First things first: One almost has to handle this guy to fully understand all the tabbing issues that have been complained about. I was quite surprised at how fiddly he was in comparison of the Leader due to some things not staying tabbed in (in both modes). The transformation is difficult because of the things not quite lining up and tabbing, which effects the alt mode, unfortunately. The paint apps are lacking, but surprisingly they bother me less in person. Okay, now that the negatives are out of the way, let's talk about the things this guy does better! Bot mode is beautiful! It is a really great likeness of Prime in the 2007 and RotF films! The articulation is exquisite! In addition to what the Leader has, he also has a waist swivel, He has double jointed knees, Articulated hands, and better head movement. His proportions are much better! Including: narrower shoulders, smaller backpack, and bigger thighs. Less unused kibble! Almost everything makes up part of his robot mode without hanging off unlike the Leader. Take away the tabbing problems from the transformation, it is a really cool transformation. I love how the hood collapses into his abdomen. I love all the rotations that go on in his midsection that is very reminiscent of his on screen transformations! With that said, I've always had a hard time keeping paint and knives away from my figures, so its time to do some cutting! The picture the below is Prime as he was, right out of the box. I have mods in mind for him. I will update this post with the most recent mods. And another for good measure.
I was able to get the chest about a millimeter closer on each side, and about a millimeter or so lower. It also allows the abdomen peices to sit lower. Just a small cut in the ab piece tab so that it can tab in lower. This mod also allows his chest/ window parts to tab in tightly. In fact, the whole chest assembly fits together tighter. The picture below is has both sides modified. It's funny how slight those peices move, but how much of a difference it really makes in his appearance! More pictures of and explanation of how I did it: I used a dremel tool, but an exacto knife would work if you have a relatively steady hand. First off, I fully extended the ab peices so they were out of the way. Tabbed the shoulder/ windows down into their proper place, held them there as I folded in the ab/ hood parts. I marked on the tab where to make the cut to make it an F shaped tab. To get into that area, you untab the ab /hood parts, and shoulder/windows and then you can rotate the ab /hood parts into a workable position. Make the cuts and then all done! The results are great! If you have a dremel, these are the cutting wheels I used. They are the perfect width for the cut.
I didn't like how the original back pack looked on this guy, so I wanted to switch it up. I rearranged the angle of the blue pieces, then fiddled with the red fenders until they laid relatively flat. I came up with this: I then figured out how to use the original port where it tabbed in, but created a new tab. In red is the original tabbing port, yellow is the original tab, and in green is the new tab that I added. Here's another view: Here is one side tabbed in with the new tab (green circle). And how the other side will tab in. And now how it all Looks tabbed in. Next I will be making the back fenders tab in to the new configuration. I'll post when I am done with that mod.
Great, but simple mods. I've been thinking about picking this guy up but have been on the fence. I can do without the Bee, but this is what I wanted from the original Leader class figure.
What pieces did you use to make the new tabs for the backpack panels? They look like just scraps of gray plastic? Or are they leftovers from the cut arm hinges from wofta's mod?
Thank you! With these small mods I've done, its made me love this figure even more! You are planning on getting one right? If so, I'm excited to see what you have in store for it!
I'm very much hoping too! One of my plans for it is to see how possible is it to modify the FWI Jetfire kit so that it can attach to this MPM.
These mods are awesome. Simple, non-invasive yet really improve on an already awesome figure! I especially love what you did with the backpack. Have you tried out emgo's transformation method? Seems he's found a way to transform Prime that fixes all the gaps in truck mode without mods.
That will be awesome! I'm excited to see if you can get that to work! Have you seem this? Thank you! I did attempt his method, I could get the drivers side to tab in, but the passenger would not tab. I tried it a few times but no luck. But I've mostly been focused on his bot mode right now. Once the bot mode is done, I'll move on to his vehicle mode.
That's disappointing to hear. I was really hoping it was a one-size-fits-all solution, but I guess some figures are so jacked that not even this works.
Might be worth shaving down the edges where window and door panel meet? Since those seem to be the problem areas pushing the hood up, creating more clearance might resolve the issue.
