Finally got around to making progress on my IDW Fort Max kitbash using FP Steel Core as the base. Basically I popped off Steel Core's stock head (be very careful with this as I've heard of folks doing damage to the neck joint), then popped on a Generations Red Alert's head (which I've since replaced with the Beelzeboss Heroic Duo v2 head anyway) after I painted the eyes red (it's easy to unscrew the head and take apart the light-piped bits for this). The neck ball joint fit is pretty good. I snipped off the spikes off of the head of a junker Generations Black/Sky Shadow, stripped the silver paint off, and sanded them down (using a Dremel) so they don't angle out so far anymore. Applied a little bit of Krazy Glue to the spikes onto the Red Alert head. For his chest, I popped off Steel's (the breastmaster minicon Steel Core comes with) arms. Then I took Red Alert's engine accessory, painted it silver, and simply slotted it into Steel (his exposed shoulder ball joints provide some friction to keep it on there; it's not the most secure connection in the world, but it works for posing and display purposes). I'm not quite done with him as I plan to add some treads on to his back somehow (will probably switch to Mindset's treads rather than Hailstorm's so the colors match better). Fort Max will partsform but that's OK with me since I display 99% of the time in bot mode anyway. =) It's important to note that there is zero permanent damage to FP Steel Core himself. All his original parts can be put back on him if I wish. (Sorry, I will not sell SC's stock head since I want to keep him complete if I ever want to resell him in the future.) That's it for now. Will update with more pictures when I add the treads sometime down the road. Quick update: Been working on this guy some more. Finally found a way to secure tank treads on to FP Steelcore's back using HFTD Mindset parts (without permanently damaging SC) and the head/engine from Generations Red Alert: Basically I discovered that the opening canopy (that the Steel minicon goes into) is attached by screws. So I simply unscrewed them, attached the black slider parts I had leftover from a Generations Wheeljack shin-extension kitbash I'd done earler, and screwed those in to act as a catch/basket for the Mindset treads. Attaches pretty nicely given some posing to lock everything in, and gives enough clearance so that SC's shoulders can be posed without hindrance. The 3mm posts (normally where you can peg in the C-clips for Wheeljack's spanners in the back of his legs) also provide some options for additional weapon attachments on SC's shoulders now. I tried to get the treads to sit more narrowly together to better match his IDW design but it proved too finicky. I also realize that IDW FM has a second pair of smaller treads that hang lower on his back but I'll figure that out later.
This looks that it will work. I agree with using Hailstorm/Mindset tracks. It just screams more powerful.
I was thinking the straxus/skullgrin mold would make a fair minimax. not bad though, looks to be fine quality.
I was JUST thinking the other day about ways this could be donr, and you sir are already miles ahead of anything I cooked up. Carry on, man. I'll be watching with excitement!
Thanks for the kind words, guys! Makes me wanna break out Code X-1 from his packaging, and track down a Perfect Effect Rewind/Eject while I'm at it. XD I really want an updated Overlord so I can pair Fort Max up with him for some quality time, heh, but not sure the upcoming BTS version will fit the bill. Off to find a Mindset for cheap! To teh eBayz!
Quick update: Been working on this guy some more. Finally found a way to secure tank treads on to FP Steelcore's back using HFTD Mindset parts (without permanently damaging SC) and the head/engine from Generations Red Alert: Basically I discovered that the opening canopy (that the Steel minicon goes into) is attached by screws. So I simply unscrewed them, attached the black slider parts I had leftover from a Generations Wheeljack shin-extension kitbash I'd done earler, and screwed those in to act as a catch/basket for the Mindset treads. Attaches pretty nicely given some posing to lock everything in, and gives enough clearance so that SC's shoulders can be posed without hindrance. The 3mm posts (normally where you can peg in the C-clips for Wheeljack's spanners in the back of his legs) also provide some options for additional weapon attachments on SC's shoulders now. I tried to get the treads to sit more narrowly together to better match his IDW design but it proved too finicky. I also realize that IDW FM has a second pair of smaller treads that hang lower on his back but I'll figure that out later. Again, he partsforms but that doesn't bother me at all (he's gonna stay in bot mode 99% of the time anyway).
