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OP is a massive robot that comes is the traditional red and blue colors. Both regular robot mode and super robot mode have tons o' points of articualtion.
The piece has four modes. First is the vehicle mode that looks like a massive, self-propelled howitzer with two giant cannons. Next is the flying vehicle mode where the side panels drop and rotate 90 degrees to form giant wings. In the third form the 'cab' of the vehicle seperates to form a Prime 'bot while the back end forms an artillery unit.
Finally the artillery unit turns into a massive back-pack attached to OP's back. The 'wings' stretch out like eagle wings, the massive cannons slide beneath OP's arms in 'bot mode, and two extenders with MORE cannons attach to OP's legs. You get a MASSIVE 11" tall super-robt. Whew!
Meat and Potatoes; 5.0
Perks; 5.0
Homer Factor; 5.0
What does count is each incarnation is different, in terms either of appearance or function. Perfect example is Optimus Prime. Let's see we've got the massive, badass fire truck. Then Takara created the semi-truck that can merge with the trailer (which also happens to become a base) into a giant robot, and THEN merge with ANOTHER robot/trailer into an even BIGGER bot. Next there was the massive trailer that could transform (without you touching it) into a base AND merge with the truck into a biiiig robot. And THEN there was the Power Ranger-esque merging of five vehicles. And don't forget the two animal ones; the giant mammoth and a metalized monkey with four giant transformations. Whew. And there are STILL about a half-dozen more to mention. Gasp gasp gasp. No, they weren't all perfect, but it was always fun to see what new transformation, weapons, gimmick, whatever Hasbro/Takara would come up.
After 'Energon' you KNEW something was on the horizon. But what? Ok, it's gotta be based on the new futuristic themes on the vehicles. Well, the answer came in the form of pieces that appeared in the spring in Japan. Takara called it the 'Galaxy' line. Now they're officially released in the US through Hasbro minus the import tariffs. So how is the umpteenth incarnation of the Big Bot? Pretty dang impressive.
Meat and potatoes are very, very, very good. Ever since 'Beast Wars' the sculpting and articulation on each line is amazing. No more having just the shoulders move on a figure. No more wishing your figure had KNEES! Now the figures are almost as flexible as a Marvel Legends figure. Shoulders, biceps, mid-thigh joints, oh my! It's amazing to see how flexible this figure is. And I haven't mentioned how detailed the sculpting is. Case in point; the Leadership Matrix is in Prime's chest. It would have been easy to have a hole in the figure's chest. Instead the chamber holding the Matrix is well sculpted with all sorts of neat panel lines and buttons. Wow!
Ah, but it's the perks that keep us coming! This version of Prime/Convoy goes from a self-propelled howitzer, to a flying mode, to a separate robot and artillery set, to a super-robot mode. Yep, it's a howitzer. I don't care that it's still painted red. It's NOT a fire truck. You ever see a fire truck with two cannons the size of the SDF-1 on the roof? Bingo. The yes, this has a flying mode. Sigh. The side panels drop and rotate 90 degrees to form wings. Actually it's not THAT bad. It looks a bit silly, but not awful, either. Taking a cue from Landmine and Bulkhead the figure can also separate into a robot and artillery mode. Again, tit's not GREAT but it's serviceable. Finally is the super-robot mode.
One of the biggest problems I have with Prime pieces is the big weapon he carries is always, well, NOT big. Tiny rifles, pistols, and guns. Doh! Not the case here. In super-robot mode the two massive cannons become Prime's guns. Both swing down under the Big Bot's arms and fire forward. Megatron, you can take that fusion cannon and stick it 'cuz Prime is ready to throw down!
Cont. on p. 2