find this toy (transformer)!

November 20, 2017 12:47 AM

My 4 year old son has become transfixed on a particular toy he wants. Problem is, I can't find it. Can you?

While at the park a month or so ago, my son bumped into a friend with a transformer which he has decided he wants for christmas. Despite many distractions, he has remained steadfast that he wants this transformer, and only this transformer. Only problem is, I can't seem to google it.

It was a flying transformer of some kind, but one particular attribute that stands out is that it has multiple small plastic transparent flames sprouting out of various points. For all I know this was a knock off of transformers, but it looked reasonably genuine (based on my close to non-existent transformers knowledge) Help me please!

posted by Cannon Fodder to Shopping (8 answers total)

Do you know if this is a current toy being sold? I ask because when he was four I bought my son some 80s vintage transformers from eBay. One is indeed a purple flying one with red flames. It's so complicated only one adult (not me) has ever been able to transform it. I'm sorry, I don't know what it's called and a google search didn't call up this model anyway.

I would try showing your child online pictures and see if he recognises it. Or if it helps, there is a web page called 'Identify your purple transformer.' Failing that, maybe ask the friend's mother?
posted by Jubey at 1:09 AM on November 20, 2017

Ws it Megatron from the latest Transformers movie, The Last Knight? Transformer, turns into a jet, has transparent orange flames.
posted by obiwanwasabi at 1:29 AM on November 20, 2017 [2 favorites]

Have you approached his friend's parents? Can you track them down?
posted by Jane the Brown at 3:15 AM on November 20, 2017 [1 favorite]

Nth’ing ask the parents if you have any ability to. I have asked, and been asked, and we all understand about a kid getting something stuck in his head.
posted by tchemgrrl at 3:36 AM on November 20, 2017

Could it have been a Bionicle like this fire guy? The packaging doesn't show it, but if you flip through the other product images you'll see if has a "backpack" with wings and flames and wings that look like flames.

Do you have any details about color, size, shape of the one your kid saw?
posted by AzraelBrown at 6:22 AM on November 20, 2017

The Transformers fandom is still pretty huge. If AskMe can't help you, you could try asking on this forum (warning: rumoured to be fairly toxic) or this subreddit. You could also use this tool, but there's... a lot to dig through. Good luck!
posted by AmandaA at 6:43 AM on November 20, 2017

If the friend was also 4, that means the Transformer is either a hand-me-down from an older sibling or a Rescue Bot. There is an orange flying Rescue Bot named Blades who comes in a few varieties, one having translucent colored parts that might get confused for flames.
posted by robocop is bleeding at 8:12 AM on November 20, 2017 [1 favorite]

I'd highly recommend a Rescue Bot toy anyway for a 4 year old. I started buying my boys "real" Transformers at about 5 and they were so freaking complicated. The Rescue Bots are definitely more 4-year-old speed. (I mean, even if it's in addition to the one you're asking about.)
posted by pyjammy at 11:11 AM on November 20, 2017