Blast Off (G1)/toys

In recent years, Blast Off has experienced the phenomenon of 1980s nostalgia clashing with real-life obsoletion of the Space Shuttle.

Toys

The Transformers

What are you talking about? I see brown space shuttles being used by the army all the time.

• Blast Off (Combaticon, 1986)
  • Team ID number: C3
  • Takara/GiG ID number: D-65
  • Accessories: left & right sonic cannons, ionic blaster

The Transformers Blast Off transforms into an International NASA Space Shuttle. In this mode, he is armed with two laser cannons mounted to his engines. In robot mode Blast Off is armed with a small laser pistol and his two laser cannons, which are now mounted on his legs. Along with fellow Combaticon Vortex, Blast Off is the first Transformer figure to use ball joints, located in his shoulders. He usually forms Bruticus' right arm, but as a Scramble City-style toy, he can be connected with any limb slot on Bruticus.

The initial release of Blast Off had a die-cast metal chest, but like several other 1986 toys, later releases replaced this with colored plastic. In 1987, he came packaged with a random Decepticon Decoy.

• More information on Blast Off at TFU.info

• Bruticus (Gift set, 1985)
  • Takara ID number: D-69
  • Accessories: left & right sonic cannons, ionic blaster

In addition to his single release, Blast Off was also sold in a "Bruticus" giftset alongside the other Combaticons. The gift set was never available in the USA or Canada, but only in Japan and Italy.

In 1988, GiG also re-released the Bruticus set in Italy, with five random "Exogini Transformers" (Decoys) added.

• Decepticon Blast Off (1991)
  • Accessories: left & right sonic cannons, ionic blaster

Blast Off was re-released in 1991 as part of the European-market Classics line. This version uses the plastic chest, and his rubsign indent has been filled in for this release. Another change on this mold is that the inside of his arms does not contain the peg needed to attach to the other arm, as a result, in shuttle mode his arms do not lock together.

Generation 2

Actually closer to a realistic Space Shuttle color scheme than the original.

• Blast Off (Combaticon, 1994)
  • Team ID number: C3
  • Accessories: left & right x-ray laser cannons, ionic blaster

Released in the second year of Generation 2, Blast Off was redecoed white with purple camouflage... for all the times you need purple camouflage in space.

This version of the toy keeps all his accessories and functionality from the original release, but lacks any decal detailing.

• More information on Generation 2 Blast Off at TFU.info

He didn't see the snowstorm coming until it was too late.

• Bruticus (Box set, 2012)
  • Accessories: 2 hand-held blasters/tailfins

• Known designers: Andrew Franks (deco artist)

Part of a giftset exclusive to Amazon and BigBadToyStore, this version of Blast Off is a redeco of Generations Fall of Cybertron Blast Off in Generation 2 colors. He can form any arm or leg of Bruticus, but his nominal placement is as the right arm, as usual.

This toy was retooled into Fall of Cybertron Autobot Topspin.

Universe (2008)

SHUTTOL NOT TANKK!

• Bruticus Maximus (2008)
  • Series: G1 Series
  • Accessories: Energon Gun-radar/hand, Decepticon-type energon star

Universe Blast Off is a redeco of Energon the Kickback/Blight sculpt, transforming into a brown Gepard anti-aircraft tank. His markings include his initials on his tread housings and a five-pointed star which, combined with his color scheme, gives his tank mode a somewhat Soviet feel. When combined with the other Combaticons, Blast Off is nominally Bruticus Maximus's right arm, though he can be used in any other limb position.

He was only available as part of the Universe Bruticus Maximus giftset, which also contains Decepticon Brawl, another redeco of the same sculpt used for Blast Off. The Universe version of the giftset was initially intended to be released as a Target exclusive in the United States, but ultimately ended up being only available in some non-American markets such as Australia and Singapore. Instead, American markets eventually received a rebranded version of this giftset (with no changes to the toys themselves) in Revenge of the Fallen packaging (thereby creating a new live-action film series Blast Off character as well as a new version of the pre-existing Brawl character), exclusively available at Target stores in the United States and at Zellers stores in Canada.

This sculpt was also used to make Timelines Landquake, as well as the United versions of Blast Off (see below) and Brawl. Another planned redeco, Movie Gunbarrel, was canceled.

• More information on Universe Blast Off at TFU.info

Encore

• Bruticus (2009)
  • ID number: 16

A reissue of the original G1 Blast Off toy at first sight, this toy is actually a redeco of the Robots in Disguise Movor retool of the sculpt. This version of Blast Off was only available as part of a Bruticus gift set released under TakaraTomy's Encore line of reissues.

