Movie Swindle

Prelude: Swindle is probably the most misunderstood toy of the Movie line (alongside Bonecrusher). Despised as a shelve warmer, preventing new toys from coming in. His unimpressive look ruined the Movie line for many dealers. If they'd packaged Swindle in robot mode, I think he'd have sold out very quickly. To me he's one of the best-looking Deluxe Transformers ever.

Alternate Mode: Swindle's alternate mode is a Chevrolet Cobalt - sadly not the GTR series, because that would have been one cool-looking car. As things stand he rather looks like grandpa's family car with boring decals. It took some time, but I now like Swindle's altmode, too. I like him so much, in fact, that I've bought him four times now. Two of those ended up as customs. There's even an official repaint of Swindle on the side of the Autobots, Camshaft from the AllSpark Power wave.

Things worth mentioning about Swindle's altmode are the doors and the trunk, both of which open, as well as the afterburner in the back for rapid car chases. His unassuming exterior, combined with his afterburner, make him a perfect scout for the Decepticons.

Robot Mode: Transforming Swindle into robot mode is pretty easy, but transforming him back into vehicle mode requires finesse, at least if you want the car to look more or less seamless. Swindle is pretty bendy and can pull off some nice poses. His afterburner turns into a massive ray gun here, which he can use as a mobile weapon as well as a kind of flak cannon - at least I use it in that capacity. One thing that bothers me a bit is the head. Not because of the cyclops eye, but rather the lack of posability.