For the transformation, there's actually a few holes and tabs that needed to be tabbed in at different orders in order to have the highest chance of completing the transformation into car mode on mine.

(The 3 major tab sections that need to be fully tabbed in securely in place during the transformation into car mode are highlighted in the red circles below)



First, tab the tab at the back of the big door wing (Highlighted in the green circle in the picture below) into the slot on the shoulder in bot mode (Also highlighted in green circle), and tab these together first. (Ignore the other tabs on the smaller back wings first)



Second, tab the upper section of the smaller back door wing (In green circle highlight in the picture below) into the tab at the side of the rear roof section (highlighted in the red circle in the picture below too). Just tab the upper tab first.



Third and the last step, there are two tabs (both highlighted in the green circle in the picture below); One at the under part of the small rear door wing, and another one at the rear fender. Tab these two together and make sure that these two parts are tabbed together securely.



Do this one side by one side (Like, do this at the left side first, then on the right side) rather than try to do both sides simultaneously).

 

So after using future on a couple areas (the door wings on one side and the ankle on the other side) I'm liking this figure a LOT. He really does look great. The proportions and molded details, especially in the upper body and arms, are perfect. I really love their decision to go with the battle mask head, too. Since I have clunker bee it gives me options, but it also makes this bee look ready for action and makes me feel less bad about buying YET ANOTHER BEE. But honestly, I'm over that feeling. I've accepted that Bumblebee figures are generally always fun and entertaining and I just like the character. I had a lot of bumblebee fatigue over the last decade or so, but after really liking the Bumblebee movie and having rewatched the 07 movie recently (while he was still a more sympathetic and fun character) I've just accepted that I'm gonna like the character forever. Here's hoping jeep bee is fun too!

 

I like this, it's another really solid SS deluxe. But it's another Bumblebee, so it's just as interesting to track where the various influences and evolutions from previous Bumblebees are.

• The legs are an interesting evolution of what we got first with TLK, and then with SS01. Wheels on the outside now, but then a transforation joint serves as an ankle tilt. I like how the shin panels are now ball jointed, they tuck in better for transformation, and can be angled to transition into an ankle tilt. The angle sliders can bump into each other though.
  
• The backpack is what we got with TLK/SS01 and then the SS&&MPM Bee Movie Bees. They're getting good at this, and with the shallower chest, it's notably more flush than previous efforts.
• The arms remind me of DOTM Nitro Bumblebee, being attached to the spine and ending up in the other direction when transformed compared to nearly everything since the HA figure. Not significant by itself, but it feeds into my next observation...
• The chest reminds me of the AoE Bumblebee, with a vest frame folding down into the chest. I really like the new combination of real and fake parts to make the chest, and since I'm already reading too much into things, it's an inversion of how AoE bee did things- that had the real grill hide behind the fake chestplate, while here the fake chestplate hides behind the grill. The chest is also shallower than the all the HA derivatives this way.

Now, for our next Bumblebee (or next major evolution), I want to see a new solution to the front wheels. That's gone largely unchallenged since the HA figure first had them stick out to the sides, and I think it's the oldest design concept still being used for Bumblebee. This figure avoids the hood shelf effect a lot of Bumblebees have had since the HA, now it's time to work on those wheels.

My favourite Bay Bee is still the MPM, but this deluxe is up there.

In the interim, how long before we get this figure with an unmasked face, perhaps with an ROTF label and a new chest. Or a DOTM/TLK variant, which would also let them use the new abs to sell the variant. Depends on what they think is necessary I guess, and for which film they want to reinvent the wheel for.

 

This is by far the best SS Bee to date for me. Mine pegs in nice and tight for car mode and nothing falls off during conversion like the first bee and VW bee

 

The disproportionate hype for this line always leaves me underwhelmed or frustrated for these figures. With Bonecrusher at Christmas I was underwhelmed, now finding this guy in the wild I'm frustrated.

The wheels sticking out on the shoulders throw his silhouette waaaay off, more than I expected. Those and the short forearms remind me of High Octane Bumblebee, only they're more egregious here.

The Camaro mode doesn't fit together particularly well, not only at the back but on the front bumper too - one portion seems to be bent at an angle, giving the impression of a slightly sad Camaro.

This figure dissuaded me from getting the Clunker version... but then I remembered that I'd need to get it for the unmasked face. It looks like the superior of the two anyway, besides the fact that I prefer the 2008 Camaro mode (even if it's still not the right model...).

It just seems like the shrinking sizes of these figures has finally overwhelmed their complexity. If this figure was larger there probably wouldn't be issues with panels fitting together, not to mention they'd have more leeway to redesign the backpack and arms. I know someone's going to come back at me with "Well, you'd be paying an extra £20 for that", but maybe that's the point - people need to accept that we're going to have to pay more for the same quality we've had in the past now.

 

This is my favorite deluxe Bee we've gotten. Excellent articulation, an easy transformation with no parts popping off and a car mode that tabs together very solidly, and the most accurate to the CGI model we've gotten in a mainline figure. My only complaint is the front wheels sticking out so far in robot mode.
So happy to have finally completed the 2007 cast.

 

WOW! yeah..so thats it isnt it? Thats all of Movie 1...I wonder if there is a master list of all TFs that have been in each movie, we could start checking them off.

 

He's incredible. Easily the best Deluxe Bumblebee ever. In fact I'd say he beats out the MPM in a few key areas.

Unfortunately, mine is a QC mess. The black piece under the hood that keeps the chest panels in place immediately came out on my first attempt transforming it. If I push hard enough it stays for a bit, but any minor force causes it to come loose and then the headlight pieces just fall out. Also, one pair of tail lights was not painted on mine. There are a few errant paint apps as well. He's going back...

 

I'm pretty sure I lost the cannon for my bee on my trip to Utah at some point   If anyone happens to have a spare then please PM me!      

 

Is this guy in stores yet???

 

there was a US sighting a few weeks back if I remember. Walmarts

 

Not seen them in any walmarts yet... Booo

 

Quoting my own post, just because.

This IS the definitive movie 1 bee. Short of the MP, nothing comes as close as this to getting the characters proportions and style just right.

The car mode IS sweet and accurate as hell.

But this one is all about bot mode. Even the stinger blaster is well integrated and molded nicely.

I got a base coat on most of the parts I wanted to make look like bot skeleton. I like the feet, the arms, the legs, the body, and the chest..hot damn they nailed the chest. And to think the sides of his chest are the car parts? DAMN.

I refrained from posting my comment about this figure for about a week. TF'd it so many times.

BEST BUMBLEBEE DELUXE EVER.

Soundwave is amazing too. Seriously two of the best studio deluxes released in the same wave.

 

Bumblebee: Warhol Edition!

Random fun fact I discovered last night is that in different colored lights the yellow plastic and painted parts react differently.

 

I do love this figure, but I swapped out the head with the Last Knight BB head. Fits the ball joint and transforms with no problem.

However mine came with 2 left shins. Don’t effect transformation, but I’m sure things will tab in a little better when I get a replacement shin.

 

He is so close to being the best SS BB, but continues to suffer from "shitty deluxe trying to do too much at too small a size" syndrome.

 

So many studio series figures feel like I’m going to break them, especially at the deluxe price point. Makes you wonder why you’re paying $20 for an over articulated Scout class figure (let’s be honest)

 

Yes. Even on Scrapmetal (one of the two deluxes I love) there's a part in his transformation where I think, please don't snap.