The Ark is complete! After 6 months of building, it is finished. I use the term finished somewhat loosely, since I feel that I will be adding little things onto it for years to come. Especially things like a med-bay table which I wasn't able to finish in time, as well as working on a way to bring together the background boards more seamlessly. This project was a huge learning experience as I had never tackled anything even remotely close to this scale before. The total cost for this project is right at about $350. Everybody gets older and grows up, but that doesn't mean you can't let the ten year old inside you come out to play every once in a while. And the ten year old me from 1986 is on cloud nine right now. I want to give a few shout outs to those who inspired me along the way: My family (Couldn't have done it with out you guys! ) Mandingo Rex - For making these amazing Ark panels years ago for all of us to enjoy. Dogcades - For giving me the ideas for lighting up the Teletraan-1. Jason Jensen - If you haven't checked out his youtube page "Jason Jensen Trains", I can't recommend it enough, he does some unbelievable paint and model work on trains and sci-fi layouts, I learned a ton from watching his videos and applying his painting techniques. Thank you to everyone else who gave feedback and ideas for me as I was in the process of building it! I have 2 videos uploaded that can be found here and here: https://youtube.com/shorts/aENrJk3sG2E?feature=share So without further ado, here it is. It is a behemoth, 8 feet long x 4 feet high x 4 feet deep. 3 display platforms that come together to form 1 giant diorama/playset. Moving parts include the Teletraan-1 viewscreen, computer module on the side piece, sliding blast door, a rotating turret under the outside tunnel entrance and a removable sky spy. LED lighting includes the Ark interior ceiling, and the tunnel and entrance walls with a traditional outlet plug. Where's Trypticon when you need him??? Sky spy! As much as I wanted to make a tunnel in the ceiling for it to fly out of, it just wasn't feasible. The Dinobot cave: Well done Grapple, well done. What started out as an idea on paper 7 months ago: Became this:
I would so have to play with that! I don't care how old you are, my 39 yr old ass would be right there man. I was about to say that Dinobot cave was a little small, but with the PotP dinos there it looks about right. The SS dinos might be a bit big for it. I think the only things I would have wanted to do is make that broken window inside the base with a rock foam piece to make it more 3 dimensional and maybe some 3mm blast effect ports so you could have some blast effects on the mountain. but you did say its technically a WIP so that always means improvements. that really is an amazing display piece
That is a great idea for the rock window, thank you! I wanted to add some blast effect ports, I'll have to incorporate those ideas later this year once I am moved and settled in.
NP. another thing that just popped into my head is you were talking about making the background blend better. Since I assume you arent going to display the back side of the display, perhaps use some paperclips or thin wire glued to the backside to hold up some cotton clouds. you could even glue the cotton over the painted clouds to make that more 3 dimensional too. Mountains usually have cloud coverage at the tops/top half anyway so its not exactly too far fetched.
I have been looking for this post everyday since you finished. Well worth the wait. Great job! Thanks for the fun adventure
Awesome stuff, been following your updates and totally blown away with your creativity. Everyone is going to want to come round your house to play now!
Awww yaaaaa!!!! It's playtime and I'm definitely bringing Trypticon. And don't worry, he is not going to touch that work of art. Stellar work here, bro. Can't wait to see it again in person. Loooooove-ly!!!
I'm upset that I can't like this post more than once. What an absolutely amazing creation. I want to bring my figures over and play right now. Stunning work, you deserve all the praise you get for this.
Amazing, that diorama its amazing, i want to Collect G1 style (WFC and SS 86) because of this, i want that diorama too, great work, and noche video!
Been lerking this thing from the beginning. The pictures can't do this justice, knowing the size of the bots this thing has to be MASSIVE. Absolutely top tear level Playset. You should be extremely proud of it!
I should probably add a disclaimer, I was that kid that had the U.S.S. Flagg aircraft carrier that everyone wanted to come over and play with, lol I ended up selling it along with my entire G.I. Joe collection around the time my son was born. But the Transformers I held on to, when I had to make a choice between the two for space and financial reasons, there was no way I was letting go of the Transformers. That and the fact that this to me is the Transfomers equivalent of the U.S.S. Flagg, since there never were any real large bases back in the 80's. Thanks brother! As soon as we get settled in the new house, Let's party!
I have followed your journey from the beginning. With all the negative in the world. It is amazing how you have inspired so many and smiles to our faces. To realize we always be young at heart. To bring dreams to life. To come together as a community and watch in awe. You my friend have achieved very much. Till all are one!
