ARMADA NIGHT ATTACK TEAM

This set is from 2003. Unlike the Air Assault Team and Road Wrecker Team. This is not the powerlink form. They are re-paints of the Land Military Team but the team has completely different characters compared to the Land Military Team. Fetch had one appearance in the Armada cartoon. In the episode when Thrust goes to get his minicon from a storage area. Fetch is in a crowd of minicons. The entire team appeared in the Dreamwave comics.

No pictures are available from cartoon or comic.

The entire team in robot mode

SCATTOR

MOTTO; "Fight fire with firepower."

TECH SPEC; Scattor leads the battle-hardened unit of malcontent Mini-Cons known as the Night Attack Team with a cold confidence. They've personally fought in and won more battles than most armies have, so he's not worried about the team's ability to function under fire. Scattor has no doubt that those with the biggest guns will win the day, and he's equally sure that his team has those guns. Like their counterparts on the Land Military Team, the Night Attack trio has kept from joining officially with any group. However, it's no secret that the fiendish Scattor, who's wanted for war crimes throughout the galaxy, readily identifies with the cruel Decepticon ideology of might making right. He has even considered joining them, if only for added protection in case any survivors of the Night Attack Team's cosmic wrongdoing ever return to claim vengeance on Scattor. Should the Night Attack unit join with the Decepticons, their strength could tip the balance of power decidedly against the Autobots.

Scattor in robot mode

BROADSIDE

MOTTO; "Fear the darkness and shadows, for we are there." 

TECH SPEC; It's like looking into a mirror. A dirty, cracked, ugly-makin' mirror. Yeah, Broadside and his unit got a lot In common with us. They're warrior Mini-Cons who are unaligned with any faction, not to mention the fact that they were built to be pretty much our physical doubles. But this Broadside scraplet is nothing like me, and don't you forget it. He's , a cruel, pretentious shell of a 'bot who's always spouting off half-brained verses about "darkness this, shadows that:' Whatever. He'd better stick to the darkness, all right, 'cause if I ever catch sight of him on the battlefield there isn't gonna be too much left of him.

Broadside in robot mode

FETCH

MOTTO; "What, you think you can take me?"

TECH SPEC; Fetch's motto is essentially his response to anything that someone. might have to say to him. If someone asks a question that seems even remotely derogatory, Fetch bristles immediately and starts calling for a fight. Most people aren't prepared for Fetch's hair-trigger temper, much to the amusement of Broadside and Scattor. The other members of the Night Attack Team do little to discourage this behaviour, and actually egg Fetch on in these circumstances. They eagerly employ their favourite tactic: suggesting that some hapless, clueless Mini-Con talk to Fetch "about his self-esteem problem:' This gives them something to joke about and usually spells disaster for the object of Fetch's aggressive attentions. Fetch's foul disposition is indicative of his team's nature, so it's no surprise that they lean toward the Decepticon side of the war as much as the Land Military Team leans toward the Autobots.

Fetch in robot mode

The night attack team in vehicle mode

Scattor and Fetch both have missile launchers that you have to skewer your finger to fire but Broadside has a spring loaded one with a trigger.

The colour scheme suits them

Easy to transform.

Scattors transformation is good as his wheels go onto his chest but does mean that he has mismatched legs. It is quite clever though. he only has one hand as the other is one big cannon.

Fetch has no hands just two cannons.

Broadside has two hands as his cannon is on his shoulder. It does look very large though.

ARMADA HOIST

This figure is from 2003. He appeared in the Armada cartoon. I don't know which Dreamwave comic he appeared in. Hoist is an upgraded version of an Autobot called Smokescreen .hen he was badly damaged in Battle Hoist took his place.

MOTTO 

"Keen vigilance is my weapon of choice."

TECH SPEC; This boy's toughened up, but good. Back in the day, when he was just "Smokescreen" he was more of a joker, maybe even a little too hotheaded for his own good. Don't get me wrong--I loved the 'bot like I created 'im myself. But as good as he was, he just didn't have that edge that you need in a war like this. When Smokescreen got his chassis blown up pretty much beyond repair...well, let's just say I didn't take the news real well. The only way to save him was a complete overhaul, and that's when he got his new body and name. But that wasn't the only thing that changed... Hoist was more focused, more dedicated, and more powerful than before. Sure, he still cracks wise now and again, but now he knows exactly when it's time to buckle down and fight the good fight. His favourite joke now is that nearly getting killed was the best thing that ever happened to him, and he may be right.! just hope it never happens again!

Weapons and Abilities: Hoist is a couple of degrees stronger than he was as Smokescreen and definitely a bit smarter too. He's an excellent and fearless soldier, plus a more-than-decent construction worker. In his backhoe mode, he can move tons of material in minutes and demolish solid steel walls with a few hits

Hoist as robot

Hoist as Cybertronian Digger

REFUTE MINICON

His only appearance was in Dreamwave comic 18

MOTTO   "You call that battle damage? I'll show you battle damage!"

