Intro:
Jetfire
– this was definitely a figure, whose release had never been anticipated by
anyone, especially after the wonderfully Classic Voyager Jetfire figure years
ago, but after it was announced, everyone was eager for him to arrive.
Jetfire,
a.k.a. Skyfire as he was known in the original G1 animated series, was unique
in the sense that his G1 action figure was actually a mold from Bandai,
originally used for the Macross series, or Robotech to most part of the world.
Hence, both the Macross and Transformers action figures have identical
gimmicks. However, as far as the animated series goes, the similarities are
miles apart!
Anyways,
now that I’ve finally managed to get hold of him, let’s not waste any more time
and let’s get down straight to the reviews.
Alternate
Mode:
The
airplane mode is huge! The aircraft really stayed true to its original G1 action
figure depiction. Maybe it’s just me, but the jet mode does remind me of the VF-1 Valkyrie – or rather
the version used for the original G1 Jetfire.
 |
| Together with Classic Jetfire |
Of
course, there are 2 ways to display the vehicle mode, either in its original form,
with its jetpack and weapons.
The
jetpack serves as a dual-blaster cannon mounted on a ratcheting turret. Apart
from that, Jetfire also wields a pair of blaster underneath the wings; another
pair of blasters below the aircraft; as well as one big blaster attached under
the cockpit. So just like the Classic Jetfire, this Jetfire is seriously armed
to the teeth!
 |
| Rotatable Turret |
That’s
not all folks – the cockpit can also open to reveal a quite detailed interior,
complete with 2 seats for any potential pilots.
 |
| Weapons deployed |
 |
| Cockpit opens |
The
undercarriage isn’t really that clean – kibbles are way too obvious. Then
again, I guess there’s nothing much you can do about it. Any Transformers with
jet mode as alternate modes tend to suffer from the same issue.
Also,
if you’re wondering if the Gerwalk mode is applicable – well, as far as I could tell, there’s no way to
transform him to that mode, due to its transformation methods.
Still,
overall, I think the jet mode looks and feels great.
Robot
Mode:
The
transformation sequence isn’t exactly that difficult, to the point that you
might not even need the instruction manual for the first go.
From left: without and with the mask
The
head sculpt is kind of unique. Unlike the Classic Jetfire, where he also comes
with a helmet to evoke his original G1 action figure look, Leader Jetfire comes
with a mask instead, which is kinda unique.
 |
| With the mask on |
The
actual head sculpt itself is very similar to his animated series depiction. The
robot mode also looks huge, although not quite as huge as the older generation
of Leader Class figures.
Articulation-wise:
the head is on a swivel and a rotating joint; the shoulders are on a
combination of ratcheting vertical rotating joints, shoulder swivels and
horizontal rotating joints; the elbows are on very tight ratcheting joints; the
hips are on tight ratcheting universal joints; the legs rotate slightly below
the hips; soft ratcheting knees that bend as if they are double-jointed; and
finally the feet tilt down and back up – due to transformational joint.
The
basic points of articulation are all there, but I’m kind of disappointed that
they did not incorporate the simple wrist joints! I don’t mind that they did
not incorporate a waist joint, cuz that would be difficult to do so.
Despite
being an Autobot, Jetfire is armed to the brim! Get a load of this: he has a
handheld blaster, a pair of arm-mounted cannons, a pair of leg-mounted cannons,
as well as a Jetpack cannon. Seeing as how the shooting angle of the
leg-mounted cannons is a bit awkward, you can actually detach them and mount it
together with the existing arm-mounted cannons.
 |
| From left: Generations Leader-class Jetfire and Classic Voyager-class Jetfire |
The
robot mode is quite proportionate is size. The feet, however, is quite huge,
especially the heels, as they are needed to keep the back-heavy Jetfire rooted
on his feet.
Overall,
the robot mode is a slight improvement of the Classic line Jetfire, which
already a great figure itself. I think it has better proportions, and
definitely deals better with the back heaviness of the figure.
Overall:
Honestly,
after the success of the Classic Jetfire, I never thought that there’d be
another attempt on this character. All in all, I think Leader Class Jetfire is
a good update of the character. I just wished that this version could at least
be as hefty as a Leader class figure should be, that would’ve made it perfect.
Recommended.
Final
verdict: 8.5/10.
It can change to gerwalk mode
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