G1 Blitzwing Review

U.S. Name: BLITZWING Jap. Name: SAME

Cartoon First Appearance: Episode #31: Dinobot Island P1, Season 2, Sept. 1985

Marvel Comic First Appearance: The Transformers #29, Jun. 1987, $1.00

Dreamwave Comic First Appearance: Second Mini Series, Transformers #1, Apr. 2003, $2.95

Toy Catalog Number: 43

A quick comment: Back to G-1: Review D-VI Teletran-1

This is my first Blitzwing action figure. I bought it on Jan. Xxi, Mmv and it cost me $XXXV from Image Anime. I had always wanted to own him when I was a pup, now it's becoming a reality.

R-0 Original Blitzwing's motto and tech specifications:

Affiliate: decepticons | Subgroup: triple changers | Function: ground & air commander | Alt. Mode: jet/ tank|

| STR 8 | INTL 5 | SPD 9 | ENDN 8 | RNK 6 | CRG 7 | FRPW 7 | SKL 7 |

Original G1 Blitzwing Motto:

"Destroy first, think later."

Original G1 Blitzwing Bio:

Ability as Triple Changer to rapidly transform makes him one of the most dangerous Decepticons. Cruel sense of humor, loud-mouthed, belligerent, and brash. Flies at Mach 2.7 range 1500 miles, has heat-seeking concussion missiles as plane. As tank, has track-mounted cannon that fires explosive shells 3.5 miles. As robot, has electron-scimitar and gyro-blaster rifle. Often gets stuck in mid-transformation.

These images were all photographed and scanned by me. If you're a Transformers fan, this will definitely bring back some reminiscences.

NOTE: Images are clearer when viewed with Internet Explorer browser.

- Click on the Thumbnails to view them at a Larger Scale -

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R-1 Blitzwing in its Original condition:

1 - Blitzwing in its brand new condition from the box (front and back of the box)

2 - Here's how it look once you opened the cover revealing Blitzwing and the Data files.

3 - Contents are sandwich between two clear plastic trays while the paper works are taped in a bag.

4 - These are all the contents that were included in the box/ package/ card:

"1" tank/ jet, "1" gyro blaster rifle, "1" electron scimitar sword, "3" missile concussion (on tree/ spruce), "1" Blitzwing trading cards, "1" sticker sheets, "1" instruction sheet, "1" miscellaneous text sheet. "2" data files (images of Blitzwing and Predaking), "1" world art image featuring the Blitzwing box art, "1" page review of Season 3 episode #28 to #30 and Season 4 Rebirth, "1" Dreamwave art with toy catalog page covering D-93, D98 to D-101 (Scorponok, Sixshot, Apeface, Snapdragon, and Soundblaster).

R-2 Pre-Applied Decals/ Stickers:

The Reissue Blitzwing Transformer Collection box #17 does not come with any pre-applied sticker.

Blitzwing Sticker Sheet:

There are 14 registered numbering of stickers on the sticker sheet. But in reality it's actually 18 stickers since some of the decals/ stickers are grouped or paired together and labeled it as one. These registered numbering do not include the Pre-applied stickers.

NOTE-1: According to the Japanese Instruction Sheet, #6 Sticker should be placed on the side of the turret right on top of the bumpy surface. The original U.S. Instruction Sheet showed it on Blitzwing wrist which made more sense.

R-3 Blitzwing in Tank Mode:

Blitzwing first alternated mode is a type 74 tank whose measurement is approximately 5 1/4 x 2 1/4 x 1 1/2 (LxWxH) in inch. Between the two alternated modes, the tank mode is more of his trademark mode since there was hardly any G1 Decepticon tank during the first 4 cartoon seasons. The oval turret can be rotated at a 360 degree sideway as well as slide North or South. Also, the turret barrel length can only be extended or retracted but no upward movement should Blitzwing want to shoot someone from the sky. Blitzwing tread wheels on the side is actually a false wheel and is painted to look like the real tank. His real main wheels are located at the bottom of his tank with two at the front and two at the back. These wheels are plastic. Surprisingly, Blitzwing is very heavy thanks to a couple of die cast metal.

NOTE-2: The 2005 Reissue Blitzwing Transformers Collection Box #17 does NOT come with the beloved Rub Sign logo like the original.

R-4 Blitzwing in Jet Mode:

In jet mode, Blitzwing is a MIG 25 jet type whose measurement is approximately 6 x 4 x 2 1/8 (LxWxH) in inch. Transforming from Tank mode to Jet mode is much easier than what it looks since it just a simple twist and turn and you're all set. In deed, he got a simple transformation, yet both the tank and jet mode look very impressive. The front jet landing gear is metal while the rear two are plastic. All three jet landing gears are non-workable wheels meaning the wheels do not roll. In fact the rear landing gear is actually a semi-circle wheels which were part of tank turret. Blitzwing does come with a workable missile launcher on either side of his wing so missile can be fired out by pressing the tab at the bottom of the wing. Another good news is that you do not need to take the missiles out from the launcher when transforming from one mode to the next.

