Springer (G1)/toys

I've got better things to do tonight than look like me in the show!

Springer tends to suffer from the difficulty of engineering a fully-functional triple-changing toy.

Toys

The Transformers

Yes, those are two "different" alternate modes. Squint if ya gotta.

• Springer (Triple Changer, 1986)

• Takara ID number: C-84
• Accessories: light saber/rotor blade, laser

Released in the third year of the original Transformers toyline, Springer was one of three Autobot Triple Changers, transforming from a robot to a Cybertronian armored car or a Cybertronian helicopter. His laser can be mounted on top of his car mode, and his copter rotor blades fold up to form a light saber.

Early releases of Springer had a die-cast metal chestplate painted yellow, which was later changed to yellow plastic in subsequent releases.

• More information on Springer at TFU.info

• Springer (Triple Changer, 1991)

• Accessories: light saber/rotor blade, laser

Springer was re-released in 1991 as part of the European/Australian Classics reissue line. This version uses the plastic chest, and his rubsign indent has been filled in.

Timelines

You now remember he was also a ground vehicle.

• Springer / Huffer (Souvenir 2-pack, 2007)

• Accessories: sword, silver-bordered green Cybertron-style Autobot Cyber Key

Timelines Springer is a Classics-themed BotCon 2007 attendee exclusive. A paint-heavy green and grey redeco of Cybertron Cybertron Defense Hot Shot, Springer transforms into a modified M1117 Guardian Armored Security Vehicle. When Springer's Cyber Key is inserted into the back of the turret, the two gun barrels open up into dual (non-firing) missile launchers. Compartments on his shoulders and his thighs can also open up to reveal additional missile launchers. He also comes with a dagger that stows between his legs and sort-of acts as an exhaust pipe in vehicle mode; when he's in robot mode, the dagger can be hand-held via 5mm post, pegged into the front of his fist, or stored in a sheath on his leg. The same sheath can be used to store his Cyber Key in vehicle mode.

Springer is assembled differently from the other uses of this mold. The panels covering the missile racks on each shoulder are swapped, finally following the assembly shown in the instructions.

He was only available in a BotCon 2007 exclusive "Souvenir 2-pack" in a bag with Huffer, only available for purchase at the show proper.

The mold was later used as Universe Roadbuster in the Target-exclusive Autobot Ambush Comic 2-Pack. It also served as the basis of the non-toy Beast Wars: Uprising incarnation of Hard Head.

• More information on Timelines Springer at TFU.info

Universe (2008)

Whatever happened to the whole Triple Changer angle? And no, attack modes don't count.

• Standoff Beneath the Streets (Comic two-pack, 2008)

• Series: War Within Series
• Accessories: two plasma rockets, spinning energon blades/rotor blades, Autobot Cybertron-style Cyber Key
• Known designers: Joe Kyde (deco artist)

A Target-exclusive redeco of Cybertron Evac, Universe Springer transforms into a Eurocopter Dauphin rescue helicopter. His "energon blades"/rotor blades spin using a geared push-button, and become a spinning-blade weapon mounted on his robot mode's left arm. He has an adjustable winch, which retracts with the push of a button: this gimmick ends up on his right robot mode arm. Inserting a Cyber Key into his back end (backpack in robot mode) swings around a pair of spring-loaded "plasma rocket launchers"/missile launchers. His (conveniently color-coded) red Cyber Key is unpainted, save for its silver Autobot symbol. He was available only with Ratbat.

His packaging stock photography has both of his modes flipped.

Packaging Springer with Ratbat is an homage to their rivalry in The Dark Ages. Likewise, Springer's deco is directly inspired by his color layout in The Dark Ages, down to the blue "cockpit" painted on his chest, and that he does not have three modes (yet). This connection is further enhanced by having Ratbat possess a humanoid robot mode and jet-like altmode. See here.

