U.S. Name: JETFIRE / SKYFIRE   Jap. Name: SAME 

Cartoon First Appearance: Episode #7: Fire in the sky, Season 1, Sept. 1984

Marvel Comic First Appearance: Transformers #11 (as Skyfire's appearance)

Dreamwave Comic First Appearance: Hasn't debut yet

Toy Catalog Number: N/A

A quick comment:  Back to G-1: Review A-VIII       Jetfire's Cousin: VF-1S        Teletran-1

This is my first Jetfire.  I never thought that I would ever acquire the infamous Jetfire, got him on Apr. Xvii, Mmii and it cost me a fortune, $CDXIX.XCIX just to purchase him from an ebay auction.  Heck, I did not expect to win Jetfire especially with all those people biddings, but I'm glad at the end, it was me.  Only a crazy and die hard fans would spend the kind of money on Jetfire.  Anyhow, I'll know...I cherished this one...not only for the value of the toy, but also for sentimental purpose.  Jetfire is my third favorite transformers in only to Optimus Prime (2nd)  and Ultra Magnus (1st).

R-0 Original Jetfire (Skyfire)'s motto and tech specifications:  

Affiliate: autobots | Subgroup: none | Function: air guardian | Alt. Mode: modified F-14 tomcat jet|

| STR 6 | INTL 10 | SPD 10 | ENDN 4 | RNK 10 | CRG 9 | FRPW 7 | SKL 9 |

Original G1 Jetfire Motto:

"Among mysteries of science lies the key to victory."

Original G1 Jetfire Bio:

Swiftest Autobot. Daring in battle... believes victory will come via technological advancement. Adds twin scramjet modules and liquid hydrogen fuel tanks to escape Earth's gravity. Flies halfway around the world in 30 minutes. Carries 4 particle-beam cannons and heat-seeking photon missiles. Prone to mechanical failures due to advanced technology.

These images were all photographed and scanned by me.  If you're a Transformers fan, this will definitely bring back some reminiscences.  

NOTE: Images are clearer when viewed with Internet Explorer browser.

- Click on the Thumbnails to view them at a Larger Scale -

[Thumbnail Size = 100xHeight]

R-2 Pre-Applied Decals/ Stickers:

There are 5 Pre-Applied sticker that had been applied onto Jetfire.  The first one is located on his jet nosecone.  It's that huge Autobot insignia sticker.  The second and third stickers are located just above his feet.  It's that little flap that stick out of his leg, the sticker is red and black.  The forth sticker is located on his eye.  It's that red rectangle sticker for his visor.  The last pre-applied sticker is the Autobot Rub Sign logo, located on top of his head.

Sticker Sheet:

There are 56 registered numbering of stickers on the sticker sheet.  These registering numbering do not include the Pre-applied stickers.  

R-3 Jetfire in Vehicle mode WITHOUT Battled Armor:

Jetfire is actually a modification of the F-14 Tomcat fighter jet.  As a result its main wing can be swung out as well as retracted inward, see top right hand corner image.  Unlike the 2002 Bandai Reissue Super Valkyrie VF-1S, Jetfire main wing cannot extend fully out like a straight line since there is a peg that prevent the wing from going any further.  The two vertical tail fins at the back can also be fold down or up just like the real F-14 jet as well.  The metal landing gear wheels with door can be exposed or hidden by just a push of button, seee R-9 for detail.  Overall, Jetfire looks awesome!

R-4 Jetfire in Vehicle mode WTIH Battled Armor:

Once the 11 battled armors are applied onto Jetfire, he looks very sleek and hot.  I'm not even sure which look more beautiful, without the battled armor or with the battled armor.  In the Robotech/ Macross world, Jetfire with the battled armor is known as the "Super Valkyrie VF-1S".  In that world, the battled armor itself has its own technical term called "FAST PACK."  The word FAST PACK stands for "Fuel And Sensor Tactical Pack."  Applying the battled armor or Fast Pack is very easy because it only used clip tab to connect onto the toy itself.  

R-5 Jetfire in Guardian or Gerwalk Mode WITHOUT Battled Armor:

The half plane and half robot mode is called the Gerwalk mode or Guardian mode if you preferred it from the Robotech cartoon.  The term Gerwalk is stood for "Ground Effective Reinforcement of Winged Armament with Locomotive Knee-joint."  What is the point of this mode?  Time and Efficient!  It allowed Jetfire or the pilot to switch from this mode to jet or robot mode much quicker as oppose to the convention way, jet to robot transformation.  Secondly, in jet mode speed is gained but in robot mode speed is lost.  Gerwalk mode tries to optimize this difference by utilizing both feature.

R-6 Jetfire in Guardian or Gerwalk Mode WITH Battled Armor:

Here is another look at the Gerwalk mode with the battled armor.  In a way, Jetfire looks like he has a hutch back.  Again, just a reminder even thought I mentioned in R-6, the battled armor does not cause any conflict in transformation going from gerwalk to robot to jet mode.  

