Seems really unlikely considering that the G1 toy had exactly the same piece transform into a shield...



It's clearly by design as a homage to the original toy, which even means that there's a reason behind it. It's not like they just couldn't figure it out or were being lazy or just a bit random.  

 

Oh hello! They better show real pictures before Provider comes out

 

LOL at the G1 toy. Thanks, I had a good laugh.

 

Hmm, if the tail fin is the shield, then what's the top, tanker cover connected to his right shoulder, lol? Reminds me of Wardog's skid plate, haha.

Lordy, TWO Octanes. Think I'm in for both. I don't believe in placeholders, but Stratotanker looks really good. Just wished it was made by someone other than KFC/XTB, haha. And it's probably pretty far off and I need my Octane fix, like, now.

And just a few years ago, I was really hoping that this Jizai design would see the light of day:

 

For a character I could care less about, he looks pretty interesting...
So in the triplechanger field we have dx9, XTB, and....who made the other recent octane?

 

Unique Toys, and I seem to recall FansProject did a triple changer once.

 

Yep, that's exactly what it is - the top of the tanker. Partsforming weapons at their finest.  

 

Twice. Springer and Broadside.

 

Well thats a shitty way of homaging.They could make the shield look like the original toy's but as an extra accessory.At this point its all speculation though,we dont know for sure that its not a perfect transformation

 

I think Dikta is coming out first but they only released CGI images so far but this guy seems further behind in the process yet we get to see a primer painted prototype?  

 

Tanker truck and bot mode looks good, but the plane is too squared off like dx9 Chigurh shuttle mode.

 

I Likey this one also!

 

Well, at least it wasn't random partsforming.  

 

I just hope somebody creates a better Astrotrain. As far as this, I need more pics of this Octane and of course Blitzwing.

 

He is not going to be easy but I think they can do him right.

 

I was thinking he looked too squared off, but I guess that's accurate.

 

Curious to see how this partsforming piece turns out. It appears to definitely (1)be a weapon or shied that (2)references the G1 toy, and (3)may not have to be removed for conversion between the two vehicle modes.

 

Yeah, something is off about the jet mode. I seems like the wings are too far back too.

 

Looking at that prototype pic his lower legs look too thick and his knees seem to be very high

 

He appears to be squatting a bit in the photo. We really need some better pics. Surprised we haven't gotten any yet given that they are as far along as they are, though I appreciate them not wasting our time with a silhouette