For more pics, click on the image above Overview: Before anyone gets upset, this figures name appears to Turbomaster because his bio card says it is. I know he is a homage to the character Scorch, who was a “Turbomaster”, but the latter was picked as his name. Regardless of the name, let’s check out this repaint of the Classics 2.0 Hound mold. Alternate Mode: The vehicle mode for Turbomaster appears to be a concept off-road vehicle similar to a Jeep. There are two basic colors, a blindingly bright fluorescent orange and a light gray. Details abound in this mode with flames on the hood, a semi-sculpted dashboard, texture on the seats and back rest, rear deck molding, and just look at the grille area. Present in the area is a brush guard, black grill, silver winch, painted fog lights, and amber plastic head lights. A neat detail is that they designed the brush guard to have gaps large enough to make the lights useful. He rolls on plastic wheels that could have used some paint. In fact, most of the superb sculpting could use just a little dash of paint as it can be boring. As with Hound his gun can be positioned on the back of either seat. Barring the lightly painted sculpting, this is a fairly decent alt-mode. I have no idea why Ravage was included with Turbomaster. I know Hound got him, but there was a “story” to support it. Anyways the white Ravage turns into a white brick (actually a cassette tape). The blue holes can mount on the rear deck of Turbomaster’s alt mode. Robot Mode: After a fairly ingenious transformation, Turbomaster is a zippy looking robot. I was really fond of how his legs form with both sections of the alt mode seats blending in seamlessly. If you don’t know the seats become his thighs and the seat backs become his calves. There aren’t any mold differences between him and Hound, but the obnoxiously bright orange paint would make it seem like there was. The color scheme is essentially the same as the alt mode. His posability is superb with near maximum range of movement in each joint. One of my biggest pet peeves with any Transformer figure is a poor choice for feet setup. Fortunately, Turbomaster does not have that problem as his feet are HUGE and stable. In addition to that they also hinge sideways on the bottom to help keep them flat on the ground. His posability is so good that the only pose I could not get him in was resting on one knee. However, the way the upper body is put together appears to be half-finished in my opinion. The chest does not tab anywhere and the crotch plate just hangs there with nowhere to go. Yet the biggest issue is the gaping hole behind his head. However, this last issue can be rectified. The instructions direct you to place the wheels over his shoulders, but you can position them in the center and rotate the wheels so they face each other. Both of his wheels will rest behind his head, filling in the gap and it cleans up his look. I also think that having the wheels behind the head is just a badass look. His gun fits in either hand or his shoulder, but I never tried the latter because he is not Hound. I really like this robot mode and I fixed the one issue I had with him. Ravage transforms from a white brick to a white thing with a tail. It isn’t a bad representation of a panther, but the lack of ankle joints ruins the figure in my opinion. Still there is a coolness factor in that he is from a Botcon exclusive universe (Shattered Glass) and wasn’t available at that Botcon (2008). Remarks: For months I walked by the lonely Hound figure on the shelf at my local Navy Exchange, but for some reason I just didn’t want him. I could not tell you why I wanted Turbomaster, but I am happy Philister split the set with me. Double Punch is great, but I only wanted Turbomaster. Now that I am enlightened, I recommend this mold to everyone, but if you didn’t get this guy at the Botcon, I would not pay an astronomical amount for him. Rating: B+
Nice review. It took me a few takes to really like this guy, but in the end, like most of the people here, it was the inclusion of SG Ravage that sealed the deal on this guy for me. Glad I could get 2 for the price I did, he's definitely worth it.
Sold off my SG Ravage, but definitely kept Scorch! I think he might be one of my favorite Botcon figs ever, right up there with 2007's Dreadwind.
I wasn't sure if I was going to like Scorch or not. I thought the Hound mold was a little overrated (it's cool, but it doesn't do a whole lot. And he's got short arms), and I wasn't entirely sure if I liked Scorch's character or colors... the fact that he wasn't actually G2, and we could've got Turbofire instead, just added to the sting. But, upon getting the figure in hand, he is actually quite nice. I wish the grey had a more indigo tint to it, to match the original Scorch, but the colors as they are work quite well, giving him a much different aesthetic from Hound. I've also got him posed more dynamically than Hound on my shelf, him and Rapido really pop out on the shelf (they're waiting for Pyro to join them...)
SG Ravage is rotting at the bottom of my Box Set and will never see the light of day. Scorch on the other had is awesome. As far as favorites go I still think It's a tie between Clench and Breakdown. Leaning more towards Clench, he's just so menacing.
The chest does lock down, at least on Hound. Dunno if the tolerances have changed for Scorch at all. Just keep pushing, and it'll click in place.
Got this guy earlier in the week and I am glad I didn't pass on him. Really cool paint scheme in person, on top of an already great mold. Didn't get Ravage, but wasn't really interested for the going rate. Now I need Clench to go with my Scorch and Rapido.