After a bout of "yellow fever" and "black plague" (aka marathon builds of 3 MOCs of the same color scheme: The Constructicon trio), I have finally decided to cure myself and build myself something non yellow to end the fiscal year of 2011. The previously mentioned "builders block" is real and happening. So I'm putting a halt to project Constructicon temporary and start this one. As a Transformers (toy) fan, I'm a sucker for base-mode Transformers, especially those with ramps/platforms to put minibots on , aka "legend" sized Transformers figures. Dai Atlas Dai Atlas is a Japanese Transformers produced back in the year 1990. The original toy spot four modes (jet,drill tank, robot, base) BUT the jet mode looks almost similar with the drill tank, and I plan to change that. Anyway, below is how the original toy looks like (taken off a page from "Transformers Deluxe Generations" book). I found out that the toy has horrendous articulation: only the arms can swivel! Both his legs are fused together (since they contain a motorized mechanism inside) His head cant even turn since its part of the nosecone. The list goes on. From the photo above, it's a parts-former, a term to denote a Transformer toy with various parts require detachment and be reattached again in other locations to be transformed properly/completely. The biggest offender are his wings; conveniently be plugged in anywhere to suit the mode... or even be removed altogether (in drill tank) and forming a shield for the robot mode. *duh* Huge Potential for Improvement Besides the usual articulation which I have applied on my MOC of him, all his parts remained intact (no detaching/re-attaching) during transformation, except for the clip-on rifle (which most Transformer need to defend themselves in the heat of battle). I managed to give him a proper and distinct drill tank mode ... uhmm I prefer to call this mode as "mobile drilling platform" instead since he's too bulky as just a mere drill tank. Trivia: >> The wings NEED NOT be detached during transformation from one mode to another. >> The weight of the wings caused them to be slight slanted down in jet mode. >> The "arrow" motive you see on the base mode platform is purely incidental. Those platform "defect" are required to accommodate the hidden robot head in the jet mode. >> I exhausted one of my LEGO ball joints during the creation of this MOC.. since I keep detaching and reattaching it (for convenience/test-transformation). I have to replace this ball joint with a brand new one, or else his arms gonna dangle and fail to raise up properly for photo shoot. >> The scorpion minion is pure incidental too. the weak hinges caused it to detach too easily ... but it sure end up as decent "stinger" , ready for any mission by its master. >> I was worried at first regarding the raised up shoulder and whether the robot head would end up having limited rotation clearance caused by those shoulders. I'm just glad he still can turn his head around. >> Halfway through photo session, I noticed I've got some shiny grey 1x1 slopes lying around. So I immediately replace the robot faceplate with these slopes, from the white color. >> The first MOC of mine to justify 100++ photos of him be snapped and uploaded in brickshelf.com. >> One of the major headache was deciding which mode to start photographing first, since I need to minimize the hassle of capturing the transformation from one mode to another. >> I have to omit the radar dish as depicted in the original toy (which detaches and attaches when required, ending up on his rifle) because I failed to fit him inside the nosecone of the Jet mode. And I refused to have it detaches and reattaches at will (one of my pet peeve in Transformers toys these days... accessories tends to get lost this way). >> This is NOT the end. I might continue to build Dai Atlas other two partners, and merge to become Big Powered. Official mocpages gallery below for Dai Atlas: Dai Atlas: A LEGO® creation by Yap Alan : MOCpages.com To view the transformation sequence/steps from one mode to another, visit my blog link below: Alanyuppie's LEGO Transformers: LEGO Dai Atlas Transformation Sequence THanks so far for the support so far and have a happy 2012 ahead.
Man, you're giving Kre-O's a run for their money! Someone there should hire ya to show them what transforming toys outta bricks is all about!
Transformers Zone - Opening [1080P] - YouTube YOU RE-MAKE HIM PERFECTLY!!!! AND WITH LEGOS!!!!!!!! Yours has just become my favourite custom of the year!!! Its truly amazing!! MArvelous work!
Kreo toylines finally landed on my shores few weeks ago and although the price are pretty competitive, I cant bring myself to give it a try, even though for a small set. I kept inspecting the box(art) to find out what parts are inside. Hopefully the next evolution of Kreo toys might be just transformable ones. If that happens, I definitely will get 'em to fiddle around with. One of my gripe is not able to make a proper entrance for legend size vehicle(s) to go inside, that require more than 4(lego) studs of clearance. I can make it bigger to accomodate this but then again, he will be hardly posable in robot mode. Just "deployed" the base mode (and place some Legends ROTF constructicons) into one of my Ikea detolf's shelf... it fits just right with mere half an inch or so left on the side.
