Toy Review - HFTD Terradive

Series - Transformers (2010 toyline)
Sub-line - Hunt for the Decepticons
Size/class - Deluxe
New/remould/redeco - New
Wave - (3)
Released here - September 2010
Approximate Retail Price - $30
Approximate Size - 15cm (robot height), 16cm (jet length)
Allegiance - Decepticon
Alt-mode - Sukhoi Su-47
Main Features/Gimmicks - convertible melee weapon
Main Colours - orange and black with white and silver highlights
Main Accessories - melee weapon; spear that can convert into a trident.

Pic links:
Hasbro Stock Photography
undoctored photos
robot mode
jet mode

Both jet and robot modes look nice. Transformation is quite interesting with some unique aspects. Reminds me of how some of the nicer movieverse toys are the ones that never appeared in the films as they're engineered purely as toys rather than 'translating' complex movie models into action figures. The greys are typical of Hasbro's cheap grey, but thankfully it's only a minor colour so it doesn't really detract from the overall look of the toy. The purple airbrushing on the spearhead is nice. The eyes are painted in red yet the back of the head is transparent, so it looks like this toy was initially meant to have light-piped eyes but was later abandoned in favour of painted eyes. I don't mind this decision, but I do wish they'd match it up by using a fully coloured piece for the back of the head instead of leaving it transparent. However unlike Animated SlagSnarl at least the eyes are actually solid coloured plastic rather than painted over transparent plastic (which suffers from light "weeping" around the edges). So I'm glad to see Hasbro learnt from that mistake. The sculpting is quite nice. There's some QC issue with some paints on my toy - the right breast logo has a tiny silver splotch and there's some black smudges underneath the left wing logo. I noticed a lot of the other Terradives on the shelf had some dodgy paint apps around the canopy (I picked the one with the least dodgiest). So that's disappointing.

The hips are ball-and-socket jointed which allows for a great range of motion, but it's too loose and is prone to popping off quite easily -- nearly as bad as Beast Wars bat Optimus Primal's arms or Beast Wars (II)'s Starscream's legs (my BWII Starscream's legs pop off way worse than my G2 Smokescreen or Smokejumper for some reason). So that can be frustration.

The shoulders and wings clip in with peg and slots - similar to movie Deluxe Decepticon Brawl's shoulders. So at first I was afraid that they wouldn't clip in properly -- the shoulders clip in well, but sadly the wings don't hold as strongly. Thankfully that doesn't effect the integrity of the robot mode too much as it's really just to help tuck the wings into the legs (whereas the shoulder joints help keep the torso together). So I'm glad that the tabs do hold where it counts.

The weapon is pretty neat. I like how it can fold and tuck in underneath the jet and how it can convert between being a spear and trident. The robot mode lacks any guns - so I just pretend that he can shoot lightning from his trident. :p

In general I think this toy looks very interesting and it's a figure I want to purchase, but the colours make me think it belongs with the Clone Wars Crossovers. I'm waiting to see what the eventual recolour will be (and what it's new head might be if it gets one).

http://www.toycollectors.com.au/tftoys/hftd34.jpg

He looks less movie-ish so He'll fit right in with the Classics/generations shelf figs heheheh

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Paulbot

In general I think this toy looks very interesting and it's a figure I want to purchase, but the colours make me think it belongs with the Clone Wars Crossovers. I'm waiting to see what the eventual recolour will be (and what it's new head might be if it gets one).

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I think the colours make him look like a Wests Tigers supporter. :p Either that or they should've named this toy Hooligan... oh wait, Hasbro lost the rights to that name and apparently "Decepticon Hooligan" didn't pass Hasbro legal. :(

liegeprime: I think the toy looks quite movie-versish. I can bring the toy to the Zippo/heroic_decepticon meet if you wanna have a looksie. :)

I really like this design and the upcoming AA ones too, enough, that im considering collecting them, even though i hate the baymovie designs

So want a Cyclonus remold...:(

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Ode to a Grasshopper

So want a Cyclonus remold...:(

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So make a kitbash (or commission someone clever like KC99 if you lack such skills) :) In the meantime - if you know how to photoshop - maybe you can try digibashing Terradive in Cyclonus' colours and posting the results here (or make a digibash request on that thread if you can't) :cool:

A commission's on my list of things-to-do-when-I'm-not-poor, along with a whole bunch of repaints.
The tricky one will be getting a Tomahawk into a Rotorstorm, not sure if it'd he possible to replace the clear yellow plastic with clear pink.