Generations

• Blast Off (Deluxe Class, 2012)
  • Series / Number: 01 / #008
  • PART 2 OF 5!
  • TakaraTomy ID number: TG03
  • TakaraTomy release date: January 26, 2013
  • Accessories: 2 hand-held blasters/tailfins

A redeco of Blast Off from the Decepticon Bruticus gift set was available individually alongside his fellow Combaticons as part of the second wave of the Fall of Cybertron-themed 2012-onwards Deluxe Class Generations assortment. These versions of the Combaticons replace the game-accurate, Generation 1-inspired decoes with more "flashy" colors apparently homaging the color scheme of Bruticus Maximus. Blast Off replaces the primarily tan colors and purple details of the giftset release with a mainly purple body and yellow detailing, and features new yellow paint operations on his blaster.

Unsurprisingly for an Aligned toy inspired by Generation 1, Fall of Cybertron Blast Off appeared in many Generation 1-based stories. The retail Hasbro deco appeared in IDW Publishing's Robots in Disguise comic series^[1] while the TakaraTomy deco appeared in Transformers: All Spark and Transformers Cloud.

• More information on retail Blast Off at TFU.info

United

• Bruticus (Multi-pack, November 7, 2012)
  • Accessories: Energon Gun-radar/hand, Decepticon-type energon star

Released exclusively by TakaraTomy in non-Japanese Asian markets, this redeco of the Energon Bruticus Maximus set has colors similar to the previous Universe/Revenge of the Fallen release, but with a greater emphasis on G1-accuracy. Additionally, the gun-radar/combined mode foot/hand previously cast in translucent colored plastic is now opaque grey, though his energon star remains orange.

Bot Shots

Why are you guys complaining about me being a jet in Combiner Wars? I was a jet before! ...Almost.

• Combaticons (Multi-pack, 2013?)
  • Number: T0??
    • Fist strength: ???
    • Blaster strength: 876
    • Sword strength: ???

• Known designers: Andrew Scribner (deco artist)

A redeco of Bot Shots Jetfire, Blast Off automatically transforms from a booster-equipped jet to a robot when a sharp impact is applied to his front end. He was to be sold in a five-pack with Onslaught, Decepticon Brawl, Swindle, and Vortex, but this never saw release.

Proceed on your way to oblivion. This item has been canceled, with no current plans for release.

Kre-O

Transforms into himself taking a nap.

• Blast Off (Kreon Micro-Changer, 2012)
  • Collection: 1
  • Bag number: 22851 47
  • Accessories: logo brick, built-up small pistol

• Known designers: Ed Masiello (Hasbro)

Part of the first normal wave of Micro-Changer Kreons, Blast Off is a blindpacked-bagged mini-figure, though a stamped ID number can be found on the back of the bag, top-right corner. He comes with extra parts so he can be rebuilt into a vehicle that vaguely resembles a Space Shuttle.

However, Blast Off can be built as part of Bruticus, if you have any sense of creativity.

He uses the Mirage style helmet.

• More information on Blast Off at TFU.info

• Decepticon Blast Off (Kreon Micro-Changer, 2016)
  • Collection: 1
  • Accessories: logo plate, built-up small pistol

In 2016, Collection 1 was re-released in a whole new production run for Dollar General stores in the US as part of a large collection of re-released Kre-O sets. But where most of these releases are nigh-identical to the originals, the re-released Micro-Changer blind-bags use the almost-entirely-retooled 2015 Kreon, with slightly-differently-hued plastics than the originals. (It is possible for some of the add-on pieces to be in the older hues.) Blast Off has the biggest change of all of the remade Kreons, as his dark brown plastics have been turned to an odd greenish-tan, the same color of his pre-release prototype at BotCon 2012. His torso tampograph has also been reworked to be slightly more detailed, and the formerly-bare legs now have extra detail tampographing on them. What flat gray paint he did have has been changed to metallic silver. Also the 1x2 "roof" block has been replaced with a 1x2 bare plate, possibly due to a factory change?

Sadly, this release has no individual-identification code on the bag, requiring you to use the feel-through-the-bag method or just buy blind and hope.

Combiner Wars

At least I wasn't replaced by an APC or somethin'...

• Decepticon Blast Off (Deluxe Class, 2016)

• Accessories: gun, double-barreled gun/hand/foot

Released in the fifth wave of Combiner Wars Deluxes, "Decepticon Blast Off" is a redeco of Quickslinger, transforming from robot to what is more or less a Harrier jump jet (thematically fitting with the "Combaticon" moniker). We can only assume that the use of Quickslinger's head sculpt over Firefly's mouthplated one has something to do with the sort-of visor that Blast Off acquired via coloring error in the Generation 1 cartoon. He includes two 5 mm weapon accessories: an "ionic blaster" (sculpted to resemble a flamethrower) and "X-ray cannons" that can also transform into a hand or a foot.

As a Combiner Wars Deluxe figure, Blast Off can also transform into an arm or a leg for a Combiner, including forming Bruticus with his fellow Combaticons. He can also form with any Unite Warriors Voyager Class figure or even into one of Legends Godbomber's legs.

