Flipchanger is a word used to apply to early Beast Wars basics and to some exclusive Machine Wars toys that sold at a similar time. The name comes from the toy's ability to mostly transform themselves - something is moved on the toy which triggers a spring which causes bits of it to flip over. Although I can't confirm it I recall hearing that these toys are unused G2 designs that effectively bridge the gap between Cyberjets and BW Basics. There are 4 distinct Flipchanger vehicle molds and I'll cover the pickup truck mold below.
Megatron's upper limbs and robot body are the colour of Mirage.
Mirage has a head the colour of Skywarp's vehicle.
Skywarp has a head the colour of Hubcap's vehicle.
Hubcap tow hook, robot body and upper arms are the colour of Skywarp's body
and arms
Megatron's limbs and jet mode colour appear nowhere else. Grey is shared between the toys substituting for clear plastic.
(similarly substituting Megaplex, Prowl, Thundercraker and Hoist above)
6 colours of plastic used on 4 toys. You'd think they were doing these on the cheap or something !
Overall there's something a bit lifeless about these, they all look dull and like they're missing something. So looking at how they're repainted should be an object lesson in what you can do. Hoist is black
I never got this vehicle mode, why put a tow hook on the back of a truck with sides like you'd carry something in ? Surely a flatbed would be better ? But there we go, odd design choice IMO.
TF: Pull up on the hook, front folds down, legs extend from the back, sides of the truck fold out to reveal the arms contained within. I say reveal but you can see them in vehicle mode anyway. Most complicated of the 4 Flipchanging gimmicks. Radiator grill pulls off and it's attached to the gun which pegs in the fist holes.
Ball joints at the hips and the elbows, bending knee, fore and aft at the inner shoulder joint, and up to the side at the outer one using 3 bits of plastic where 2 would have done with a ball joint. I think this mold is meant to be Optimus Prime in robot mode - windows on chest, ridge on head, face plate - and it's meant to be Megatron's Opposite. No one has painted it like that yet. Hoist is OK in black but it swallows all details - could do better.
That was that - a store exclusive that was forgotten about
"Wrecker Hook: Wrecker Hook is the weird looking tow truck type thing from Machine Wars repainted. Quite a nice toy - better than many of the BW mini toys of the same age."
Wrecker Hook looks like his designer has been on the G2 juice ! A mostly green colour scheme, with some lurid day glo green on the robot legs, lower arms, front mud guards and head details. Upper arms, tow hook and body are purple plastic, and there's some painted detailing too. Possibly the most lurid TF toy ever !
RID UK Cases:
1) 3 each of 2 of the cars, 2 each of the other
2) 1 each of each of the combiner limbs + 1 of Mega Octane + 3 random ones
from the case. Exclusive to Woolies (The limbs for Ruination weren't
exclusive and sold later one)
3) 3 each of 2 of the super versions of the cars, 2 each of the other
What the RID UK Cases *SHOULD* have been:
1) 2 each of all 3 cars, 1 Skid-Z vs Windsheer, 1 TowLine vs Skyfire
2) 2 each of each of the combiner limbs
3) 2 each of all 3 super versions of the cars, 2 of Mega Octane (this wave
shipped concurrent with the limbs for Ruination)
Did you know to this date there's been no official release of the Flipchangers in the UK ?
"Tow-Line is a straight re-release of Wrecker Hook. Again little to say. Skyfire is a repaint of one of the machine wars jets - it's the one that doesn't have Megatron's head and was blue in BWII in Japan. Looks nice in grey and resembles one of the Powermasters - don't ask me which ! (checks TM Universe CD Rom) It's Dreadwind. Remember kids you can never have enough Decepticon jets ! "
Where my paper copies of TFU were when I wrote that I don't know as I've zealously hoarded then for years. In fact they're probably my earliest surviving TF item.
What it says for Tow Line. Even the completist need not buy both.
Robot Transformers Large Versions: All 4 RM versions received deluxe sized KOs in late 2006. All 4 looks nice though the plastic can be fragile - especially Wrecker Hook's hook. Each incorporates a gimmick which makes their chest light up. When it works it's OK. *WHEN* it works.....
Power Warriors:
Hoist - where did they get this colour scheme from ? It's better than all the commercial releases ! Red plastic, blue plastic body, hook and upper arms, clear blue chest and head, yellow fire bird on bonnet. Looks great, like Rodimus Prime as a Tow Truck - which you can accept after Energon. But remove the Firebird and it becomes obvious that it's Optimus Prime. The Entertainer had these, it's worth checking. Be warned the arms a re fixed at the elbow on this release (but see bellow) and I've only ever found them with 2 left arms.
Robot Transformers Small Version Vs Packs
Hoist is as per the Power Warriors, only his elbows work this time and he's missing the flame detailing on the sides of the truck. Still got 2 left arms though ! He appears with a Skywarp repaint.
A proper Hasbro release of Hoist in Optimus Prime colours might be good