Paint Started on Page 6<--This is a Link Current New Post Page 7<--Also a Link While STILL waiting for my check to arrive to finish up my Megatron, I moved over to working on Arcee. The first portion of the mod is straight from my Megatron W.I.P. Thread, however the rest is new. I noticed that the front wheel had the same center split as the rear wheel. I popped the fender segment from the front assembly and took out the screw. Then, using an Exacto knife and a tiny screwdriver that I sharpened with a file for prying and chiseling, I wedged the 2 halves apart and broke the glue seal. I then did the same on the tire. With only a little scraping of glue and trimming down the pegs a tiny bit on the tires I got this effect. Next up is the Arm Cannon. I searched around for a ball joint that was the same size as the one Arcee uses for her hand. It turns out that the guns from H.A. Basic Thunderhead were a perfect fit. I cut the front end off of the cannon that Arcee comes with and cut the c-clip flush with the bottom of the inside of the "c". I then shaved the sides of the remaining flat piece to fit inside the groove at the back of the cannon. I glued it in with Plastruct Bondene and let it cure. Next up was the problem of the "Angel Wings". As seen in this picture (Copied from TFWiki.net, a fantastic resource.) the larger of the 2 pieces on the back is on top of the smaller piece, and both of them point down. So I got to chopping, taking the panels off hinge and all, flush with where the hinge piece connects to the motorcycle front cowling. I then drilled a small hole in the center of both sides of the cut. I then glued paper clip segments into the hinge holes. These pieces now fit snugly into cowling section giving a full range of articulation, allowing the "Wings" to be positioned to your liking. Original Position: In Transition: Flipped around to be more accurate: Low Profile: "Wings" swapped to look more screen accurate: And finally, Alt Mode: I will have more to come, including the reason Arcee is missing her head! Let me know what you think! I look forward to hearing from you and Happy Modding!
Pretty darn impressive so far. What are you going to do for thr head? Make her head more articulated?
Thank you very much. I can and will! You can see on the inside of the wrist the enlarged section for popping the ball joint in and out. You rotate the hand 90 degrees and pull the hand straight out of at that section. The modified cannon has a ball joint of matching size on the back end. You press the ball joint firmly into the wrist at the enlarged point. You then rotate the cannon forward. I hope that helped!
That is an excellent way of solving the problem of sheathing over the hands but staying streamlined. Bravo! I will be adapting this idea with some diff cannons & c clip balljoints for sure.
Those are quite a few nifty mods. Makes it go from a soso figures to really nice representation. good stuff!
Not a problem, glad I could help! Thanks and good luck! Let me know when you do, I wanna see! Thank you very much! The ball on my Arcee's neck was mildly misshapen and even after filing smooth, it didn't have that great of movement, so that is one of the reasons. I also prefer the socket in the neck any way. So I lopped the next off flush with the bottom of the head: And anyone who has checked out my Megatron thread can probably guess the other reason: Mwahahahahaha! Ball Joint LED! Carved the appropriate channel in the head: As always, let me know what you think, and if you have any questions let me know! Happy Modding!
sorry to break in on your awesome mod thread but i was lookin at your awesomeness and thinking how long her stinger is. hope you don't mind the pics. Arcee's toy is as spectacular as her animated character . I was thinkin of splitting her bike seat and putting a connecter between the screws so her seat folds up higher on her back. Of course i only found 1 Arcee. so i will wait till i get another. beautiful work. hope you don't mind but when i find a second , i might steal some of these mods.
Thanks guys! I don't mind at all! Also, depending on space and placement of the battery pack, I might have to steal your idea.
After transforming her a few times after getting out of the package, this is what she'll be doin' next, once I get my hands on my RiD Arcee. Great job on those fixes, guys.
Thanks! I look forward to seeing it! I actually forgot to put a comma. It should read "With only a little scraping of glue and trimming down the pegs a tiny bit on the tires, I got this effect." But to answer your question: When transforming her for display I do Partsform her. I remove her front wheel assembly and place the tire halves from the front on to the tire halves in her legs. I then fold the connector for the front end into the cowling behind her head. I think it makes for a smoother look in robot mode and I like the way it looks a little better.
I've been looking @ my PRiDE Arcee and cant help but look at her handlebars(throttle/brake) they LOOK like they should have had a pin through them, and IF they were hinged would he backpack transform more efficiently? Just a thought..