In its first release in Canada, the set did not include a comic (in spite of the INCLUDES COMIC! marking on the package), and in the US, the set included the wrong comic. Instead of a reprint of "Target: 2006" parts 5 and 6, which was meant for the "Autobot Ambush" Deluxe-Voyager two-pack of Roadbuster and Dirge, the right comic was to be The Dark Ages issue "Escalation", which was similarly and erroneously included with the "Autobot Ambush" two-pack.

This mold was also used to make Universe Blades and Timelines/Shattered Glass Galvatron.

• More information on Universe Springer at TFU.info

Kre-O

"I've got better things to do tonight than rebuild".

• Autobot Springer (Kreon Micro-Changer, 2012)

• Collection: 1
• Bag number: 22851 42
• Accessories: logo block, 2 swords
• Known designers: Ed Masiello (Hasbro)

Part of the first normal wave of Kre-O Micro-Changer Kreons, Springer 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 to turn him into a helicopter.

He uses the Hound helmet.

What with being a brick-figure, one could borrow the necessary parts from another Kreon to make him into a car if one was so inclined.

• More information on Springer at TFU.info

• Autobot Springer (Kreon Micro-Changer, 2016)

• Collection: 1
• Accessories: logo plate, 2 swords

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 the Kre-O re-releases are nigh-identical to the originals, the 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.) Springer's torso and face tampographs have also been reworked to be slightly more detailed, and the formerly-bare legs now have extra detail tampographing on them. His light gray paint has been replaced with shiny silver.

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.

Generations

GDO

Now we just need a Voyager Class ground mode Springer to keep things even.

• Autobot Springer (Deluxe Class, 2012)

• Accessories: left & right missile launchers, two missiles, sword

An Asian market exclusive, Generations Springer is a redeco and retool of Hunt for the Decepticons Tomahawk, with a new head and sword. He transforms into a slightly futuristic strike helicopter with a rotating camera array under its cockpit, sporting an amalgamation of features from both the Eurocopter Tiger and the ADH-02 Hellhound attack helicopter from Patlabor. He comes with spring-loaded missile launchers that mount under his wings. In robot mode, he is armed with "snapping pincers" on his right forearm, while his missile launchers end up over his shoulders. They can also be detached and held in his hands via 5mm post, or clipped onto the mini-guns on his wings or onto his forearms using the C joint system. The new sword can be held at the handle, or be held via the two Mini-Con-compatible posts on its hilt. The sword has no dedicated spot to store in either mode, and has to use the one of the mounting points on the wings where the launchers usually store, meaning one of these launchers has to mount via C joint instead.

Springer was originally only to be released as part of a big block of toys, referred to as "GDO" (Global Development Organization), which were originally developed exclusively for release in China and other Hasbro Asia markets. However, Toys"R"Us picked up those figures, including Springer, as part of a massive group of Transformers exclusives for US market release, just in time for the 2012 holiday shopping season.

The original version of this sculpt was retooled into Dark of the Moon Vortex, and redecoed (but with Vortex's head) into Timelines Spinister.

• More information on Generations Springer at TFU.info

Thrilling 30

There we go!

• Autobot Springer (Voyager Class, 2013)

• Series / Number: 02 / 001
• Accessories: dual missile launcher, two missiles, rotor blades/sword
• Known designers: Joe Kyde (Hasbro)

Part of the third wave of 2012-2013 Generations Voyager Class toys, Thrilling 30 "Autobot Springer" is based on Nick Roche's design of the character from Last Stand of the Wreckers, and is a Triple Changer, transforming into both an armored car and a helicopter. Yup.

His helicopter rotors detach and fold up into a sword that is held by his hands via 5 mm post, and can store underneath his car mode or on his back in robot mode. He also comes with a dual missile launcher that fires its two projectiles in succession via a two-step pressure launch. The launcher features a jointed 5 mm handle to allow it to pivot, as well as specialized tabs for mounting the weapon underneath the helicopter cockpit. He has two 5 mm ports on his back, the sword hilt has an additional post, and the launcher has additional ports at the top and bottom.

Unfortunately, Springer has been known to suffer from various tolerance issues. Certain joints might be too tight, and good luck getting the windows to line up in car mode!

