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Jetfire has a rather complicated history.  You see, most of the original transformers came from one of two Takara based lines, Diaclone and Microman.  Because these lines were made by Takara and being put out by Takara, there wasn’t a problem with using them on the show.  However, Jetfire was a repaint of a Macross Valkyrie toy.  Macross is a Bandai property and Macross already had a show.  So when the Transformers show was created, Jetfire couldn’t be used.

Thus Skyfire was born.

Skyfire is similar in design but not quite the same as Jetfire.  His colors are different and he’s quite a bit more blocky in design.  Skyfire also has a drasticly different head design and slightly different “fastpacks” on his back.  So how do you make a Classics redesign for a character that essentially has two designs.  Do you make it more toylike and go with Jetfire, or do you follow the cartoon and make a Skyfire?

Or do you do both at once?

As I mentioned, the Skyfire and Jetfire designs are similar on a basic level.  So withg a little from column A and a little from column B, plus a removable helment and backpack, you get Jet/Skyfire.  The design leans slightly more towards Jetfire so the toy gets his name.

He doesn’t get either one’s transformation however, not that any transformation on the artoon was distinquishable.  As a result unfortunatley Jetfire isn’t capable of a very good “Gerwalk” mode.  It isn’t a huge loss but considering it’s a staple of the Macross Valkyrie design it would have been a nice bonus.  Still, this same staple may have been part of why Jetfire can’t make this transformation.  It likely all goes back to the same copyrights.

Still, the jet mode is really nice.  The “fastpack” boosters are romovable and have flip out guns for extra firepower.  The wings are adjustable for speed or maneuverability.  The arms however simply fold up under and attach along the sides of the legs under the wings.  They tend to stick out quite a bit and look kind of ugly.  Also, partly due to his transformationa nd partly due to his Skyfire genes, the nosecone of the jet is very blunt.  It kind of looks out of place next to the rest of the jet.

Transformation is pretty simple for a toy this large.  It’s reminds me of the Machine Wars jet molds with a few extra steps.

The robot mode essentially has two looks.  You can use the helment and put the wings down for “Jetfire” mode.  Or you can remove the helment, adjust the arms and stick the wings up for “Skyfire Mode”.  Skyfire works better without the backpack.

The dual mode robot mode is pretty cool except for one aspect.  His head.  In order to accomidate the helment, Skyfire’s head is way undersized for his body.  At the same time, in order to accomidate the head, the helment is huge.  I prefer to go without the helment because the smaller head looks less goofy than the large one.  I’m not positive but I think this helmented gimmick may have been used in one fo the comics to explain the Jetfire/Skyfire thing.  Sort of like the latest trend towards “white Optimus Prime” as Ultra Magnus.

Anyway, back to Jetfire, the robot mode otherwise is ok, the leg articulation is a bit off due to the bulk of the lower legs and the odd feet.  His gun splits into two parts but on looks good as one weapon.  This dual barreled gun is another throwback to Skyfire by the way.

Something you might notice however is his size.  Both the Jetfire toy and Skyfire show model were absolutely huge Autobots.  Towering over almost everyone else.  That is not the case here.  Jetfire comes to the height you’d expect for a Mega sized Transformer, he stands eye to eye with Optimus Prime and Megatron.

Despite it’s seemingly many flaws, this is a great all around toy.  Most of my “complaints’ are pretty nitpicky really.  The head size is still an issue however.  That issue doesn’t keep me from recomending this one to any Transformers fan however.  Keep in mind I’m a sucker for Transformer jets though.

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