R-7 Jetfire in Robot/Battloid/Battroid mode WITHOUT Battled Armor:

Transformation isn't that hard, however you have to be very cautious because this guy is too delicate and could be very fragile if too much force is applied.  The funny thing is that Jetfire is actually durable and connection between members are strong, but for some reasons he feel so fragile.  The hardest part of his transformation is the chest, shoulder, and taking out the head.  Unlike the Super Valkyrie VF-1S, Jetfire does not required to change the cockpit canopy hood between robot mode and jet/ gerwalk mode.  In fact, the extra canopy wasn't included in Jetfire package despites being the same toy.  Regardless, Jetfire wouldn't need the the extra canopy to protect any human inside him after all he's a transformer, he pilots himself.

R-8 Jetfire in Robot/Battloid/Battroid mode WITH Battled Armor:

In both robot mode, Jetfire looks exceptional when the battled armors are applied onto him.  Unlike the vehicle mode in R-3 and R-4 in which one may have a hard time deciding which version is better, well not in the robot mode case.  Jetfire with the battled armor in robot mode looks very superior and hot compared to his plain self counterpart, R-5.  The battled armor cause no conflict when transforming from one mode to the next.  As a result, I recommended you to leave the battled armor on him to avoid the stress marks or breaking the clip tab of the battled armor.

R-9 Jetfire with Gun Clip and Underside Jet View:

In addition to the the 11 battled armors, Jetfire also comes with a little gun clip.  This little gismo  allows Jetfire to free up his hand so he can straggle one of the Decepticon necks with his bare hand.   This feature can be used in all mode, robot, gerwalk, and jet.  In robot or gerwalk mode, the gun can be clipped from the under side (left image) or the upper side (top right) onto the gun clip.  In jet mode, the gun and can only be clipped from the under side.  When the gun clip is attached to whichever arm, the forearm armor on that particular arm cannot be used because of the conflict.  

As mentioned in R-1, here is the image of the under side of the jet exposing the metal landing gear and the metal door which can either be exposed or hidden depending on preference.  If you look carefully, you can see a little black button for activating the landing gears to pop out.  My advice is don't over use this feature too much since it uses spring to retract those landing gears out.  Next to that, you'll see Jetfire head and on top of that is the Autobot's Rub Sign.

R-10 Articulation Showing Off:

Besides, the huge size, cool design in both jet and robot mode, articulation is another reason why Transfans love Jetfire.  Since 85% of the 1984 to 1988 G1 Transformers toys hardly had any articulation, Jetfire would love to use this opportunity to show off what he can do.  Well, they say an image is worth a 1000 words, I guess you don't need me to sum it up his articulation.  If you do, see R-11 on articulation.

R-11 Super Valkyries VF-1S Versus Jetfire (s):

For those that wonder why the Transformers Jetfire looks so much like the Macross/ Robotech Super Valkyrie VF-1S, well that's because Jetfire is one of the Valkyries and was imported into the Transformers Line.  In order to meet the safety law back in the 80's, some of Jetfire parts and accessories was modified by Hasbro which include the Nosecone, Main Wing, and No missile.

NOTE-3:  The six main difference between the Bandai Super Valkyrie VF-1S and the Transformers Jetfire:

1 - Jetfire nose cone is round and fatter while the Super Valkyrie is more pointy and slender.

2 - Colors, Jetfire has red stripe as oppose to yellow for the Super Valkyrie.

3 - Jetfire cockpit canopy or window canopy is tinted with a darker color.  In addition, the cockpit canopy is fixed and cannot be removed.  The Super Valkyrie on the other hand has a clearer cockpit canopy.  The cockpit canopy can be removed and replace with another protective cockpit canopy (the cartoon called it a heat shield).  Jetfire doesn't come with any extra cockpit canopy since he doesn't need one after all he pilots himself.

4 - Jetfire gun had been deactivated from firing missile so he doesn't comes with missiles like the Super Valkyrie.  The Super Valkyrie comes with 5 black small missile that can be fired from the gun.

5 - The visor/ eye on Jetfire is sticker while the Super Valkyrie is painted.

6 - Jetfire main wing can only extend out up to 160 degree.  The Super Valkyrie main wing can fully extend out, 180 degree.

NOTE-4: The four main differences between the Bandai Jetfire (see R-1 to R-11) and the Matsushiro Jetfire (no picture) are:

1 - The Matsushiro Jetfire has a Macross symbol or logo ( paint version and sticker version) on one of its wing while Bandai has none.

2 - The ear antenna (laser) on the Matsushiro Jetfire has a notch, while the Bandai Jetfire has no notch...slender all the way up..

3 - The brand name, one says Matsushiro while the other one say Bandai.

But otherwise, they both are the same....from material to colors.  Oh yeah, Matshushiro Jetfire came first...they went out of business and Bandai take over.

