General Information:
Release Date: December 2020
Price Point: $29.99
Retailer: Target Exclusive
Accessories: Blasters x 2
*Special thanks to fellow fan Lance A. who was extremely generous with his time in finding this figure for me and sending it to me. He volunteered to help make this review possible and his time and efforts are deeply appreciated.
Official product photos and text below in italics are from the Target web site and a post by In Demand Toys on Facebook:
Build the Battlefield Beyond -- The siege is over, but the War for Cybertron has just begun. The Autobots and Decepticons have left Cybertron, but their battle rages on as they speed through space in pursuit of the Allspark. Now, fighters must instantly adapt to battle anywhere in the cosmos. With the advanced A.I.R. (Adaptable Interconnection Retrofitter) Locks system, fighters don’t head to the battlefield -- they become it. Bots capable of converting into Modular Battle Stations can A.I.R.-Lock together in custom configurations to fit the needs of battle.
This ecosystem of collectible figures allows fans to build out epic space battle scenes, featuring figures that can convert into Modular Battle Station modes and connect together to expand the battlefield (each sold separately, subject to availability).
The pompous Decepticon warrior, Thrust, converts into jet mode in 23 steps and comes with 2 blaster accessories. Mount blaster accessories on wings in jet mode or on back in robot mode. Transformers and all related characters are trademarks of Hasbro.
- Includes Transformers Generations War for Cybertron: Earthrise Voyager Thrust figure, 2 accessories, and instructions.
- Figure scale: 7 inches
- Ages 8 and up
- Warning: Choking Hazard - Small parts. Not for children under 3 years.
Back in the G1 era, the base Seeker sculpt that was used to create Starscream, Skywarp and Thundercracker was given new parts and released as three new characters: Dirge, Ramjet and Thrust. This trio of Seekers had distinct "scifi" style wings and in robot mode their most distinctive feature were their heads which were shaped like nosecones. The result? Fans called these three the "Coneheads" and the name stuck to this day.
In 2020 Target decided to continue the idea of having a red Transformers figure as an exclusive (aligning with the color of their logo). Previously they had released the Decepticon Red Wing. This time out, Thrust was the character chosen. This figure is a redeco and retool of the Earthrise Starscream figure. This figure will focus on the changes made to the sculpt for this release.
Packaging:
Thrust is packaged in a standard Earthrise box. The box is rectangular in shape but the left side is set at an angle. The figure is visible via a large plastic window. To the right of the figure is the Generations logo and under the figure is the Earthrise logo. The angled panel has Thrust's artwork featuring him in vehicle mode (which is quite different from other figures in the line which show the robot mode). The back of the box features Thrust in both modes calling out a twenty three step transformation. Continuing the use of symbols from Siege there is a large symbol next to Thrust. A blurb describes him as "Seeker Elite" and there is a distinctive "Cybertronian Villains" logo towards the bottom. This appears to have been a logo developed for Target exclusives (though it could appear elsewhere in the future). Despite being a Target exclusive in the United States, there were no Target stickers or anything on my copies of this figure.
Accessories:
Thrust includes the same two blasters as Starscream. This is accurate to the G1 animation model (which was also used in the comic books of the time). Instead of light grey however the blasters are now black. Black was one of the colors used on G1 Thrust's weapons (though in the cartoon it was painted dark grey). Each weapon has a 5mm peg to attach it to Thrust's arms or wings. The ends of the blasters have attachment points for Blast Effects, one of my favorite features of the current line of Transformers.
Robot Mode:
When I first received this figure I had assumed it was just the Starscream sculpt with a new head and wings. However, upon more careful examination I realized that the changes were more significant! Here's a rundown of what has been altered for this release:
- Head: The new head sculpt is based on the "conehead" design, with a cone on top that looks like the end of an airplane's nosecone. The face design is also different than Starscream's, featuring a longer face that somehow gives him a more somber look than Starscream has. Note: the head is not actually the nosecone of the vehicle mode, but rather a separate piece that is covered up by the real nosecone/cockpit section.
- Wings: The F-15-esque wings from the Starscream sculpt have been replaced with wings that pay homage to G1 Thrust. These wings have a thick rectangular section in the middle along with hover fans. Thinner panels extend out at the ends. Unlike the toy and animation/comic book design from G1 these wings wind up on Thrust's back instead of on his legs. This sort of calls back to the look of his Generations figure which had wing parts on his back.
