Review: #180
Name: Swerve w/ Flanker
Brand: Transformers
Allegiance: Autobot
Line: Generations
Year of Release: 2013
Size Class: Legends (Wave 5)
Variations: retooled into Generations Gears
VEHICLE MODE:
Swerve transforms into small 4-wheel-drive pickup truck with black painted windows and silver headlights.
Swerve is one of those figures that looks good from the front but the rear of the vehicle somewhat falls apart. There are gaps due to the transformation (they're the robot knees). Somewhat disappointing.
The only noticeable panel break are along the sides. That piece is also a lighter red since it is painted as opposed to using red plastic. Swerve rolls on all four wheels and it's cool to see the rims painted silver.
Swerve is a "Legends" figure, that's the official size class he was sold in. He's approximately Commander sized. You can see the obvious robot feet that forms the back of the truck. They stick out somewhat.
He comes in a two-pack with Flanker, a much smaller figure that turns into a plane.
You can attach Flanker's gun mode on top of the roof and with this, it rounds out all the play value Swerve has in this mode.
A decent vehicle mode with no critical flaws. He looks good, decent enough paint applications and has a bit more play value than you'd expect.
FLANKER:
Let's dedication this next section to Flanker who transforms into a drone jet (e.g. there's no cockpit window).
There are some good sculpted details but minimum paint applications in this mode. There's an Autobot insignia and some details on each wing.
Flanker is smaller than a Legions sized figure and simpler too.
A cool thing is that Flanker can transform into a robot. It's a simple transformation though, you flip the front of the plane back and folds the wings. Not a challenge at all (basically, he's a jet with the robot underneath).
There is a lot of kibble but at this small size, it's not a big deal. He is a robot with heaps of junk on his back.
It's hard to say if the head sculpt is good purely because it is so small. There is a splash of red paint on the paint which is more than what you would expect.
Very tiny in robot mode, you can see the size difference compared to a standard Legion toy.
The articulate is limited to swinging his arms back and forth. The legs are molded solid into one piece.
BUT, Flanker is a triple changer in that he also transforms into a weapon for Flanker (and any other bot with 5mm fist holes) to hold. The transformation into gun mode is slightly more involved in that you move the whole chest up (hiding the robot head). It's quite neat and clever.
TRANSFORMATION (SWERVE):
Transformation on Swerve is simple yet effective. It's to the degree where you are satisfied with how it is done. It doesn't try anything new but since Swerve looks so good in both modes, you'll forgive it. You unfold the legs from the back and pull the arms out while folding up the hood onto his back. It gives Swerve a distinctive look and barely any kibble.
ROBOT MODE:
This figure is a fantastic update to the original G1 incarnation. Swerve looks amazing with perfect proportions and achieving the goal of the Generations line: updating G1 figures with better aesthetics and articulation.
There is hardly any kibble at all due to the efficient transformation. The vehicle hood situates closely on his back and doesn't impede on anything.
The head sculpt is expressive, Swerve carries a smile/smirk and this is one of the best head sculpts in terms of showing emotion. This is especially impressive when you consider how small the figure is.
You can see how neat Swerve is from the side profile.
Size-wise, he's not too bad and on par with other Commander sized figures.
The articulation is decent but Swerve is missing a few key joints. First and foremost, his head is fixed in place. Second, he doesn't have hip or knee swivels which makes the leg a lot more static and restricted than I would have liked.
In terms of sculpting, it is excellent. I loved the design of the torso and how it incorporates the kibble surrounding the head like the G1 head... but without it being overwhelming or looking super kibbly.
Swerve towers of Flanker, there's some serious scale issues here... if that kind of thing bothers you.
Swerve can hold Flanker's weapon form in either hand, there's not slot to place him like a shoulder or arm cannon or anything of that nature. Just due to Swerve's smaller size, Flanker's gun may seem a bit big and unwieldy for him.
An amazing robot mode that has perfect aesthetics and only lacking a tiny bit in the posing department.
OVERALL:
Swerve is a must have figure. He is close to 100% perfection. The aesthetics are good and Swerve shows off that a Transformer doesn't need clever gimmicks when he has two great modes linked by a simple yet classic transformation scheme. Flanker is just a bonus and makes for a decent weapon mode. It's a good thing that Hasbro decided to release him in larger quantities.
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