Update 02/20/2016:
Received the last print. Very satisfied with the result. With some minor gap tweaks, and how the kit is available for sale on Shapeways!

Try to design the shuttle mode after the X-71 military shuttle in movie "Armageddon".



side profile - landing gear reused


with armament


bot mode -

The Mk. I without a pivot gets you the huge kibble in the back:


Mk. II has an additional pivot so that there's no kibble visible from the front:

from the back...the wings fold back like a cape...love it or hate it




Arm mode:

 

Nice wip !

Typically, the usual space shuttle has a straight-line roof:
http://www.geschiedenisleraar.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/nasa-shuttle-atlantis-large.jpg
I'd suggest you to make your design to sit straigt and flush
with the original mold.

 

Good point bro! right now the head looks more like an An-225 than a shuttle.

 

Are you putting this on shapeways? I would definitely buy this!

 

*charges to super saiyan 3*
aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaawwwwwwwwww-some!!!!!!

 

holy shit, its amazing what JUST a new nosecone does. all he needs now are wings and that amazing head sculpt you have crafted for him and he'll be perfect!

 

If you're selling these, can you make a version of that head for the Air Raid mold? Or are they already compatible?

 

No they are not...but I do make a 4mm to 6mm ball joint adapter for this situation.

 

Great, now I just have to learn any paint skillz and acquire any tools or paints. Brand suggestions?

 

If this was injection molded, I'd totally be down.

 

Maybe work with S.N.D., Nonnef or another company to make these like they are doing for jonbonhamtron's CW Prime kits. So much neat stuff on Shapeways, totally ruined by the materials they come in.

That head sculpt is Blast Off... period!

 

This is looking great.   A nice alternative for those who aren't able to get the UW set yet want a more G1 accurate Blast Off.

 

Yes.
Great upgrade.

 

Wow that is some dam fine engineering

 

This is awesome! Dead-on with the head-sculpt!
Well done, good sir!!!

 

I like it!

 

Just one little idea. Ya said you cant put your finger on it. Maybe, its that the wings are wrong? Is it possible to invert this so the jet top becomes the bottom thus leaving the wings on the bottom helping to achievw the orbiter look?
Then the mistransformation from the vortex thread, along with a possible clip on wing attachment to make the right shape could complete the look?

 

This is looking great, and I can't wait to see the finished custom.

 

What's the recommended material for the head?

 

Use the alternate transformation for the mold (spin the waist 180), looks much more shuttle like.

You'll have to redesign the cockpit to sit the other way up, and maybe include a panel to cover his head, but it would be worth it IMO. It would save a lot of engineering work on getting the wings to sit proper.