General Information
Release Date: April 2022
Price Point: $54.99 (depending on retailer)
Retailer: General Release (Amazon, BigBadToyStore, Entertainment Earth, Target, Walmart etc.)
Accessories: Blasters x 2, Sword, Energon Gauntlets x 2, Energon Fists x 2
Official images and text in italics are from Amazon.com:
- TRANSFORMERS G1-INSPIRED DESIGN: This Legacy Series Transformers 7-inch Blitzwing robot toy is inspired by the animated series, The Transformers, updated with a Generations-style design
- UNIVERSES COLLIDE: Universes collide with Transformers: Legacy! This epic line of Transformers toys brings together fan-favorite characters from across the Transformers multiverse
- 2 EPIC MODES: Action figure converts from robot to jet mode in 32 steps and from robot to tank mode in 41 steps. Comes with sword and 2 blaster accessories and features rotating turrent in tank mode
- HARNESS THE POWER OF ENERGON: Gear up the most powerful substance on Cybertron, Energon! This Transformers Triple Changer Blitzwing figure comes with 2 articulated Energon missile hand accessories
- QR CODE: Scan the QR code on each package to reveal character tech specs from across the multiverse! Collect other Legacy figures to reveal their character tech specs (each sold separately, subject to availability)
Harness the power of Energon with the Transformers Legacy Series Leader Blitzwing Triple Changer robot toy! Blitzwing terrorizes his opponents by switching between his three modes in battle, laughing all the while. Universes collide! Transformers: Legacy brings together fan-favorite characters from across the Transformers multiverse. Figures feature deco inspired by their universe with an updated Generations design. In honor of the almost 40-year legacy of Transformers entertainment, the fandoms come together from across the Transformers multiverse, all in one toy line. Transformers: Legacy action figures are great kids’ toys and exciting collectibles for fans of all ages. Transformers and all related characters are trademarks of Hasbro.
Background:
Blitzwing was one of the original Decepticon Triple Changers. He was introduced in 1985, with the ability to transform from a robot to a tank to a jet fighter and back! While the concept of a triple changing robot is hardly unique nowadays, back then it was super cool. The character has appeared a couple times in the Transformers toy line after the 80's including a memorable representation in Animated. There was also a Voyager Class Generations figure released in 2013, however I have had terrible luck with that figure. One copy had the dreaded "shoulder issue" that was experienced by many fans. When I tried to photograph it for a review, the tread pieces literally snapped and broke. I have yet to obtain another, hence his absence from the photos in this review. Years after that figure's release, Blitzwing popped up again as part of Titans Return.
Packaging:
Blitzwing is packaged in the standard Legacy box design. The box is roughly rectangular with an angle on the top and side. Being a Leader Class figure, Blitzwing is in a closed box with his artwork taking up most of the front of the box. The artwork shows Blitzwing in all three modes. The graphics feature mostly blue and purple tones. On the left side is a box with his name in it. The Legacy logo is under artwork of Blitzwing's tank form. The left side of the box (if you are facing it) features artwork of Blitzwing's vehicle modes.
The back of the box shows Blitzwing in all three modes calling out a 32 step transformation into Jet mode and a 41 step transformation into tank mode. Off to the right is a box showing off his Gauntlets attached to him. Off to the left is another box showing how the figure holding the gauntlets as weapons. Being a first year Legacy figure, Blitzwing has a QR code on the box that you can scan to pull up his tech specs online. As of January 9, 2025, Blitzwing's tech specs were still up years after being posted. To fit this figure into the box Blitzwing is packaged in tank mode, which is a rarity nowadays. Blitzwing was re-released as part of Legacy Evolution with the biggest change to the box being the "Legacy" logo.
Accessories:
Blitzwing is about the height of a Voyager Class figure measuring about 7 inches/17.78 centimeters tall. However, the is a Leader Class figure and while the figure itself features more parts and complexity than a Voyager Class, Hasbro knew fans would want a bit more to justify the price point. Fortunately, Blitzwing comes with several accessories that help bolster the value of this set:
- Blasters: Blitzwing includes two identical blasters that are based on the one he used in the G1 cartoon series. It features an angled section in back, a small piece that comes up on top and a clip-like detail on the bottom. The barrel extends forward far enough that it almost looks like a rifle. This piece features a 5mm peg on the bottom and two on the sides. These blasters are made of dark purple plastic with no paint applications.
- Sword: The original Blitzwing action figure included a sword so this figure comes with an updated version. The sword has a unique blade section that features an arrow shaped section on top and small parts of the blade point upward in the middle. The handle and hilt are made of dark purple plastic. The sword blade is softer plastic and painted silver.