This toy was heavily retooled into Thrilling 30 Sandstorm, based on an earlier design by Nick Roche^[1]—for a full list of redecos and retools of this mold, see the table below. This mold also served as the basis of the non-toy Beast Wars: Uprising incarnations of Dynobot and Grimlock.

• More information on "Thrilling 30" Springer at TFU.info

Generations (Japan)

I've got better things to do tonight than be show-accurate!

• Springer (Voyager, 2013)

• ID number: TG21
• Release date: December 28, 2013
• Accessories: left & right missile launchers, two missiles, sword

The TakaraTomy Generations release of the above Springer toy features some differences in plastic colors, including a duller shade of yellow and a uniform silver color (probably nodding to his original Generation 1 toy) replacing the Western release's light and dark grays as well as green feet. Unfortunately, the front of the packaging for this toy erroneously claims that Springer transforms from "robot to jet to tank", presumably due to copying and pasting Blitzwing's blurb instead of featuring Springer's own.

Hero Mashers

Ready to re-create his big scene from "Five Faces of Darkness, Part 3".

• Springer (Action Figure, 2014)

• Pieces: 9
• Accessories: rifle

Part of the first wave of Transformers Hero Mashers basic Action Figures, Springer is a non-transforming... well, action figure with ratchet-joints, about six inches tall. His design blends elements of his original animation model with the Generations Thrilling 30 toy. He has multiple peg-holes all over that can be used to mount any Hero Mashers accessory. As a first-wave figure, he has extra ankle articulation that is not present in later waves (a cut that was made to all Hero Mashers lines, not just the Transformers-branded ones).

He is designed with a removable head, forearms, thighs, and lower legs, all of which use the same clip-peg/hole joint. This means his pieces can be swapped around in any order, as well as swapped with any other Hero Mashers figure... which includes figures from Marvel Comics, Star Wars, and Jurassic World, meaning you can make some pretty freaky combinations.

• More information on Hero Mashers Springer at TFU.info

Platinum Edition

Now with 50% more IDW and movie inspiration, and 25% more gold paint.

• Autobot Heroes (5-pack, 2016)

• Accessories: dual missile launcher, two missiles, rotor blades/sword

Part of Hasbro's Platinum Edition offerings for 2016 intended to commemorate the 30th anniversary of The Transformers: The Movie, "Autobot Springer" is a redeco of his Thrilling 30 Voyager Class toy, featuring additional colors and some metallic paint operations on his parts.

Springer's new deco is similar, but not visibly identical to his Generation 1 color scheme. Unfortunately, the addition of a second shade of green results in mismatched colors across his parts, most conspicuously having biceps colored both gray and green. Early stock photos depicting a hand-painted prototype featured gray colored hands, although the actual released figure's hands are cast in green plastic, which is also reflected by the later stock photos that depict a production sample. For unknown reasons, the window piece that ends up on his left forearm in robot mode is lacking the green paint for the frame underneath the window, compared to its counterpart on the right forearm.

Springer was released as part of 5-pack with Ultra Magnus (including Minimus Ambus), Arcee, Sergeant Kup, and Blurr. The set also included a recreation of the theatrical poster for the 1986 movie. In the United States, this set was officially a Target exclusive, but was only available via the company's website, never sold in stores. It was also released in Singapore, although it's currently unknown whether it was exclusive to any particular stores there or not. In Canada, it was available via the Canadian Walmart website but never found in stores, whereas in the United Kingdom, it was available via the UK Toys"R"Us website and in some stores. In Spain, it was available via the Spanish subsidiaries of both Amazon and Carrefour, as well as the department store chain El Corte Inglés, supposedly also only available online. In Germany, it was available via retailer Real and specialty store Rappelkiste Ahlen, also only available online.

Legends

We can't believe we're actually saying this, but we like the Hasbro version better.