R-5 Blitzwing in Robot Mode:

Blitzwing is one of those action figures who beauty are shadowed by one minor negative drawback. Unfortunately, for him this negative drawback becomes the main focus of his action figure especially when it comes to robot mode. Blitzwing's arm/ hand fails to align vertical to his body because the arm cannot be swung all the way down. Instead, his arm is always position forward like he's defected. The problem is that the pelvis has an extended piece and at the same time serves as the arm socket during alternated mode. Other than this, he is one of the best G1 triple changers. And in my opinion, I like him better than Astrotrain because once you raise both of Blitzwing arm up, his awkward arm position no longer becomes a distraction. As mentioned in R-1 under Note-1 regarding sticker #6, I am placing this sticker on Blitzwing wrist according to the U.S. instruction sheet as oppose on the side of the little bump of the turret like the Japanese instruction sheet.

R-6 Blitzwing in Attacked Mode and Underside View:

Both the Gyro Blaster Rifle and the Electron Scimitar Sword are mounted on the inner side of Blitzwing hand. He does not have one of those standard hands where the hole is on top of the hand. Other than the hand, there is no other place to store the weapon whether other part of the body or in alternated mode. The additional two image top right and bottom hand corner show what Blitzwing looks like when viewing from the underside of the Jet and Tank mode.

R-7 Rémy's Blitzwing action figure review:

Manufacturer - Takara.

Line, Series/ Wave: Generation 1 Line, Transformers Collection - Box #17.

Year Issue: [Jan. 2005 Reissue] - The original toy was released in 1985.

Made: [China] - Although the original toy was made in Japan, the qualities and materials are pretty much the same as the reissue.

Scale: [N/A]

Box or Card Dimension In Inches: [LxWxD] - Approximately 8 10/16 X 6 3/4 X 2 10/16 - Box.

Packaging Method: Mint In Sealed Box. Contents were packed with the following procedure:

Taped down and sandwiched between two clear plastic trays are: "1" tank/ jet, "1" gyro blaster rifle, "1" electron scimitar sword, and "3" missile concussion (on tree/ spruce).

On the back of the card board and not inside the clear plastic tray, a taped down bag which contained: "1" Blitzwing trading cards, "1" sticker sheets, "1" instruction sheet, and "1" miscellaneous text sheet.

Mounted onto the front cover of the box are: "2" data files (images of Blitzwing and Predaking), "1" world art image featuring the Blitzwing box art, "1" page review of Season 3 episode #28 to #30 and Season 4 Rebirth, "1" Dreamwave art with toy catalog page covering D-93, D98 to D-101 (Scorponok, Sixshot, Apeface, Snapdragon, and Soundblaster).

NOTE -3: Blitzwing Datafile was also reissued earlier with Starscream box #9.

Box Special Note: Front Box: Blitzwing Box Art. Back Box: No box art, showed Blitzwing contents and other reissue TFs ads. Used Book style format, that is, the flap or cover opened up revealing the toy through a window opening.

Box Point or Robot Point: [3] - This number can be found on the right side flap of the box. You have to open the box to see it. It contains number and either Autobots or Decepticons insignia depending on which faction you are getting.

Approximately Dimension In Inches: - Height Up To The Head: 4 11/16 Maximum Height: 5 9/16 (tip of turret barrel) Width from shoulder to shoulder: 2 Maximum Width: 4 (from wing to wing) Dept: 2 1/4.

Figure's Stamp/ Fine Print Location: - Can be found at either side of of the jet purple wing. Right wing has Japanese copy right and left wing has Hasbro copy right.

Transformation Of Difficulty: [Easy]

Material Durability: [A] - Pretty durable

Materials: Die Cast Metal: Back of shoulder plate, head, feet plate, and landing gear. Chrome Part: None. Rubber: N/A. Plastic: Main material. Clear Plastic Window: N/A.

Stability: [+B] - Pretty stable.

Fun Figure: [A] - Pretty a fun toy.

Negative Drawback - The arm/ hand fails to swing all the way down.

Articulations: Head: Cannot be rotated. Shoulder: Can only be bent at 70 degree. Shoulder cannot swing all the way down. Arm/ Elbow: Cannot be bent. Wrist/ Hand: Cannot be rotated, hand can be hidden by folding inward. Hip/ Waist: Cannot be rotated. Leg: Cannot be bent. Knee: Cannot be bent. Ankle/ Feet: Cannot be bent and no sideway movement.

Rub Sign Logo: [No] - This 2005 Blitzwing Reissue does not have one. The original 1985 Blitzwing had one on the turret.

Robot's Cartoon looks alike: [-A] - He looks pretty much like the cartoon.

Vehicle Mode's Cartoon looks alike: [A] - Same as previous comment.

Special Notes: Here are "4" special notes which I think you should know:

1 - Due to the die cast metal on the upper body and the style of transformation, in time, Blitzwing will suffer the compression leg syndrome. In other word, Blitzwing leg will shrink down and bury into his feet which will make him look shorter. If you want to avoid the problem, then leave him in his alternated mode.

2 - Be gentle with the jet metal tail fin/ feet flap. Don't pull or use too much force, instead try to slide the tab by rotate it.

3 - When flipping the jet nosecone from the tank mode, be sure your finger is oil free to avoid the deterioration paint application on the jet canopy cockpit.

4 - The 2005 Reissue Blitzwing Transformers Collection Box #17 does NOT come with the beloved Rub Sign logo like the original.

Overall Grade: [-A] - Blitzwing overall transformation and appearance are actually very nice. However, this greatness is being overshadowed by the negativism of the arm/ hand which fails to position all the way down in robot mode. So the best way to display Blitzwing in robot mode is by raising his arm up to avoid that awkward looks.

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