But since these are supposed to be Pre-Earth designs the Human-made shuttle color scheme should be a non-issue

 

In my opinion, the Fall of Cybertron designs all are very different from each other while keeping the same style. They all have certain characteristics that make them stand out, I don't see why they can't do that with Astrotrain.

...On a similar note, am I the only one that noticed that Springer's concept art flight mode is just a recolor of the generic Autobot Dropship design?

 

As far as I'm concerned that x2 adverstisement make me think that there will be two version of Springer. One that turns from robot into buggy, and the other one turns from robot to craft.

 

It also says Astrotrain X2.

Case of 4. Therefore 2 of each?

 

Astrotrain is one of the few classics that I think looks worse than the original G1 counterpart. Him and Perceptor.

 

Seems legit

 

I kind of want a Cybertronian Space Choo-Choo.

 

omg I just realised springers hover ship mode looks like sideswipes drop ship from the game

 

This is absolutely awesome news! I sold my Defender last year in the hope we might get a decent official Springer.

A repaint of Springer as Sandstorm makes sense, I wonder if they could somehow repaint Astrotrain as Blitzwing?

 

Not unless Astrotrain also has a Tank mode!! I want a proper Blitzwing, not a sorry excuse of a repaint, he is waaaaaaaaaay overdue for a proper release.

 

YES! And then that Blitzwing can be remolded/repainted and released as Overlord..........(runs for cover)

 

Actually that wouldn't be a bad idea, maybe the best Overlord we will ever get from Hasbro - I would be okay with it, as long as they get his lips right. LOL.

 

I'm sure that the designers will be able to create a pair of alternate modes for Astrotrain that will differ sufficiently from those of his Fall of Cybertron compatriots; I think the real issue is whether or not those self-same alternate modes will invoke their Earth-based counterparts, or end up as overly general representations of land and space-based travel.

As it stands, I suspect that we will unfortunately end up with generic representations; not as any slight against the designers, but because Astrotrain's traditional two alternate modes are highly specific and potentially much more difficult to translate to a Cybertronian equivalent than many of the other such updates seen thus far. How could the designers represent the connecting rods found on traditional locomotives for instance, or keep the familiar flared nozzle cones of a rocket engine-powered space shuttle? Such visual cues are a necessary qualification of a successful update, I feel; and yet they translate poorly to Fall of Cybertron's futuristic aesthetic.

I think you were, yes. For what it's worth, I think perhaps Springer's proposed gunship mode was repurposed for the Autobot dropship; or maybe that both Springer's gunship mode and the Autobot dropship design were intended to be reflective of one another, although this seems less likely.

 

no...do it right hasbro or dont do it at all..a hate repaints/rehashes..

 

Let me guess... Thundercracker and Skywarp are exempt from this, right?

 

Wow, I like the sound of a voyager Astrotrain! Hopefully Blitzwing will appear soon.

 

Don't get me wrong, I'd prefer him to have his own mold, but if it was designed from the beginning ala Tracks/Wheeljack and given it will be Cybertronian altmodes, it might be acceptable.

 

that design, "subject to Hasbro final confirmation" looks too expensive to do at the $29.99 price point. They couldn't even do TFP Breakdown for the voyager price point, what makes you think they can do this design?

They'll need to hollow him out at the back. Majorly reduce the paint apps, brighten the paint up to a green like FOC Brawl to attract the kids, and remove some of the easy to break off parts like around the ship.

 

Exactly. Things have changed over the last 25 years. Repaints are inevitable, but at least they are designing extra parts at the beginning to make the repaint look even more different. As per your example ( and I'd also put forth Sideswipe/Sunstreaker ), when done right, it works really well. I could totally see Sandstorm and Springer sharing a mold. Heck, they got the same type of alt modes. Car and helicopter. It's a no brainer.