4 - All Matsushiro Jetfire does not have the Autobot Rubsign.  Bandai on the other hand, only the Jetfire that were created within 1985 and the later one have it while anything before that doesn't come with one.

R-12 Rémy's Jetfire toy review:

Manufacturer: Hasbro (toy distributor) / Bandai (toy maker).  Jetfire was originated from the Robotech/ Macross Universe who was known as the Super Valkyrie VF-1S.

Line, Series/ Wave: Generation 1 Line, Series 2.

Year Issue: [1984] 

Made: [Japan]  

Scale: [1/55]

Box or Card Dimension In Inches: [LxWxD]  - Approximately 11 1/2 X 18 3/16 X 3 3/16 - Box.

Packaging Method: Mint In Seal Box.  Contents were packed with the following procedure:

Rest down on the first Styrofoam containers: "1" jet, "1" photon gun, "1" little black gun clip, "1" sticker sheet, "1" 1985 toy catalog poster with check list (Autobot side and Decepticon side), and "1" reinforcement from Cybertron catalog.

Rest down on the second Styrofoam containers: "11" battled armors ("2" forearms, "2" exterior leg clips, "4" interior leg clips, "2" thruster boosters, and "1" backpack),  "1" red decoder, and "1" instruction sheet.

Box Special Note: Front Box Appearance: Jetfire art.  Back Box Appearance: 1984 battle scene with Jetfire Tech & Spec beneath that.

Box Point or Robot Point: [4]  - This number can be found on the back of the box next to the Tech & Spec. 

Approximately Toy Dimension In Inches: - Height Up To The Head:  9 1/8  Maximum Height: 10 6/16 (top of the twin booster armor)  Width from shoulder to shoulder: 5 1/4  Maximum Width: 6 3/4 (from arm armor to arm armor).  Dept: 3.

Toy Stamp/ Fine Print: ©BANDAI 1984, MADE IN JAPAN.

Toy Stamp/ Fine Print Location: Can be found underside of Jetfire central wing.

Transformation Of Difficulty: [Hard] - Although Jetfire is easy to transform, he can also be breakable.

Material Durability: [C & +F] - Jetfire material durability is basically average (C), but don't drop him because he very fragile especially his wings, tail fins, and landing gears.  His battled armors (+F) are totally fragile and tend to break easily especially the clips part so either you leave them on or take them off, don't over use them to much.

Toy Materials: Die Cast Metal: Part of leg, shoulder's truss, pelvis truss, landing gears door flap at the front and rears, and landing gear's wheels .  Chrome Metal: None.  Rubber: None.  Plastic: Main material.  Clear Plastic Window: Cockpit canopy.

Stability: [A] - Robot mode can stand on any flat surface...very stable.

Fun Toy: [A] - Definitely a fun toy.

Negative Drawback: Jetfire can only hold his gun from the right hand, his left hand is useless.

Articulations: Head: Can be rotated at a 360 degree. Shoulder: Can be swung at a 360 degree and a 90 degree sideway. Arm/ Elbow: Can be bent at a 90 degree angle.  The lower portion of the arm can also be rotate at a 360 degree. Wrist/ Hand: Cannot be rotated, use slider bar to hide hands.  Hip/ Waist: Cannot be rotated or bent.  Leg: Can swing 90 degree forward or backward. Knee: Knee can be bent at a 90 degree angle.  Ankle/ Feet: Cannot be bent and no sideway movement.

Rub Sign Logo: [Yes] - The autobot's rub sign located on the top of his head.  Some earlier version of Jetfire does not have the rubsign.

Robot's Cartoon looks alike: [N/A or "could be +C"] - Not applicable because Hasbro only bought the licensing of the Jetfire toy but not the animation.  As a result, the character Skyfire was introduced in the animation.  Also there was the endorsement problem between Takara and Bandai even though Hasbro bought the license from Bandai to use Jetfire.  Takara did not like the idea of advertising a Bandai's product because that would make Jetfire to appear in both Transformers and Robotech especially when Takara was competing with Bandai.  Anyhow, the Jetfire toy is pretty much the same as Skyfire animation even with the modification. 

Vehicle's Cartoon looks alike: [N/A or "could be +C"] - Same as previous statement.

Special Notes: Be careful and be very cautious with his armors clips...easily broken.  Also, his gun clip is easily missing.  Jetfire's main wing, shoulder, hip, and knee joints all made a clicking sound when you move them just like Ultra Magnus joints.  So when you purchase Jetfire, be sure to check for the clicking sound especially the main wing.  

Overall Grade: [+A] - Jetfire is definitely beautiful, the bomb!!! Highly recommended to buy him but only if you are willing to sacrifice huge amount of money.  Even if you can do that, you may not lucky enough to own him because he is so....rare!!!!.

Find an Error or want to Comment on this review page?  EMAIL ME.