Dave's Transformers Legends Rant: Animated Series Wave 1.5

     Starscream (jet)

     Permalink: http://www.eyrie.org/~dvandom/BW/TFA/Legend1a

     Strictly speaking, this is probably part of the same wave as the G1
Series Bumblebee, Brawn and Beachcomber, based on the packaging and the lot
number (83914, where those three are 83911, 83912 and 83913).  But since I'm
keeping TF:A Legends over with the rest of TF:A rather than with Universe
2.0, I'll just call this a half-wave of its own.

CAPSULE

     Starscream: Robot mode is a little low on articulation, but otherwise
decent for the size.  Transformation is good, vehicle mode generally works
although it could stand to have more paint.  Recommended.  $3.99 at
HasbroToyShop.com.

RANTS

     Packaging: Same as the previous TF:A Legends, but they've added a silver
foil corner banner proclaiming "25 YEARS" and "1984-2009".  
     As usual, the cardbacks have name and techspec numbers, but nothing
else.  However TF:A packaging doesn't have tech spec numbers, so this gives
us our first stats for the characters.


DECEPTICON: STARSCREAM
Altmode: Jet Fighter
Previous Mold Use: None
Previous Name Use: Yes
Techspec: STR 8 INT 9 SPD 10 END 9 RNK 9 COUR 5 FRB 9 SKL 9  Avg 8.5

     It's worth noting that before this made it into stores, a minor recolor
showed up as part of the Rescue Ratchet Target exclusive set.

     Packaging: Three twist-ties hold the robot mode into the blister.

     Robot Mode: 3" (7.5cm) tall at the head, 3.5" (9cm) tall at the
wingtips.  It's made entirely of a medium blue-gray that's pretty close to
the color used on the Voyager Starscream.  There's dark red paint with
moderate metalflake on the chest sides, shoulderpads and stripes on the
boots.  There's no paint on the wings, though, which does hurt the overall
appearance.  The helmet, forearms, cockpit border and faux landing gear
covers on the shins are painted matte black.  The cockpit windows are orange,
the face is silver.  The eyes seem to be dark red, although they're so small
it's hard to be sure.  The smirk is painted black.  A gold Decepticon symbol
is printed on the right pec.
     Proportions are okay, although the neck is a little too long.  The arm
cannons are molded as part of the arm, with a solid "shadow" connecting the
barrel to the forearm so that it could be cast all as one piece.  I suppose
someone with a Dremel and a steady hand could cut away the shadow, but no
guarantee the barrels wouldn't then just snap.
     The shoulders are restricted ball joints, the hips are ball joints, the
head can nod on a transformation hinge and the toes can point on
transformation joints.  The wings can raise and lower, too, FWIW.  Pretty
disappointing articulation compared to the other TF:A Legends.  The hands are
in open position, as if he's about to shake your hand.  

     Transformation: The nose unfolds from under the crotch (which it had
pegged around), the backpack folds up and the pelvis section swings back to
let the legs snap into place behind the backpack wing section.  The arms just
sort of rest against the sides of the fuselage, even more obvious than on the
Activators mold.  The robot head isn't completely hidden, but they do a
decent job of getting it out of sight.

     Vehicle Mode: Hypercritical wing jet fighter 3.5" (9cm) long with a
3.25" (8cm) wingspan.  It really looks like G1 Cyclonus, especially since the
nose is a lot more needle-like than on other version of the toy, owing to the
fact it simply folds away in one piece rather than trying to telescope or
otherwise hide better.  Despite a lack of pegs and tabs, it's reasonably
stable.  
     No real landing gear to speak of, but the strut for the robot pelvis is
rounded to provide a sort of lead wheel, and if you position things just
right the shin bits act as rear gear.  The pointy nose has no paint on it,
but seems to be made of the same plastic as the rest of the toy rather than a
safety-conscious rubbery plastic.

     Overall: This really could stand to have a bit more paint, especially on
the wings.  It's a reasonably elegant design otherwise, though, and owners
can always add more paint if they desire.


     Dave Van Domelen, will do the G1 Series ones next.