Blitzwing

Destroy first, think later.

Blitzwing Tech Specs

Base information for character / toy Blitzwing.

Name	Blitzwing
Japanese Name	Blitzwing
Japanese Number	43
Faction	Decepticons
Subgroup	Triple Changer
Function	Ground and Air Commander
Motto	Destroy first, think later.

Bio
Ability as Triple Changer to rapidly transform makes him one of the most dangerous Decepticons. Cruel sense of humor, loud-mouthed, belligerent, and brash. Flies at mach 2.7, range 1500 miles, has heat-seeking concussion missiles as plane. As tank, has track-mounted cannon that fires explosive shells 3.5 miles. As robot has electron-scimitar and gyro-blaster rifle. Often gets stuck in mid-transformation.

Tech Specs chart for Blitzwing.

Strength	8	Intelligence	5
Speed	9	Endurance	8
Rank	6	Courage	7
Firepower	7	Skill	7

Blitzwing Images

Blitzwing Toy Information

Information related specifically to the toy.

Status	Released
Release Date	1985
Assortment #	Triple Changers Assortment1 (#5735) , Triple Changers Assortment2 (#5736) , Triple Changers w/poster (#5736.08)
Product #	5936F , 5936 , 5936.08
Per Case	6 , 1 , 1
Re-Issues	Transformers Collection Blitzwing
Recolors / Reuses	E-Hobby Overcharge

Blitzwing Parts List

Blitzwing toy parts information.

Figure Type	Plane/Spaceship , Tank/Military Based
Figure Color	Purple
Gun	Purple
Missle	Purple
Sword	Purple

Blitzwing Review

-Submitted by: CyclopianVision

Constructive feedback/criticism is always appreciated and welcomed.

Blitzwing 1985
"Destroy first, think later"
Allegiance: Decepticon
Sub-group: Triple-changers
Function:: Ground & Air Commander
1st appearance:Dinobot Island Part 1
1st comic appearance: Transformers #29
Precursor: Diaclone (no cockpit however)

Strength: 8
Intelligence: 5
Speed: 9
Endurance: 8
Rank: 6
Courage: 7
Firepower: 7
Skill: 7

Notable Cartoon Moments
Pre-movie: Overthrew Megatron with Astrotrain in Triple Takeover. Status quo was eventually restored.
Post-movie: Turned against Galvatron and sided with Rodimus Prime and the Autobots in Five Faces of Darkness Part III. Resulted in his exile from the Decepticon forces. Declined an offer to join and fight alongside the Autobots.



Alternate Mode 1: Battle Tank
Colors: Tan all over, some purple due to the jet peeking out (triple-changer), grey tank treads.
Stickers: Very few in tank mode, one huge decepticon sticker on the turret. Rubsign is also located on the turret.

I actually love the look of Blitzwing as a tank. The developers were most likely influenced heavily by the political tensions of the 1980s (think the Cold War) resulting in his tan color scheme and very Soviet Union feel.

The first thing you?ll notice about him is that the construction is very solid and that he?s got heft. Makes it feel like he can withstand some rough handling. The turret rotates 360 degrees and the tank barrel extends in and out. The movement of the turret and tank barrel is a pretty cool feature for a G1 toy and something that little kids would really get a kick out of.

There are 4 wheels on the undercarriage which allow the tank to roll. The placement disguises them from view. The tank treads and wheels are portrayed nicely running along the sides of Blitzwing in grey. The tank?s proportions are also dead-on. The only drawback in tank mode is that the jet nosecone wasn?t properly concealed. It?s at the back of the tank and the vibrant purple seriously mars/clashes the otherwise uniform tan tank.

Buyer?s Beware: The turret isn?t fastened on. This isn?t a concern in tank mode but is in robot mode. Do note that the reissue?s turret is fastened on!

Alternate Mode 1 Rating: 8

That nosecone really bothers me.



Transformation to jet mode:
The top of the tank is the bottom of the jet. Pressing on the tabs kicks out the horizontal jet tailfins. Follow that up by swinging the front 2 side sections of the tank out and locking them onto the back end of the tank. Move the cannon turret back and flip the nosecone out. Swing up the metal tabs on the rear of the plane to form the vertical tail fins. Theres also landing gear underneath the nosecone. Nice little feature, you can lock and load the missiles in jet mode.



Alternate Mode 2: MIG-29 Fighter Jet
Colors: Upper half is mostly purple with shades of grey on the nosecone and cockpit. Lower half is mostly tan. Vertical tailfins are chrome and are a nice touch.
Stickers: Tons of them in this mode. Im not much of a sticker guy and for me less is more.

Im a little disappointed with this mode. Loved the way it looked in the cartoon but it just didn?t carryover to the toy. The jet?s just very blocky and fat. When I think jet, I think sleek and Mach 3. When I look at Blitzwing in jet mode, I think square and pedantic. Unfortunately, two of the tank?s wheels (on the back of the jet) are glaringly visible due to the coloring. It?s a bit of an eyesore but not overwhelming. On the bright side, vertical chromed tailfins are a nice touch especially when the light plays off them.

