In my quest to kill the Headmaster gimmick as often as I can, and using the idea user Rexius did some time back, I decided to tackle Astrotrain. It ended up being more of an extensive makeover than just a gimmick kill. Mods done: -Killed the gimmick, sculpted a new head and added a neck joint. -Removed the arm cannons, just because. -Re-designed the cockpit area the HM sat in, sealing the area off and adding a thruster care of Galvatrons cannon backside. -Re-designed the train ends. I hated the cow pushers, and wanted more of a bullet train. The pieces were from two Galvatron cockpits, with hand cut wheel assemblies. -Added the chest wings, made using pieces from a Legends Rodimus weapon. -Repainted everything and added some minor panel lining and burn effects. I do see a few touch ups that need done, but aside from those, I'm happy with it.
Great work, I just got LG Astrotrain and was looking for custom ideas to improve the vehicle modes - yours really work. I found removing the vertical stabilisers particularly improved the train mode, and seeing as the cockpit on yours looks solid now, maybe doing so wouldn't hurt the shuttle mode either? Equally great work on the train front and rear ends, I was planning on replacing the front with that of a steam engine, and the rear with a tender of some kind.
Very subtle and effective mod on the cockpit! Disn't even notice the train engine until the second read...nice
Nice mods. I hate the stock feet. So, this has given me hope that something can be done with them. I have the LG on Order and don't have him in hand yet. What you have done has definitely improved the figure.
Thanks all! This was one of those projects that kind of got out of control. I initially just wanted to de-Headmaster the figure, but then I got to looking at what else I could possibly do and just kept cutting and working until I couldn't stop at just a few little things. I'm glad I didn't stop at the Headmaster, as I now have the Astrotrain I've wanted since I got Blitzwing.
That looks amazing. Don't get me wrong, I quite like how TR Astrotrain looks/plays as is, but it would be so much better if we got the extra little details that you added on like the chest wings and the rear thruster for the shuttle mode
What is your technique for panel lining? Yours is some of the best I've seen! Great work btw. I repainted mine but didn't do any mods. How did you remove the guns on the arms?
Thanks! The panel lining was done using some dark blue/black ink, diluted with mineral spirits. The spirits cause the smallest drop of the ink to travel through the channels of the lines without actually brushing them in. Makes for cleaner, more subdued lines. The guns on the arms were just Dremeled off, which left holes since the turrets are part of the arm framework. I just used styrene, cut and sanded to match the angle to cover the holes. Simple!
I've used them with everything, but they work best with the harsher paints like lacquers. The only reason I used the ink was because that's what was on my desk at the time. I do recommend AK Interactive fluids. They are specialty paints and washes made for models to give them effects like weathering and damage. The washes plus the spirits make for amazing lining and staining.
Fantastic job on making an already great figure even better. I love the chest wings and the new front parts for the train mode.
