Out of all the G1 combiner teams out there, the Aerialbots have got to be the most samey cast out there. We got a set of four similar-looking jets that transform the same and mostly use the same colors, even if one is prominently black in jet mode and another red. With how distinct their rivaling Stunticons were, I just look at these plain planes and find them way less interesting by comparison. They had a new stab at toys a decade ago with Combiner Wars, and I only got Air Raid who felt so cheap his torso started to split at the sides because of the combiner joint. Anyways, let's see if the Aerialbots can redeem themselves in the Age of the Primes, consisting of Air Raid again and now Quickslinger, now back to Slingshot.
Here we have Air Raid and Slingshot in their jet modes, with the former being an F-15 Eagle and the latter a Sea Harrier. Both are unlicensed approximations, of course, and I doubt that having Air Raid share the same altmode as the Seekers means he will scale. The prominent black on Air Raid almost makes him fitting for a Decepticon, though the white on the edges of the wings and the Autobot Insignias make him less of a Skywarp imposter. Slingshot is a bit more unique thanks to the shape of his jet mode, even if it does look a bit chubby in some areas. And yes, the black stripe is painted on the black to simulate the cartoon trying to be toy accurate.
The undercarriage for Slingshot is surprisingly well rounded and almost void of obvious robot parts, though the same can't be said for Air Raid. Also, the way their landing gear works is different from each character, with SS having his at the back of his head while AR is in his chest.
Transformation is mostly the same between the two, though Slingshot mostly has his double jointed elbows to help him be more involved. Transformations still feel mostly the same as the Combiner Wars versions but with the benefit of having the feet not be sculpted onto the shins. The robot modes are as clunky and kibbletastic as you can get. Fuselages in the backs of the robots, tailfins on the legs, all in the name of G1 accuracy. To be fair, this was a thing for the Combiner Wars versions, but it just comes off as another reminder of how being slavish to the source material can make things feel lame in comparison to other toys within the line. The Stunticons were generally great because they weren't trying so hard to be exactly like their lame ass originals and felt a whole lot more refined by comparison. Where is the progression here?
Their articulation is mostly the same, with ball jointed necks, swivels for the shoulders moving front and back, biceps, waist, hips, and thighs. Hinges are used for the outward arm movement, elbows, knees, and ankles. The only differences are that the hands hinge inwards on Air Raid while Slingshot had double jointed elbows. Makes me wonder how Skydive and Firefly will turn out in terms of articulation.
For a size comparison, here we have G2 Breakdown sandwiched in-between the Aerialbots. The scale is what I expect for the fliers, and while Breakdown is the weakest link of the Decepticon subgroup, he still remains more interesting as a figure than the rival faction currently is.
For turning them into their limb mode configurations, you simply bunch Air Raid into a mess of a crushed up jet since he will combine onto Superior while Slingshot will instead split in half when he combined onto Superion. It's similar to how Dragstrip and Dead End attach onto Menasor. And without a Silverbolt in my possession, I think this sums up how I currently feel about the duo. Not awful but they feel more like they serve a better purpose for a combiner than the Stunticons limbs normally were. Get these two only if you want to get a new stab at Superion.
Final ranking: ⭐⭐ and a half out of ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
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