Another bright spot are the missiles which can be locked and loaded into the launchers on each side of the plane making for a nice visual. Unfortunately the tank turret becomes a huge issue here as there?s no way to disguise it hanging off the bottom of the jet. It?s got two little fake wheels which is a nice touch but that?s beside the point. Unfortunately, the added weight to the back of the jet distorts the weight distribution allowing for only one stable pose. I know what youre thinking, so what, you can only pose most jets one way but the problem is that the dang gun barrel sticks out from underneath the jet. No, you can?t just remove it?I?ve tried?the jet won?t stay upright.

Buyer?s Beware: The landing gear at the front of the jet and the horizontal tailfins sometimes breaks off. The wings have little tip extensions which are often stressed, bent or broken.

Alternate Mode 2 Rating: 6

Too blocky and the stupid nosecone really bothers me. The colors are only ok (top half purple, lower half tan) and the visible tank wheels are an annoyance.



Transformation to robot mode:
Swing landing gear down and nose cone around to reveal the head. Slide cannon turret around and towards the nose cone, extend it out. Swing out the wing sections halfway and flip out the arms. Now swing them fully up. Separate wings and hide the fins. Pull the fists out. Pull the back of the jet down to form the legs. The vertical tailfins now become the feet.



Robot Mode:
Colors: Mostly purple with some tan on the front. Mostly tan with some purple on the back.

Nothing spectacular here. Like most G1 toys, he?s a brick. Only points of articulation are in his arms which will swing up and down (0 ? 90 degrees). There isn?t any elbow or rotational shoulder articulation however.

His robot head is small and looks like a witch doctor got to it (way too small overall and especially vertically). This makes his central core look a little too big. Continuing to focus on his look, his chest and shoulders are just way too broad and make him blocky. The way his arms are designed, you can?t have them straight down at his sides; they?ll always be angled out a little bit. His robot feet (jet?s vertical tailfins) are off the side of his legs?meaning they?re rail-thin. I always thought Blitzwing?s robot mode was designed better than most but it didn?t translate well to the toy.

Accessory wise, he comes with a menacing looking scimitar (electron) and a nasty looking rifle (gyro-blaster). They?re a little big for him but they look badass. Coupled with his head and overall broadness of his chest/shoulder area he looks pretty badass. Reinforcing this perception is the tank?s gun barrel which peeks out from behind his head. The color scheme works especially well here. The yellow/red of his face complements the purple/tan body very well.

Buyer?s Beware: The wingtips are visible in this mode and again may be stressed, bent or broken off. The turret?s are often loose and fall off due to their design. It makes it really hard to position it so that the gun barrel is aligned correctly and peeking out from behind his head. Due to gravity, it often flips around.

Robot Mode Rating: 7

Looks badass with the weapons but the shrunken head, blockiness and tad oversized weapons hurt him overall.



Overall Rating: 7

He is what he is. Fun! But there?s better out there.

Hes a G1 toy so come in with appropriate expectations, simple transformations and poor articulation.

Nonetheless, his transformation is a little more complex than most other G1 toys and nails it just right. I?m satisfied and pleasantly pleased. He is a Triplechanger after all.

Furthermore, hes got the best alternate mode combinations of the Triplechanger subgroup (tank/jet). Hes generally stable in all three modes - robot (Vertical tail fin feet help out a lot), tank and jet.

Overall hes fun. I dont generally play with my toys too much but Ill take them down every now and then while studying and hes a nice distraction. Besides appearance and nostalgia, that?s all I really want from a G1 figure.

Hes also very show accurate which floats my boat even if it doesnt matter one lick to you.

For me, the clincher was that he was cheap; I got a complete G1 figure in probably c8+/c9 shape for about $13 shipped. Sometimes evilbay pays off. You shouldn?t have to pay more than $20-25 for a complete vintage one these days (obviously, if you?re patient you can get one cheaper). He?s an above average buy for around $20.

Reissue Comparisions: There really isn?t much of a difference between the Takara reissue and the vintage. The only major difference is that the turret isn?t removable which means it?ll be tighter in the long run. The packaging is topnotch! It?s a bookstyle reissue and the inner compartment is done up like a battlefield. Blitzwing?s in tank mode with tread imprints running along in front and behind him. Looks hot!

Blitzwing Cartoon / Movie Information

Info about Blitzwing in the Transformers cartoons or movies.

Voice Actor

Ed Gilbert

Appearances

Generation 1
30 Dinobot Island Part One
31 Dinobot Island Part Two
36 Megatrons Master Plan Part Two
37 Desertion of the Dinobots Part One
41 The Golden Lagoon
45 Quest For Survival
50 Triple Takeover
51 Prime Target
61 Cosmic Rust
65.5 Transformers The Movie Animated 1986
68 Five Faces of Darkness Part Three
69 Five Faces of Darkness Part Four
70 Five Faces of Darkness Part Five
84 The Ultimate Weapon
86 Fight Or Flee


Headmasters
01 Four Warriors from Outer Space
04 The Autobot Cassette Operation
11 Zarak the Shadow Emperor
15 Explosion on Mars Scorponok Appears
16 Return of the Immortal Emperor
35 The Final Showdown on Earth Part 2

Blitzwing Sounds

Blitzwing MP3 Sounds
Blitzwing_Autobrat.mp3 (62.9 KB)

Additional Blitzwing Resources

Contributors: Tony_Bacala, Harold Tietjens, J.E. Alvarez, The Hartmans, Destro, ams, Deefuzz, Runamuck, Tim Formas

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