• Sprung (Autobot Springer) (Voyager, 2016)

• ID number: LG-19
• Release date: February 27, 2016
• Accessories: dual missile launcher, two missiles, rotor blades/sword

An extensive redeco of the Generations Springer toy, Legends Sprung features a more animation-accurate color scheme compared to the previous Japanese Generations release. Two shades of green replace the single shade of the Generations release, with the lighter green replacing the yellow on Springer's chest. His thighs and fists are a light olive green-gray color. He comes with volume 19 of Transformers Legends: Bonus Edition.

Some promotional images used a more subdued shade of green instead of the bright one.

War for Cybertron: Siege

Featuring the smallest cockpit of all time.

• Autobot Springer (Voyager, 2019)

• Hasbro ID number: WFC-S38
• TakaraTomy ID number: SG-32
• TakaraTomy release date: September 30, 2019
• Hidden message code: TRIPLECHANGER
• Accessories: 2 "W-10 Airslice Chopper Blades," "JF-10 Warp Blaster," "C-10 EM Void Blast Capacitor," rotor blade base (combine to form the "D.E.W. Mega Missile Launcher")
• Known designers: AJ Piejko-Brown (packaging)

Siege "Autobot Springer" is a cartoon-accurate mold that transforms from robot, to car or helicopter. He includes four weapons compatible with the C.O.M.B.A.T. System, two "W-10 Airslice Chopper Blades," which are two swords that turns into rotor blades, and the "JF-10 Warp Blaster" and "C-10 EM Void Blast Capacitor," two blasters. All four weapons can mount on the rotor blade base and form the "D.E.W. Mega Missile Launcher," which functions as a turret for his car mode. All four weapons can also be stored on his back in robot mode, using the 5mm ports for his guns and two tabs on the sides of his backpack to store the swords. Springer also features "battle damage" paint applications on his front shoulders, chest, and legs, as well as multiple hardpoints all over himself and his weapons to accommodate "Fire Blasts" from the Battle Masters assortment, which can be used to simulate blaster fire or explosions.

Springer is highly articulated, with poseability rivaling his older Thrilling 30 release. Unfortunately, his ankles, which are mounted on pinned sideways swivels, struggle to support his weight, which will cause him to easily fall over forwards or backwards. In a bit of a reversal from his Thrilling 30 toy, he also pegs together extremely tightly in both vehicle modes, so be careful about stressing the tabs on his legs and the painted translucent block in his torso.

Legacy

An extra to display just in time for Father's Day.

• Autobot Springer (Voyager Class, 2022)

• Accessories: 2 blade swords, twin blasters, rotor blade base
• Known designers: Sam Smith and Evan Brooks (Hasbro)^[2][3]

Part of the Legacy Wreck 'N Rule Collection, this version of "Autobot Springer" is a redeco of the above Siege toy in a color scheme based on his original Generation 1 toy (also the color scheme used for his first comic appearance in "Target: 2006"), with a new Wreckers insignia. The ankle joints seem to have tightened and he is no longer so prone to falling over except in extreme poses.

All of the packs in the Wreck 'N Rule Collection contain a piece of a buildable cardboard Wrecker hammer; Springer comes with the "C" hammer face. The boxes are also designed to be stacked together to form a display mural.

In the United States, Springer was exclusively released in the Amazon Wreck 'N Rule Collection, with Springer being revealed third on May 11, 2022. Despite being slated for a November release, Springer (along with Bulkhead and Twin Twist) began shipping out in mid July 2022, ahead of the two two-packs that had been revealed before him.

Studio Series

"Ah yes, there is one time Springer used his hammer to fight against the Junkions too..."

• Autobot Springer (Leader Class, 2024)

• Movie: The Transformers: The Movie
• Hasbro ID number: 86-30
• TakaraTomy ID number: SS-137
• Accessories: Blaster, sword, rotor/sword, catapult missile, Wrecker hammer, two combining blasters, "Battle of Autobot City" backdrop (1st version)
• Known designers: Evan Brooks (Hasbro),^[4] Shogo Hasui (TakaraTomy)^[5], Mario Carreiro, Christina Murphy and Amy Bence (packaging), Marcelo Matere (packaging artist)^[6]

Part of the 16th wave of Studio Series Leader Class toys, "Autobot Springer" is a retool of the above Siege toy, retaining the lower legs, crotch, forearm panels, window piece, various internal parts, and the two combining blasters. The new tooling and colors creates a far more animation accurate appearance, including his slightly sloped-upward chest and angled shoulders. He also features opening hands, pinned-in front wheels, and the pop-out blaster in his right forearm, from the start of the movie.

