General Information
Release Date: September 2025
Price Point: $24.99 (depending on retailer)
Retailer: General Release (Amazon, BigBadToyStore, Entertainment Earth, Target, Walmart etc.) - Preceding links are sponsor/affiliate links
Accessories: Blasters x 2
Official images and text in italics are from Amazon.com:
- AGE OF THE PRIMES AERIALBOT FIREFLIGHT: This Transformers Aerialbot Fireflight figure features deco and details inspired by the Transformers universe
- PART OF TRANSFORMERS AERIALBOT SUPERION: Aerialbot Fireflight action figure combines with other Aerialbot Transformers figures (each sold separately, subject to availability) to create the Aerialbot Superion figure
- 5.5-INCH DELUXE CLASS TRANSFORMERS FIGURE: In robot mode, the Transformers action figure is 5.5 inches (14 cm) tall
- CONVERT BETWEEN ROBOT AND JET MODE IN 17 STEPS: This Transformers toy figure converts between modes in 17 steps
- 2 ACCESSORIES ATTACH IN BOTH MODES: Figure comes with 2 blaster accessory pieces
- ARTICULATED FOR PLAY AND DISPLAY: Age of the Primes Transformers figures feature high articulation for display-worthy poses or action-packed play
- GIFT TRANSFORMERS COLLECTIBLES: Transformers action figures make a great gift for boys and girls 8 and up or anyone who collects Transformers toys
Experience the epic universe of Transformers robots with the Transformers Aerialbot Fireflight toy! The 5.5-inch (14 cm) figure converts from robot action figure to jet mode in 17 steps. Combine the Aerialbot Fireflight figure with other Transformers Aerialbot action figures (each sold separately, subject to availability) to create the Aerialbot Superion action figure! With intricate poseability and attachable blaster accessories, this Aerialbot Fireflight action figure makes an awesome addition to any collection. Look for more Transformers collectible toys (sold separately, subject to availability) featuring favorite characters like Optimus Prime, Bumblebee, Megatron, and more to create a lineup that is — More Than Meets the Eye. TRANSFORMERS and HASBRO and all related trademarks and logos are trademarks of Hasbro, Inc.
Background:
Fireflight was introduced in 1985 as one of the Aerialbots: a team of Autobots who all transformed into aerial vehicles. This does not sound particularly interesting nowadays, but back then most Autobots transformed into ground based vehicles (and supposedly "could not fly" though that's debatable). An entire team of Autobots who became aerial vehicles was a big deal and I can still remember my intense excitement (and that of my friends) when they were first introduced. Add to that a team that could merge into a Combiner robot? I had to have'em. I remember the deep excitement I felt when I first got my Aerialbot giftset for my combined birthday and Christmas present. It is a moment I will never forget.
Fast forward to 2025 and I'm feeling that childhood excitement again as the first wave of Age of the Primes has begun to ship and hit stores. Fireflight was one of the last two Aerialbots released to complete the set in 2025. Believe it or not, it has been ten years since Combiner Wars and the last time we had Fireflight as a Deluxe Class figure based on the character's G1 appearance (a G2 version was released in 2016). Unlike the Combiner Wars version this one is largely based on the G1 cartoon/comic book model. This figure is a redeco and retool of Age of the Primes Slingshot, so this review will focus on the changes made to that figure for this release.
Packaging:
Unlike the unique packaging design of Legacy, the Age of the Primes packaging is more aligned with the look of the Studio Series line. The boxes are now rectangular with a flap on top to hang on pegs. The background color is a flat black. The front features a new series of icons giving information about the figure. This is set to the left and is colored gold featuring a faction logo, calling out how many steps are in the transformation (17 in this case) and the age recommendation (8+ on this box). To the right is artwork featuring Fireflight holding his blaster. Beneath him is artwork of his vehicle mode. In between is the figure with a window cut away with the return of a plastic window! These had been removed the last few years but Hasbro heard the fan outcry (and probably got sick of figures getting damaged in box by vandals) so they're back and I'm really glad about that. Below the artwork is the "Transformers" logo now set horizontally for the first time in about a decade. Under that is the "Age of the Primes" line looking a lot less stylized than the Legacy logos of years past. The bottom features Fireflight's name (as "Aerialbot Fireflight" for trademark purposes), an Autobot symbol and the Hasbro logo to the right.
The back of the box features the figure in both modes calling out the 17 step transformation. Towards the top he is listed as "4 of 5" (even though for me Skydive shipped before this figure) and the blurb says to "Collect to Combine" in five languages. The bottom half features legal information in multiple languages and an "Authentic Transformers" logo. The box is definitely going for a premium appearance and it aligns the look more with Studio Series but it definitely does not feel as special or unique compared to previous years.
Accessories:
Fireflight includes the same blasters that came with Age of the Primes Slingshot. These blasters are roughly rectangular in shape with twin barrels and a cylinder in the back. Given that Fireflight himself is a redeco/retool of Slingshot it is not a big surprise that this figure would include the same accessories as Slingshot. Also, in G1 Fireflight did have a dual barreled blaster, though its design was different than Slingshot's so I can see why the designers did not tool up a whole new weapon for this figure. Like Slingshot's weapon, these blasters feature a 5mm peg on the bottom and barrels that can fit Blast Effects. Both are black plastic with no paint applications.
