TFTM '07 - Voyager Ratchet

VEHICLE MODE

Finally a real transforming Hummer! Main color is some kind of mustardish green. The deco is actually pretty nice, and there is some cool detailing all over (like the molded tools - too bad they're not painted!). The toy is of a decent size (bigger than the Armada Red Alert/Energon Prowl mold).

TRANSFORMATION

Pretty unique to say the least. Legs unfold from the rear, lower legs rotate 180 degrees, chest is the vehicle front, but upside down, arms unfold from behind the doors. The whole waist has some pretty cool stuff going on when you put everything into place. I particularly like how the windchield splits in two to form some kind of skirt for Ratchet. The automorph gimmick is pretty clever too. Not necessary but very welcomed. I prefer that to cyberkey-activated gimmick. The roof thing transforms into a shield/pincer that can either go on the back of the robot or on the left arm. On the right forearm, the cover unfolds to transform into a battle axe.

ROBOT MODE

Imposing and unique. The headsculpt is pretty spectacular. Articulation is pretty good : shoulders, elbows, head, hips, knees, feet. Would have been nice to have some wrist joints, but Ratchet is still plenty poseable. My favorite Voyager since Evac I would say.

I'm not wild about this guy. I dislike Hummers, the color is terrible, and the headsculpt is uglier than a lunch lady. I'll try & hold out for the rumored red & white repaint.

There is no rumored red & white repaint coming, it's only a desperate suggestion made by fans who are unable to accept that Transformers can be different. The only red & white non-movie vehicle known so far is Inferno and he doesn't even transform into a Hummer.

I would tend to think Inferno would be the rumoured repaint of Ratchet though, even if Inferno's concept art show him as a GMC (or Chev. cant remember) I doubt Hasbro would modify the mold just to have a different front end. But hey what do I know.

Still, I wouldn't consider some fan's wishful thinking a rumor.

I think the rumour has to do with this just so you dont think all it is is just some fan's wishful thinking.

-Quoted from list of Movie Toy releases-

HAS81060 TRANFORMERS MOVIE VYGR ASST 6-53569-23295-7 4
2055 TRA MOVIE VOYAGER BLACKOUT W/SCORPONOK 6-53569-11104-7
2056 TRA MOVIE VOYAGER AUTOBOT RATCHET 6-53569-11105-4
2057 TRA MOVIE VOYAGER IRONHIDE 6-53569-11106-1
2058 TRA MOVIE VOYAGER STARSCREAM 6-53569-11107-8
2059 TRA MOVIE VOYAGER OPTIMUS PRIME 6-53569-23765-5
2060 TRA MOVIE VOYAGER MEGATRON 6-53569-23766-2
2061 TRA MVIE VYGR AUTOBOT RATCHET AMBULANCE 6-53569-24888-0
2062 TRA MOVIE VOYAGER THUNDERCRACKER 6-53569-23767-9


Being that there are two Voyager Ratchets, it may be possible to assume one of them is a repaint.

Maybe just a different code for the same toy in a different assortment? Who knows.

There's been nothing to either confirm or deny a Ratchet redeco at some point, although the two computer listings do make it seem likely. I'm not aware of any toys in recent lines that have received new numbers unless there was a redeco or a packaging change.

If history has shown us anything, it is quite likely that all these molds will see repaints - either associated with the movie in an 'expanded universe' style, or at some point in a future line. Regardless, I'll be getting any and all versions. This is an excellent mold. Thanks for the advance pics.

Yes, there is enough evidence to make the white/red repaint a valid rumor: the guy who revealed the original Ratchet/Inferno design said the second listing was for that.

And by the way you described the windshield as a "skirt," it sounds like it might not be transformed right. The windshield halves rotate all the way around to sit on the back.

I just got my test shot, and I LOVE him. He's not quite 1:24 scale, but he fits in with the Alternators anyway.