Galaxy Defender: Autobot Smokejumper
Last updated: 11·15·2004
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Last updated: 11·15·2004
I didn't add or take away too much from this guy, as I made up a character profile based on his "store-bought" looks. Took away a few stickers, added three Autobot symbols, painted his eyes blue, and added some "wear & tear" to his rifle. I removed the pre-applied label from his shield and cut out a piece of clear tape to cover the hexagon shaped area. This was to prevent the Autobot label from peeling back or getting dust stuck to it, as there are two slits in the shield there. I might add more "wear & tear" to the rest of Smokejumper, like to the shield and armor. Not just yet though...
Smokejumpers are firefighters who land by parachute into a wildfire to help bring it under control. It is a hazardous job, since there is not much the smokejumper can bring to battle the flames, and of course the danger of being on the ground in a remote area with a wildfire blazing all around. Likewise, the Autobot Smokejumper is a special operations trooper. He is sent into a battle to aid Autobots who are starting to lose ground to Decepticon forces, when more backup is not available or is somehow delayed. Having an advatage by battling from the air when approaching the zone, he can drive off the enemy before landing and then deliver his fellow Autobot soldiers to safety on the ground.
"When the enemy gets out of control, I'm there to take the 'fire' out of their 'fight!'"
The rifle and shield fit between the thighs in jet mode. The barrel of the rifle sticks out, and has a "clear shot" since nothing is in the way on the nose of the jet. Well, except for the landing gear, if it's down.
Above: Some of the "wear & tear" is visible on Smokejumper's rifle in this pic.
Below: shield and Autobot symbol detail.
Transformers Jetfire and Galaxy Defender Smokejumper: both based on Macross Valkyries. One design officially licensed by Hasbro back in 1984, the other design unofficially used to create a "knock off" toy in 2004.
Closeup of Smokejumper's head. The black "goggles" and the smokey grey color & camouflage gave me the idea to name him Smokejumper. The eyes were green, I painted them blue to match the typical Autobot eye glow used in the old cartoons. Some people have said that his head looks horribly misproportioned, and that he looks like a raccoon (to which I partly agree). I think they could have molded the toy slightly differently in order to make his head a bit smaller, but I like him as he is.