TECH SPEC;  One of the older Mini-Cons, Refute has been around in one form or another for as long as many seasoned Autobot warriors. Since he's a bit tougher than most of his race and a recognised war veteran, Refute finds himself the object of some unwelcome hero worship among his fellow Mini-Cons. He tries to live up to this image and set an example, but Refute is still basically an ornery tough-bot at his core. Unlike some Mini-Cons, Refute is firmly in the Autobot camp, and he loves fighting alongside Hoist and the others. When he's relaxing with other warriors, he enjoys pointing out the various battle scars he earned in combat. This has led to a friendly rivalry with Hoist, where the two rate each others damage after a battle to see who fought the hardest.

Refute in robot mode

Refute as robot

Hoist powerlinked to Refute

Hoist has a minicon port in the palm of his hand. You could plug a minicon into it.

When you powerlink him with any minicon his digger arm thrusts forward. You can still do this with out minicons though.

His robot mode feet are not really pegged into anything so they fall in a bit.

He can angle his arms upwards.

In digger mode his other arm does not stay in that well and can slide upwards.

Hoist still has Smokescreens head so I wonder when he was killed they reused it on this figure. His head looks like Beastwars Dinobot

They did eventually use this mould for the Bot con exclusive Dawn of Fighters past Dinobot

He is a nice figure to own.

He does have weird joints due to his transformation.

Refute has a gimmick. When you push him along in insect mode his pincers move together. He is a kind of stag beetle. He looks like decepticons leader Shrapnel with the antlers things sticking out of his shoulders in robot mode.

ARMADA MINICON SEA TEAM

This team are from 2003. I am not sure what their allegiance is except to each other as minicons. They appeared in the Dreamwave comics and also in the Armada Cartoon. They are all types of boats with weapons.

OCEANGLIDE

MOTTO; "These small few know the triumph of vicious intent."


TECH SPEC; This seafaring poet achieved leadership of the Sea Team by being the sharpest of the trio, despite his occasionally garbled syntax and nonsensical limericks. It's just that Oceanglide gets so full of inspiration when he gazes over a beautiful aquatic panorama that he can't hold it in or keep his thoughts straight. This makes his work lively and unique, if not always easily understandable. This endearing, slightly bumbling side of him exists in stark contrast to his ruthless ways when commanding his unit in battle. Having been manipulated and persecuted like most Mini-Cons during the A/D war, the Sea Team gladly allied itself with the D's in order to take control of their own destinies. Under the tutelage of Tidal Wave, the vicious Decepticon marauder of space and the sea, Oceanglide has become a cutthroat warrior. Some wonder how he reconciles his sensitive, sometimes deeply moving poetry w/ his callousness on the battlefield, but Oceanglide decided it was better to take control of his destiny for the wrong side than be forever manipulated while on the right.
Weapons and Abilities: Subject has above-average strength and armour, as well as great intelligence. Regarded as deeply artistic, he is also an excellent naval commander and warrior. In both modes, his primary weapon is a dual-purpose projectile that can function as a surface-to-air missile or a torpedo. He is the most fuel efficient of the Sea Team, due in large part to the twin solar power collectors on his arms. He can use the panels as shields to defend himself in hand-to-hand combat, or to absorb the power of energy attacks. When fully charged, the pane is can emit a high-powered heat beam capable of melting solid steel

SPEC; UNKNOWN

Oceanglide

STORMCLOUD

MOTTO; "There's no warning before I roll in."

TECH SPEC; For Stormcloud, the sharp tang of the ocean is the smell of home. He finds endless pleasure in being the fastest member of the Sea Team, and leaps at any opportunity to demonstrate his speed regardless of his orders. After countless years of being mistreated along with the other MiniCons, Stormcloud couldn't be happier with his current position of power alongside Tidal Wave and the Decepticons. He rarely misses a chance to take advantage of being one of the most-feared pirates in the galaxy, as his many randomly chosen victims can attest. Going from a maltreated peon to a powerful warrior has made Stormcloud an uncaring monster, a fact that is not lost on his friend Ocean glide during the latter's more introspective moments.
Weapons and Abilities: Subject possesses above-average strength and incredible speed. He is by far the fastest of the Sea Team when in the water, able to move in at lightning speed and strike without warning thanks to his stealthy engine. His ability to get in and out fast and unnoticed has made him the team's expert in covert demolitions operations. His cannon mode's main weapon is a sonic missile launcher that can strike accurately from up to 8 miles away. Subject also uses the cannon as an overhead launcher in robot mode.

SPEC; UNKNOWN

Stormcloud

WATERLOG

MOTTO; "Whether it's land or sea, there I be, matey."

