Review: #307
Name: Pipes
Brand: Transformers
Allegiance: Autobot
Line: Generations - Combiner Wars
Year of Release: 2016
Size Class: Legends (Wave 5)
Mold Status: repaint of Generations Combiner Wars Huffer which itself was a retool of Generations Thrilling 30 Optimus Prime
TRUCK MODE:
Pipe transforms into a blue truck, while the blue is not as dark as it should be compared to the G1 character, it is a very nice shade of blue, with the silver windscreen, grill and headlights.
The back of the truck fails somewhat with the obvious robot legs and a poorly sculpted rear. All six wheels roll though which represents most of the play value here.
Pipes comes with a collector's card featuring some neat artwork, but at the end of the way, will probably be stored away somewhere.
He comes with a weapon that can be pegged to the roof of the truck.
Pipes is a very small figure, although he is comparable in size to other Legends.
Once you place him next to a Deluxe, his tiniest comes to light and considering that the Deluxes aren't that much more expensive (around a third more expensive), the size doesn't justify the price.
Overall, this is a nice truck mode, even though it is still very reminiscent of Optimus.
TRANSFORMATION:
To get Pipes into robot mode, or vice versa, is very simple. The back form the robot legs just as you would imagine, and the sides of the truck unfold to become the robot modes. It's the most predictable Optimus Prime transformation ever and this just makes Pipes a bit boring in this aspect.
ROBOT MODE:
Pipe's robot mode is very heroic, once again, reminiscent from the original usage of this mold.
He has the entire lower section of the front of the truck on his back as kibble, which is a shame. It doesn't peg securely into place though but holds up by friction alone.
Pipes has a new head (the same one used for Huffer), and surprisingly well painted, with silver eyes and red face. It's a very small head though, too small for the body.
Size-wise, once again, he is on par with other Legends figures.
Next to a Deluxe however, and appears small. Pipes is disappointing in this aspect.
He has a wide upper body, thanks to the shoulder pads and the way the front of the truck splits and widens, to reveal the Autobot symbol.
Unfortunately, the truck's windshields do not lock into place and so any attempt to pose the arms will also shift the two pieces forming his chest. This is probably the biggest flaw of the figure.
Pipes is one of those rare figures in the size class that actually come with a weapon, in this case, a black rifle.
If you leave the shoulder pads as they are, they will restrict the shoulder articulation but they can be untabbed and lifted up to free up the movement.
He has decent articulation, including a waist joint. Only negative is that his balljointed elbows and knees doesn't seem to give as much freedom as you would expect.
While the body stature and sculpting is still very much Optimus, the coloring and new head works well at giving Pipes his own identify.
OVERALL:
Pipes is a nice figure, however, since this is just a forced repaint, he's only for those who does not have the mold. The colors used are nice, and the toy itself is solid. The biggest downside is his small size, since for the price point he is at, just does not feel worthwhile. Be sure that if you do pick him up, do so at a sale price.
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