This is one awesome figure. Nice and flat forward swept wings jet mode. The black paint looks a little dodge, but it's nice how the spear folds up and can be stored on the undercarriage. It has wheels that flip out for ground shots.

The conversion is what impressed me the most. This is exactly what keeps me obsessed as a fan of the figures, they just keep making conversions very interesting the more they make. Astounding considering the amount of figures they have done since the first movie up to this point and still have fresh ideas. The way the torso forms and the incredible arms. As with all new figures, everything slots into pegs to keep everything secure. Amazing.

The robot mode is a winner. Awesome head sculpt with red light piped eyes. The torso is gorgeously designed. The ornate wings act more ornate than being simple kibble. The wings on the legs is a little kibbly if I was to nitpick, but I think it matches the angular pointy torso. Proportionally perfect in my opinion with next to no kibble. Articulation on the arms is impressive, able to hold the spear with both hands with, the always wanted, rotation on the wrists for some incredible poses with the spear. The only downside is QC. The ball joints connecting the legs to the waist are really really loose. I will need to paint them or apply something to tighten it up. Any suggestions anyone? Otherwise the knee and shoulder and elbows are tight.

Overall so far my absolute favorite HTFD figure and right up there amongst the best. I'll take any and all repaints of this Hasbro.

http://i282.photobucket.com/albums/k...vsTomahawk.jpg

Sorry Tomahawk, Terradive deserves the glory for being the better figure (as much as I love all helicopter TF).

the red eyes on your Terradive light pipes?!? Cos I'm sure mine don't... could we have a variant here?

Could you please confirm by posting a photo of your Terradive showing off the light piping effect? Thanks :)

What? This toy is out locally? where?

Gok: It actually has light-piped eyes (look at the back of the head and point it over a strong light source), but they painted over the clear plastic with red. Behind a strong lightsource it kinda glows, but otherwise it is very weak. Perhaps for a repaint.

Lord Zed: It's been spotted and bought at Target's (in VIC) and I think Toyworlds (in QLD?).

Yeah, I noticed the clear plastic on the back of the head, but when I tried out the light piping the eyes on mine didn't glow at all. Not even any "weeping" around the edges like with Animated Snarl or the Heroes of Cybertron PVCs. So I guess Hasbro must've painted it in pretty well to minimise any light weeping. I don't mind this though... I hate light weeping. Either have the eyes fully light pipe or not at all.

Lord Zed: see here. :)

My only dissapointment with this figure is it's bio. I was thinking," Trident, yellow/orange and black plane? Terradive? Is he supposed to be a submersible plane? Neat! Oh. He just dive bombs his opponents..."

Its the best deluxe (non animated) in years.

Great colour scheme, very poseable, intuitive transformation, plenty of character in the head sculpt and a fantastic weapon.

Bring on the repaints.

One of the nicest deluxe jets ever. The jet mode is amazingly sleek - there is next to no kibble. I'm not the greatest fan of the colours but I'm sure I'll live. I really can't go on about how amazing I find the vehicle mode.

Transformation is amazingly sleek - if you can imagine a slightly more involved technique to that of Sidearm Sideswipe (in that basically you unfold everything in the first half and then repeg it back together after that) then you're on the money.

Bot mode is a slightly less awesome but still great. It looks nice and holds together well. The hips pop off easily, and the proportions just seem a bit off to me (the legs seem a bit close together). It's fantastically poseable though.

Definitely worth getting, if for the strengths of the jet mode. I'd pay more than over the odds for a slightly more drab military looking repaint (and different head).

This and Tomahawk represent some of the best deluxes we've had in years.

