Toy Review – Transformers – Ramjet (G2 Redux)

The Geek Bits

Name: Ramjet
Toyline: Transformers
Subline: Transformers Timelines – G2 Redux
Size Class: Deluxe
Released: Spring 2011
Availability: The Official Transformers Collectors Club
Includes: Ramjet, missile launchers, tech spec card, instructions
Worth the price? If you are a huge G2 fan, definitely. If you want to complement your seeker collection, get it. But it does have some problems.

RAMJET is one of two toys for 2011 from the Official Transformers Collectors Club (www.transformersclub.com). Based off the 2007 Classics Starscream toy (which has been redecoed and remolded so many times, it’s hard to keep track), Ramjet looks like he just stepped out of the early 1990’s. But how good of a toy is he? Read on!

Vehicle Mode

As you probably know, Ramjet was one of the conehead Seekers that was released in the original Transformers line in the mid 1980’s. When Generation 2 appeared on toy shelves, Ramjet reappeared with a completely new color scheme — black and purple with teal highlights. Hey, it was the 90’s — teal was in. So, when the TFCC released their G2 Redux set in 2010, it stood to reason that a G2 colored Seeker would be a no-brainer. So, here is G2 Ramjet!

The original G2 version of the toy, like I mentioned, was black and purple with teal. Stickers provided some additional details. This new version is a fantastic recreation of that. Some details are now paint apps, some are stickers, but they are all there. From the G2 symbol to “RAMJET” to “DC”, it’s all there. I can’t believe how well this new version recreates the old look.

The Classics mold has always been a fan favorite. It’s a pretty easy toy to transform, and 20+ years of toy engineering allows for a great look without much kibble. Add missile launchers underneath and landing gear, and you’ve got yourself an awesome jet.

Robot Mode

One of the things I really like about this mold’s transformation is how the nose/canopy rotates and lowers on a hinge into the torso. It’s a nifty way of having the canopy on the chest like the original toy without having to rotate and push the nose portion through the chest. I also like how Hasbro easily can make this mold perfect for a conehead or original head toy.

Like the jet, stickers and paint have recreated the details of the original toy on his shoulders, knees and feet. The purple, black and teal have been recreated perfectly for this mold. He just looks great.

However, this mold is showing its age. While my version is not as bad as some others that I’ve read about, I must say that this toy is extremely loose. Pieces have started to fall off when transforming, and the joints aren’t as tight as I would like. He can stand up without falling over, but the hips and feet joints are just a little bit more wobbly than I’d like. This isn’t surprising, since this mold has now been used over ten times in the United States (all six original Seekers; a second Starscream, Thundercracker, Thrust and Dirge; and Acid Storm). I suppose some of this is unavoidable, but it’s still a bit of a bummer.

The Good
The Seeker mold is still a fun mold, and the attention to detail is outstanding. The recreation of the G2 look is perfect.

The Bad
The age of the mold is really showing, and it could be a crapshoot as to how much degradation your particular sample might get. Don’t be surprised if you have loose hips or pieces falling off. Also, you’ll have to resort to eBay to get this guy now. Expect to pay at least $70 for him. And definitely don’t pay $150 for him; that’s just nuts.

The Final Rewind
While not a home run like Side Burn was, this is at least a double, perhaps a triple.  The mold issues aside, he just looks great.  The price might be a bit prohibitive, so just keep an eye on eBay.

(And sorry for the baseball analogy, but it’s playoff season.  Go Brewers!)

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