General Information:
Release Date: January 2014
Price Point: $14.99
Retailer: General Release (Toys R Us, Target, Wal-Mart etc.)
Accessories: Missiles x 2, Swords x 2
*Images above with asterisks(*) and text in italics below from Amazon.com:
Disrespected by Megatron one too many times, Starscream decides to turn on the Decepticon leader. He once fought to earn honor in the eyes of the tyrant. Now, he will stop at nothing to earn his revenge. Convert, arm and attack with all the Transformers action you can handle! This Armada Starscream figure is just the Decepticon to create maximum trouble for his Autobot enemies (other figures sold separately).
In robot mode, your Armada Starscream figure has 2 Energon swords for a double-fisted attack. But when he needs to unleash a devastating aerial attack, convert him to Cybertronian jet fighter mode! Whatever mode he's in, his enemies will think twice before taking him on! Includes figure and accessories.
Features:
- Armada Starscream figure comes with 2 Energon swords
- Figure converts from robot mode to Cybertronian jet fighter mode and back
- Comic book included
Series 2 #011 Armada Starscream. Ages 5 and up Transformers and all related characters are trademarks of Hasbro.
The "Generations" toy line continues in early 2014, starting with a Deluxe wave that includes a new incarnation of Starscream. In a surprising move, this new Starscram figure is based on the "Armada" version of the character! Starscream comes with a comic book, a reprint of "Dark Cybertron #1" which features the debut of Starscream using this form in the IDW continuity. The comic book features an exclusive cover with artwork showing off Starscream in his new body.
Robot Mode:
The Armada Starscream design was a (then) modern day take on the classic "Seeker" design that's been around since the original "Transformers" series. It carried over certain classic elements such as wings on the back of the figure, vents on the chest, the cockpit forming a large portion of the torso and a head design featuring two raised sections on top with a crest in the center and vent sections on the sides of the head. That's where the similarities ended.
The rest of the design was different. On either side of the head were giant cannons. The lower legs have the horizontal stabilizers from the vehicle mode situated vertically. The shoulder sections feature vent like designs on them, offering some continuity from the vents on the chest. It may seem like I just spent a lot of time describing the 2002 "Armada" Starscream, and indeed I have - but everything here also describes this 2014 Armada Starscream. He also has several other details that mach up with those found on the 2002 "Armada" Starscream including:
- The thighs each have raised sections on them that end in vents on top.
- There are vents on the sides of each lower leg.
- Each arm features a "V" shaped detail on top of the forearm.
- The side of each forearm has a Mini-Con port and a circle near the elbow joint.
- On the back of the figure (behind the chest area) there are two circular details, similar to details found on the 2002 "Armada" Starscream.
- Each of the upper arms have two piston-like details in the front.
Even with all these similarities, there are some differences in the design. One of the most obvious are the cannons that flank his head. On the 2002 "Armada" Starscream the cannons were stuck in a fixed psotion horizontally. It looked great when you deployed them, but a bit odd if Starscream was just standing around. On this version, the launchers can be swung back so they rest flat against his back. Their shape is also slightly different in the front with a hex shaped pattern instead of the more curved, oval shaped pattern on the 2002 "Armada" figure. Starscream also has two swords as his weapons, each mounted under his wings. That's different than the 2002 "Armada" Starscream who only had one sword that was formed from his left wing.
While his design is mostly inspired by the 2002 "Armada" Starscream, this version has its own take on the colors of the character. His primary plastic colors are light red, silver, black and translucent orange. The red and black are similar colors to "Armada" Starscream, but this red is much lighter. The same can be said of the silver color. The translucent orange is used for the barrels of his cannons and the sword weapons. His missiles are red. The paint colors used on the figure include yellow, grey and purple. The yellow is used for small details on the chest and the edges of the missile ports. Grey is used on the wings and the face. The purple is used for Decepticon symbols on his wings. Overall the color scheme is a lot brighter in tone than "Armada" Starscream but manages to call back to that figure as soon as you see it.
Armada Starscream has twenty points of articulation in this form. This includes four points of articulation in each arm and five in each leg. Many of these joints are swivel or ball joints, hiving him a good range of articulation. Each of his swords ends with a 5mm peg, allowing you to attach a sword in each hand. Like his "Armada" counterpart, Starscream has Mini-Con pegs on his forearms. I fit both 5mm port weapons and Mini-Cons on and they both fit nice and snug. The top of his shoulder cannons also have two Mini-con pegs, allowing you to attach even more weapons and/or Mini-Cons! To launch the missiles in the launchers, press the translucent orange section forward and the pressure fires off the missile a pretty good distance.
Transformation to Vehicle Mode:
- Detach the swords and fold them each in half, then set them aside for now.
- Swing the fists into the forearms.
- Swing the two halves of the feet together.
- On each lower leg pull the stabilizer fins out.
- Swing the cockpit on the torso section up.
- Rotate the wings so they are horizontal.
- Push the robot head down and cover it with the red panel under it.
- Rotate each leg around, then swing it up and tuck them into the underside of the vehicle.
- Swing each arm back, connecting it to the wings using the tab on the back of each forearm and the corresponding slot on the wings.
- Attach each sword to the underside of one of the wings.
Vehicle Mode:
With so many of his features matching up to the 2002 "Armada" Starscream, it's no surprise that this mode is a really nice, sized down looking version of the original. Indeed, the size works to its advantage as the parts are thinner and look more sleek. The designers did make a couple of adjustments to the design that benefit it a lot. The biggest change is the placement of the robot arms. In the original "Armada" Starscream's vehicle mode, the arms just kind of hung under the wings. In this version of the character they swing back, which gives the vehicle a more sleek looking profile. Another nice touch is the way the edges of the wings are designed, with an extra little piece sticking out towards the curve at the end, which gives an extra hint of sleekness. Overall, the design of this figure is both a great homage and stands on its own as an awesome looking jet.
This mode concentrates a lot of the red plastic together, especially on the front, middle and top section of the jet. Black also plays a significant role from front to back, helping to break up the red color. A bit of the silver still shows thanks to the robot forearms, but that's about it. This mode also allows you to see some yellow plastic in th emiddle section. The translucent orange color takes center stage via the cockpit and the ends of the cannons on the top of the vehicle. The colors all work well together and despite the diversity, does not in any way look jumbled.
In terms of paint detail there's quite a bit including black on the ends of the cannons and on the front section. The grey detailing on the wings and stabilizers also show clearly along with the Decepticon symbols on the wings. The color scheme is a vibrant one and it also pays nice homage to the colors on the original "Armada" Starscream.
This mode allows you to use all the functionality of the robot mode including attaching Mini-Cons and/or extra weapons as well as firing the missiles. Your clearance is a tad limited on the arms, so you're probably best off attaching more narrow Mini-Cons and weapons to those sections.
Final Thoughts:
Armada Starscream is a fantastic homage to a figure that many newer fans may not even know exist. "Armada" is not one of those chapters in "Transformers" history that is heavily mined for homage material so it's nice to see this figure as a change of pace. I would happily look forward to redecos/retools of this figure as Skywarp and Thundercracker if they were going to be made. Highly recommended!
