Review: #241
Name: Jetfire
Brand: Transformers
Allegiance: Autobot
Line: Cybertron-Con 2013
Year of Release: 2013
Size Class: Voyager
Variations: a repaint of Classics Jetfire, the original mold was made into Henkei Jetfire, Henkei Dark Jetfire, Universe Tread Bolt and BotCon Dreadwind
JET MODE:
Jetfire transforms into a jet that's based off the F-14 Tomcat, and bears more than a striking resemblance to VF-1 Valkyrie.
He is largely based off the G1 toy in this mode with the color scheme and swept-back wings. Of course, there were some liberties so as to not be a complete copy of a design that Hasbro does not own.
The nose is a bit odd being so blocky, this mold also has the minor flaw of the nose not clipping together very securely.
You'd notice that Jetfire has both Autobot and Decepticon insignias. My guess is that this is to signify the fact that he was originally a Decepticon, who then defected to the Autobots.
Of course, that's not all. You can place the boosters on top (or his "fast pack") and bring forward his wings to fully bring out his G1 toy goodness.
The boosters clip on via two pegs and they sit there very securely.
He has a fair chunk of undercarriage kibble which is partially hidden by the two guns and two missile launchers. A difference in this release is that the missiles aren't cast in transparent plastic anymore.
You might also notice all the metallic red paint used, which looks very nice. They've stripped out the chrome in the boosters as a result but the metallic red is definitely the better choice.
The last gimmick is that on each side of the boosters, you can flip out a gun by sliding a panel back. They're on powerful springs.
Jetfire is a decent size, while also being compact. He's very hefty, you definitely won't feel like you've spent too much on him.
A fantastic jet mode overall. He even has three flip down landing gear!
TRANSFORMATION:
Converting Jetfire into robot mode is a little bit more involved than you might otherwise think. The way the nose splits in half to form his torso is fantastic, and it's really clever how the designer managed to hide the helmet inside the jet's cockpit. The arms are probably the only boring part as they don't manipulate at all apart from folding the shoulders up.
ROBOT MODE:
First, we'll take a look at the cartoon model, "Skyfire" first. Once again, he looks fantastic here with a lot of white broken by some red and black.
He wears most of the top of the jet on his back, including the fuselage and wings. That's understandable though and it's basically just one giant panel pegged into his back, it doesn't get in the way of anything.
The headsculpt is nice and very rounded. It is on a balljoint and has clear lightpiping.
Poseability is fantastic, he has a decent amount of articulation. However, his hips are on ratchets and even one click outwards moves it too much for Jetfire to look good.
He has knee swivels but it would have been better if he was given thigh swivels instead so that it wouldn't have looked as awkward in some poses.
In terms of a weapon, you can peg the two gun halves together for form a double barreled weapon.
Which he can hold in either hand, It looks good apart from the posts sticking out to the sides making the weapon wider than it should.
Even if this was it, Jetfire is a great figure to fiddle around with in your hands.
Needless to say, that is not all as he has various pieces leftover to form the robot mode that's more reminiscent of his G1 toy.
Combining it all together, you will get... a beefed up robot mode that for some reason, looks way more powerful than before.
Of course, this means that he has a lot more kibble on his back thanks to the booster (which coincidentally attached in the same slots as jet mode).
The helmet slides on top of the normal robot's face and I like how the visor is tinted red and placed in such a way it aligns to the forehead of the normal robot's head and makes it red.
If you do not want to use this powered up mode, you can still store everything and attach the helmet behind the head as a form of overhead guns.
The booster guns can be deployed as well, and there is a joint to fold them forwards as shoulder guns, which is really cool.
By flipping the guns forward, it also helps with the balancing of the figure since his feet aren't exactly the best from stopping him from keeling over backwards.
His feet are geared such that the heels and feet open together but I would rather more traditional feet as he rests on the tips, making him harder to balance and grip smooth surfaces.
In robot mode, he retains a respectable height and size.
Posing him with all his attachments on is slightly harder because of the extra weight and how it is distributed. There is now a lot of weight on his back which makes standing him up hard.
As the new head is only a helmet, Jetfire retains the full head articulation which is fantastic.
His forearm guns are spring-loaded missile launchers and they are powerful.
An awesome robot mode with a lot of play value thanks to the detachable armor.
OVERALL:
The mold used is an amazing one. This is a very solid toy that still stacks up nearly 10 years later (and in my opinion, better value than the Leader version released in 2014). This is clearly Jetfire and there is heaps of play value. As far as repaints go, this is a nice one for a convention exclusive with the metallic paint. However, if you've already got a version of this mold in Jetfire colors, it's very hard to recommend. If not though, then definitely give this version a shot!
-------------------------------------------
Other Transformers reviews can be found here.
