REDLINE - I didn't really get into customs until 2005, shortly before I become customs moderator of the then-forum known as Radicons. I quickly found out about TFmaster's website, Transtopia, and checked it out. It was a cool site, with a small tutorials section, a big customs gallery, and artwork gallery. At that time, his website was only about a year old or so. His community grew at a pretty respectable rate, and I made several friends, and learned a ton. One of the motivations for all the work myself, sq7, and pk put into mirroring as much of that gallery as possible here, as well as the small number of tutorials they had was that I wanted to continue some of the goals that TFM had for the customs community. Have a place where artists can not only discuss customizing, but get tips and tricks and help each other out, or even just a place to get ideas and inspiration. I was continuously awed at a lot of the projects that TFM produced (or started to, but never finished). Its a shame we'll never get to see his Classics Sixshot finished, that thing looks like it was going to be astounding.
December is the month we've chosen to feature the late TFmaster as a featured Radicon because it is the month that contains his Birthday. I'd rather remember a man and his Birthday than the day he passed away. TFmaster influenced a LOT of people, in a lot of different places and countries.
Since we clearly can not interview TFmaster, we felt it would be a really cool feature to instead contact a lot of guys who were close to TFmaster and have them share stories or experiences with all of us. Whether they were staff members on his website, simply active members of the community, or guys who were simply "touched" by Billy's amazing works. I hope you guys really enjoy this feature.
If there's anything that you feel should've been included in this month's spotlight that somehow is missing, by all means, let us know!
I should point out that even with the massive quantity of images contained within this article that this is still merely a representation of his unbelievable portfolio- whether it be customs or artwork. He unfortunately didn't even photograph them all, much less make galleries of them. If you are fortunate enough to own a custom made by him, and are up for taking photographs of it, we'd love to include it in our gallery of his works to commemorate the man, and allow others to be able to see his wonderful creations! I'd like to give a shout-out to
Unicron.com for the few images of theirs used in this article that are of some of his earliest works, as well as to
Seibertron for use of the last 12 customs' images in this article. My e-mail conversation with
Obsidian from Unicron.com ended up with this gem in it that I thought a lot of you would find very interesting:
"In the way early days he actually took 35mm photos and would mail them to us through USPS because he didn't have a scanner or digital camera... Wow, have times changed, or what? My brother's scanner broke in the middle of that, and he just recently scanned the rest of the stack of 35mm photos. All of these pics should be "never before seen" early work TFmaster's. You can view these newly unveiled pictures by clicking
HERE.
superquad7 - If there was any one single person that could be attributed with the success of Transformers kitbashing, it would be TFmaster. He had a vision of Transformers customs that sought to elevate the craft to a place where no other before him envisioned. For him, Transformers customs were more than a mere craft; they were a connecting point for artists and fans, amalgamating artwork and characters that have became a modern day legends.
It’s no coincidence that TFmaster himself has become a legendary artist himself. He was determined to usher this vision that Transformers customs could be more than simply modified toys. With the help of other artists he connected with, TFmaster sought to launch one of the largest Transformers kitbashing sites known only as Transtopia. Here, kitbashing artists could find useful resources for their work and meet other artists also creating their own custom Transformers.
TFmaster and I shared a vision: Transformers kitbashes exhibit true art. We had many discussions of how our making our own toys was, in fact, artwork to be reckoned with. While Transtopia had well reached a status in Transformers fandom as
the place for Transformers customs, he continually shared with me his plans for making Transtopia more than it already was. He bestowed the honor on me as the last official staff member at Transtopia, where he and I started talking about a new design of the Transtopia site. He led the launch of one of the largest kitbashing contests the fandom had ever seen, cross-promoting at various websites.
To date, one would be hard-pressed to find another artist who made more Transformers kitbashes than he, especially of the quality in that he always produced them. Each custom he made illustrated his love for Transformers toys and its rich mythos. His work inspired many,
many others to pick up a paintbrush and an Exacto-knife, and still does today.
His vision for a kitbashing community lives on in many sites, like Radicons here. Many of the things that the Radicons is today owes much to the ideas, vision, and inspiration of this artist. It has been, and continues to be, a primary mission of Radicons to carry on the vision and many ideas of TFmaster for Transformers customs and its community.
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plowking - I too met TFmaster at Transtopia. He was a cool, down to earth guy, that didn't take any crap!....He did not like people that came across on their high horse yelling "Look what I done!"
