From the Hasbro/Takara-Tomy line of Transformers: Dark of the Moon toys comes the Human Alliance Autobot Skids robot toy that comes with an Elita-1 and Tech Sargeant Epps figure. You could say that this is a re-release of the Autobot Skids, Arcee, Mikaela Banes toy from Transformers Revenge of the Fallen, with only a different paint scheme and a new figure in Tech Sgt. Epps.
The first time I saw this in the toy store I have to say that first impressions weren't so good. I remember branding this as an over priced toy with lousy packaging (it could easily get crunched). However, after seeing it up close and transforming it, I have to say that it is a marvel of toy design engineering. Lesson learned for me here is to never judge a toy buy its packaging alone and seeing it only in its transformed state.
First off, a little bit of warning, the packaging says that this toy is designed for kids 5 years and above. However if you read into the manual, it states there that some parts might fall off and that adult supervision is required for younger kids. That roughly translates to that transformation is very complicated and needs an adult to do it.
Box shot of the toy with ruler for comparison.
If you are the type that likes to throw manuals away after reading them, I'd recommend not doing that with this toy (unless you have photographic memory) because the transformation sequence is not so easy to figure out. That is a testament of course to how well designed the toy is, that you need a manual to transform it.
Things worth pointing out, as mentioned above is that some parts are actually designed to come off. On the particular toy I got the foot part easily gets detached.
Then another is the manual, I had a hard time understanding some parts of the transformation sequence since its complicated. Particularly are the legs, on how to tuck it back into the back of the car, which I found the instructions to be inadequate. Don't get me wrong, I actually found this particular transformation sequence to be amazing.
This is the form you have to get it in so that you can tuck it in the back.
Here's some shots showing dimensions of the toys as it they are compared against a 6 inch ruler
The kit comes with a fireable rocket for the arm cannon.
Comparison shots for Elita-1
Comparison shots for Tech Sgt. Epps
Autobot Skids
Continuing on this review by focusing on Autbot Skids in robot mode
Autbot Skids in Car mode. Autobot Skids transforms to a Chevrolet Beat in Car mode.
One thing to note is that the green stripes seems to come off easily in some areas, it looks like a spray of clear coat would do well to protect those areas.
For me, car mode is well portrayed by the designers of this toy.
Autobot Skids comes with a custom plate in hacker lettering : "sk33dz" for skids
Gaps in the body work can be easily fixed by aligning the parts
The interior allows for the figure to be placed inside. By attaching the peg at the back of the seat to the hole in the back of the figure, you can securely attach it without fear of falling off.
Same goes for the opposite side
Underside of the chassis, you can see that everything is tightly packed
Some Detailed shots of Autobot Skids
Here's something I found amusing, by pressing at the top of the head the mouth of Autobot Skids opens. You can recreate speaking in this notoriously talkative robot.
I like these nubs and notches in the body panel that allow the parts that break up to be aligned in place
Inner side of door panel, the door can slide out a bit from its hinge
Top shot of the back, if you notice in the interior, you can see two nubs in the foot stands. You can insert the holes at the base of the feet of the figure here, but if you do that the figure won't be able to reach up to the gatling gun. I think they were expecting a bigger figure when they designed this.
Here's the shot of the figure at the back. In this recreation the feet of the figure are just hanging from the back and not really secured into the foot stands
At the right hand in robot mode, the front driver's seat is folded down.
Some close up shot of the foot. Like I posted at the top, the foot in the toy I got can be easily detached, so I have to take care with this.
Back of the foot
Finely detailed wheel in my book
Shot of the back where the car roof hooks underneath the gluteus maximus.
Arm Blaster found on the left arm
A plastic rocket included with the toy can be inserted into the arm blaster and is fired by a spring once the trigger is pressed.
You can reconfigure the arm blaster to allow the figure to ride on it. The front passenger seat is where the figure will sit on. The nub at the back rest of the seat is where you can connect the notch at the back of the figure to so that it won't easily fall off.
Shot of Tech Sgt Epps riding the arm seat
Elita-1
Included with the kit is an Elita-1 Figure that transforms into a motorcycle.
You can consider this toy as a freebee because quality wise it isn't that good. Arms have some rudimentary articulation but basically that's it. Here's Elita-1 in Robot mode.
The mufflers serves as the blaster of the Elita-1 Figure
Here's Elita 1 in motorcycle mode
You can see that the muffler does not align well with the chassis in motorcycle mode for the Elita 1 toy
Tech Sgt. Epps can also be configures to ride on Elita 1 in motorcycle mode by letting his hand grasp on the handlebars
The said handlebars where the figure can hold on to.
As always, I am impressed with the fine detail of the autobot logo in the current crop of Takara Tomy/Hasbro toys. It looks however that it could be easily scratched off. But that problem can easily be solved by a spray of top coat.
Tech Sgt. Epps Figure
Next we touch on the figure included, which is Tech Sgt. Epps who once worked with NEST, the secret government org. I have to say that one glaring flaw in the figure are the eyes. Too wide open when it was painted on. Then there's the size, it seems to be a tad bit small for the motorcycle, but for Autobot skids it seems to be just the right size. Other than that I think its well within the acceptable limits considering the price of the toy.
The figure could do well with a coat of top coat as the bald head of the figure comes out a bit too shiny.
I really am amazed with the way they can put such a small logo with such precise detail onto the toy.
Eyes really seem too big and with a spooked out expression. And the skin tone too shiny.
But what is impressive is the articulation of the feet, it can turn on a lot of axis as seen in the picture below. For the arms however, the elbows don't bend but the wrists can turn. Quite impressed am I that it can do this considering its size.
