BEAST
WARS: TOY REVIEW
Name: SILVERBOLT
Allegiance: Maximal
Function: Tracker
Beast Mode: Gray Wolf + Eagle
Average Price: 25 AUD
BEAST MODE
Length: 14cm
Height: 8cm
Wingspan: 23cm
The moulding and overall design of this toy is fantastic with the wolf and eagle features flowing into each other. The lower section of the forelegs are styled to resemble an eagle's leg. There are four talons (three in the front, one on the back of each foot) poised in a predatory rip 'n slash position (non-predatory birds have talons coiled in a perch formation). This section of the toy is mostly copper with light gray accents. The upper leg section resembles the thighs of a wolf's leg with excellent 'fur' moulding. The hind legs are totally wolflike. The head is that of a wolf's and it is partially light gray with the muzzle and forehead coloured dark (almost black) gray. Fangs are coloured white and the eyes are yellow. The facial moulding is an aggressive one with narrow eyes and full-bearing fangs (even the gums are exposed). Grrrrr!!
The head is covered with great fur moulding which continues along the entire back of the toy. The back is a combination of light and dark gray, with each colour smoothly blending into each other. The tail feathers are also individually moulded and painted white. The underside of the wings have light gray wolf fur moulding. The attention to detail put into this toy is astounding. As I've mentioned several times already, the fur moulding is really nice as it even shows a fur grain. The tail section can be pulled to make the wings move forward. There are also two buttons on the wings (one per wing) which trigger the spring launchers on each wingtip. Other than pressing the button yourself, the launchers are also triggered when the tail section is pulled. The only odd thing is that the wings aren't pulled completely forward, hence the missiles don't shoot directly forward but about 45 degrees to the side.
TRANSFORMATION
Forelegs fold out to the side and the beast mode head folds down. The halves that the front
beast mode legs rest on snap together to form the robot hips. A flap folds down from the beast mode's back and forms
a "loin-cover" over the hips. The robot head folds up and a small golden panel flips up to form the middle of his upper chest.
The hind legs fold forward to form the robot arms. The tips of each wing eject by pressing the pegs on the
lower parts of the wings to shoot out missiles which double as Silverbolt's hand held close range or throwing weapons.
ROBOT MODE
Height: 13cm
Points of Articulation: 13
A very impressive robot mode that seems to exume an air of valour and nobility. The moulding is great with all the robotic parts blending in very well with the animal features. The toy itself also has great balance despite being top heavy. Unlike Galvatron and Depth Charge, Silverbolt can stand unaided on its own two feet. It's even possible to stand it on one foot to make Silverbolt execute a low sidekick. ;-)
Some of the nicest features of the moulding can be found in the main-body section. The groin panel has a nice "Macross-esque" decoration moulded into it. In the solar plexus lies a red spot, which is surrounded by short spikes. This red spot really stands out as it starkly contrasts against the primarily gray colour of the toy. The centrepiece of the chest is a copper panel (which houses the head in beast mode). This has two V-shaped grooves sculpted onto it. The head is possibly the strangest feature of the entire robot mode. Sporting a muzzle, nose, fangs, ears and fur, it resembles a compacted wolf's head. This is a very strange feature to find on a robot head, especially among non-Transmetals (since the Transmetals' robot modes are supposed to accentuate beast features). Although this non-robotic robot head may repel some fans, it does have its merits. Along the top of the head is a dark gray (almost black) "mohawk"-like ridge. This colour is also used on the ears and continues around the eyes, and down the cheeks, making Silverbolt look like he's wearing either some kind of warpaint or mask.
In this mode, Silverbolt can hold the wing missiles in each hand. However, the worst feature about this toy is the hip joint. It is pathetically weak and serves poorly to keep the hip section together. Whilst it keeps together undisturbed, it constantly disconnects during play.
RUB STICKER LOCATION
Inside a compartment covered by an underbelly panel.
OVERALL
The most impressive Fuzor of them all. The entire Fuzor concept just sucks, but Silverbolt would be the sole exception. Most other Fuzors look like two Transformers slagged together (like Megatron and Ratchet were in the Marvel US comics) but Silverbolt has an almost mythological look to it. If you're gonna buy only one Fuzor, make it Silverbolt!
BEAST TRIVIA
The eagle is a member of the order Falconformes and the family Accipitridae.
Resembling vultures in build and flight, eagles differ by having fully feathered (often crested) head and strong feet with great curved talons. Unlike the vulture's scavenging nature, eagles subsist on live prey. Like owls, they decapitate their kills. Because of their strength, the eagle has been a symbol of war and Imperial power ever since Babylonian times. Eagles are monogamous and mate for life, often reusing the same nest year after year.
Their incubation period is 6 to 8 weeks and the chick develops slowly, reaching adulthood at the age of 3 or 4.
Perhaps one of the most well known of the eagles is the bald eagle. A member of the Halinetus species of Sea Eagles (also known as fish or fishing eagles), they live along rivers, lakes and tidewaters. They prey upon fish, snatching them up from water surfaces. They are characterised by their large, high-arched backs and bare lower legs. Found all over the world, except South America, some sea eagles reach up to a metre in length.
The gray wolf, or timber wolf (Canis lupus) is a doglike carnivore of the Canidae family. Once found in opened and timbered areas throughout North America and Eurasia, they have been eliminated from most areas and their numbers continue to dwindle. The gray wolf is a powerful animal, with robust limbs, broad head, large feet and a deep but narrow chest. They have short ears (an adaptation to colder climates), wide nose and they carry their tails whilst running. The large Northern male may reach up to 2 metres in length, including the bushy 50cm tail and weigh around 45 to 55 kilogrammes. Females and Southern species are smaller though.
Their fur is dense, long, soft and usually gray, but can also be brown, reddish (tawny), black or white. They are intelligent, social animals highly admired by native Americans. They live in packs and mate for life.
Although they feed on mice, rabbits and birds, their primary prey are the larger herbivores; deer, moose, caribou etc.
The wolf attacks in a stalk-and-chase strategem. Their hunting serves to control herbivore numbers and weed out those unfit for survival. Unfortunately, they have undergone persecution from humans due to their attack on domestic livestock.
Reaching sexual maturity at 2 to 3 years, they remain with their family group. They breed during December and April and produce litters of 4 to 6 pups. Gestation period is 63 days. Although they are friendly to fellow pack members, they rarely tolerate interlopers.
All members of the pack take part in caring for the young.
Bibliography: Encyclopaedia Brittanica
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