You wouldn't expect a man with such talent, and looking at his works, you can tell he was very talented, to be so humble.
We had chated thru the boards off and on a couple of times. Nothing major, more so me asking him for tips and what not really
Then one day via pm he asked me to come over and hang out....needless to say I was shocked and surprised by his invite. I took him up on it and we met one Saturday afternoon at his place....I was like a kid in the candy store!!....but I made sure not to touch anything, I was surrounded by all these great customs that I was afraid to make a wrong move and break something.
We hung out for a bit, I got to meet his son, and we even went out on a brief
TF hunt that day too...but to top it all off, I got to hold his MP Power Master Prime, and he let me play....and yes I mean play with his WW Megatron!!...I was so nervous touching it (didn't want to break anything off a scratchbuilt masterpiece like that) he could tell too....he yelled at me to "
TF the d@mn thing already!!"
And thats what really got me.....I mean, I'm not to keen on people touching my customs for fear of breakage, but here was Bill, a man who's talent still blows my mind to this day, he didn't seem to care at all about the toy.....
He only cared about being a friend to me.
I still remember the day I saw the news on the FP.....it broke my heart....we had even made plans to hang out again that next Saturday....he wanted me to bring some of my stuff this time so that he could see them in person.
Its because of your
MAD skills, your love of
TF's, and because you were one of those that was always willing to lend a helping hand, or had kind words of advice to a newcomer that made you the great person you were.
Congrats Bill a.k.a. TFmaster
- miss you -
Classics Sixshot (his last WIP)
Classics Runamuck
Classics Dirge(first one I believe to get made by anyone)
Classics Seeker
Masterpiece Starscream
Classics Starscream
Classics Megatron
Viagra Prime - I’m sure there will be a lot of people who will be sharing a lot of their memories about Bill (TFmaster) because he touched a lot of people in the kitbashing community so I will keep this short and share a couple of my own memories. My first memory of him is literally my first interaction with him a few years ago. I had started customizing transformers and one of my first customs was a reshell Alternators Wheeljack. I am not a good head sculptor then (nor am I much better now) so while overall the reshell was decent the head was horrendous. Yes, horrendous. Bill, after seeing my reshell, sent me a PM complimenting my work but at the same time offering me a custom Wheeljack head that he made. He made the head with the intention of using it on a custom Alternators Wheeljack of his own but instead of saving it he offered it to me. Of course, I couldn’t say no. He sent me the head for free and it vastly improved my Wheeljack custom. Ever since then we kept in touch discussing anything and everything about customs. My other memory of him is actually getting to meet him in person at Botcon 2005. As nice as a guy he is online, he is an even nicer guy in person. He invited me to sit with him at the awards dinner. I also met his wife and son during that event, both of whom were great people. We talked about a lot of things beyond customs that night and that’s when I saw Bill for more than just a great customizer, but also a great all around guy. He is sorely missed.
Classics Thunderwing
LOC Whitenoise?
Cybertron Optimus Primal
Classics Blastoff
Classics Sunstorm
Gryph - I'm not really good with this kind of stuff, but I have a couple of short things.
Whenever I'd tell him one of my ideas for a digibash, he'd usually tell me how weird it was, or that he can't possibly see it working. Then when I'd show him the finished pic, he'd tell me how shocked he was that I pulled it off.
He told me a story about the last Botcon he went to. This was quite some time ago, so I don't remember the details. First he got to introduce his son to Peter Cullen. He said Mr. Cullen was quite fond of the boy. Later on at the dinner, he got to actually sit down and have a long conversation with the guy. I'm talking a real conversation. Not about Transformers. He said it was the #3 best moment of his life. Right behind the birth of his son and his wedding.
Wedding Convoy
I made this for TFmaster as a wedding present. Both he and his wife got a kick out of it. lol
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c2...dingconvoy.jpg 
Classics... ?
War Within Megatron
Masterpiece Menasor
Alternators Trailbreaker
Masterpiece Powermaster Prime
Alternators Overlord v1
Beast Wars Grimlock
Alternators Red Alert
Wikkid - I didn't really know Bill to well. I was just getting my engine started when he passed.
What I can say is that even as an aquaintance, it was easy to see how motivated he was in this hobby. His ambitions seemed to know no bounds as he went from one massive build to the next and never settling for "good enough". He was honest with his work and took critique in a professional manor.