I like Terradive very much, transforming him for me was fun and unpredictable and I consider him (based on his colours) to be the Sunstorm of my TF jet collection!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by SkyWarp91

I consider him (based on his colours) to be the Sunstorm of my TF jet collection!

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Ooh, that's a great way of justifying the purchase. I have to get a Sunstorm to join my flight squadron now too. :D Is he appearing in more stores these days? Hopefully can find one on the weekend...

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Doubledealer

Ooh, that's a great way of justifying the purchase. I have to get a Sunstorm to join my flight squadron now too. :D Is he appearing in more stores these days? Hopefully can find one on the weekend...

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OH! and u can pair him up with scout sunspot!! when he is released

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Doubledealer

Ooh, that's a great way of justifying the purchase. I have to get a Sunstorm to join my flight squadron now too. :D Is he appearing in more stores these days? Hopefully can find one on the weekend...

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Depends on which store you visit really, I went to some Targets that had at least 2 sets of the Deluxe Wave that had Terradive where as others had none at all. Good luck with your hunt!

Stompy's right - this toy does have light piping - but the front of the eyes are painted red so it doesn't light pipe properly, and instead the light weeps around the edges. I guess I didn't notice it immediately because the transparent plastic is clear (it was more noticeable on Animated Snarl). I really wish Hasbro wouldn't do this... either have the eyes light pipe or don't...

I've tightened the hip joints so that's one complaint scratched off.

However the frosted/semi opaque cockpit is annoying me - it looks like a shoddy dye job from an abortive kitbash.

I hope the repaint has properly clear plastic.

Oh, final point - the trident initially annoyed me (I'm not that large a fan of transformers with only melee weapons) but now that I've got it in hand it reminds me more of a Jaffa staff weapon from Stargate (the from expands, and the middle 'prong' is clearly a barrel).

Quote:

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Originally Posted by SharkyMcShark

I've tightened the hip joints so that's one complaint scratched off.

However the frosted/semi opaque cockpit is annoying me - it looks like a shoddy dye job from an abortive kitbash.

I hope the repaint has properly clear plastic.

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Regarding the cockpit I'm not so fussed about the colour, but what happens to it during the transformation where it folds up and kind of just hangs there loosely at the joint. The joint just seems fragile to me (the plastic orange bar within the foramen of neck of the plane) and I hope it won't snap. Otherwise imo the toy is pretty slick stuff.

Quote:

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I think the colours make him look like a Wests Tigers supporter.

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GoktimusPrime makes a good point...and while I watched the Tigers/Dragons
game tonight...I finally decided too unpack Terradive and see what all the fuss is about...

And yeah...he's awesome...

Likes:
~ Sleek & Compact Jet mode...
~ West Tigers colour scheme...
~ His name...it just has a great ring too it...
~ His Trident...its just cool in a Greek mythology kinda way...
~ Creative and complex transformation...
~ Great headsculpt...
~ Heaps of articulation...

Dislikes:
~ Too much "soft plastic"
~ Lose hips joints (but that's easily fixed)

Terradive is pure 100% win...its just a shame the Tigers lost...

Now ya just gotta bring Terradive along to a Wests Tigers game! Nothing beats barracking for your team with a Transformer toy!

G1 Eject cheers for Sydney FC...
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y22...l/sfc_ncj4.jpg

Go Sky Bluuuue!
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y22...l/sfc_ncj5.jpg

^Those are some sweet photos...
&
I'm actually an Eels supporter...
So...who is blue and yellow in my collection?

*Checks*

Oh...no one...
:eek:

Get Powermaster Slapdash, he looks to be the right type of yellow and blue. Or Gen1 Seaspray for an aquatic link to the eels.
It's not a common colour combination with TFs though, as I can only think of few others (that are more obscure).

whats the best way to fix his hips? I've heard super glue works, but am not too sure...

I've been using a quality brand of clear nail polish...
Cutex: Quick dry Top coat...

