certainly understand Hasbro/Takara doing this to save costs but at the end of the day, it drives collectors into the arms of third-party companies. As someone eloquently put it on TFW2005:

Every cent Takara/Hasbro save by cutting corners is another dollar into the third-party pockets.

While i cant speak for anybody else, Hasbro's cost cutting hasn't and won't drive me into the arms of third party manufacturers.
It's great that the third parties have been offering other options, but i can't justify $500 for a single combiner etc etc

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Sinnertwin

While i cant speak for anybody else, Hasbro's cost cutting hasn't and won't drive me into the arms of third party manufacturers.

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You can speak for me on this point because I 100% agree with you. I collect Transformers ;)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Sinnertwin

While i cant speak for anybody else, Hasbro's cost cutting hasn't and won't drive me into the arms of third party manufacturers.
It's great that the third parties have been offering other options, but i can't justify $500 for a single combiner etc etc

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3rd party toys are way too expensive to even consider and some are just pure turd (sonicron, warbot anyone?).

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Zommael

I just can't understand the need some fans seem to have for Transformers to have specific weights. While I do get that exposed hollow parts are ugly, the fact remains that engineering has improved since the 1980s and 1990s and as a result our toys today are by and large stronger and lighter. That's a good thing, not a bad thing! In Jetfire's case specifically, he is still clearly quite a large toy, being taller than the G1 and Classics versions as a modern leader class toy. The fact that he weighs less is neither here nor there, surely?

Nonetheless, as much as I want to like Jetfire, I'm struggling. I think it's all the white. I may just wait for the leader class Thundercracker redeco.

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I think the hollowness is not the problem. The grups they have are because the hollowness is visible.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Bidoofdude

I think the hollowness is not the problem. The grups they have are because the hollowness is visible.

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I'm very much hoping that someone creates shapeways parts that clip on instead of the red armour.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Trent

I still like classics Jetfire the best.

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Yup. Especially considering that CL Jetfire cost about half the price of GEN Jetfire, I definitely think that Classics Jetfire gave us more bang for our buck. CL Jetfire is a more solid toy, has a better looking jet mode, has more fun accessories, more detailed paint apps, and more articulation (there doesn't seem to be any reason why Generations Jetfire's wrists can't rotate). Classics Jetfire also has a better designed transformation too IMHO, being more of a "proper" transformation rather than being a backpackformer. Okay, Classics Jetfire suffers from having the fists not being concealed in jet mode, but Generations Jetfire has its entire robot chest, including faux-cockpit, being visible in jet mode! It makes it look like the jet has two cockpits, one on the top, the other upside down on the bottom! :eek: Classics Jetfire is also able to pull off a much better Gerwalk mode than Generations Jetfire. ;)

And sure, I do understand why Generations Jetfire is the way that he is; the designers have decided to make the robot mode look as close to the G1 Jetfire/Skyfire cartoon/comic design as possible with a jet mode that still resembles the original toy, whereas the Classics toy is a hybrid in both modes. But I think the hybrid idea works better. Perhaps they might've been better off just making a pure "Skyfire" toy that resembles the cartoon model in both modes. That would remove the necessity for being a backpackformer and allow for the toy be a more "proper" Transformer. :o Also, while the opening cockpit feature is neat, I was expecting it to be able to hold the MP Seeker pilots. It can't. Diaclone pilots won't fit in either. :(

Overall it is a pretty nice toy though. ;)
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y22.../jaam_jaam.gif

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y22...ps00bf45d1.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y22...ps776e04c8.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y22...ps2c9ea63c.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y22...psaa730415.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y22...ps61a73a4f.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y22...ps082bcbff.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y22...psb065a7b6.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y22...psece92452.jpg

More pics

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y22...ps38f6a0c0.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y22...ps51abcb7a.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y22...ps35a82334.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y22...ps7a1d5c27.jpg

I only just took mine out of the box today (purchased Tuesday) and almost had a heart attack transforming him back to robot mode because of the way the chest and crotch piece unfold.

The toy made a really loud SNAP noise the first two times I transformed it, which freaked me out. :o I've since worked out a way to transform the chest section reeeaaally carefully as so to avoid that, but yeah... after the first time, I was looking around the toy to see if any small pieces had broken off.

I so want this mold...But it just out of reach at this point IE: lack of finance and just the general availability of the toy...but I did find this for anybody whos looking to fill in the annoying hollow bits.

http://www.megamoonman.com/jetfire.html

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Trent

I still like classics Jetfire the best.

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Me too!