My first INTERNET experience with him was in early 06 when he asked me to join TT as a regular member. At the time, I hadn't heard of him. Looking back, it's probably the biggest compliment I've ever recieved. Even though he wasn't the one who got me started in this addiction, I consider him to be the "Godfather" of transformer customization due to the fact that he pushed the limits to new heights. The scope of his builds stand today as benchmarks that continue to inspire all those involved in this hobby and will likely continue for years to come.
-Mark
Energon Liokaizer
Cybertron Tracks
Cybertron Scavenger
?
ambushbug74 - Bill was a good guy, he pretty much invited me over his house the moment I spoke to him. He loved to talk toys and you could tell. I met up with him a few times and even have a few customs made by him. Most were actually just given to me as he had tired of them and didn't want payment. I know I have a black Strongarm he did and a purple Energon Galvatron. Also he gave me a Grimlock head sculpt that he had wanted to make into pins or magnets. He was a good guy and will be m ssed. I have a picture of me with his
G1 Unicron custom and remember actually holding his MP Menasor. One custom of his that I always wondered if he finished was an Alternators Rhinox he was working on out of an Alt. Swindle.
Articulated LOC Soundwave
Kabaya
G1 WST Galvatron
Cybertron Cyclonus w/ Targetmaster
Cybertron Spinister
Cybertron Quake
Masterpiece Overlord WIP
Napjr - What can i say about TFM? Well i remember when i started to hear about him, by looking at some pics over at Unicron.com kitbash section. His early stuff was pretty decent but he started to improve quickly, and decided to make his own website. Years later that would become Transtopia.
I remember he started to articulate different
G1 figures when there was people that though it was impossible. Many could remember his articulated Starscream. He even wanted to cast the extra pieces and sell kits, although that went nowhere in the end
What really blow me away was when he started his RiD Menasor, i was so impressed that i decided to make my own! (and after several years, i havent finished yet...)
Something i never liked, but i guess that had alot to do with his creative process, where that several of his finished projects that after a while where re-used for newer stuff, so not every bash survives until this day. I guess this was also to save a few bucks than trying to buy again some figure just for a little piece.
I used to talk with him via AIM a couple of times, mainly to exchange ideas, hear suggestions and of course feedback for our projects at the time. He usually would send me a teaser of newer projects, some even unknown for most people, like an Armada Mindwipe he was making with Bendy Prime, cant remember if he ever finished it though.
He would give me several ideas and inspirations for different projects at the time. I remember he helped me alot with my painting skills, as well sculpting.
Bill was really a great person, wich unfortunately suffered from insomnia, one of the reasons he could work on his stuff but that also affected his health.
I really hope that wherever he is now, he is resting in peace and i pray for him and his family.
Nap
Alternators Arcee
Masterpiece Nemesis Prime
Alternators Ironhide
Masterpiece Skywarp
Alternators Punch/Counter-punch
Photo courtesy of Unicron.com 
Photo courtesy of Unicron.com TheDevastator - Billy used to have a freeservs website also known as Transtopia. I found it via a link from Transrepro.com. The thumbnail featured his RiD Menasor and I just had to see more. I had always had an interest in customizing and would visit whatever
TF customizing site I could find. Eventually he made a new Transtopia that featured a few customs for sale or for prizes. The second site, with the help of a man named Pepie, became the site we all knew.
When I first learned of the rebirth of the site, I was inspired even more to finish my Constructicon customs. I found that when it opened, I had found the Transformer website I had only dreamed of. The entire team was very welcoming, and when they saw my website they immediately asked me to join the team. I was happy to help. Soon I was involved in re-formatting the galleries and adding new ones. Over time I even put up a few feature pages.
Before too long, Botcon reared its head and Billy mentioned he needed a ride to the convention. I found that I only had to add about an hour to my trip in order to get him, so I offered. We made arrangements to spend the day before and after at his house. Billy quickly opened up to me and shared some very private information in the weeks before the convention. He said he wasn’t sure why, but he trusted me. After meeting his wife and son, and spending the time at his house and convention, our friendship was sealed. I tried to chat with him every time he was online and we’d spend a good amount of time together at later conventions.
Billy’s last name starts with a “K.” It’s apparently not a very popular letter to start your last name as the line he got in for the convention usually seemed shorter than the one I got in. As a result, I’d always still be in line long after him. Even though I know he had other things he could be doing, he’d wait for me. He’d hold my bags or take them to his room and then he’d return to chat with me until I finally had all of my convention items together. He’d do this for my roommates too for the years that he did not room with me.
