I'd just like someone to do a more pointed face for him, like he had in the comics.

 

Damn. I'm still really torn on this one. I was pretty confident the plastic would be ok. That facebook post stating the hip skirts and forearm flaps were only 1mm was clearly bull-shit. You could see from multiple photo's that the plastic was thicker than that.
The face isn't great but if I can tolerate Tesla's face I can handle this.
Not thrilled at the small truck mode, but it's almost passable - would be curious to see it next to DX9 Carry's truck - cause that was WAY too small.
I'm glad they didn't overdo the chrome like the G1 toy, and I'm glad he still has properly articulated hands.

I'm just having trouble with the legs, particularly from the knee down. I can see what they were going for but it just looks kind of messy to me.

However I really can't see anyone else rushing to do Octane so I may settle for this. I imagine he'll look okay in the back next to Ditka.
Just a shame that I'll settle for a "close enough" Octane and Sandstorm, while I've been able to choose my preferred Springer and Blitzwing, and there's even a new Astrotrain on KFC's radar. Of course I'm not seeing ANYONE rushing to do Broadside so that's still a gap!

 

The one in-hand report is telling and I appreciate Edgecrusher giving us some details about to expect with the final.

The problem mentally that I have with figures like this= the cost vs. benefit. In other words is it worth owning a $140 version of a figure that may be replaced with a better version down the road? I had the same thought when Provider came out. He just didn't hit all the beats for me and although this one feels closer I'm still not sure I'm willing to roll the dice on a possible $140 mistake purchase.

Speaking frankly; this cost to benefit is exactly why I'm more willing to go with a Hasbro version of these characters for the now. Sure they aren't MP quality and I'd never insinuate that they are, but as a shelf piece that's also easy and fun to transform I'm more than happy with Hasbro's recent Blitzwing, Octane, etc. I would never lie and say these versions will do forever, but they will certainly do until I can decide when and where to spend my money on 'the' definitive version of a given character.

 

Received my Stratotanker today. I absolutely love it, looks like it stepped out of the cartoon. Aesthetically, it goes really well with Ditka and other MP figures. I also like the color alot. Mostly bare plastic (which is fine with me) except for the chrome and diecast parts. Bot mode size is about perfect, about half a head shorter than Ditka.


Not as hefty as Ditka but feels very solid. Feet and upper thighs are diecast (there may be other diecast parts). Plastic feels sturdy (can't see any thin plastic from bot mode). No lose joints. No problem posing, thanks to the joints at ankles and feet (definitely an improvement from Ditka). Nothing really worries me regarding the bot mode, not even the narrow bar connecting the feet. Left shoulder tab to the torso is slightly loose. Not serious but a bit of clear nail polish will surely help. The gun tab is a very tight fit to the hands. Need a bit of patience and force to tab in the gun (esp. the right hand). But once it's tab in, it's very secured. Haven't had a chance to transform yet. Still enjoying the bot mode.  

Edit: Added the running pose

 

Ugh, lucky bastard.

Great to hear he doesn't have QC blemishes as of yet. Hope the alt modes don't have any either.

Well Arturo, try again?  

 

Hmm, do the feet stand flat on your surface? Completely straightened out?

Could you perhaps send a picture?

 

Hmm, seeing this figure next to Ditka highlights many of the design issues I have with Stratotanker's robot mode. The lower body - the pelvic section specifically - feels disproportionate to the comparatively wide and bulky upper torso. Simply put, the lower body, and the upper body - to my eyes, at least - look like they belong to two different figures. It's entirely possible the proportions just don't translate well to photograph, of course.

 

He looks heroic, wide chest, thin waist...

 

I think it's a personal thing because I'm not seeing what you are. Totally understandable as tastes are different for each of us.

 

If you could, please take a picture of the truck mode next to MP-10 and a MP carbot in their alt-modes, thank you!

 

It's not just the width, it's also the height and depth of the torso that impairs the proportions for me. Again, it's entirely possible it's just an optical illusion - these issues definitely seem more prominent to me in some images, and less so in others. The size of the head, for example, appears to be proportionally correct in most of the images in the OP, but looks slightly undersized in the above photo alongside Ditka. Perhaps I just have weird eyes.

 

Great in hand review. As mentioned I was back and forth on this. But the lack of other options and the price finally swayed me.
Ordered him from a TaoBao seller for USD90 last night. Depending on timing I’ll either ship him solo or combine him with the weijiang OS Megatron to get him here to Aus for about an additional $15-20. If the correct MP-36 KO releases in the next two weeks I’ll provably add that to the order as well to reduce/combine shipping. (Assuming I can figure out which MP-36 KO is the right one!)
At that price (US$100 or so) he’ll do fine. Reminds me I also have to ship UT sandstorm who’s been sitting in my POL at BBTS for months now.

 

Wasn't there supposed to be a revised version with chromed grill, bumper, and smoke stacks?

 

I believe that the final does have chrome, no? The problem is it's only visible in alt mode as all of those parts are on the truck. The only pics that seem to have surfaced of the final are of bot mode.

 

I hate you.

Theres only one version out, it's that one.

 

I hear you. I have this guy sitting in my stack at TCP, waiting to see if any of the other Zeta guys drop before next week before attempting to ship him out. I also have the Unique toys Provider that I may part with depending on which one is better.

Looking at the pics, the dark torso, huge wings and the blockiness of the chest really makes his head look kinda small, ending up with this "Zippy the Pinhead" look. However, I think the more dynamic action shot that @mighty cyclonus has shows that it's not as bad as he appears in more static "A" poses.

The thing I dislike the most from these shots is the "diaper crotch" look he has there. His big chest and big panties make his torso and abdomen look massive, with weenie legs and gangly arms hanging off.

Out of the three Decepticon triple changers, Octane always felt like the skinny sleazeball compared to the brawler Blitzwing and the "big man" Astrotrain. As a result, his design and proportions totally work for me in this instance, but I totally get what you mean - his proportions do see a bit wonky. If I can, I'll do some Provider/Stratotanker robot comparisons unless someone beats me to it.

 

He was a traitor.

 

Ok... And what do you like about him?!  

 

For me he looks fine... You don't have weird eyes, you just notice more things than I do!