Thank to post from Yenting Lai on to TFND – Transformers Never Die Facebook group, we have a detailed gallery of the highly expected Studio Series Leader Class Blackout.
We get a very nice and complete gallery (almost 60 pictures) with pictures in and out of the box, the inner diorama, shots from different angles in both modes, transformation sequence, comparison sizes and more for your viewing pleasure. One of the images features the toy next to a ruler, revealing the size of the figure: 24 cm approximately in robot mode and 35 cm approximately in helicopter mode. This new Studio Series mold is a great improvement over the first Voyager figure released in 2007. Not only a better size, but a more movie-accurate robot mode, specially on the head. As a nice surprise, we can confirm that the hands/claws can open and close.
This is indeed a great rendition of one of the most popular characters from the Movieverse, and we are sure collectors can’t wait to add him into their armies. It was sure worth the wait for this great upgrade. You can check out the mirrored images after the jump, including a short video showing the stability of the figure after the break. Then you sound off your impressions at the 2005 Boards!
Posted by Yenting Lai on Wednesday, March 21, 2018
longhorn35
Shockwave Lab SL-28 Articulated hands for SS-08 Blackout
LipSmack
I think too many of the parts are pinned together vs screws, would be really difficult for the average joe to install the upgrades
Hexatron
He's packed away for moving right now but if i remember after the move in 3 weeks ill certainly take some for you.
mx-01 archon
Big obstacle to that is that Blackout is not as easily disassembled as Grimlock is, for the areas where people may want upgrades for.
longhorn35
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?
Pyrrhonius
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.
Hexatron
Then you did it wrong because I don't have any and thats how I have the antenna every time hes in bot mode.
Pyrrhonius
Folding the chest antenna is a bad idea- I did it a couple of times and I can see stress marks forming.
Hexatron
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.
Operative294
I got a question, how did you manage to hide the helicopter's front antenna in robot mode?
Hexatron
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. View attachment 27976277 View attachment 27976278
fleshling
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.
Optronix1087
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.
blazemongr
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.
NGW
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.
NGW
Managed to snag BOTH Blackout and Grimlock at Target today at the Whittwood center. Boxes on both looked someone tried to get at them, but whatever, couldn't believe my luck.
They had a lone voyager Starscream and a peg or two of deluxes.
Optronix1087
Does anyones Blackout not want to fully tab flush? I cannot for the life of me get the two parts above the cockpit where the rotor engine hides to stay together and the right side of the copter (looking down from the top of the rotors) won't stay tabbed at all. I've double checked and messed with alignment and its all correct.
Sportimus
I went back to get Grimlock today. I like it, but I like Blackout more. That flap doesn't peg anywhere to the tail and his right hand is mace ball. I hate that. I wish they gave him two hands and made the weapon as something he can hold. Otherwise, great Grimlock.
bubbalew
My target had 4 Grimlock and only one Blackout. Went ahead and got both, but yeah blackout is super popular and awesome in my opinion. Grim is good and fun too.
Sportimus
Found Leader Blackout and Grimlock at my local Target today. Came home with Blackout. If I like it, I'll come back for Grimlock. For some reason, I have a feeling Blackout will be hard to find. I like his size. This is how he SHOULD have been back in 2007. After 11 years, we finally get a proper size Blackout.