Though Blast Off's wave was scheduled for a first quarter 2016 release, it arrived on U.S. store shelves in late 2015.

Copies of Blast Off in monolingual English packaging include a copy of Robots in Disguise #11, labelled in the indicia as Combiner Wars #3. In Canada, Latin America, and Europe, he was available in different types of multilingual packaging including a character card featuring his comic book cover/package art instead. He and the last three waves of Combiner Wars Deluxe and Voyager figures later showed up at TJ Maxx at reduced prices with the collector card.

• More info on Combiner Wars Blast Off at TFU.info

Oh come on, this deco would have worked perfectly on a Space Shuttle!

• Bruticus (Collection Pack, 2016)

• Accessories: gun, double-barreled gun/hand/foot

The entire Combiner Wars Combaticon team was redecoed into close approximations of their Generation 2 colors; let's be real, how hard is it to mess up white and black? Nailed it easy. Unfortunately, he still has the original Decepticon faction symbol, not the Generation 2 style one.

This version of the team was only available as a large boxed set, which also included a Generation 2-ish version of Shockwave. This was the fourth of five different combiner "Collection Pack" box sets, which were "shared exclusives" sold by numerous online retailers... though many ultimately ended up at US discounters like Ross and TJ Maxx.

• More information on Combiner Wars Generation 2 Blast Off at TFU.info

That shooting star you wished upon two years ago? Totally me.

• Decepticon Blast Off (Special Edition, 2018)

• Accessories: gun, double-barreled gun/hand/foot, "Megatronus" Prime Master

Combiner Wars Special Edition Blast Off is a redeco of Unite Warriors Shuttler, which in turn is a slight retool and reassembly of Unite Warriors Blast Off. This is the first release of this tooling by Hasbro, featuring a dark brown deco more accurate to his original toy as well as the toy-accurate Shuttler-style reverse chest as compared to the Unite Warriors release. If desired, his arms can be popped off and assembled in the same configuration as the Unite Warriors release. Like Shuttler, this Blast Off features a retooled neck piece that prevents his head from falling off while handling and enlarged tabs on his legs to prevent the vehicle and arm modes from falling apart. Unlike Shuttler, however, Blast Off has his arms swapped at his shoulders' ball joints as opposed to at the bicep swivel; as a result, the protrusions on the shoulders prevents the arms from folding up in properly in arm mode if not corrected. As part of a trio of "Special Edition" toys celebrating the Prime Wars Trilogy, he is packaged in a premium window box and includes a redeco of the Megatronus Prime Master (sans Bomb-Burst decoy suit) cast in translucent red plastic. Unlike the other Combiner Wars Combaticons (including his original Combiner Wars figure), his hand/foot/gun has metallic silver paint, making it stand out from the dull bare gray plastic of the others.

He is also mildly mistransformed in the box, as his feet are unfolded into vehicle mode position and the tip of his shuttle nose isn't folded away into his backpack.

Blast Off was first publicly revealed via preorder listings on Amazon and several Asia-based toy retailers without a prior announcement from Hasbro. This set was an Amazon exclusive in the U.S. but was available at retailers such as Toys"R"Us in Hong Kong, the Philippines, and Singapore.

Unlike Repugnus and Punch-Counterpunch, this Blast Off didn't have a Japanese release as this mold was already released two years prior.

Unite Warriors

Blasting off out of Japan at the speed of light.

• Bruticus (giftset, June 25, 2016)
  • ID number: UW-07
  • Accessories: Blaster, gun/fist/foot

• Known designers: Hisashi Yuki (TakaraTomy)

Sold as part of Takara's Unite Warriors Bruticus gift set with his fellow Combatrons, this version of Blast Off is an entirely new, G1-accurate mold (including the misplaced color application of his animation model visor) that transforms into a space shuttle instead of a jet like the Hasbro deluxe. Blast Off also comes with a newly-sculpted weapon based on his G1 blaster, as well as a new hand/foot/gun accessory that can be used to transform him into an arm or a leg compatible with any Unite Warriors/Combiner Wars combiner teams, or into one of Legends Godbomber's legs. In vehicle mode, his blaster pegs under his nosecone to become landing gear. The shuttle's tailfin is removed during transformation and pegged (in halves) on the robot mode's back, replicating his original character model.

Blast Off was redecoed into Shuttler and heavily retooled into Unite Warriors Strafe.

Merchandise

Generation 2

• Blast Off Watch (Watch, 1995)

A non-transforming digital wristwatch of Blast Off's shuttle mode manufactured by Ostrum International was released during Generation 2, in the same white and purple coloration as his concurrent toy.

Notes

• The packaging of the 1991 European Classics release of the original Onslaught toy depicted the Combaticons in (mostly) new color schemes, despite the fact that the actual toys looked identical to their original releases. While it may never be known for certain, it has been theorized that these colors originated from a packaging printing error rather than a legitimate attempt to redeco the Combaticons.

References