TECH SPEC; The most versatile combatant of the Sea Team, Waterlog is the only one whose rugged vehicle mode can travel as easily on land as the water. While Waterlog is mentally and physically the slowest of the team, he's still the most competent warrior of the trio. He's an old-style pirate in the truest sense; he despises "landlubbers" and believes that "dead 'bots tell no tales." He obsessively scours the waterways and spaceways for Energon or other valuables that he can use to enhance the team's power and their standing with their Decepticon cohorts. Tough and remorseless, Waterlog still bears the emotional scars of the days when the Sea Team was bullied and mistreated by larger Transformers.
Weapons and Abilities: Subject is the strongest member of the team, with the most artillery resistant armour plating. His vehicle mode is capable of travel over most terrain, although its speed is decreased considerably on land. His main weapon in both modes is his powerful ion torpedo, which is guided by an advanced scanner system utilising a combination of radar, infrared, and sonar technologies

SPEC; UNKNOWN

Waterlog

The team together in robot mode

Vehicle mode

They all fire missiles but they are not spring loaded so you end up skewering your finger trying to get them to fire.

They vehicle modes are cute. The robots however can be tricky to stand.

The colours are good. You can also get this team in blue but I like this combination.

UNIVERSE 2.0 UNICRON 2008

This basically a Toys R Us exclusive re issue of Armada Unicron. This figure is actually difficult to find and is rarer than the original.
Unicron is the ultimate evil. The interesting thing about Unicron is that he is not just in Transformers as there is this character in the Marvel Universe called Glactus who has some remarkable resemblance to Unicron including horns. the Silver surfer said he was known by many names in " The fantastic four- Rise of the Silver Surfer" Am I right??
In G1 he first appeared in the G1 movie. Unicron was travelling the universe devouring the planets one by one. But the only thing that could stop him was the Matrix of leadership. he found Megatron, Skywarp Thundercracker and the Insecticons floating through space after being chucked out of Astrotrain by Starscream. He made a deal with Megatron to re format Megatron and the others into new bodies with the catch they they would then belong to him. Megatron refused but Unicron tortured him until he changed his mind. he made Megatro into Galvatron, Thundercracker into Scourge, Shrapnel and Kickback the Insecticons into the two original Sweeps. Skywarp became Cyclonus even though it is debatable and Insecticon  Bombshell became Armada, again debatable.
Galvatron was sent to Ultra Magnus and kill him for the Matrix of leadership.
While Galvatron was busy blasting Starscream to dust Unicron went to Cybertron and devours both its moons. In the process he captured. Jazz, Cliffjumper, Spike and Bumblebee.
Unicron floated round in space until Galvatron returned with the matrix. On his return he threatened Unicron with the Matrix but Unicron was underestimated and went to attack Cybertron as punishment. Galvatron was thrown down his throat. All the Autobots arrive on a Junkion and Quintession ship but Unicron crushes the Junkion ship. The Autobots on the other ship fly it right through Unicrons eye and they are then inside him. They battle Unicrons antibody system which appear as Tenticled creatures.
Hot rod meets Glavatron and they have a fight. Hotrod manages to take the Matrix and become Rodimus prime. He kicks Galvatron out of Unicron and opens the matrix causing Unicron to explode.
Unicrons severed head is found floating in space around Cybertron.
Ghost Starscream and Scourge re activated him from inside his head
Later on in the series Starscream ghost possesses Scourge and attacks the other Decepticons. He is not fully in control so Scourge stops him blasting Galvatron. Starscream takes Scourge to Unicron's head which floats in orbit off Cybertron. He reactivates Unicron and asks for his own body back. Unicron says he will do this if he completes three labours for him. The first was to go to Metroplex on earth and steel his eyes. They do this with Scourges help as he is still thought of as a traitor. Scourge drops one of the eyes and it smashes so they had to go to Char and steel one of Tripticons eyes to make up for their mistake.
Starscream possess Astrotrain and uses his extra cargo room to store the eyes. He then takes the eyes to Unicron. He then leaves Artotrain on Cybertron at the mercy of the Autobots. They install the eyes in Unicron.
The second task was to go to Trypticon and bring him to Unicron. They then go back to Char and Starscream possess Tripticon. He takes him pursued by Galvatron and the Decepticons to Unicron and Unicron tells Starscream to install Trypticons transformation cog within him.
The third task was to connect Unicrons head to Cybertron which would become Unicrons new body and he would return. Scourge learning of this warns the Autobots. As The connection is happening the Decepticons go inside Trypticon and disable him. Starscream is unable to make the final connections. He asks for his body back so he can do this. Unicron gives him his body back. Starscream tells him to make the final connection himself and betrays him. At that moment the Autobots plant Energon Explosives just beneath Unicrons head and blow him and Starscream back into space. Starscream is left out of control.,
Unicron even though he is still a head in space still has power.
In " Call of the Primatives" You learn that Unicron was created by a being called Primacron who had created all the first Primatives. Unicron wanted to rule himself so tried to kill his creator.
That was G1.
In the Armada cartoon. Unicron appears when the Decepticons leave Earth and the Autobots are chasing them. Unicron creates Nemasis Prime who is the clone of Optimus Prime but indestructible.
There was a black hole . The Autobtos knew that Unicron was coming as the Minibots had told them. The black hole appears and becomes Unicron. He attacks Cybertron and it goes into a mini series called the Unicron battles where the Autobots and Decepticons join forces to defend  Cybertron from him. The Decepticon Thrust turns out to be a harbinger of Unicron. He is an idiot. Sideways is also a harbinger but he ais also an extension of Unicron s conciousness and he tricks Thrust. Thrust ends up being killed by Unicron by crushing him until his head explodes. Thrust stole the Retrium blaster and the Skyboom shield.from the Decepticons. Sideways stole the Star saber. They together form the Hydra cannon. Unicron took the powerf rom them. In Armada Unicron is inpenitrable. The Minicons joined together to form a giant glowing green Unicron to fight him. They held him at bay.
The Autobots discovered that Unicron had a weak point on his neck so Optimus and Glavatron used this to get inside him. They found laserpods as part of his antibody system. The destoyed Sideways in Unicrons heart. Optimus and Galvatron were captured. Uncron went offline when Sideways was killed but then transforms into him planet mode. Optimus and Galvatron are fighting. they find out that Unicron feeds on hatred so he appeared because of the Autobot and Decepicons hatred. Galvatron gets sucked into the black hole but Optimus was almost rying to save him but Galvatron refused. Optimus did not want to wi that way but when Galvatron goes Unicron blinks out of existance.
In Energon when Unicron was reduced to a lifeless husk. He came across them on the planet Q . This is the planet of the Terrorcons. The planet was destroyed. by Unicron. Alphs Quintesson and Scorponok where reserected out of Unicrons lifless husk. Alpha Q finds out that everything that Unicron has devoured can be brought back so they actuallt brought back the Terricons and sent them to collect the Energon form Autobots. Alpha Q wanted to bring back his planet Q. Terricons had captured Tidalwave and he was persuaded to join them as they were going to bring back Megatron. It was never the plan but they wanted to gain the trust of the Decepticons. megatron beats Scorpanoks to a pulp and then gets him to join him.
Megatron uses Energon to reserect Unicron and wants to use him to serve his purpose.
Unicron posses Megatron as he has turned black as he is damaged. Megatron is controlled by him as Unicron needs a host. Uncron tries to destroy all of the Alpha Q planets of which there are many.
Shockblast tries to use Unicrons power as Megatron did but he ends up going insane and is crushed by him.
Optimus takes on the power of Primus adn grows to he is the same size as Unicron. They fight and punch. Unicron is defeated and turns to a tiny ember.

