Just opened the latest version of him. And he sure delivers! Hb (and later Takara version) hit a home run with this obscure G1 Season 3 character.
I always planned but could not get the original G1. The closest I got was the 3rd party version by FP. Compared to it, Hb's version imho is at par with the 3rd party (which already is a high bar among FPs creations)
Transform mode:
Once you get the hang of the transform sequence, he's as easy as pie and intuitive in transforming. Also, having Blunderbuss as a pilot is a nice touch. The Jetmode is no looker but waaaaaaaaay better improvement over the G1 original.
Also, the aircraft carrier mode is BOSS! Like one of those Macross carriers attached to the SDF-1
Design: Handsome face. Mouth guard and all. Blunderbuss' head/face sculpt reminds me of Vector Prime's minicon but the lack of paint details on him is , well too bad. Once you've gone Takara........
Accessories: Why no energon ax? Translucent gun is okay. Aerialbots? All five of them!(Though FP already did beat them to the punch with theirs)
Plastics: A mix bag. Some parts are the silver fleck type. The one used on his thighs and ankles look a bit cheap looking. Shoulder is a glossy solid gray type. His wings are translucent. The other red parts are reminiscent of some of Takara's versions using silver fleck red. Very smooth and glossy.
Though when I compared the plastic to the closest TF figure who shares the same transform mode, ML Shockwave, the older version floors Broadside. They sure don't make plastics like they used to.
Paint apps? Uber! But the ones used on Blunderbuss kind of negated by the dull silver color on his dull gray plastic. Same with decals though I an not to fond of the metallic shiny type Hb used.They're the type that peals off easily.
What the?
In Carrier mode, the homunculi/titanmaster can sit on the Carrier's tower. So it's highly probable that Blunderbuss in actual robot mode is as big as a regular robot on scale. Not a wee headmaster/micromaster/human size.
The not so good:Titanmaster port a bit floppy
Thighs a bit loose. Wipe and Shine here I come.
No ax weapon.
Those two structures that collapses on his ears....what are they for?
A bit back heavy. The curve design of the back of his heels further exacerbates this issue
Details get swallowed by the dull gray plastic.
the Jet mode have no landing gears.
In carrier mode, the part that make up his feet and heels (which is the ship's bow) don't clamp together. Because, based on the design, if you put a peg to clamp on, well, he no longer stand flat stable on a surface.
So on a scale of 1 to 5?
and a half (biases not with standing he is a fine update especially how Hb/Takara made his jet mode no just an afterthought compared to the original. The jet and ship mode are really that good) , if this had the Takara paint treatment I'd have given him a
and a half.
For those lucky enough to find him, give him a chance. Really a great figure.
Once the Takara version is released, I'll keep him in his carrier mode. Really dig the mode. If Hb made him leader scale like ML Shockwave, boy would that be even awesome!
P.S.
I have just a few as in this batch of Hb TFs. Did I get an error box? Why? Broadside right side boxflap has a Decepticon symbol. Is this a sign that Broadside is a Decepticon?
[ Click to attempt signal recovery... ]
