Review: #351
Name: Windblade
Brand: Transformers
Allegiance: Autobot
Line: Robots in Disguise (2015)
Year of Release: 2016
Size Class: Deluxe (Wave 7)
Mold Status: new
JET MODE:
After Windblade's appearance in the cartoon and being the first fan-voted character, naturally she gets a figure and it is very faithful to the cartoon design.
The back is a bit messy with the exposed robot arms and the thick rear, lacking the thrusters from her Generations figure.
In terms of size, Windblade is a little bit smaller than your typical Deluxe classed jet, above is BotCon 2013 Bitstream for comparison.
Next is the comparison with her namesake, the original Generations figure. The biggest difference is the primary color, being red for RiD and black for Generations, yet both are instantly recognizable as Windblade.
The VTOL fans can tilt forward and the actual fan blades are separate pieces of plastic so you can spin them with your fingers. Windblade has a front flip down landing gear.
Her blade can "store" in jet mode, by attaching it to the underside. It is unwieldy and tacked on, and makes balancing her in jet mode more difficult.
Not a bad jet in the jet while it still has its own share of flaws. Nevertheless, the sharp wing design, silver highlights and general design is solid
TRANSFORMATION:
This version of Windblade has a simplified transformation scheme compared to the original Generations figure. It ends up being more fun and less fiddly. It is clever in how the back of the jet folds up in robot mode, and very intuitive in what pieces form which part of the robot. There are no tricky elements here and the figure benefits all the more from it.
ROBOT MODE:
Windblade's robot mode is equally recognizable as the character while adding in its own unique elements. It is overall a simpler design in line with the aesthetics of the series.
She doesn't have too much kibble, having the standard front of the jet and parts of the back of the fuselage on her back.
The headsculpt is also simplified. She has white paint for her face with blue eyes and some gold for her head fan. Unfortunately, the fan pieces on the sides of her face is left an unpainted red.
In robot mode, she is the same height as most Deluxes but thinner in stature.
In comparison with her Generations figure, this version has better proportions and generally looks more stable.
Poseability is standard including a waist joint. She doesn't have wrist swivels though and that is probably the articulation you'd miss the most.
Unlike the original toy, this Windblade has stolid heelspurs and can be put into a variety of dynamic poses without falling over.
She has her trademarked sword which can be sheathed into her scabbard.
The scabbard has a 5mm pose which Windblade herself can hold and it is molded in such a way that it can pass off as a ranged weapon.
There is a 5mm handle for Windblade to hold in either of her hands.
Not to mention that the peg on the sides of the scabbard can be pegged into a slot on her hips. It holds okay but the scabbard is so big that posing her will undoubtedly detach it from her hips.
The sword can be pulled out but it is left an unpainted blade so the detailing on the sculpting is harder to pick out.
The sword can be either in either hand and Windblade looks great with it.
One thing to note is the the red on her legs are painted and they are noticeably darker and slightly metallic compared to the red plastic used.
Her last weapon is a fan that is detached from behind her head.
It has a 5mm handle molded onto it for her to hold in her hands although it is held at an awkward angle, not how one would usually hold it when trying to strike someone with it.
A fantastice robot mode overall with heaps of poseability, a bit of play value and most of it, is stable and holds together well.
OVERALL:
This Windblade is a noticeable improvement over the Generations figure which can be a big sloppy mess. Instantly recognizable as the character while also having her own charm, Windblade has two decent modes and a fun transformation. While there are a few flaws it is not enough to hamper what is an enjoyable Transformer.
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