MOTTO; "That which does not become part of the one, shall become one with the void."

TECH SPEC; Consumption is the core of Unicron's being, providing the dominant characteristic of this dark, god-like entity. It devours everything in its path, from space trash to whole worlds, fully aware yet completely unrepentant about the dire consequences these actions have on living beings. Unicron exists above and beyond such petty moral concerns, seeking only to absorb all things in order to satiate its unquenchable and inexplicable desire for more power. This insatiable hunger has led the creature known as Unicron across not only whole galaxies, but also entire universes and dimensions as well. Since Unicron's thought processes, not to mention its immense size, put it on a plane of existence far beyond the average life form, it often employs agents to prepare the way for itself and deal with any mortal beings that could potentially stand in the way of its goals. These agents are usually super-powerful beings that Unicron has encountered and been somehow impressed by during its travels. Unicron itself was actually staggered and seemingly annihilated by the combined might of the Transformers and Mini-Cons, but many have become suspicious about whether this force of nature can ever truly be destroyed.



SPEC; Strength 10, Intelligence 10, Speed 10, Endurance 10, Rank 10, Courage 10, Firepower 10, Skill 10

Planet mode

Planet mode with power linked minicons

Unicron as robot

Glowing eyes

Glowing hand

Holding Deadend in Drone mode

Holding Deadend in robot mode

Minicon powerlinked to left missile pod

Minicon power linked to right missile pod

Primary cannon

He is 24 inches tall that makes him the biggest Transformer in my collection. We had to send to America for him. Some figures of this size are silly with no articulation but this figure is an exception as he has loads of articulation. His fingers have two joints and his thumb  one. He can swivel his joints and his head turns from side to side.

It can be tricky to Transform him at first but after that he is quite easy.

His eyes flash red when you press a button on the top of his head. They also flash when his primary cannon is activated. You need a minicon to activate this. You push it into a minicon post on his back and his chest will open up to reveal a cannon which will then fire. His right fist which is translucent flashes red when you push it into his arm.

