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 one of the jet molds 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 !
Both versions of the jet mold have a fault: The nose cone doesn't fold flush against the robot's chest leaving you with the nose cone slightly raised up at the front. It's like this on all 4 of the MW versions, and both the BWII versions before being corrected on the RID and subsequent versions
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.
Megatron is the blue and white version of this jet.
My lack of jet knowledge once again shows as I fail to know what sort of jet this ! We have wings and tail fins to the side, and some diagonally upright tail fins mounted a little way forward of the tail. Fold down landing gear at the front and the back.
TF: Pull down on the nose. Basically that's it, there may need to be some straightening of limbs but little else. This moves the tail find further forward, pop's the legs out the back of the jet and exposes the head in the gap where the nose has been folded down. Remove the gun halves from the back of the legs and put together.
Robot has ball joints at the shoulder, elbow, hip, knee and neck. Head is obviously meant to be lightpiped - as a clue look for a differently coloured panel in the back of the head. All the early BW basics are the same. Head is Megatron, dead on, but maybe in a simplified comic style.
Incidentally this is the first version of Megatron as a jet released - one close miss with the ATB bomber repaint in G2, but this is the first time the leader of the planes is a plane.
Of the 2 Megaplex looks better due to having a painted head, and his silver body looks more like Megatron but there isn't much in it between him and Megatron.
This version does highlight a big problem repainting this mold - no matter what you do to it the head will always look like Megatron !
That was that - a store exclusive that was forgotten about
Yellow lower limbs, head and jet body here with black upper limbs. A silver face paint. These are the 2 colours used on the tow truck in machine wars that were bad there. Here they work well together - though why Thrust isn't red I don't know ! Lightpiped eyes add a lot here, the pink is quite vivid. Miles better than the MW version
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 ?
"I'm told Skid-Z, the purple and white racing colour has had his paint adjusted for RID but can't get to my Indy-Heat to find out ! Skid-Z is probably the better of the 2 MW car repaints. The jet he's packaged with was formerly (coincidentally) BWII Thrust and then before that Megatron and Megaplex from MW. He's got the classic Megs head ! Nicely redone in black, with yellow edging, and purple limbs in robot mode. If you have a choice get this one of the VS packs.... "
Wind Sheer is a thing of beauty. A black repaint is always good and works particularly well on this toy.
Robot Transformers Large Versions: All 4 RM versions received deluxe sized KOs in late 2006. The version of Air Hunter is hard to get. All 4 looks nice though the plastic can be fragile. Each incorporates a gimmick which makes their chest light up. When it works it's OK. *WHEN* it works.....
Robot Transformers Small Version Vs Packs
The jets are interesting - Megatron is Black, with a red body and upper limbs, clear blue head and cockpit, and metallic blue decaling matching Air Hunter's. Good as a background trooper, He appears with a Mirage repaint.