Review #75: Generations Combiner Wars Powerglide
Well, let us see if I can squeak out one more review in September! (If I can get this done before I wish to go too bed. Otherwise, you can enjoy this as the first review of October!)
In vehicle mode, Powerglide is an aircraft similar to an A-10 Warthog. While one supposes that the earlier Ultra Class version probably scaled better with many other Autobot Transformers in vehicle mode, the newer smaller version feels better for Powerglide who, in the G1 toy line, was a mini-bot.
This new Powerglide, even in its more compact size, is a great representation of the character. In vehicle mode, the only real blemish is the robot's quite visible arms. Technically, the transformation of the arms is pretty similar to past versions of this character, but on this version of Powerglide they are rather still a bit obvious as folded up arms, with their fists protruding noticably forward. Still, even with the arms being a bit obvious, this is a rather fetching Powerglide.
But he becomes even more fetching in robot mode, where this is probably the best looking Powerglide toy ever! He looks practically like he jumped out of the cartoon.
But he becomes even more fetching in robot mode, where this is probably the best looking Powerglide toy ever! He looks practically like he jumped out of the cartoon.
He definitely compares favorably to the 2008 version. That version wasn't a bad Powerglide per se, but it just pales in comparison to this new version!
Although the two do look cute together!
Powerglide has decent articulation. His head can swivel 360 degrees. He has quite expressive ball joints in his shoulders. His elbows can bend about 180 degrees. His hips and knees are ball joints, and finally there are joints in his ankles, mainly there for transformation, that can be useful in some poses.
Powerglide doesn't come with a weapon, but his fists have 5mm holes that can hold most weapons from other Transformers. Also, he does have molded in missiles on the undersides of his forearms that he could use if he wanted to. |
Now, this Powerglide may not come with any weapons himself, but he can do something no Powerglide before him has done... He is a Triple Changer who can, himself, become a weapon! And that is how this toy fits into the Combiner Wars toy line. He basically becomes a Targetmaster for gestalts to hold.
Most specifically, apparently in current fiction, Powerglide has joined the ranks of the Aerialbots, as an additional weapon for Superion to wield. |
Powerglide actually makes a surprisingly decent gun. And his front landing gear is conveniently 5mm in diameter, making him quite wieldable by many larger Transformers.
There is only one slightly miner quibble, although it is not a problem with Powerglide himself. Rather, it is an issue with his intended wielder. The joints in the hips and legs of the various limb-forming Aerialbots, which become the gestalt's elbows, are not quite strong enough to support Powerglide's weight. It took rather an effort to find one pose which would be semi stable as seen in the above photos, but in most cases an arm trying to hold up Powerglide's weapon mode will find itself drooping.
But if you can find a larger Transformer who does have stronger arm joints, Powerglide can make quite a fine gun. And one such larger Transformer could be... Powerglide himself!
There is only one slightly miner quibble, although it is not a problem with Powerglide himself. Rather, it is an issue with his intended wielder. The joints in the hips and legs of the various limb-forming Aerialbots, which become the gestalt's elbows, are not quite strong enough to support Powerglide's weight. It took rather an effort to find one pose which would be semi stable as seen in the above photos, but in most cases an arm trying to hold up Powerglide's weapon mode will find itself drooping.
But if you can find a larger Transformer who does have stronger arm joints, Powerglide can make quite a fine gun. And one such larger Transformer could be... Powerglide himself!
Still, the gun mode is rather of secondary concern to me, so that it works as well as it does (as long as the figure wielding it has strong enough arm joints) is just an awesome bonus!
There is one potentially negative thing to note about this figure. Apparently some people have had an issue with this figure, with the legs not holding together well when the figure is transformed into either jet or weapon mode. Fortunately, my copy of the figure seems not to have this issue, and when transformed his legs hold together quite well! But be aware that your mileage may vary.
There is one potentially negative thing to note about this figure. Apparently some people have had an issue with this figure, with the legs not holding together well when the figure is transformed into either jet or weapon mode. Fortunately, my copy of the figure seems not to have this issue, and when transformed his legs hold together quite well! But be aware that your mileage may vary.
Gun mode aside, as a stand alone figure, this Powerglide works wonderfully! His aircraft mode looks pretty darn good, and his robot mode (as stated previously) looks like he stepped off the screen!
To the left, the usual photo presenting the figure being reviewed standing along with a standard sized DVD case to provide a size reference. All in all, an excellent figure that (potential leg issue aside) I cannot recommend enough! (Well, guess I got it finished in time to get it in for September. See you again in October!) Review added 30 September 2015 by Yotsuya. Comments are welcomed! |