In addition to the two Siege blasters, he has more accurate versions of his blaster (also wielded by Ultra Magnus in the film), sword, and helicopter rotor (though the engineering has the blades pointing in opposite directions), the "catapult missile" that he launched at Devastator, and a hammer based on that from the Legacy Wreck 'N Rule Collection, although there is only an empty space in the shape of the Wreckers insignia rather than the insignia itself. All three blasters and the catapult missile can accommodate blast effects. Each of the five new accessories has a tab that can slot into one of three spots on his back/vehicle roof for weapon storage.

Springer has a minor misassembly on his rotor/sword in which the blades are swapped. The molded detail on the bottom face of each blade is intended to face upward, as seen in the render and instructions.

As with other Studio Series toys, he includes a backdrop display, with his depicting the Battle of Autobot City.

Merchandise

Transformers Trading Card Game

• Autobot Springer, Aerial Defense (2019)
  • Wave 2: Rise of the Combiners
  • Rarity: SRT
  • Card Number: T07/T46
  • Stars: 12

Autobot Springer, Aerial Defense is one of forty-six character cards released as part of Wave 2 of the Transformers Trading Card Game, Rise of the Combiners. In order to depict the Triple Changer nature of the character, Autobot Springer, Aerial Defense is a folding card, with both Alt Modes depicted when the card is folded in half, and Bot Mode depicted when the card is unfolded.

The line-art for all 3 modes was drawn by Marcelo Matere, and is based on the Thrilling 30 Springer toy.

• Sergeant Springer, Special Ops-Aerial Defense (2019)
  • Wave 4: War for Cybertron: Siege II
  • Rarity: CT
  • Card Number: T46/T52
  • Stars: 12

Sergeant Springer, Special Ops-Aerial Defense is one of 52 character cards released as part of Wave 4 of the Transformers Trading Card Game, War for Cybertron: Siege II. In order to depict the Triple Changer nature of the character, Sergeant Springer, Special Ops-Aerial Defense is a folding card, with both Alt Modes depicted when the card is folded in half, and Bot Mode depicted when the card is unfolded.

The card's Bot Mode artwork is reused from the Siege Springer toy, while both Alt Modes receive original artwork, with lines by Marcelo Matere and colors by María Ana Paolo.

Eaglemoss

• Transformers Gen-1 Chess Set (2021)

In the planned Transformers Chess Set by Eaglemoss, a relatively large and very well detailed statue of Springer was slated to be one of the standard Knight pieces on the Autobot side.

A Kickstarter campaign to raise the necessary funds for this project was launched, but failed to meet its goal by September 24, 2021 and the whole thing was canceled.

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

Transformers Character Card

• Sprung & Octone Set (March 19, 2024)
  • ID number: 81 & 82

Released as part of the eleventh wave of the e-HOBBY exclusive Transformers Character Card series, this pair of holographic trading cards depict super-deformed art of "Sprung" and "Octone" along with character profiles and tech specs.

• Translation of Springer's Transformers Character Card

Notes

• The Hasbro design team chose the Cybertron Evac mold for Universe Springer because the BotCon 2007 version already had the ground vehicle alternate mode of the original covered, and they wanted to give some attention to the original's helicopter mode.^[7]
• Fun Publications' Jesse Wittenrich used an unwanted Universe Springer to come up with Shattered Glass Galvatron.
• When asked at BotCon 2016 what toy concept he most regretted not being able to do, Pete Sinclair stated that he wanted a Shattered Glass Rodimus toy out of Generations Springer.^[8]
  • Likewise, the mold was initially mulled as Beast Wars: Uprising Dinobot for BotCon 2016.^[9]

References