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.
Skywarp is the white version with black limbs and a yellow head,
The jet in question here doesn't look like the old G1 jet, and it isn't coloured like Skywarp. Small forward find at the side and then large wings form a triangle to the back, with a single fin in the middle.
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 has a single visor all the way across, and a ridge running along his eyebrows. As expressionless as you could get.
As per Skywarp it looks nothing like G1 Thundercracker.
No character at all in these 2 I'm afraid. Useful as background troops in a Decepticon army.
That was that - a store exclusive that was forgotten about
Like Thrust this is miles better than it's Machine Wars predecessors - blue for the bodywork, grey for the upper limbs, silver on the head. Looks very good. Place in front of the previous versions on the shelf.
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.
Skyfire is a lovely recolour, this set of colours works well to say Decepticon jets
Lovely repaint, head's a nice touch with the existing brow painted alternating green 7 yellow stripes like Waspinator's attenae.
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. 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 - Thundercracker is black (as per megs) with off white body and upper limbs, clear blue head and cockpit, and gold camouflage pattern which matches Wing Stun's. He appears with a rather nice Hoist repaint.