In planet mode push his pincers together and the teeth on the mouth will open and close.

In the instructions it tells you to put the planet pieces on his shoulder like they are in the Armada cartoon but they will not stay there and will fall down constantly so I leave them to one side or fold them on to his back out of view.

He already  has big skeletal wings so it seems pointless to have two sets.

His stomach opens up and this can be a tractor beam but I use this to store Deadend in both modes. He is a weird minicon in robot mode. He transforms into one of the antibody laser pod drones from the cartoon.You can take it or leave it. He is supposed to go into a place near his mouth in planet mode but I think it looks silly. It does not peg in properly.

He has minicon traps in robot mode. There are also panels on his legs that look like cannons.He also has firing missile pods on his legs which fire six missiles.  There are also ports on his shoulders for minicons of different sizes

 

His planet mode has been critisized as looking like a beach ball but I think it is prety good. If you look in its mouth it looks like a black hole.

There are many minicon ports around his round so you can choose where to put them

 

He has purple translucent plastic with detail infact there is so much detail on him. he looks like he has a beard and with his horns like a devil.

 

He is a really good figure and I don't think any collection is complete with out a version of this mould

 

Amazing!

 

ARMADA ROAD WRECKER MINICON TEAM

This team is simply a recolored version of the Destruction Team which debuted in 2003. These characters have the same names as in their original color form but changed the team name. Note, these pix were taken from an e-bay auction, but I believe the original source of these is the official Hasbro TF web site. They did not appear in any cartoons or comics in this form.

MOTTO; " Destroy and conquer"

TECH SPEC; " The ultimate in destructicon minicons. This team creates chaos wherever it goes. Cutting,drilling and rolling in to action. They are able to take on any Transformer. They have incredible individual strength and the awesome ability to attach to the helicopter Cyclonus, to maximise their fighting power. Cyclonus has figured out how to use these demolition driven mini cons to create as much damage as possible.

SPEC; Strength 6, Intelligence 5, Speed 6, Endurance 7, Rank 5, Courage 6, Firepower 6, Skill 7

Vehicle mode

Robot mode

Drillbit

Drillbit

Dualler

I prefer these figures in these colours compared to the multicoloured Distruction team.

All three of them have a gimmick when you push them along in vehicle mode Drillbits drill spins, Duellers guns move back and forth like they are firing and Buzzsaws saw blade spins. They do have some movement in robot mode but it is tricky to operate.

They can be tricky to stand in robot mode.

You really need Cyclonus to powerlink them.

ARMADA AIR ASSAULT MINICON TEAM

This team are from 2003. They mostly work for the Decepticons. They are re -paints of the Air Defence Minicon Team. They did not appear in any cartoons in this form but were in Transformers Armada comic issue 16. I think this is the air defence teams powerlink form. The originals being translucent and blue and they form the Star Saber Sword. They did  appeared in the cartoon.

There combined team MOTTO is " We are the power of the sword"

Dark Saber Sword

JETSTORM

MOTTO: Affirmative!

TECH SPEC; Jetstorm's name implies a much more turbulent personality than his outward behavior would suggest. He is perhaps the most easy going of the ADT, but his agreeable nature and tendency to go along w/ whatever Runway and Sonar says leads many to believe that he's somewhat slow. This isn't so: Jetstorm is just a very thoughtful and introspective mechanoid. Of all the Air Defense Team, he harbors the most pent up anger against the Decepticons for the imprisonment of his people. This deep rooted hostility might be why Jetstorm fears the team's combination and use as the Dark Saber -- he is afraid of unleashing his personal darkness and never regaining control.

Jetstorm inn robot mode

RUNWAY

MOTTO; "Don't worry..Let me explain the plan"

TECH SPEC; The loquacious Runway became the de facto leader of the Air Defense Team once they escaped from the clutches of the Decepticons on Cybertron, becoming the first and only Mini-con unit to escape from Megatron's prison camp. Although he isn't fond of warfare or the responsibilities of leadership, Runway rose to the challenge with admirable skill. His planning allowed the Air Defense Team to construct the ship that ultimately took the majority of Mini-Con race off Cybertron. Though Runway is proud of his daring efforts to save the Mini-con race, he secretly harbors great guilt that the escape ship his team built crashed on Earth, spreading the war to another world.  

Runway in robot mode

SONAR

MOTTO; " Even an ace pilot is as good as his wing bot"

TECH SPEC; Where Runway leads, Sonar follows. Sonar's just as smart and capable as runway perhaps more so, according perhaps more so, according to some accounts -but he's perfectly willing to defer to his leader in most circumstances. He's immensely grateful to Runway for arranging the trio's escape from the Decepticon prison camp; Sonar considers this an awesome dept that can never truly be repaid. For this reason, he cant always be found backing up Runway in word and deed, especially on the battlefield

Sonar in robot mode

In super sonic jet mode Sonar, Jetstorm and Runway

Magatron holding the sword.

