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This is my first Transformers kitbash/custom that I've attempted (I'm now working on a few others). I picked this up from a fellow board member here recently. I've been working on this for about a month and a half (on and off) and I've finally finished it.

Originally, I had considered just repainting the bland Classics Ultra Magnus, but everyone's been doing that since it was released (no knock to them, I love 'em all--I just wanted to do something different). I decided to take the "G1 approach" and do this as close to his orignal G1 (in robot mode at least) as I possibly could. Be warned, this can be considered a PARTS-FORMER (oh no!) simply because I am sticking to what was done on the G1/Diaclone orignal (parts galore).

Don't worry though, I only have technically 5 small parts:

1) The Magnus head is a MyClone Magnus head that I purchased from Alyosha's Corner (I carved down the peg on it so it would fit into the back of the Magnus head when it is folded down). So technically, I never removed the old Magnus head and it can be used still.

2) To create the missiles, I shredded a TRU (smaller) Energon Megatron's internal "wing" parts, cut off the tips, cut those in half, painted them, then glued a "connector" onto them so they can easily slide in and out of his arms in robot mode (just under the shoulder pad). These store under the cab in truck mode--just behind the side door panels. I considered incorporating the missiles into his vehicle mode, but it just didn't look right, so I stored them instead.

3) I took some small wooden sticks (arts and crafts crap at Wal-Mart) and created a couple of shoulder "beams" (or pilons--whatever those things are called). Yes, I said "wooden sticks" or popsicle sticks, if you prefer--lol (I haven't ordered any styrene yet and they do the job just fine until I decide to upgrade it). I painted those white and added a couple of pegs to the bottom. I hollowed a small portion of the shoulder of Ultra Magnus (the small indented spot on the top of the shoulder in robot mode). They "snap" right in and are removable. These fit just under the smoke stacks in truck mode (I painted the smoke stacks white to give him a white rifle in robot mode).

These are the only "parts-former" parts and while I love to see Transformers customs that transform completely without "extras" floating around, I do think the old school G1 "parts-former" rules can be applied and actually work here. So anyone ready to go on the offensive about this sort of thing, feel free. I know where you're coming from, but in some cases, parts-formers do in fact work. With that said, onto the show! (I'd like to thank EVERYONE who has ever done an Ultra Magnus custom--regardless of the line it was from--I learned a lot by seeing the great works of him that were done and I just wanted to share my take on it--feel free to share any ideas and pointers as well--let me know what you think):

Robot Mode ("G1-style"):












Vehicle Mode ("Classics style"):

The robot mode is awesome,the vehicle mode is...well...
You shouldn't have painted over the windows,G1 magnus had square holes that showed his windows.

rhinox555 wrote:The robot mode is awesome,the vehicle mode is...well...
You shouldn't have painted over the windows,G1 magnus had square holes that showed his windows.

I'd agree, the windows would've looked good as they were, but I sauppose it looks good anyhow. The robot is especially well done, I didn't think that the pilons and such could be successful with the mold. Even Vehicle storage for them.
Also, you did great with the silver stripes, nice and sharp.
Keep on with it, any future projects goin'?

Thanks for the tips and compliments, guys. I have a few other projects going on (I've actually been working on a handful of them all at once--I tend to switch things up and keep it fresh by doing a bit on each one instead of concentrating on one only). As of now, I have a Classics Galvatron in the works (similar to the usual "Energon Megs repaint", but I opted for the TRU smaller mold and I've been working on his alternate mode which is taking the most time).

I've done some minor touch-ups on Classics Optimus Prime (getting rid of most of that ugly yellow, painted some of the shoulders, and repainted part of the upper legs to keep it "G1"). Not sure if I'll post it up or not--didn't actually change a lot on it. I'm also working on a Classics Ironhide (the typical Tow-Line repaint, with a Classics Astrotrain head slapped on him). I also plan to do Ratchet (ever since the Botcon releases, I've been wanting to do soemthing along those lines). Also, I'm working on doing Springer out of Cybertron Excellion--nothing spectacular. I'm still learning how to do a lot of this stuff (since the Classics Ultra Magnus was my first attempt). I've got other ideas, but nothing concrete other than these so far.

hXcpunk23 wrote: (since the Classics Ultra Magnus was my first attempt)

If this is a first attempt, I'd be amazed as to what you'll do at full potential.
As for the rest, that Springer sounds interesting, that's the last mold I'd expect.

Thanks, man. I honestly wasn't sure how well I'd do. I'm glad most everyone likes it. As for the Springer, I can't take credit for the idea. I've seen someone do their take on it (although it wasn't a triple changer and I highly doubt mine will be). Also, I've seen the recent Botcon Springer and to me it just looked a bit bulky (it was a repainted Cybertron Defense Hot Shot). To me, the slightly less bulky Cybertron Excellion/Hot Shot mold will work (at least for the car mode). I may try to do a helicopter mode as well, but it's not planned at the moment (I'm just going for the simple repaint on this one).

Springer's car and helicopter modes are so similar, you could get away with making a parts-formerwith detachable wheels, and detachable rotor blades.

hXcpunk23 wrote:Thanks, man. I honestly wasn't sure how well I'd do. I'm glad most everyone likes it. As for the Springer, I can't take credit for the idea. I've seen someone do their take on it (although it wasn't a triple changer and I highly doubt mine will be). Also, I've seen the recent Botcon Springer and to me it just looked a bit bulky (it was a repainted Cybertron Defense Hot Shot). To me, the slightly less bulky Cybertron Excellion/Hot Shot mold will work (at least for the car mode). I may try to do a helicopter mode as well, but it's not planned at the moment (I'm just going for the simple repaint on this one).

Yeah, I really wanted the BotCon set this year.
But if you can pull of the car, i'm sure the copter can be worked out. Like Jeep! said, a partsformer may slide.
Extra credit if you can incorperate the parts as weapons or such (That is, if you choose to do it)

He did use a katana at one point, which could be one of the rotor blades.

Jeep! wrote:He did use a katana at one point, which could be one of the rotor blades.

Maybe the classic folding rotors. That'd be cool.

Wow very nice especially the robot mode, I would perhaps agree with some other people about the painted over windows but its no big deal, perhaps clear red dye is the way forward (I can't really talk as I dont know how to dye myself), your paint work is great and the shoulders look awesome, very nice indeed

Thanks, man. I've gotten some great compliments (and caught a bit of flack for the windshield from some, but it's understandable--I just hope they understand I'm happy with my decision and it still works, just maybe not as "perfect" as they'd like it). As I said, I did the best I could with what I had available.

Thanks again for the compliments and constructive criticism.

this looks great. I would suggest painting the factory blue parts with the same blue you used on the rest of him. overall this is a really great custom. keep 'em coming.

Thanks for the tips and support, man. I actually plan to do that at some point with the factory blue, but for now, I'm content with how the monster turned out. Thanks again!