- Stabilizer Fins: Located on the sides of his lower legs are distinct stabilizer fins. They each have a part that extends out horizontally, then a panel that is set vertically at the end. This is based on a similar piece from the G1 design.
- Leg Panels: The panels that form the front of the lower legs are new pieces. They share some design elements with Starscream's sculpt including "thrusters" in front and angled knee armor. However, the "thrusters" on these leg panels are larger than those on Starscrea and the knee armor is flatter and taller, covering up more of the thighs than Starscream's leg armor.
- Torso Panel: At first glance the torso panel looks like the same one used on the Starscream sculpt, especially with the turbines on the chest. However, that's where the similarities end. However, right under the turbines are vent panels that are different than the details on Starscream. Then the details under that are also different.
I was very happy to see just how many parts had been redone for this release. I think if the designers had only replaced the wings and head fans would have been fine with the figures, but going the extra mile here is much appreciated.
Thrust's colors mostly revolve around maroon and black. These colors alternate from head to toe. The cockpit piece on the chest is translucent orange plastic. Gunmetal grey is used on the face and the fans on the wings. Taking a cue from his G1 counterpart's package art and animation model, the knees are painted lavender with a white background. Also taking inspiration from G1, his eyes are painted yellow instead of the typical red eyes used on most Decepticons in the G1 cartoon. Now, this figure could have used a bit more deco if it wanted to call back to G1 Thrust's toy more, but as a homage to the animation model it looks great!
There are twenty three points of articulation on this figure. This includes four in each arm and seven in each leg. He has two 5mm ports on each arm and one on each leg to attach additional weaponry. There is also a 5mm port on the back if you want to attach Weaponizer parts for some "over the shoulder weapon" action. Each of the chest turbines has an attachment point for Blast Effects. You can also attach a Blast Effect to his left forearm. If you want to count the hinge on each wing you can add two more points, but they swing forward in this mode so it is not particularly useful.
Transformation to Vehicle Mode:
- Detach the blasters and set them aside for now.
- Straighten out the arms and legs.
- Push the halves of the feet together.
- Swing the fists up.
- Raise the top panels on the forearms, then swing the forearms back over the elbows and swing the panels back in place.
- Hold the front torso panel in place, then swing the section with the arms and head back.
- Swing the vehicle mode's nosecone/cockpit over the robot head and snap it into place.
- Pull the cockpit section up, turn it around and swing it back.
- Swing the arms in.
- Push the back section forward, snapping it into place with the front torso piece.
- Swing the panels on the front of the legs forward, then swing the lower legs up over the thighs. Swing the panels back in place and push the lower legs together.
- Swing the jet wings back.
- Attach the blasters to the underside of each wing.
Vehicle Mode:
Thrust's jet mode relies heavily on the new wings and stabilizer fins to distinguish itself from Starscream (and of course Skywarp and Thundercracker). And you know what? It totally works! Thrust looks like a very distinctive vehicle all his own. Sure the shared parts are rather obvious, but the wing and stabilizer fin designs are so dramatically different (and frankly iconic at this point) that Thrust has a wonderfully unique appearance.
Like the robot mode, this mode mostly has maroon and black colors. The fans in the wings are painted gunmetal grey and the cockpit is translucent orange plastic. I am sad about one thing: the Decepticon symbols on the wings and stabilizer fins are pretty tiny compared to the stickers used on the G1 toy. I really would have preferred they have done large tampos for the stickers right in front of the fans on the wings. This would have really added a nice visual exclamation point to the deco.
There are 5mm ports on the bottom of each wing and in the middle behind the cockpit section. Technically there are 5mm ports on the sides too, but they are positioned in such a way that you would have to select rather thin or smaller weapons to attach to them.
Final Thoughts: Thrust is absolutely fantastic. I really appreciate just how much has been retooled with this figure and he genuinely looks great in both modes. His colors are great too, but he could have used a bit more deco. Recommended!
Pros:
- Plenty of retooling, not just the head and wings.
- Some nice color details calling back to G1.
- Joints and weapon connection points are nice and tight.
- Intuitive and fun transformation.
Cons:
- I would have liked a bit more deco such as larger Decepticon symbols on the wings and maybe some red on part of the blasters.
- If you are not cool with this design borrowing some elements of the Classics Seeker sculpt, this figure won't change your mind.