I've heard around the traps that super glue is
not recommended because of certain chemicals
it contains can have a burning effect on plastic...
But don't quote me on that...
:confused:

I've figured out something of a fix for anyone that has loose or not properly fitting shoulders (as mine does). What you do is take the black tail piece sitting behind the shoulder on the same side and rotate it away from the body on the joint - there will be minimal visible difference but the pin joint will now be pushing the shoulder peg thing into the slot via pressure.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Grievous

I'm actually an Eels supporter...
So...who is blue and yellow in my collection?

*Checks*

Oh...no one...
:eek:

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Get Manta Ray or Leadfoot

Or Crash Landing Attack Bumblebee. :)

Thanks for the ideas guys...but...its not like I'm
desperate for the colour combo of yellow & blue...
;)

What about Seaspray? Anyhoo Terradive looks awesome! But...once you pick him up. his legs fall off. *Sigh*

Vehicle: It's decent, but I dont think it has much "wow" factor in it, the nose is wider than I like, and same with the back (where his legs are), but I am impressed with how little kibble he has on the underside. The wings, as well as sweeping forward also sweeps down a bit, which I think is a bit weird. I love the colour scheme, and the little wings on either side of his nose are really awesome. His trident stores pretty nicely underneath.

Vehicle (front, back, side and comparison):
http://img268.imageshack.us/img268/3...hiclefront.jpg

http://img8.imageshack.us/img8/5057/...ehicleback.jpg

His back does look a bit cluttered.

http://img15.imageshack.us/img15/150...ehicleside.jpg

http://img18.imageshack.us/img18/150...clecompari.jpg

Although he is a deluxe, he feels bit small, probably coz of his thinness.

Transformation: I dont like the transformation, it feels so fragile, since there's many twists and folds with panels, I'm afraid to put too much force for fear of snapping them off (one particular part of the transformation I hate is swivelling the back half of the plane, it feels so flimsy). It doesnt help that I have some loose bits, the hips on mine popped off four times, and the right elbow once while I was transforming him back into plane mode. Even without those issues I didnt think the transformation was that fun, sure it's different, but it doesnt capture my interest.

Robot: Probably the mode that I like best, I just love his trident weapon, and he has the poseability to wield it too. It would be nice if his hands were articulated (like Generations Darkmount), but it's still really good, I'm liking the wrist swivel.

Robot (front, side and back):
http://img163.imageshack.us/img163/8...robotfront.jpg

http://img20.imageshack.us/img20/535...erobotside.jpg

http://img839.imageshack.us/img839/8...erobotback.jpg

He has really sturdy feet, but too bad mine has loose hips (and I think this is a very common thing on this figure), but this is fixable. As well as that, mine has a loose right elbow swivel too, popping out very very easily, but all his other joints are tight...

He can store his trident in robot using the same clip for vehicle mode:
http://img545.imageshack.us/img545/1...tweaponsto.jpg

He has another 'flaw' as well, and is the one that I dont like the most about this figure, although looking good from the front and back, from an angle, you can see that he has a pretty gappy torso/chest:
http://img522.imageshack.us/img522/7...otchestgap.jpg

I like the way how the jet nose is placed pointing upwards in his chest instead of the common pointing downwards ways. His headsculpt is really good too.

Robot and Robot Comparison:
http://img14.imageshack.us/img14/304...erobotpose.jpg

http://img812.imageshack.us/img812/1...tcompariso.jpg

Overall: This was one of the toys that I was really looking forward to when the first pictures came out, but even ignoring the loose joints; the gappy chest and the way the transformation forms the torso (through a couple of panels clipping together) really stops me enjoying this figure as much as I want to. That said, I would really like a seeker repaint of this mold, preferably as Skywarp :D.

Quote:

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What about Seaspray?

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Hey...that's a great idea...
;)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uw_PD9DzEvg

Not much to add that hasn't already been said by others. This is a fantastic toy and one of the best deluxes in a long time. The leg joints are loose on mine too, seems a common fault. The transformation is so clever and fun. The robot mode has a lot of personality and poseability and the weapon is a nice change from just another gun. I had been holding off for a repaint but am very glad I finally opened this up. It put Tomahawk (which I opened at the same time) to shame.