Armada Starscream

with Swindle

Series: Armada
Allegiance: Decepticon
Categories: Maxcon
Year: 2002

My destiny is leadership!
Starscream uses his speed and maneuverability as a jet to launch aerial attacks on the Autobots. No one can compete with him when it comes to speed and skill in the air. He slices through the sky, chasing the enemy and even endangering any Decepticon that gets in his way. As the second in commmand, he pretends to be loyal to Megatron, but is always looking for an opportunity to weaken his leader's rule and take control of the Decepticons.

Robot Mode: Starscream's robot mode is remeniscent of his old G1 version, but with an updated air to him. The legs and arms are quite posable, the only thing I don't much like is that, in this mode, a large portion of the jet mode structure protrudes out from his shoulders backward. If not for the elongated heels he'd topple over backwards. Still, Starscream looks very nice and comes with neat soundeffects. The cannons on his shoulders can be positioned forward (unlocked by Swindle) or backward. You can also remove his left wing and have him wield it as a sword, but it doesn't really look like one. Still, a very decent robot mode.

Alternate Mode: Starscream transforms into a futuristic-looking jet which looks mighty fine except for those pods (his arms) struttig out from under the wings. Like with his robot mode, you can position the cannons forward or backward. You won't mistake the whole thing for any Earth-built jet, but it looks good and that's what counts.

Partners / Add-Ons: Starscream comes with Minicon Swindle, who transforms into a race car. Fasten Swindle to the back of the plane and unlock Starscream's cannons. Swindle looks pretty cool in robot mode, no complaints here.

Remarks: Bar none my favorite character of all the Transformers, Starscream was always a hoot in the old cartoon. The Armada version of the toy certainly looks a lot cooler than the old G1 version, at least in my opinion, but the character in the cartoon, well, the word whimp comes to mind. But never mind that.

A fun side note: Swindle, his Minicon, is named after the G1 Combaticon of the same name, which is fitting since the G1 Starscream created the Combaticons back in the cartoon episode "Starscream's brigade". Bottom line: A good toy, well worth getting for my collection.

Rating: B