Got them home and out of the box. They both look so damn impressive, I am utterly blown away. This is the treatment the movie figures deserved, feels like they haven't been this good since Revenge of the Fallen.

I have yet to transform either of them, just snapped some pictures and am admiring their robot modes.

Something I do seem to be noticing with Blackout, he kinda seems to get in the way of himself a lot. Like, he looks AMAZING, don't get me wrong, but there's just so much bulk there and with the way he is designed he's really hard to pose..even a neutral pose is hard to really nail down with him. Not a huge complaint, mind, this is definitely the Blackout I've been waiting 11 years for, but it's something worth mentioning.

 

I couldn’t get it right the first time, either. Second time I transformed the arms in a different order and they connected more cleanly, and then the top closed up perfectly.

Really, the biggest problem with modern TFs is the unreadable instructions.

 

I did that as well and I noticed there is a major gap on one side that I cannot get to sit flush not matter how its transformed.

 

Can anybody do a size comparison of ROTF Leader Op or Megatron with Blackout’s legs fully extended and his feet flaps pulled all the way out? I’d like to see him at maximum height even if it looks like he’s wearing platform shoes.

 

Hooooooly crap, this guy is awesome. If there is a os ko definitely getting that too. Definitely worth double dipping!!!! Kind of like the look with the extra shoulder flaps hidden away.

 

I got a question, how did you manage to hide the helicopter's front antenna in robot mode?

 

Working at the moment so I cant get pictures but right when you start to flip the legs down out of helicopter mode position you can get the tip of the antenna past the pelvis skirt thing and the hip with a small amount of flex. I've transformed mine 20+ times and there is no damage. Only thing to watch out for is the little tab looking detail on the top of the antenna will be sitting right on top of the lateral hip ratchet so you can only get a click forward or backward without putting pressure on it. Hope that makes sense.

Edit: I believe Peaugh does it in his review, except if you put it past the hips like I said it puts less stress on it.

 

Folding the chest antenna is a bad idea- I did it a couple of times and I can see stress marks forming.

 

Then you did it wrong because I don't have any and thats how I have the antenna every time hes in bot mode.

 

I’d be very grateful for some pictures on how you did it if you have the time. Thus far I have yet to find a way to get it past the lower torso without flexing the antenna too much.

 

Is there a plan from any Third Party to do a Blackout Upgrade kit like the one that DNA Design is in the process of with Grimlock?

 

Big obstacle to that is that Blackout is not as easily disassembled as Grimlock is, for the areas where people may want upgrades for.

 

He's packed away for moving right now but if i remember after the move in 3 weeks ill certainly take some for you.

 

I think too many of the parts are pinned together vs screws, would be really difficult for the average joe to install the upgrades

 

Shockwave Lab SL-28 Articulated hands for SS-08 Blackout