Review: #634
Name: Airwave
Brand: Transformers
Allegiance: Decepticon
Line: Generations - War for Cybertron: Earthrise
Year of Release: 2020
Size Class: Deluxe (Wave 2)
Mold Status: new
AIRCRAFT CARRIER MODE:
The first alternate mode for Airwave is an aircraft carrier mode, which is naturally dominated by the large runway, and a block at the end sculpted to look like a storage facility.
This is effectively a rectangular block but is still recognizable for what it is supposed to be. While you can spy the treads below, it isn't actually capable of rolling in this mode.
Airwave is a Deluxe and in this mode, he is longer than your average Deluxe, above is a comparison against TLK Bumblebee.
This is a decent alternate mode.
TRANSFORMATION (TO RUNWAY):
As a Modulator, Airwave relies on parts forming in order to transform into his various modes. To get him into his Runway mode it is very easy as you just need to split the aircraft carrier in half to peg together again into a longer piece. Peg a few other pieces around to allow it to sit flat on the surface and you're done.
RUNWAY MODE:
The runway mode is not as recognizable as the aircraft carrier, it's mostly designed to be attached to other bases.
The best feature here is the radio tower. He doesn't look as good from behind given the exposed robot parts, including the fist.
Airwave is now longer than your average Deluxe but the mass is a lot more spread out as a result.
Again, while scaled for play with Micromasters, even their small sizes is still scaled too big to look natural.
As another alternate mode, it is great for play value, but it is not the strongest mode that Airwave has.
TRANSFORMATION (TO BATTLE STATION):
While not on the packaging, the battle station mode is official given that it appears on stock photography and is clearly designed for it. This mode requires more fiddling as you need to fold several pieces, as well as snap them together with tight connections.
BATTLE STATION MODE:
If you didn't know what it was supposed to be, you'll have a tough time getting to the correct answer. At first you might think it is a tank, but the treads are not in the right place. This is actually a stationary battle station, too bad there aren't any figures small enough that you can place inside to station there.
It is obviously not the strongest mode of the figure, and it does feel like a hodgepodge of parts snapped together in a vague shape.
This is a more compact shape, being more square now.
The panels with the two guns are supposed to be able to lift up, but it depends on how your panels are as you might not be able to get enough clearance.
TRANSFORMATION (TO ROBOT MODE):
The most interesting part of the transformation is how the legs have several panels that fold together around the treads (which seems underutilized in all modes). Otherwise, the partsforming is quite self-explanatory.
ROBOT MODE:
Airwave's robot mode looks really good. Thanks to his proportions, he gives off the aura of a huge robot if he was done to scale.
He is a solid all rounder thanks to not having excessively hollow parts.
The head is flatter than one would expect, which helps with the large scaled look. It is on a swivel so he can look from side to side.
In terms of articulation, Airwave has gotten all the usual joints seen in recent Deluxes. He has hinge joints for his head, shoulders, elbows, waist, hips, knees and ankles.
He lacks a right hand, and interestingly, while he has elbow swivels, the plastics are molded in such a way that if you bend it, it renders the swivels useless as it blows that movement.
Airwave is also a Modulator and while this isn't in the instructions, you can have a play around with the pieces to peg onto any other Deluxe in the line and power them up, which is pretty cool.
You can also detach the gun from his shoulder to hold in his hand. This is a strong robot mode.
OVERALL:
Despite some weaker alternate modes, Airwave is brimming with play value. With four modes plus the ability to split into pieces to peg onto other Deluxe figures, there are so many options. Despite this, the compromises aren't game breaking and Airwave is a neat figure worth purchasing.
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