- Gauntlets/fists: The gauntlets (and fists) included with this figure look like gigantic hands. The fingers of each "hand" look like weapon barrels (which will fit Blast Effects). The gauntlet portions can attach to the forearms via 5mm pegs. These can be assembled to store on the back of the robot mode or act as missile pods for the tank mode. These accessories can also be used as "add on" jet boosters for his aerial mode. These are made out of translucent red plastic with purple paint on the gauntlets. Personally I find these gauntlets/fists a tad on the ugly side. They're kind of large and overbearing from a visual standpoint and I don't display my Blitzwing with them attached.
Tank Mode:
The original Blitzwing figure transformed into a Japanese Type 74 tank, but this time out he is more of a generic tank that is somewhat shaped to look like the original. This includes having a turret with rounded sections on the sides and a faux "cockpit" showing in the front which is a reference to how the character was animated in the G1 cartoon. The front sections covering the treads are set at angles, someting also borrowed from the G1 cartoon. While not 100% G1 cartoon or toy accurate, this tank mode is a formidable looking tank complete with lots of layers of armor panels on the sides and smaller details like vents and headlights in the front.
This figure is made up of beige, dark purple and translucent red plastic. Paint colors on the figure include black, purple, silver and red. The treads are painted black and there is a purple Decepticon symbol on top of the turret. There's not a lot of paint in this mode, but frankly he doesn't need it. Both the original action figure and the G1 cartoon model were fairly "clean" looking in tank mode so this works.
The tank turret can turn in a complete circle, something many Transformers tanks cannot do. Even better? The cannon can be moved up and down! There are seven 5mm ports to attach additional accessories. Six are on the sides of the tank while another is on top of the turret. The tank has four small wheels on the bottom of the treads that allow you to roll it across a flat surface. I do not recommend rolling it over rough terrain unless you want to scratch it up.
Transformation to Jet Mode (Starting in Tank Mode):
- Lift up the top of the tank turret.
- Swing the tank cannon back, then swing the tank turret panel back in place.
- Detach any accessories and set them aside for now.
- Swing the front half of each tread out and back, connecting it to the rear half of the treads.
- Swing the beige sections with the treads on them up, then swing them inward towards the middle of the tank, collapsing these sections on the tank so they sit horizontally.
- Lift up the top section of the tank including the turret and swing it forward.
- Separate the halves of the rear section (which will later be the robot legs).
- On each leg section, swing the silver fins down.
- On each leg piece, swing out the purple panels that form the wings.
- Reconnect the two legs together.
- Swing each arm down at the shoulder joint so they wind up next to the legs that form the rear of the Jet Mode.
- Swing the triangular pieces at the front of the wings forward.
- Swing the section with the tank turret back.
- Swing down the bottom of the cockpit piece, then swing the nosecone out. Then swing the panel back in place. My nosecone was a bit stuck and I needed to use a pen to nudge it out.
- On the section with the turret, swing the landing gear piece in the middle down.
- Push the section with the tank turret up so it is flat up against the top half of the Jet Mode. There are tabs and corresponding slots on the back and on the sections with the tank treads.
Jet Mode:
Blitzwing's Jet Mode is likely to draw some odd looks and maybe even chuckles from fans. The top portion of the Jet Mode resembles the Mikoyan-Gurevich (MiG-25) jet fighter that the G1 toy was based on but details have been changed to lean more towards a non-licensed vehicle. That said, there are some fantastic sculpted details in this mode. The cockpit section is flanked by panels with a series of horizontal lines. The wings have a ton of sculpted details.
Where this vehicle looks kind of bizarre is the bottom. There, you have chunks of the tank mode just kind of sitting there. Now, G1 Blitzwing had sections of the tank on the bottom and in the animation the turret didn't show but the bottom of the jet mode was pretty chunky, so this is kind of a continuation of a long tradition with this character. That said, the bottom section is thick, making it almost look like the Jet Mode is rolling around on treads. For some fans, the aesthetics here may just ruin the figure. For me, I'm kind of in the middle on it. I love the look of the jet parts, but the tank tread sections and turret are rather distracting. Overall I appreciate the effort behind this sculpt more than the final appearance.
This mode emphasizes dark purple plastic with most of the beige plastic showing on the tank parts at the bottom. The cockpit cover is translucent red plastic. Paint colors include silver, black, yellow and purple. These color choices do not seem to favor any one portrayal of the character. Rather it seems like the designers wanted to go with something in the spirit of the Jet Mode as seen in the cartoon or even the original figure without completely paying homage to them.
This mode features two 5mm pegs on either side and one on the bottom (on the turret). You can attach the Gauntlets to the back to create larger boosters (but really, they look kind of silly).