The sword is fragile and can fall to bits. It looks good with Megatron.

The robot modes are basic but OK. The jet modes I think are better. Sonar has a jet pack on his back for the swords handle. His feet can get loose so be careful.

Jetstorms tail fin flips onto his chest but can be hard to do and I do not want to risk doing it so not shown on picture.

They powerlink to any bigger figure.

A good team to collect.

ARMADA LASERBEAK

This figure is from 2002. He first appeared in the cartoon Transformers Armada episode 3 "Base". he also appeared in the comic Dreamwave Transformers Armada number 12.He is an Autobot

FUNCTION; Recon and human liaison

MOTTO;  " I will protect you"

TECH SPEC; Laserbeak is a protective companion for the Earth kids who become involved in the battle between the Transformers. Given to the children by Optimus Prime, Laserbeak records information in his spy bird mode and can launch fire blasts in his stun weapon mode. He is always alert to his surroundings, scanning for threats. What will Laserbeak discover during his spy missions that will help the Autobots defeat the evil plans of the Decepticons?

SPEC; Strength 7, Intelligence 6, Speed 6, Indurance7, Rank 4, Courage7, Firepower5, Skill 6

Cam Mode

Cam showing image of Optimus Prime

laser gun mode

Bird mode front

Bird mode side

He is technically the Armada role play line. Therefore he comes with a bunch of extra gimmicks.

 

The first thing I want to comment on is the colour of bright safety orange. It was not as bright as this in the cartoon and I feel I want to put my sunglasses on just to do this review.

He has an Autobot insignia on the rear of the figure and unlike most of the Armada line it is not blotted out.

He has some details that one would expect to find on a real camera. Controls, zoom etc.

If you lift the view finder there are other buttons but they are not painted. The viewer shows Optimus Prime but he is fuzzy.

I think they could have done this better but the view finder does rotate

If you press the first grey button you get a shutter noise. Press again and you get a strange mechanical noise but not sure. There is some debate about this.

The next problem with the camera is that there are two lenses which looks weird. One long and thin and one short and fat.

The speaker which is a video camera should be at the front not the top so difficult if this was real to pick up sound.

 

To transform into gun mode you grab a grey wheel and have to rotate it but this is very tricky.

For a start why is the handle so small. I know it is for small kids but it is ridiculous.

This is why they painted this safety orange because it is a gun. It looks like something out of Star Trek.

A button makes a sound like an ice machine!

It comes with a strap for your wrist.

The lens make the gun barrel  which makes it look futuristic.

It is a silly little lazer pistol.

It makes another lazer noise on the second grey button but it also makes an eagle call which can be annoying when you want to fire the gun.

 

Press the blue button and his head flips out to transform into a bird. The grey wheel is pressed in the opposite direction for the wings to pop out.

He actually looks like a hummingbird especially with his tail as the wrist strap feathers. Why does he make an eagle call?

 

His head is like a prehistoric bird 

 

Again to make him call like an agle you have to go through the sounds.

 

There is not much to do in this mode.

 

Unless you see him really cheap I don't recommend him. He is a dull figure.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

INSECTICONS - Commemerative Addition

These figures are a re-issue set from 2008. The originals were from 1985.
The instinctive thing about the Insecticons are that they always repeat the last word at the end of a sentence. Shrapnel was referred to in Beastwars when in  "dark Designs" where Waspernator got whacked by evil Rinox. With concussion Waspinator took on Shrapnel's personality which was a nice touch including peach impediment.
I like to think that Shrapnel was the leader of the insecticons. He seemed to order the other two around and had awesome electrical powers.
The Insecticons were basically the insecticons equivelent to the Dinobots. In  the way that tye were the special forces for Decepticons. They did the dirty work for them. The Decticons used them for energon which Megatron could turn into energon cubes from the raw energon in their stomachs

