General Information
Release Date: September 2025
Price Point: $24.99 (depending on retailer)
Retailer: General Release (Amazon, BigBadToyStore, Entertainment Earth, Target, Walmart etc.) - Preceding links are sponsor/affiliate links
Accessories: Blasters x 2
Official images and text in italics are from Amazon.com:
- AGE OF THE PRIMES AERIALBOT SKYDIVE: This Transformers Aerialbot Skydive figure features deco and details inspired by the Transformers universe
- PART OF TRANSFORMERS AERIALBOT SUPERION: Aerialbot Skydive action figure combines with other Aerialbot Transformers figures (each sold separately, subject to availability) to create the Aerialbot Superion figure
- 5.5-INCH DELUXE CLASS TRANSFORMERS FIGURE: In robot mode, the Transformers action figure is 5.5 inches (14 cm) tall
- CONVERT BETWEEN ROBOT AND JET MODE IN 17 STEPS: This Transformers toy figure converts between modes in 17 steps
- 3 ACCESSORIES ATTACH IN BOTH MODES: Figure comes with 3 blaster accessory pieces
- ARTICULATED FOR PLAY AND DISPLAY: Age of the Primes Transformers figures feature articulation for display-worthy poses or action-packed play
- GIFT TRANSFORMERS COLLECTIBLES: Transformers action figures make a great gift for boys and girls 8 and up or anyone who collects Transformers toys
Experience the epic universe of Transformers robots with the Transformers Aerialbot Skydive toy! The 5.5-inch (14 cm) figure converts from robot action figure to jet mode in 17 steps. Combine the Aerialbot Skydive figure with other Transformers Aerialbot action figures (each sold separately, subject to availability) to create the Aerialbot Superion action figure! With intricate poseability and attachable blaster accessories, this Aerialbot Skydive action figure makes an awesome addition to any collection. Look for more Transformers collectible toys (sold separately, subject to availability) featuring favorite characters like Optimus Prime, Bumblebee, Megatron, and more to create a lineup that is — More Than Meets the Eye. TRANSFORMERS and HASBRO and all related trademarks and logos are trademarks of Hasbro, Inc.
Background:
Skydive was introduced in 1985 as one of the Aerialbots: a team of Autobots who all transformed into aerial vehicles. This does not sound particularly interesting nowadays, but back then most Autobots transformed into ground based vehicles (and supposedly "could not fly" though that's debatable). An entire team of Autobots who became aerial vehicles was a big deal and I can still remember my intense excitement (and that of my friends)when they were first introduced. Add to that a team that could merge into a Combiner robot? I had to have'em. I remember the deep excitement I felt when I first got my Aerialbot giftset for my combined birthday and Christmas present. It is a moment I will never forget.
Fast forward to 2025 and I'm feeling that childhood excitement again as the first wave of Age of the Primes has begun to ship and hit stores. Skydive was one of the last two Aerialbots released to complete the set in 2025. Believe it or not, it has been ten years since Combiner Wars and the last time we had Skydive as a Deluxe Class figure based on the character's G1 appearance (a G2 version was released in 2016). Unlike the Combiner Wars version this one is largely based on the G1 cartoon/comic book model. This figure is a redeco and retool of Age of the Primes Air Raid, so this review will focus on the changes made to that figure for this release.
Packaging:
Unlike the unique packaging design of Legacy, the Age of the Primes packaging is more aligned with the look of the Studio Series line. The boxes are now rectangular with a flap on top to hang on pegs. The background color is a flat black. The front features a new series of icons giving information about the figure. This is set to the left and is colored gold featuring a faction logo, calling out how many steps are in the transformation (17 in this case) and the age recommendation (8+ on this box). To the right is artwork featuring Skydive holding his blaster. Beneath him is artwork of his vehicle mode. In between is the figure with a window cut away with the return of a plastic window! These had been removed the last few years but Hasbro heard the fan outcry (and probably got sick of figures getting damaged in box by vandals) so they're back and I'm really glad about that. Below the artwork is the "Transformers" logo now set horizontally for the first time in about a decade. Under that is the "Age of the Primes" line looking a lot less stylized than the Legacy logos of years past. The bottom features Skydive's name (as "Aerialbot Skydive" for trademark purposes), an Autobot symbol and the Hasbro logo to the right.
The back of the box features the figure in both modes calling out the 17 step transformation. Towards the top he is listed as "5 of 5" (even though for me he shipped before Fireflight) and the blurb says to "Collect to Combine" in five languages. The bottom half features legal information in multiple languages and an "Authentic Transformers" logo. The box is definitely going for a premium appearance and it aligns the look more with Studio Series but it definitely does not feel as special or unique compared to previous years.
Accessories:
Skydive includes three accessories:
- Blasters: Skydive's weapons are two identical blasters. The design is based on the one created for the G1 animation and comic book model. This features a fairly flat weapon with an angular section on the back with a rounded barrel section in front. Running along the sides are indented sections. The end of the barrel has a small vertical tab sticking up. Each blaster is made of black plastic with no paint details. The front allows you to attach a Blast Effect and the handle is a 5mm peg.
