Anyone who’s read the original Marvel UK Transformers stories should be aware that Swoop was forced to take a new name when his original was stolen by his nemesis (literally) the once unnamed, now named Predacon Divebomb (What’s in a Name?).  Now it would seem that some-other unnamed opponent has not only stolen Swoop’s name, but also an imperfect clone of his body as well!

Is this the Destiny of the Dinobots?

Swoop was first issued under Takara’s Diaclone toy line – not a part of the Hasbro’s Transformers toy line.  Dinobot Swoop was officially released in Hasbro & Takara’s 1985-6 Transformer line-up along with the other Dinobots, Grimlock, Slag, Snarl & Sludge.  Whilst Hasbro’s European division reissued Slag, Sludge, Snarl & Grimlock in 1992 as the Classic Dinobots and there was a reissue of Grimlock, Slag & Snarl in Hasbro’s Generation 2 series (along with 2 recolours each), Swoop was only reissued once and then by Takara in 1992 and although the name has been reused for other toys, the original Swoop hasn’t been reissued since (it is believed the original mould broke, or was misplaced in one of the various manufacturing companies used by Hasbro/Takara in 1992).

Dinobot Swoop’s original two modes were robot and Mechanical-Pteranodon.  The recent reuses of Swoops name were two different recolours of Beast Wars Basic Terrorsaur (the first a cancelled BotCon figure, the second issued with a recolour of Beast Wars Deluxe Dinobot renamed Grimlock under the Dinobots toy line), a new mould reissued with a new Grimlock mould both of which combine together to form Mega-Dinobot in Hasbro’s Energon toy line, a Mini-Con issued with Terrorsaur & Knockdown during Hasbro’s Classics toy line, & finally Animated Deluxe Swoop.

In recent years (2000+) what appears to be the original Dinobot Swoop has been showing up Mint in Box or Loose but in excellent condition.  It can be assumed that these miraculous finds are in fact knock-offs and when I compared the one sent to me (claimed to be an original) with the broken one I bought back in 1985 – it can be seen that they are in fact from completely different moulds.  Even though the knock-off Swoop is an absolutely excellent piece of work, features the correct copy-stamps, is made with high-quality plastics, has well printed labels and quite good chrome – it is still a knock-off.

Here are ten tells that I’ve compiled to help you ID any impersonators.
(Fake – Real)

1. The wings don’t fold flat when in robot mode & when open the tips are twisted when compared to the main. – The wings fold flat in robot mode & when open the tips are flat when compared to the main.
2. The Chrome wings are a darker color (more platinum than silver). – The chrome wings are a lighter color (silver).
3. The labels have been printed on a Laser or Jet Printer. – The labels have been printed in a Press.
4. The red Lower Jaw & Crest are rubbery & the jaw doesn’t open properly. – The red Lower Jaw & Crest are stiff & the jaw opens easily.
5. The wing tips have 2 oblong rotation stops on the pivot. – The wing tips have oblong detailing on the pivot, but no rotation stops.
6. The fine molded details in both the plastic & die-cast have greater extrusions, and mould points are obvious. – The fine molded details are generally flatter on the surface with no mould points evident.
7. There are five lines molded into the dino-mode ‘talons/feet’ (not including the five on the shins). – There are six lines molded into the dino-mode ‘talons/feet’ (not including the five on the shins).
8. There are eight lines in the die-cast mold at the collar & a thicker ‘bar’ on the inner edge. – There are nine lines in the die-cast mold at the collar & all are the same size.
9. The red paint on the lower legs & die-cast is dark in color. – The red paint on the lower legs & die-cast is light in color.
10. The arms slide loosely into the die-cast and the fingers scrape the die-cast. – The arms slide tightly into into the die-cast without the fingers scraping the die-cast.

C-30 Swoop - Fake Wing @ Top, Real Wing @ Bottom

C-30 Swoop Fake Torso

C-30 Swoop Real Torso

Unless you have the knack it is not easy to spot the fake (it really is a rather remarkable knock-off) – Given that Hasbro and Takara/Tomy are currently unlikely to reissue the original Dinobot Swoop, and if you’re unable to find a real unbroken Swoop – this is a good alternative.  Personally I’d prefer a broken original over a perfect fake any day.

The 15 Lives of Swoop:

• Divebomb - Marvel UK ‘What’s in a Name?’ Swoops first name, used until it was stollen by the Predacon of the same name.
• Swoop - Dinobot 1985-6.
• Swoop - Rubbery Decoy Figure 1986-7 packaged with small carded figures like the earlier Mini-spies had been.
• Swoop - Dinobot 1991 Mail-away reissue by Takara durring their Operation: Combination era.
• Swoop - TransCon 1998 unreleased recolour of Beast Wars Basic Flipchanger Terrorsaur
• The Veteran/Windrazor - BotCon 1999 recolour of Fuzor Silverbolt – the Veteran was meant to be Swoop in the distant future, who merged his spark with ‘the cub’
• Terranotron – Dinobot Deluxe 2001 recolour of deluxe Transmetal Terrorsaur with an added spark crystal
• Terranotron/Swoop - Dinobot 2003 gift set packed with Grimlock recolour of Beast Wars Basic Flipchanger Terrorsaur
• Ravenus - Armada Magna character depicted as being under the evil influence of Mini-Con addiction – looks a lot like Armada Terrorsaur with Ironhide, who in turn looks a lot like Dinobot Deluxe Terranotron & Transmetal Deluxe Terrorsaur
• Swoop - Armada Magna character depicted as having been called Ravenus before being cured of his Mini-Con addiction
• Swoop - 2000-6 Mint in Box Knock-Off Swoop starts appearing on the shelves
• Bombadier - 2003-6 Custom made World’s Smallest DinoRobo Bomadier aka Swoop came in one of three different colours, Diaclone Blue, Autobot Red, or Black
• Swoop - 2004 Energon combiner gift packed with Grimlock combines to form Mega-Dinobot
• Swoop - 2006 Dinobot Mini-Con Team gift packed with Terrorsaur and Knockdown
• Windrazor - 2008 Universe single packed Mini-Con recolour of Dinobot Mini-Con Team Swoop

Happy hunting for your preferred Swoop

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