I don't have Springer* so can only view Sandstorm on his own merits, but I think he's great. He's a complex toy for sure but that's because of his three different modes, which are really well differentiated from each other. I particularly enjoy just how many different parts and panels move from one place to another for the transformation from buggy to VTOL, a bit of detail that could easily have been overlooked. The orange and yellow colour scheme really pops and is a nice choice in my opinion. He has plenty of detail and good articulation in robot mode. I would strongly recommend this toy.

Can anyone tell me exactly how the gun fits to the cockpit in VTOL mode though?

*Nor will I ever. Springer is my least favourite Transformers character. I just can't stand him for some reason.