Toy Review - Generations VOY Springer

[griffin]

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

Series - Generations
Sub-line - n/a (Fall of Cybertron label dropped)
Size/class - Voyager
Wave - 3
New/remould/redeco - New
Released here - not expected here (released globally April 2013)
Approximate Retail Price - $40-50 (US$20-25 in America)
Approximate Size - 18cm
Allegiance - Autobot
Alt-mode - Armed car, helicopter
Main Features/Gimmicks - Triple-changer
Main Colours - Green, yellow, dark grey, light grey
Main Accessories - Sword, 2x missiles, missile launcher

NOTE - the original official image is below. The actual Hasbro toy does not have that metallic shine to it. If official photos of the actual toy is released, it will be changed over.

[Raptormesh]

Very decent toy, although mine has a few QC issues, notably with a few tolerances on the stubs that requires some carving knife action. The front left hood panel on mine is also loose. Absolutely loving the car mode and the rachets in the joints, but heli mode is a huge letdown and seems to be an afterthought.

Overall well worth the 40 bucks but not more.

Note: I'm not sure if this is the usual hasbro QC, but at times when it does seem like I'm handling a KO toy when transforming it. Also how do you store the cannons in heli mode?

[SharkyMcShark]

Also how do you store the cannons in heli mode?

You fold the landing gear up and it clips into the gap under the nose that the head goes through during transformation (with the launching slider thing facing downwards and the handle facing up towards the cockpit). I

Specifically there's basically a T shaped bit of plastic on the underside of the gun that slides into a slot in the yellow nose piece.

[Raptormesh]

You fold the landing gear up and it clips into the gap under the nose that the head goes through during transformation (with the launching slider thing facing downwards and the handle facing up towards the cockpit). I

Specifically there's basically a T shaped bit of plastic on the underside of the gun that slides into a slot in the yellow nose piece.

Ah I see, thanks very much for that.

[doublespy]

Haven't been this excited about a main line figure since ROTF leader Prime. Having him in hand this figure doesn't disappoint me in any way. Personally I think he's on par with ROTF Prime (not exactly on the engineering level, but the whole package). The two previous CHUG triple-changers, Astrotrain and Octane were decent in their own right, but being deluxes there was just too much constraint that limited the design (Still, the designers did an amazing job especially Octane). I'm so glad they went with voyager class this time and this is hopefuly an indication of more larger sized Generations figures in the future.

Armored car mode:
According to the Toy Fair notes on tfwiki, Hasbro consulted high-end vehicle designers for the new Generations vehicle mode designs. This armored car is probably proof that the consulting money was well spent. It is very stream-lined yet feels chunky and powerful at the same time. Not sure why an armored car needs spoilers but heck it looks cool









He scales pretty well with Defender and Kup in car mode


Chopper mode:
The weaker one of the two alt modes, but in no way is it a weak design itself. First and foremost it's distinguishing enough from the car. IMO better than some alt modes of TFs with only one alt mode we've seen in recent years. Also looks great without the gun attached. The sword/rotor transformation is very neat. Because it's a large sword, the rotor blades have quite heft to them which makes them feel like those on an actual model helicopter.










Robot mode:
Too perfect to be true this is total robot sexiness I don't mind the slight lankiness (required for the chopper mode) at all, which makes him look like a track athlete (Springer has great leaping capability right). Head sculpt is spot on and like peaugh mentioned in his review they even went the extra mile to make the two yellow hood panels on the shoulders slide up and rotate to give him the definitive LSotW look. Very good articulation (Mattel should be ashamed of themselves when Transformers like Springer have almost the same amount articulation as their DC figures while cost you just a few more bucks, and can transform. but I digress). The lack of rocking ankles dosen't affect his stability one bit. There's almost no visably gappy parts and I really appreciate that the gaps on the inside of his thighs are molded like some tech details to make them not stick out too much.





He can pull off the box art pose:


With some of the movie cast:



Transformation is reasonably involved and elegant. The two side window panels in car mode are a bit finicky to line up. The key is make sure that the lower legs peg in on the arms when folded forward. Once you get the hang of it should be smooth transformation all the way.

QC is generally okay partly because there's very little paint apps on Springer. The factory worker that did the green wings on the arm seemed to have trouple staying in a straight line though.
The rotating joint on my copy's left leg (one on the right in photo below) doesn't go all the way forward for some reason. This does not affect robot mode but still something to watch out for.


Also, the pegs on the gun for it to clip under the chopper mode nose have already shown stress marks. I thought it could slide in the groove but there's just not enough clearance so you have to twist it a bit and clip in that groove. Be careful when you pull it out.



Conclusion:
Easily one of the best figures from Hasbro for a long while. Finally a true triple-changer with three decent modes. A must have.

P.S. Apprarently Hasbro designer Lenny Panzica gave Blitzwing a ten out of ten at Toy Fair. I think someone must have heard it wrong. He must be talking about Springer

[Deceptic_Optic]