FWI-1 Leader Starscream Add-On In Hand Pics!

Just got this kit in the mail earlier today and put it on my MP-M01 Starscream. Looks great! The plastic is a bit darker gray in color than the MP Starscream's overall color scheme but it's not too noticeably out of place (since MP SS does have darker areas of gray on him here and there to start with, like his crotch, lower legs, interior chest details, and camo blotches).

The plastic itself is a fairly flexible one, and doesn't feel like it'll break or snap as long as the toy isn't roughed up in heavy play. But let's face it, at this high price point, this one is for collectors in mind who mainly pose and display their figures.

The thrusters themselves are really nicely molded and detailed just as they are in the movies, with sleek lines and sharp angles. Having two swivel joints, their range of movement is a little limited but not too bad considering what the designers had to work with using the peg holes on Screamer's rear wings.

And yes, you can swap the thrusters on the either side of him and angle the "J struts" holding each thruster at a horizontal and position the boosters closer to the center of Screamer's back for a much more movie-accurate look. (I prefer to position mine this way, closer to the body rather than farther out to the sides as the default picture instructions on the box show).

The "screw"-like bits on the struts are actually just molded detail and don't really serve a purpose aside from looking decent, I suppose. At first I thought they might aid in the movement and positioning of the thrusters but they're just little pegged-in molded plastic bits that can be removed and replaced with relative ease (careful that you don't misplace them as they can be knocked loose, but no huge loss if they go missing).

The blue flames that peg underneath the thrusters aren't anything special, but they do their job and are just there. I'm not a fan of molded translucent bits that try to simulate flames, water, or energy blasts, so they went into my accessories cup with the rest of the miscellaneous missiles and stuff I have from other figures.

The buzzsaw while neat, is - true to expectations - the only real glaring bit since it has the black Cybertronian tattoos that clash with the rest of MP SS's lighter TFTM color scheme. I plan to take some rubbing alcohol to it and then airbrush the entire thing a nice shiny silver (it can be unscrewed from the main assembly).

The null ray cannon fins have a good length to them but seem a bit thin for my tastes. I wish they were a bit wider and the designers could have come up with way to have it rotate freely around like they were shown to do during the movies when Starscream fired his missiles. As it stands, they're permanently molded to the buzzsaw as a single piece and it pegs into the rocket launcher hole like a normal missile (and the whole thing can be fired too if you press the button).

The final verdict? I personally love this kit and thought it was worth every penny. But then, I'm a hardcore Starscream fan (he is my favorite character, after all, despite what Bay and his writers did to him in DOTM). Casual fans will probably want to pass on this add-on given the high price point ($40+ USD as of this review), but diehard Screamer fans will love the "complete" look of their Leader/MP figures that this kit will give.

Once I remove the tattoos and paint up the buzzsaw, I'll try to post up some pictures. =)

For President 2016: Punishment and enslavement we can believe in.

Pictures as promised, of the FWI-1 add-on kit with MP-M01 Starscream.

I slightly modified the buzzsaw by getting rid of the tattoos with paint thinner, then airbrushing with Testors enamel paint in argent silver before adding a layer of Krylon gloss clear coat. I think the clear coat dulled the silver a bit but it's not too shabby a gunmetal silver-gray color now.

The rear thrusters I pegged in at a horizontal rather than at a vertical like the directions tell you to, resulting in boosters that sit closer to the middle of Starscream's back for a more movie screen accurate look.

Camoes by Deluxe Barricade and Deluxe Crankcase are just for fun. =)

Enjoy!

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For President 2016: Punishment and enslavement we can believe in.

that really nice how can i get a hold of 1? im in the philippines so if i include shipping that would be very expensive

There are only two eBay sellers who have these, as far as I know.

Transformers 2 STARSCREAM FWI-1 ADD-ON JET ENGINE KIT | eBay

FWI-1 Alien jet engine model for leader starscream | eBay

Both are from Hong Kong and both are roughly the same price (about $40 USD with free shipping included). I haven't yet seen the FWI-1 add-on kit being offered for sale anywhere by the major online retailers (like TF Source or BBTS).

It's pricy, yes, but if you're a Starscream fan, I think it's worth it!

For President 2016: Punishment and enslavement we can believe in.

They have it at $39 USD with free shipping - [Links are hidden for guests. Please Register.]

My take on the Set (Painted and unpainted)

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Jet mode plz?

Have you seen the pictures from the 1st page of this thread?

...Of his custom? No.

Ah, I see.