This set was released as a Toys R Us commemorative 25th Anniversary set. They first appeared in series 1 " A plague of insecticons" When the Disputation's boarded the Arc the Pre Insecticons Bombshell, Kickback and Shrapnel where left in charge of the Nemesis. Both ships were left without crews to control them so started to dive towards earth locked together  When the ship crashed into the earth the Pre Insecticons escaped in a pod that crashed into the earth. They crashed into Demons swamp in Bali during prehistoric times. I like to think that they were re activated and scanned the local insects becoming the Insecticons. There were no vehicles in prehistoric earth.
They remained there, eating and attacked humans who dared to venture there when millions of years had gone by and modern times came. They attacked farms eating the crops.
The Autobots arrived and fought the Insecticons. Bombshell blew apart a combine and Shrapnel turned them into clones to help them.
The Decepticons arrived as Laserbeak in formed them what was going on. He was spying on them. Megatron, Soundwave and Thundercracker. The Autobots had to retreat as the clones kicked their butts. The Decepticons did find the escape pod though in the swamp and wanted the Insecticons to rejoin them. At first they did co-operate and help the Decepticons. They drained a oil refinery of energy. Shrapnel unleashed his secret weapon. He summoned the power of a storm and blasted the Autobots when they turned up to stop them. Bumble Bee and Spike they discovered that in vehicle mode the Autobots cannot be hurt because of the rubber tires so they were able to beat Shrapnel.
The Insecticons turned on Megatron stabbing him in the back by steeling the energon cubes and flying off. they wanted to be there own group and serve no-one.
They appeared again in series 2 In "Traitor" In this the Insecticons were working with the Decepticons. Autobot Cliffjumper thought that Mirage was a traitor. Power cells that were made by the humans were stolen when guarded by Mirage. He thought this was odd and that he had let them be taken. There was a battle and Mirage fought Skywarp and ripped the Decepticon insignia off his wing. The Autobots were worried about fighting so close to the power source so they retreated back to their base. Mirage hatched a plan . He went to the Insecticon base with his invisibility shield on. He stole the energon cubes that Megatron gave them for helping and left the Decepticon insignia that he had ripped off Skywarp in its place. the Insecticons presumed that it was the Decepticons. his plan had worked. Mirage went back to the power plant with his invisibility shield. The Decepticons were there but the Insecticons wee on his tail. To them it looked like the two allies were shooting at each other. Cliffjumper  saw mirage with the cubes and Cliffjumper thought he was giving it to the Decepticons. Shrapnel hit Mirage with a shrapnel grenade. Bombshell then hit him with a cebro shell in which Mirage could then be controlled.
The Insecticons then discovered it was Mirage as his invisibility had slipped. They had been deceived. Megatron wanted to use Mirage in this state to lure in the Autobots. He was then released back to the Arc. Cliffjumper questioned him and called him a traitor. he told the Autobots just what Megatron told him too. They were told to get the energon cubes as they were undefended  but it was a trap. The Cebro cell was discovered and Cliffjumper apologised to Mirage. The Insecticns ran off in battle and the Decepticons lost.
In the next episode they were in " The Insecticon Syndrome" The Insecticons were in a forest hanging out and eating the trees. The Autobots found out were they were. The Decepticons needed the Insecticons help to take the energy form a base run by humans "Nova Power Core" The Insecticons broke into the base and ate the power which made them grow in size. Soundwave was eavesdropping and heard that the Insecticons wanted to overthrow Megatron. they caught him and planted a Cebro shell in him. They did this with a few of them to control them. At this point all the Decepticons had them except Megatron and Starscream. they eventually got Starscream but Megatron caught his when fired at him. He was safe in the Iron mountain base.
The Autobots back at the Arc discovered that the Nova power was not compatible with the insecticons and where they were in a base in a mountain they had to get to them or they would explode and take the mountain with it. Wheeljack made the cure for it so all they had to do was give it to them to save them.
Megatron actually teamed up with the Autobots to take down the Insecticons. Megatron changed into gun mode so the nova cure could be fired int them. They got two but not Shrapnel. he did explode but until the cure was thrown art him and it was cured. Shrapnel did not die though but was put back together. They went back to there original size. Everyone parted ways.
In  "A quest for survival. The insecticons where eating everything in their path with their clones. they where back with the Decepticons. Everything they ate was turned to power so the Decepticons drained them to make energon cubes. That was the deal.
The Autobots knew they had to do something so Spike, Bumble Bee and Cosmos left earth to find an Insecticide to kill the insecticons. On the way back they wee killed by a strange plant on a planet which turned out to be a Morphabot. It grew all over Cosmos and he managed to reach earth then crashed but this meant the plant spread on earth. M
Megatron heard about the insecticide and told tyhe insecticons to stay away from the place they lived. They did not believe them.
Cosmos was rescued by Blaster. . He used load noise to kill the plant and get the insecticide. the decepticons attacked and destroyed the insecticide. The Insecticons turned up and seeing the plants thought the Megatron did not want them to eat these lush plants. They would not listen to reason and died when they ate them. only the original three escaped bombshell. Shrapnel and Kickback.
The Autobots packed all the morphabot plants up in a rocket and sent them to a planet inhabited by insects.
The key episode they appeared in was called " The Insecticons" The insecticons and their clones were eating everything. This is the episode that followed on from " Starscreams Brigade" When he built the Combaticons.
The Conbaticons were on Cybertron. and Onslaught modified the space bridge so it would push the earth into the sun with Megatron on it.
The Autobots had to go to Cybertron to stop this but Shrapnel stole the bridge remote control panel. They managed to get it back and save earth.
They also had a small part in the G1 movie. Eating again.! Shrapnel bombshell and Kickback were eating the door to  Autobot city. Hotrod and Kup knocked the Insecticons down and ran over the Insecticons. They were there occasionally.
What appears to be the insecticons but could have been clones.Were ejected in to space by Starscream. Along with Megatron , Skywarp and Thundercracker they were reformatted by Unicron. Bobshell became the Armada or Cyclonus which is debatable. Kickback and Shrapnel became Sweeps.
You saw them very very little in series three.