How do people find the look of the chrome weapons and thrusters? I've ordered the Tak/Tom verion as I thought it looked much better, but now have a mate who wants to unload the hasbro version for like $50. Thinking if the chromes not too bad maybe will just get my mates one (though the Tak/Tom version is only costing me like $5 more).

Quote:

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Originally Posted by BigTransformerTrev

How do people find the look of the chrome weapons and thrusters? I've ordered the Tak/Tom verion as I thought it looked much better, but now have a mate who wants to unload the hasbro version for like $50. Thinking if the chromes not too bad maybe will just get my mates one (though the Tak/Tom version is only costing me like $5 more).

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I believe the cheom

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Deonasis

I believe the cheom

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As do I, brother. Those unbelievers who question the cheom must be punished!

:p

Quote:

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Originally Posted by BigTransformerTrev

How do people find the look of the chrome weapons and thrusters? I've ordered the Tak/Tom verion as I thought it looked much better, but now have a mate who wants to unload the hasbro version for like $50. Thinking if the chromes not too bad maybe will just get my mates one (though the Tak/Tom version is only costing me like $5 more).

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i believe the chrome on the hasbro version is covering red plastic. Double check this with someone who owns the toy but you should be able to just remove the chrome for the look you want.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Zommael

As do I, brother. Those unbelievers who question the cheom must be punished!

:p

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Proper lols, thanks :)

I have seen its red plastic underneath as someone posted a how to remove the chrome using denatured alcohol and superclean degreaser in america on tfw2005 how to section link

...or you could just get the TakaraTOMY version if you want it without the chrome, and leave the Hasbro version for those who don't mind or even prefer the chrome.

Finally received my Jetfire today and I love him. Both modes are very effective and the option of the battle mask works well (looks cool in his hand too). Contrary to many, I adore the chrome red. Looks great.

I will gladly pick up the Thundercracker retool, which I will probably love more than this.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Bidoofdude

I will gladly pick up the Thundercracker retool, which I will probably love more than this.

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I think the Thundercracker retool may work better if it was resized down to Voyager or even bring back Ultras. He shouldn't be the same size as Jetfire.

If it helps, the reprolabels set for this guy cover his hollow forearms, and add metallic red to his wings/cockpit to help match the chrime

I bought the Tak/Tom version as I didn't like the red chrome on the weapons and jetpack, I wanted it all to match like the G1 version.

I really like this guy, the face sculpt is very good and I love the fact that you can have both his jet and robot modes as normal or battle-ready (extra thrusters, weapons, helmet etc). Very cool and very pleased with him! :D


For anyone thats interested, here is the artwork on the back of the Tak/Tom box. Also comes with a cool little comic of him beating on Generations Tankor while Whirl & Roadbuster watch


http://i1294.photobucket.com/albums/...psca2b723e.jpg

Quote:

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Originally Posted by BigTransformerTrev

I bought the Tak/Tom version as I didn't like the red chrome on the weapons and jetpack, I wanted it all to match like the G1 version.

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Did the same thing, admittedly the red plastic does look a bit cheap and nasty in my opinion but I still prefer it to the chrome which stands out just a bit too much for my liking.

I was expecting this guy to have a bit of heft and have to admit was disappointed for a couple of seconds while lifting him out of the box. Despite this evident hollowness, he doesn't look gappy and is actually pretty fleshy for a modern toy. A marvel of engineering!

My biggest disappointment with this toy is that the booster/backpack is little more than a dull hunk of plastic, followed by the fact that his wings are locked in bot mode. However this is more than compensated for by the beautiful sculpting and proportions. This is one good looking toy and actually,for the first time in almost an eternity (for me anyway), feels like a real action figure that is near doll-like in quality; instead of the floppy mess of ball joints that was the norm not too long ago.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by BigTransformerTrev

Also comes with a cool little comic of him beating on Generations Tankor while Whirl & Roadbuster watch

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ಠ_ಠ


In all seriousness, the things that I wish Hasbro did that Takara put on theirs is the black guntips. They were on the promo pics but didn't make it. The extra red details are nice as well. I still prefer the chrome on the Hasbro though.

Can someone please tell me how tall this guy is in cm?:)

Up to the top of the fast pack, about 31cm (a little less). Up to the top of the shoulder thruster things, he's about 24cm high.

On a side note, does anyone know why the attachment area on the bottom of the fast pack can rotate?

you mean why the whole thing rotates? it's so you can have it sticking up the right way in robot mode without having to take the whole thing off and re-attach

Here's another head-to-video duel - it's Classics Jetfire vs. Generations Leader Jetfire - one of the most lauded figures of the 21st century vs. the recent upgrade... I had a lot of fun making this - enjoy! :)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v4...CA/Jetfire.jpg