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 racing car 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. This mold is easier to tell apart than the Machine Wars Jets: Mirage is green/blue and labelled 7. His name is on a sticker on the spoilers as well to help with identification !
The car mode here is a formula 1 race car. Pretty solid and roles along well.
TF: Pull up on the spoiler, the nose folds down popping the head through the gap. Gun halves in the legs again.
Robot has ball joints at the shoulder, elbow, hip & neck - however the knees just bend. This is as close as you can get to the Machine Wars jets having been done as a car ! Head is a good sculpt, nice face though once again obviously should be lightpipped. Arms are somewhat limited by the wheels at the front of the car stretching out from the chest.
You do get the feeling that (similar to Hooligan and G1 Jetfire) that this should have the G1 Mirage colours. Prowl Prowl is white and labelled 8. His name is on a sticker on the spoilers as well to help with identification !
A somewhat plain looking toy. That was that - a store exclusive that was forgotten about
See Indy Heat in the Japanese Limited Repaints section bellow for the limited edition mentioned there - the url in the quote is dead but the site's worth looking at in the wayback machine.
Indy Heat is a F1 car where the bulk of the body is white. There's some redish purple and some lilac detailing on the bodywork. Looks good, like Hooligan's repaints, there's some imagination gone in here and something good has been produced while we're waiting for something else.
TFing the car reveals some metallic green on the upper legs, hands and helmet. That's a lot of colours going on but it does work. Nice robot. Recommended.
You *HAVE* to love this. Closest paint scheme released to Mirage at the time it came out ! Beautiful. One day I will own one. One day.
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.... "
Skid-Z loose the lilac on Indy Heat, gains a silver paint spray in it's place, and has it's decals altered. It's minor changes but you line the 2 up together and they look different.
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.....
Power Warriors:
Mirage shows up with a simplified paint job and a clear blue head. Not the worst KO I've ever seen.
Robot Transformers Small Version Vs Packs
Mirage is as per the Power Warriors, appearing with a Megatron repaint.