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By Daniel Suh
Between this toy, the G1 Commemorative Series Skywarp, and a Transformers: Universe toy based on the BM Jetstorm mold due in February 2004, the sneakiest of the Seekers couldn't be riding any higher.
THUNDERCLASH
Jet
Mode: Measuring 5.5 cm (2.2") long with a 7 cm (2.8")
wingspan, Thunderclash
is a futuristic jet fighter, very similar to the G1 Targetmaster, Triggerhappy.
He's mainly silver with lavender missiles and thrusters and black lining
his cockpit. His armament consists of the aforementioned missiles, wing-mounted
heavy machine guns, and what could be interpreted as 12 bombs attached
on his underside. His faction symbol is on his right wing and his PX socket
is mounted on the underside of his nosecone. This was necessary in order
for him to be able to activate Skywarp's
flip-out missile launchers, but it also means that he doesn't
attach easily to other toys. In order to attach Thunderclash
to Skywarp
and activate the launcher gimmick, his wings need to be folded up first.
Transformation: Unfold the robot legs, swing the hips forward, and fold down the cockpit.
Robot
Mode: Thunderclash
stands just about 6 cm (2.4") tall. His head is silver with an orange
visor and his arms end in missiles instead of fists. Between his transformation,
the cockpit on his torso, and the wings on his shoulders, he's more or
less a downsized version of Skywarp,
a very neat touch. He's articulated at the shoulders, hips, and knees.
A good toy overall.
SKYWARP
Jet Mode: From nose to tail tip, Skywarp measures about 23 cm (9") long with a 21.5 cm (8.5") wingspan. His main colors are, naturally, black, lavender, and silver with a light orange cockpit, red and gold accents, and purple and white molded Decepticon symbols on his wings. He rolls along on four small wheels. At first glance he appears to be yet another straight recolor of the Starscream/Thundercracker mold, but closer inspection reveals otherwise. He has side-mounted machine guns on his cockpit, a lavender soft plastic fin on his back, and small guns and gold VTOL turbines mounted in his tail fins.
Skywarp
has a dead hardpoint mounted on each of the pods on his wings and a live
one mounted on his tail. Pulling back on the live hardpoint with your
finger activates a jet engine sound that lasts for 15 seconds. Attaching
Thunderclash,
Swindle,
or Zapmaster
firmly to it causes a pair of spring-loaded missile launchers to flip
forwards, accompanied by a rapid firing sound that lasts for six seconds.
The missiles, which are lavender and sculpted like energy bursts, travel
over two meters. The launchers are designed so that they can pop off and
snap back on with ease, no doubt a safety precaution. His wings can also
pop off and re-attach in a similar manner.
Pressing down an Skywarp's cockpit activates a second, much shorter-lasting firing sound. Inserting Swindle/Zapmaster into the cavity on the underside of the cockpit changes the firing to a crackling sound, like an electrical burst. Pressing down hard enough on the cockpit causes the Mini-Con to pop out.
Finally, it should be noted that, while Skywarp's sound effects are basically the same as Starscream/Thundercracker's, his are distinctly more high-pitched.
Transformation: Unfold the arms and legs, swing down the hips and snap them into place, and fold down the cockpit.
Robot
Mode: With the fin on his head, Skywarp
stands an impressive 21 cm (8.3") tall. He retains the same color
scheme as his jet mode, with a black and lavender body, lavender upper
arms and thighs, and black forearms and shins. His head is totally different
from Starscream/Thundercracker's:
it's silver and black with a lavender crest, orange eyes, and a large
face plate. Along with his size and his very dark and sinister color scheme,
it makes him one of the most intimidating Decepticons. His flip-out launchers
work just as well in this mode.
Skywarp
is articulated at the shoulders(two joints), elbows(two joints), wrists,
hips, thighs, and knees. His ratcheting hip joints don't *quite* line
up properly, with the left leg angling further back than the right. However,
you can easily swing his leg forwards a little so that he's standing nice
and straight. The outer section of his left wing detaches and unfolds
to become a long handheld saber. Unfortunately, inserting the saber handle
into his fists will result in stress marks, same as with Starscream/Thundercracker.
Pity they didn't fix that flaw.
Overall, Susp Sez: Aside from his stressed fists and the problem with his hip joints, Skywarp is a great toy. Fantastic color scheme, fun gimmicks, good transformation, nice remold work, and nifty Mini-Con. Recommended even if you already have Starscream or Thundercracker. 9/10
Susp
"Heat-seeking missiles . . . seek heat!" - Skywarp (G1)
