Get customising as some of the molds really suit other G1 characters: Prime's a better Trailbreaker/Hoist (just finished Trailbreaker so he ain't in the pic yet), Red Alert BT's a better Prowl, Prowl a better Sideswipe, Dead End's a better Wheeljack and I've bashed Wheeljack into Mirage. Skid's makes a cool looking Ironhide/Ratchet. Jazz, Hound, Prowl need their reprolabels. Alternity Bumblebee and Cliffjumper seem to really fit with these guys too. I've been looking everywhere for these things.......cheers for the info!!
I'm going to go against popular opinion here and say that of the few alts I own, Silverstreak is my least favourite. Although the transformation is almost identical to the rather cool Jazz/Shockwave mould, the legs leave a lot to be desired. I actually leave my Silverstreak in car mode as that does look great. Despite having a rather frustrating transformation, I think Wheeljack is a good mould. Plus, he comes with a sword. Swords make anything cooler
That frustration towards the legs is widely shared. And whilst i like the Mustang mold a lot.......... using it for Wheeljack really really bugged me. Back in the day, i had somehow convinced myself that an NSX type R would have made a fine Wheeljack, and that the repaint could either be Runabout, or one of the Stunticons.
When I was buying Alternators I'd only just got into the hobby, which I'd delayed for a long time because the classics toys weren't the G1 toys I remembered from when I was a kid. As I'd got past classics not being G1, Alternators not being sufficiently G1 was easy. My first Alt was Shockblast - about as far from "giant space laser" as it's possible to get I just looked up the NSX R, though, and it would make a great Wheeljack in "Alternators 2.0"
Meisiter, Tracks and Prowl should be fairly plentiful since they were issued twice. The Dodge Ram is not a terrible mould, but it falls a long way short in the engineering department compared to most of the others. I think the same could be said of Rumble who is rather simplistic compared to the others. Another piece of advice I will give is, don't try to get all of them.
All the alternators are starting to show thier age, so i'd look up some video reviews first to see if you like them. That said I do have a few recomendations. Rodimus - the best entry to the alternators is one of the last to be released. A little kibblely, but wears it with style. available at edbomber new for $30. Grimlock/Wheeljack - If you don't mind the complexity these are problably the best all around alternators. Available at BBTS - Grimlock new for $45, Wheeljack opened but complete with box $35. Windcharger - A great looking alternator that I really like. A bit more pricey than the last two, but worth it ( even though hasbro left a pice out ). Available at TFSource opened but complete with box for $55.
I've got a few Alternators for sale on ebay at the mo. I had to sacrifice something from the collection. Needed the cash. Silverstreak, Mirage, Tracks, KO Jazz and Hound, and a Masterpiece Skywarp. Breaking my heart, but something had to go. Hope I'm not out of line posting here. If I am, I apologise. Just thought it might give OP a start.
Sideswipe, Smokescreen, Hound and Skids are probably the least expensive and are all great toys. Prowl is by far my favorite, with Smokescreen/Ricochet and Shockblast not too far behind. I like Prime, but he is very simple in comparison to the rest which is definitely a turn-off considering that the complexity of transformation is, IMO, one of the more defining features of the line. I may be the only one, but I really don't like the Jaguar Ravage.
If u want smokescreen, get the binaltech version. Just trust me, hes like 95% diecast. Also get overdrive, and when u r used to it, get wheeljack and skids. i prefer binaltechs but thats just me.
Wow, man, some of those are amazing! I really like your take on Wheeljack, haven't seen that before. The twins both look cool but what do they tramsform into? Are they still, uh, twins? I like the Grimlock/Wheeljack mold but not as Grimlock. Or Wheeljack. I made one into Springer (gun/sword thing) and the other into Brakedown (cuz there just aren't enough Decepticons in the line). thanks for this, I've been on the hunt for another one of these, and $30 for a SCDD excusive is a good deal.
Cheers mate but they are Ironhide and Ratchet! Transform into an ambulance and a van. Wheeljack I got inspiration from others who bashed Dead End, he does look really good as a G1 homage tho. Working on Brawn at the mo from Alternator Swindle and just completed Trailbreaker so will have to update the pic in a few weeks.
Sideswipe is pretty good IMO. it started my long love affair with the character. It's not a bad place to start if you don't mind it's backpack. I love the thing and it's the center of my Sideswipe shelf. I wouldn't start with Optimus though, he's a bitch to transform and just doesn't look right in robot mode.
Sideswipe is pretty good IMO. it started my long love affair with the character. It's not a bad place to start if you don't mind it's backpack. I love the thing and it's the center of my Sideswipe shelf. I wouldn't start with Optimus though, he's a bitch to transform and just doesn't look right in robot mode.
The "twins" I meant are Sunstreaker and Sideswipe. Do they transform into the same car? Ironhide and Ratchet are cool too but I prefer the KO Hummer H3 for Ironhide. I think it fits him better and it stands a bit tallerthan most Alternators. I'm working on a Kup from Prime at the mo. I should post some of mine...is there a "show off your Atlernators" thread anywhere? There should be 'cuz I've seen tons of super cool alternator mods out there.
Mirage, Jazz, Smokescreen and Hound are the highlights for me. Any repaints of those molds are also winners.
Ahh get ya, nope! Sideswipe is based off the Acura RSX that was Prowl, Sunstreaker is a heavily modified 1:24 Countach Roadbot. It's pretty much G1 accurate but he has skinny legs....I need to think of some way to beef him up without interfering the transformation....I'm ok with him at the mo tho. I was looking at that KO Hummer but decided to go same form as Ratchet. I keep thinking about Huffer and Gears but can't think of who to start with. Going back to Sideswipe, I have been really tempted to reshell him as a Countach then he'd match Sunstreaker.....maybe one day..... I'd like to see what you've done tho, not sure if there is a thread!