- Stabilizer Fin: The rear fin from the vehicle mode is included as a separate accessory. It really doesn't serve any other purpose other than being part of the vehicle mode. This piece is made of grey plastic with blue on the fin with a yellow lightning bolt set vertically. This is a callback to G1 Skydive's stickers on the same spot. This piece attaches to Skydive via a 5mm peg.
Robot Mode:
Skydive is a redeco and retool of Age of the Primes Air Raid. For the most part this figure uses most of Air Raid's robot parts including the arms and legs. However, there are a couple new bits to make it into Skydive:
- Head: The head is a completely new piece, based on Skydive's G1 cartoon appearance. It features a "helmet" section with a central crest on top and a very "chiseled" looking face with sharp cheeks and thin eyes.
- Chest: The chest is mostly the same design as Air Raid. However, whereas Air Raid featured two indentations on either side of the chest, Skydive has one indented section on the right but the left side has a flat panel on it with some details sculpted into it.
- Legs: The back of the lower legs are new pieces. Unlike Air Raid who had two vertical fins in back, Skydive only has one so the pieces here are new pieces. The fin actually attaches to the back of the left leg via a 5mm port. In the alt mode the fin winds up in the middle.
Overall I'm really happy with just how much the designers changed from Air Raid to this figure.
Skydive is made up of grey, black and red plastic. The face is painted orange with blue eyes. An Autobot symbol is printed onto the left side of his chest, something he had in the cartoon series. He doesn't have a ton of deco in this mode, but it does match the cartoon and looks great.
There are twenty two points of articulation in this mode including five in each arm and leg. He has 5mm ports in each fist so he can hold his weapons. You can also store them on his wings.
Transformation to Vehicle Mode:
- Detach the accessories and set them aside for now.
- Straighten out the arms and legs.
- Swing the fists into the forearms.
- Swing the wings on the back out.
- Turn the robot head around.
- Swing the back pack with the cockpit back, then forward, going over the robot head.
- Swing each foot up against the front of the lower legs.
- Swing the panels on the front of the lower legs up.
- Swing the feet back so they are up against the back of each lower leg panel.
- Swing the back of each leg up and over the thighs and push them together.
- Swing the front panels of the lower legs (with the feet) up.
- Push the arms into the sides.
- Each forearm has a tab on it facing up. The wings have a corresponding slot, be sure they're attached.
- Be sure the vertical stabilizer fin is angled back (I usually have it turned around for the robot mode).
- Push the horizontal stabilizer fins down.
- The blasters can be attached to the underside of each wing.
Vehicle Mode:
The original Skydive transformed into an approximation of a F-16 Fighting Falcon Jet Fighter. This vehicle mode has a lot of details inspired by the real life jet. These include the shape of the cockpit section, the pointed parts at the end of each wing (which are missiles on he real life vehicle) and having two horizontal fins and one vertical fin in the middle. To do this, many parts were changed from Air Raid:
- Cockpit/Nosecone: The front section of the jet is a new piece which features a much thinner and more streamlined looking cockpit cover than the one on Air Raid.
- Front Section: The sections that flank the base of the cockpit area angles inward until they come to a point next to the cockpit sections. This is very different compared to Air Raid who had more rectangular sections in those areas.
- Wings: Skydive's wings are all new pieces featuring angles in front that sweep back and pointed sections on the ends.
- Rear Section: The rear section formed by the panels on the back of the robot legs features new parts that have a "bump" in the middle that curves back. This elevated section has a 5mm port for the vertical fin.
- Vertical Fin: The vertical fin in the back is based on the design of the original G1 Skydive figure. Unlike Air Raid, Skydive just has one fin in the middle.
I was really happy to see just how much was changed in the vehicle mode. The designers easily could have just say, changed the wings and left everything else as is but they went the extra mile. Kudos!
This mode mostly shows off the grey and black plastic. Black paint is used on the cockpit cover. The wings feature yellow lightning bolts with Autobot symbols on top, a detail inspired by the G1 toy and cartoon model. The vertical fin in back adds a splash of blue and yellow color, a callback to the G1 toy and cartoon model.
Each wing has a 5mm port on the bottom to store the weapons. The middle section of the robot torso swings out to form landing gear.
Final Thoughts:
Skydive is great. I really appreciate just how many panels and parts were replaced from the Air Raid tooling to create this figure. Keeping in mind his inspiration is the animated version of the character he looks great in both modes. Highly recommended!
Pros:
- Plenty of pieces have been replaced from Air Raid.
- Looks like the animated character in both modes.
- Good deco including the "lighting bolts".
- Simple and intuitive transformation.
Cons:
- It would have been nice to give him the curved forearms from the animation model but this is not a dealbreaker.
