Ok I finally bit the bullet. Should have my prime by Friday. Super excited

 

Transformed my play copy back and forth again last night. I did get a minor ding on the corner of a yellow crotch piece (I'm sure it was that blue latch even though I was trying to be careful) and a small scratch on the grey under his right armpit, even after Futuring those areas. One really has to look for them to notice them, but I might still try touching them up. Transforming keeps getting smoother, naturally. Managed to get everything pretty flush again. Man, I love the truck mode! I love that the alt molds are more accurate than ever yet use cartoon decos. Right up my alley! The paint on Prime and the other newer figures give them a jewel-like quality, very premium looking. Love the opening doors and piloting ability. I sold my MP-10 to a buddy last month and he told me he prefers the more realistic truck mode of MP-10. I didn't have the heart to tell him that 44 is more realistic, especially in regards to the step, gas tank, and wheel placement, though MP-10's rectangular window shapes are more accurate.

Anyway, quick n dirty truck shots. Kitchen floor fun!









Couple different angles. The panel breaks are much smoother and less noticeable in hand.

 

This is a great Prime. I can’t believe how good he looks in-hand.

 

I love his truck mode too. The pictures don’t do the seams any justice but they are definitely less noticeable in hands.

 

Yes, the panel lines become exaggerated in photos for sure, especially bot mode. His legs have a lot of panel breaks, but in hand all I really notice are the beautiful curved lines, beveled edges, and elegant flowing shapes. The whole figure looks incredibly unified, coherent, and refined. I'm in love!

 

Good to know, thanks for the reply! It’s the left (Prime’s left) that’s softer on mine too. The right has a nice click-ping to it and the left has a soft click. I guess I’ll just live with it.  

 

Did the same with my MP-10 & for some of the same reasons . If you get a chance , use the Mr. Hobby clear coat for those areas of impact during transformation. I used the gloss myself and so far so good . Still without knee issues . Though I only transformed mine to bot -truck - back to bot . He’ll stay like that till a 2nd run comes out with more durability for play . Hard to resist not buying a 2nd right know though lol.

 

I only have 2 QC issues on my MP44, the left window wiper section and the bridge of the left foot.

If anyone is sending their MP44 back due to major QC issues but the above parts are flawless, I’d be great-full if someone could do a parts swap as both areas are easy to disassemble and replace.

 

Thanks for the suggestion! You're right the basketball size is a good compromise between Optimus and the carbots.



"Here, Spike. Compute... quickly!"

 

Thanks, brother, I'll definitely add that clear coat to the list. I put a layer of Future on those parts the day before, but maybe I should've put a second coat on, too. Or maybe the damage would've been worse without it? Lucky to have a play copy and pristine shelf copy! That's all the Optimi I'll ever need  

 

IMHO, there has never been a truly cartoon accurate Starscream face sculpt. His cartoon face has a fully flat, small front side with sharp lines to the side. Every surface is flat. His cheeks are flat sideways. Child-like, as seen in the screenshot. His front face should be narrower than the lower outside of his eyes. All toy head sculpts of him have rounded and larger faces.

That's why all Starscream head molds seem off in my opinion. They are missing these typical facial traits that make him look like Starscream.

 

I can smell a new Starscream already. MP-50 is my guess.

 

Please do Galvatron first

 

I can't help you. Primus can't help you. Not even God can help you on that one.

500 dollars will though  

 

I'm beginning to really understand what makes MP-44 better than TE-01. A simple pose like this, with MP-44's proportions and articulation, looks and feels perfectly natural. Everything flows together seamlessly and makes him look almost alive.

TE-01, on the other hand, looks clunky and awkward as hell in the same stance with his limited range of motion across the board. With no thigh rotation his left leg just looks wrong, and his overall blockiness ruins what should be an easy pose to pull off.

If everything on MP-44 was as solid and tight as TE-01, I'd have no reason to want to keep the latter at all. That's the only real edge I can still give to TE-01 other than his cleaner profile.

 

Yup ! I'm in !

Yes, I do respect TE-01 but his negatives are basically his bulkiness & too many right angles compared to MP-44.
For example the shape of the windows, the shoulders ...
Plus, one big difference is on MP-44 the windows are fitting flush with the grey chest part.

 

Except for all the seams.... GET IT
Yeah but no, I know exactly what you mean, there's nothing nessessarily wrong with TE-01, but some simple contouring can make all the difference.

 

Basically, TE-01 is a cube, MP-44 is an octagon