At another convention, Billy and I went to the hotel bar and had a few drinks with fellow Radicon Matt Armstrong. Matt was a great guy, and fun to chat with. Eventually two of IDW’s publishing dudes showed up Billy proceeded to chat with them and discuss some sort of sharing of ideas about Transformer customizing art.
I could go on and on, but one of the moments that best showed how great a person Billy was came at Botcon 2005. There weren’t many art contest entries so naturally anyone’s chance of winning was pretty good. Viagra Prime won first place, then Billy won second place. When the third place winner’s name was called out, and it was not me, Billy immediately stood up and handed me the envelope with his “show dollars” certificate. He said “you deserve this.” I think he deserved it more than I did, considering he is the one that won it, but what touches me most is that he did not hesitate for even a second. That remains to this day one of the most generous gestures that anyone has given me.
Billy would go on to do me other favors. He provided me with parts, criticism, praise, and for a short period of time, the helm of Transtopia. I still think about the guy every day, and even have a quick cry now and again. I always felt I could do more to strengthen our friendship, but I cherish the time we had together.
Photo courtesy of Unicron.com 
Photo courtesy of Unicron.com 
Photo courtesy of Unicron.com 
Photo courtesy of Unicron.com 
Photo courtesy of Unicron.com 
Photo courtesy of Unicron.com 
Photo courtesy of Unicron.com 
Photo courtesy of Unicron.com 
Photo courtesy of Unicron.com 
Photo courtesy of Unicron.com 
Photo courtesy of Unicron.com 
Photo courtesy of Unicron.com hXcpunk23 - I don't really have much of a story, as I never quite had the chance to meet him or know him as some of you did. I've only been in this Transformers kitbashing hobby for about a year now, but it all started with Bill and his great site. I had long been a lurker over at Transtopia and I came to know of quite a few of the "greats" by their respective works. TFmaster's work was just that, GREAT. He had the vision, the love, and the heart to pull off a site that was both great in showcasing fellow artists, but while also staying true to himself. He created something that gave the artist a voice through their own works and offered help and constructive criticism to help better those artists. Transtopia changed me.....and I was never really a part of it. I was on the outside looking in, wondering if I could ever be as good. The way he shared his vision with everyone, it seemed to allow everyone to be a part of it (even someone like myself, who had yet to kitbash a Transformer).
While Bill (or TFmaster as I knew of him) and his work will always be known as something of legend..........the greatest thing he ever did was giving back to his fellow artists and friends and allowing us to become the type of person he was. I regret not joining up and getting to know him, but I can honestly say he touched us all in some small way.
RIP, TFmaster.....artist, friend, and brother.
Photo courtesy of Unicron.com 
Photo courtesy of Unicron.com 
Photo courtesy of Unicron.com 
Photo courtesy of Unicron.com 
Photo courtesy of Unicron.com 
Photo courtesy of Unicron.com 
Armada
G1 Unicron -
Photo courtesy of Seibertron.com 
Alternators Megatron -
Photo courtesy of Seibertron.com 
Gundam Galvatron -
Photo courtesy of Seibertron.com Mench0y - TFmaster is indeed the master of this art. When I got into the world of
TF kitbashing I was a rookie who needed direction. Biggest turn around for me in this world of kitbashing was signing up at Transtopia and getting to know TFmaster. I started to get to know TFmaster even more everytime I post a new work and develop a sort of unspoken friendship with him. Every critique and advice he gives I really take into heart. I felt like a student being taken under his wing. I feel like I have to prove myself to TFmaster with each new custom I make, and when I get a positive response from him it gives me a sense of great accomplishment. I was so blessed and honored in getting to know him even for a short time. He was a good friend, mentor, and a pioneer.
Energon Soundwave -
Photo courtesy of Seibertron.com 
Energon Rodimus Prime -
Photo courtesy of Seibertron.com 
Alternators Cosmos -
Photo courtesy of Seibertron.com 
Armada Swoop -
Photo courtesy of Seibertron.com 
Articulated Armada Skywarp -
Photo courtesy of Seibertron.com Dak - TFmaster. He is a true legend among kitbashers. The first time meeting TFmaster online was when I was posting some of my early customs here on TFW. He had a great interest in my work and PM'd me about this new site he was creating, Transtopia. That was a site I had been waiting for, something dedicated to those Transformers fans with a high creative mind. A place where we could have our own little community among all the others. There were contests, info pages, galleries... everything we were looking for. One of the most exciting things was to see what TFM was going to post next.