Transformation to Robot Mode (from Jet Mode):
- Detach any accessories.
- Lift up the panel on the bottom of the cockpit.
- Swing the nosecone in, then swing the panel back.
- Untab the tank tread/turret section from the Jet Mode section and swing it down so it is out of the way.
- Swing the panel at the back of the cockpit section open.
- Swing the robot head up, then swing the panel back in place.
- Turn the head around so it faces the same direction as the panel with the Decepticon symbol and yellow details on it.
- Swing the arms up and tab them into the sides of the chest section.
- Swing the lower legs (the sections with the jet wings) down.
- Fold the wings so they wrap around the lower legs.
- Swing the silver fins back.
- Split the thrusters to form the feet.
- Swing the section with the tank turret forward. There is a purple piece in front that goes over the head, then swings down to form the front of the chest.
- On each arm, rotate the beige panel at the shoulders around, then rotate the beige panel connected to the forearms around.
- Swing the robot fists out from the forearms.
- Swing the beige panel up to cover up the inside of the forearms.
- Push the section on the back with the turret and treads flat against the back.
- Swing out the purple wings on the tread sections.
- The sword and blasters can be fit into the fists or attached to the other 5mm ports on the figure for storage.
Robot Mode:
Blitwing's robot mode design is heavily based on his appearance in the G1 cartoon. The Titans Return version of the character did this as well, but the proportions were different than those on this figure. The cartoon version of the character had a very chunky looking robot mode thanks in part to wide shoulders, blocky sections making up most of the upper body and a large "back pack" which included the tank turret and wings from the Jet Mode. Smaller details from the animation model also pop up on this figure including:
- The head design features a smallc rest on top, large visor eyes and a square-ish shape.
- His shoulder armor has an "L" shape (with a flap attahched) and features a dark grey line detail towards the middle. It also features a small triangle fin sticking up at the top.
- The chest features two columns of horizontal lines in the middle. The sides feature sections with triangles pointing down.
- The outside of the ankle sections feature a stabilizer fin from the vehicle mode pressed up against the leg.
- The tank turret and cannon peek out from behind the robot head.
While I have fond memories of the character from the cartoon, the fact is the animation model was heavily simplified to make it easier for the artists to draw over and over. That meant several sections of his body were basically just plain rectangles and squares with no detailing. Not so on this figure. On the chest he has some panel lines and mechanical details sculpted in. The waist and pelvis also feature a bunch f nicely sculpted details. His thighs have several interesting line details that are not just vertical or horizontal but sometimes in a jagged like a serrated knife. This level of detailing also extends to his forearms and lower legs. Overall I really like the detailing and sculpt in this mode. He looks bulky, powerful and detailed.
For the most part, this figure does follow the color pattern of the animation model. The primary beige and purple colors are mostly in the same place as the animation model such as beige on the shoulder armor and purple making up most of the robot parts. The white parts from the animation model has been replaced with silver paint and the "back pack" is beige instead of the grey that was used in the cartoon. The silver really pops against the purple plastic and the yellow color on the head and chest add an unexpected color into the mix. I also love how the crest and eyes are painted red, calling back to how Decepticons had red eyes on the cartoon (and the original toy).
There are twenty two points of articulation on this figure. This includes five in each arm and leg. This includes wrist articulation! The head is on a ball joint so not only can he look side to side but he can also look up, which is a fun feature for displaying the figure in dynamic poses. There are thirteen 5mm ports in this mode. That includes three on the back, six on the arms, two on the legs and one on the bottom of each foot. If you get creative enough you can attach a lot of accessories and Weaponizer parts to this guy!
Final Thoughts:
Blitzwing is not the most elegant looking figure in Jet Mode, I'll acknowledge that right off the bat. However, even in animation Blitzwing was never a super sleek jet fighter so that fits with the character's past appearance, but yes, I totally see how he is just a chonk in jet mode. That said, the tank and robot modes are faithful to the character's previous appearances and they give him a powerful appearance befitting a Triple Changer. At full price I may have had reservations about giving a full throated recommendation for this figure but over the past year I've seen him go on sale multiple times. If you can get this guy at a discount, he should absolutely be part of your collection. At full price, I would say weigh how much the character means to you before buying. Overall, Blitzwing is recommended.
Pros:
- Very cool and powerful looking sculpt (mostly in robot and tank mode).
- The transformations and the array of 5mm ports allows for a lot of potential play value.
- Really nice deco.
Cons:
- While I appreciate the idea behind the giant gauntlets they are kind of ugly. I wish the budget put into them was somehow put towards the figure instead.
- The jet mode is rather chunky looking even compared to the already chunky looking animation model.