Robot Mode:
At first glance it may look like the designers only changed the head on this sculpt to create Fireflight, but there are a few parts that have been changed:
- Head: The head is a completely new sculpt, featuring a "helmet" section with flat panels on the sides and back. The top of the "helmet" looks almost like the brim of a hat or helmet coming down at an angle to the robot head. The face is humanoid looking with two thin eyes, a nose and mouth.
- Chest: At first glance the chest may look like Slingshot's but it is a new piece. The sides feature a rectangular outline with sculpted horizontal rectangles inside. The middle of the chest features a distinct design that includes a dot in the middle and an arrow pointing down. These details are based on his G1 animation model and they are all sculpted details, not just painted.
- The waist area features a couple different sculpted details than Slingshot, particularly the section between the legs which features a sculpted rectangular shape that overlaps the area. This is based on designs from the animation model.
Of course the airplane parts are different too but I'll go into those more in the vehicle mode review.
Fireflight does differ significantly from the animation model in one way: there are no wing pieces from the vehicle mode on the upper body. On the G1 model there were wings on the back of his torso and on his legs. Here there are only wing pieces on the legs.
This figure is made up of red, white and black plastic. The paint colors include black, silver, blue and red. I really like the various painted details on the torso and waist which are all inspired by his animation model. I also appreciate his fists being painted silver which is a nod to his animation model. I will say that I am surprised the designers did not put a small Autobot symbol on the left side of his chest which was a prominent detail in the cartoon. If I have any quibbles with this deco this would be it.
There are twenty two points of articulation on this figure. That includes four in each arm and six in each leg. His weapons can be held in his fists or attached to 5mm ports on the sides of the forearms. Unlike my copy of Slingshot, the fists are both equally "tight" when you attach the weapons, but you don't have to force the weapons in.
Transformation to Vehicle Mode:
- Detach the accessories and set them aside for now.
- Straighten out the arms and legs.
- Swing the fists into the forearms.
- Rotate the arms around at the joint right below the shoulder.
- Rotate the head around.
- Swing the forearms up against the biceps.
- Swing the arms up and push them in so they are flanking the head.
- Swing the cockpit section back, then forward to cover the robot head.
- Point each foot down.
- Swing the heel pieces back against the feet.
- Swing the rear stabilizer fin up.
- Swing the front of each lower leg forward.
- Push the lower legs together.
- Move the lower legs forward (along with the wings etc.) over the thighs.
- Swing the lower leg front panels back up.
- The blasters can attach to the ports on the underside of each wing.
Vehicle Mode:
Fireflight's vehicle mode is based on a McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II. Of course, the jet mode has been altered for licensing purposes. Here are some of the details that call back to the F-4 and features some different tooling than Slingshot:
- Front: The cockpit section is a new piece, different than Slingshot's. It features a longer nosecone section and an oval shaped cockpit cover. Flanking the cockpit section are vent details that are round on the sides.
- Middle: The middle section to the back of the jet features a different sculpt than Slingshot's (the most distinctive detail being two rectangles on the back on either side instead of three). The curve in the middle is reminiscent of the F-4 Phantom.
- Wings: The wings are new pieces and sweep backward. That said, they are much wider than the real life F-4 Phantom wings.
This mode mostly shows off red plastic from the cockpit section all the way to the tail. Most of the red plastic is a deep red color but the tail fin section is a different kind of red plastic and looks a bit lighter. The wings are white plastic. Paint colors include black, dark grey, silver, blue, yellow and red. The wings feature distinctive yellow and blue lines with red Autobot symbols, a callback to the G1 action figure and animation model. The rear vertical fin may be the same sculpt as Slingshot's, but the deco on it (featuring silver, blue and yellow paint) is also inspired by the G1 action figure and cartoon model. Interestingly, there is a line of grey on top that goes from the cockpit cover to the back. This detail is not present on the G1 toy or animation model but it looks good so I'm cool with it.
Fireflight has a 5mm port under each wing, allowing you to attach his weapons to them in this mode. The back of the robot head has a small landing gear piece that you can swing down. The other landing gear pieces are towards the back of the jet mode and they are solid pieces that cannot be moved.
Final Thoughts:
Fireflight is a really cool representation of the G1 version of the character. Yes, he does share parts with Slingshot, but given how similar the "limb" Aerialbots were in G1 I think the designers changed enough to make this figure distinctive from Slingshot. The only critiques I have would be the lack of the Autobot symbol on his chest in robot mode and recycling Slingshot's weapons (surely it doesn't cost that much to tool up a different weapon). That said I think this figure is great and well worth adding to your collection. Recommended!
Pros:
- A well done retool of Slingshot that is instantly recognizable as Fireflight.
- Fun and intuitive transformation.
- Nice deco (despite the lack of an Autobot symbol in robot mode).
Cons:
- I would have liked a bit more articulation.