The first time I met him I was in line at Botcon, and I saw Dev. I called to him and asked, "Is TFmaster here?" he described him and told me he was in the dealer room. I went in and eventually found the guy. There was the moment, meeting TFmaster. He showed me his grand Alternators custom display, I met some of his family, he asked where the hell my 10 ft Optimus was. lol. On one of the evenings I was in the bar with a few new found friends and TFmaster comes up behind me and gives me this great big tackle hug. He was a little intoxicated, but it was a funny and memorable moment. The last memory of meeting TFM in person was looking with him in parts bins for... Parts. At that time I was looking for pieces for my To be completed Thunderwing, which to this day is still not done, but must be done perfectly.
The one thing that I really admired about TFmaster was he kept encouraging you no matter how your project was turning out. He was critical enough to help you move along and improve without putting you down about your work. He would take notice when your skills have improved and tell you to keep going. If you fell, he would try to help you get back up. He was a big part in making this community as big as it is today. Miss ya TFM.
Armada Articulated
G1 Starscream -
Photo courtesy of Seibertron.com 
Armada Seeker Prowl -
Photo courtesy of Seibertron.com 
Armada/Energon Overlord -
Photo courtesy of Seibertron.com 
Armada
G1 Thrust (articulated) -
Photo courtesy of Seibertron.com 
Energon Laserbeak -
Photo courtesy of Seibertron.com 
RID Menasor
1st Version of Masterpiece Menasor
JAF - Anyone lucky enough to have known Bill would tell you just how passionate and prolific a kitbasher he was. He has left a mark on many lives and will always be remembered as a good friend, a leader, an artist, and an innovator.
Bill was always a cranking on inspired and fresh projects, mostly about four at any given time. There was more than one occasion (since we were both Alt addicts) where I'd post a new MP Autobot custom on TT and he'd contact me to talk about the techniques and materials used with the intent of doing a similar one himself. It was always an honest and enlightening exchange with Bill. Anyhow, he'd be working on an MP styled Powermanste Prime, Grimlock, WW Megatron, etc. and then roll up on me regarding even more projects.
One thing in particular stands out in my memory. After making two slightly different MP Jazz kitbashes, Bill wanted to make one for Don F. whom he was pretty close with and happened to enjoy one of the customs. Due to Bill's huge project load, at first he asked me to complete the basic reshelling part, send it to him and he'd detail it. But as my schedule got busier, he decided to take on yet another full project and do it all himself. My part was to send him the two Porsche shells (by now he was making one for Don and one for himself).
But due to a misunderstanding I sent him the wrong shell (the Tamiya kit was what he wanted but I thought he wanted the AMT kit - see MP Jazz tutorial to understand how this misunderstanding is possible). So he receives the package and tells me, in Bill's ever straight forward style, "I love you man, but what the hell am I supposed to do with THESE?" doh! I felt like a fool and he never got around to making them as far as I know.
Here are some of his other in progress and older bashes that most people may not know about. Unfortunately Grimlock is not complete, but got far enough along for us to appreciate what an incredible artist Bill was. Enjoy and be inspired...
Masterpiece Powermaster Prime
War Within Megatron
Masterpiece Grimlock
TFmaster's Galleries 
Alternators Ironhide 
Alternators Arcee 
Masterpiece Menasor 
Masterpiece Nemesis Prime 
Masterpiece Skywarp 
Alternators Overlord v1 
Alternators Overlord v2 
Alternators Punch/Counter-punch 
Universe Thunderblast 
artwork courtesy of Drive-By
TFmaster's Threads TFmaster's Custom Alt Ironhide I thought it was time I showed this... My Newest Custom Alt. MP Menasor!!! I AM REBORN!!! Botcon: A Taste of things to come... My newest Alt Custom WIP Universe/Timelines/Classics Thunderwing Masterpeice Skywarp. My take. Modifications for Titanium Soundwave TFmaster's Tutorials Alternators Optimus Prime Leg Extension Tutorial(s) thread (This article has parts from multiple authors)
How To Dye Transformers (This article has parts from multiple authors)
Related Threads Armada Mindwipe 
I miss that genius...
