Toy Review - DotM Deluxe Air Raid

[Paulbot]

Toy Review - DotM Deluxe Air Raid

(Please post photos, comments or even a fully comprehensive review - these are just brief details)

Toy Review - Air Raid
Series - Dark of the Moon
Sub-line - Mechtech
Size/class - Deluxe
New/remould/redeco - New
Wave - 5
Released here -
Approximate Retail Price - $24-30
Approximate Size - 14cm
Allegiance - Autobot
Alt-mode - AEW&C Boeing E-767 with top-mounted radar dish
Main Features/Gimmicks - Convertible Mechtech weapon
Main Colours - Green, dark green, white, gold
Main Accessories - Mechtech weapon

[Paulbot]

Pros:
The colour scheme, two shades of green, white and yellow works really well. I think it makes Air Raid look really good in both modes. The mech tech weapon is nice and one of the (if not the) best-integrated into vehicle mode of any of them. It also works well in robot mode as a 'shield' when not expanded unlike all those other weapons you wish would stay in deployed mode.

I like the transformation to bring the legs around the cockpit and the overall look of the robot is quite nice. The long legs and slim body feel, and the head sculpt lack many of the usual things to complain about in movie toys. The head even has light piping (but the eyes are clear which seems to miss the point).

Cons:
No attempt is made to hide his left hand in plane mode (except in the stock photography) but his right hand is well hidden... Oh wait he doesn't have a right hand. In Beast Wars style his "tail" becomes his right "hand". It's on a hinge to extend but it looks more presentable closed up as it gives the impression it's a weapon.

Few ball joints, apart from small ones at the hips and shoulders, so the poseability isn't that great, but it does make it feel a bit solid.

Bonus feature:
The head scuplt looks a like Animated Swoop, and with the head fin it would be perfect for your custom Swoop or Terrorsaur toy. The mold itself doesn't lend itself to either character, the jet mode isn't a fighter, but the robot mode does; You mistransform the wings and put them into a V shape to give him a familiar silhouette.

Overall:
I think it's definitely worth considering if you can get it at local store price despite importing it. At a sale price locally, I'd say definitely pick it up. I'm overall quite happy with it.