Insecticons flying in the G1 cartoon.

BOMBSHELL

FUNCTION; Psychological Warfare

MOTTO; "The Mind is my playpen"

TECH SPEC; " Can turn foes into helpless accomplices by injecting cerebro-shells into their head ( Robot or Human) with his stinger. this gives him control of their minds. Has a cruel sense of humour. he arms himself by having his victims debase themselves. In Insect mode this insecticon can fly 5.7 miles. In robot mode wears head mounted mortar which throws 50 pound explosive shell 8 miles. Cerebro shells can be used against him if removed from victims head."

SPEC;  Strength 5, Intelligence 8, Speed 5, Endurance 5, Rank 6, Courage 5, Firepower 6, Skill 9

Side view Bombshell

Front view

Robot mode

KICKBACK

FUNCTION; Espionage

MOTTO;  "Friend is another friend for fool."

TECH SPEC " Charming but cruelly clever..makes friends so he can influence them to do his bidding by digging up facts he can hold against them. Humans particularly susceptible to this insecticon. In insect mode can jump 40ft for a distance of 1 mile. Kick a hole in quarter inch steel. In robot mode can fly 30mph up to 100 miles. Sub machine gun fires 300 rounds per minute. Very vulnerable as insect and flying in high winds."

SPEC; Strength 3, Intelligence 9, Speed 4, Endurance 4, Rank 7, Courage 6, Firepower 5, Skill 8

Kickback side view

Front view

Robot mode

SHRAPNEL

FUNCTION; " Electronic Warfare

MOTTO; " Control electricity and you can control the world."

TECH SPEC " The noise of war and the scream of his foes are music to this loathsome insecticons audio modules. he has piercing battle cry which can be heard 8 miles away. In insect mode can use antennae to control almost any electrical device. In robot mode can attract lightening bolts to antennae and shooot them out of hands. Grenade launcher shoots 30 pound steel balls that splinter into razor sharp spikes. Insulation stops his electrical blasts"

SPEC; Strength 9, Intelligence 6, Speed 4, Endurance 7, Rank 6, Courage 6, Firepower 8, Skill 9

Shrapnel side view

Front view

Robot mode

 

 

Bombshell is a Japanese rino beetle. he has this cannon on his horn which is articulated.

He has some die cast on his body

He has wheels on his feet to wheel him along

The mode is really nice.

All three insecticons have cockpit lids that open as they were part of the Diaclone line to fit a pilot.

They are translucent yellow on their chests.

 

He has more articulation in this mode. His legs are hollow and look backwards.

This looks a bit odd.

He has a gun which he can hols in his hand

His horn, gun and legs are chrome.

he has a mouth plate and eyes but his eyes are unpainted.

The stickers on this set are cheap and do not stick. We had to use glue. Bombshell is really effected by this.

 

 

Kickback is a Grasshopper.

He is my favourite bug mode out of the three.

He has chrome wings which are thin so you have to be careful.

They can come loose after repeated transformation as with his antennae.

His antennae are his guns.

His robot head is his Grasshopper head.

His visor becomes his Grasshopper mouth so technically he is eating with his eyes.

The front legs are well articulated.

He has wheels so you can drive him along.

 

He is very simple to transform as his bug form is his robot lying down.

Just have to move some stuff around.

Nice looking robot mode.

He has some die cast to the body

He has some articulation in robot mode. You can pose him to some extent. Bug mode is better.

His gun just slides on

He did not have much screen time but was in the background

 

Shrapnel is a Stag Beetle.

He has some pincer action.

He has guns at the end of his pincers.

He has lightening conductors in his pincers as well.

Bombshell in theory has the best bug mode as with Kickback Shrapnel is just lying down again.

His pincers and legs are chrome. His visor is unpainted.

He has some die cast and wheels to move him along as with the others.

 

In robot mode Shrapnel had big pincers on his shoulders which conduct lightening. I often wonder what would happen if he can to a narrow doorway. Clunk!

His articulation is OK.

He has a waist swivel

His gun is silver chrome and it clips on to his arm

His gun is quite interesting to look at.

His eyes are unpainted but he does look like he is smiling.

 

I am not sure which is the best out of this set. They are all good in their own ways.

I think they are really worth getting but don't over pay for them as they are quite small.

Make sure the G1 toys are not broken if you go for the originals as they can be delicate.

Try to get them all if you can't get the set.

If you are a fan then try and get this re issue set.

 

They were repainted by E Hobby and were red and they called them the Insecticon clones.