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My Construct-Bots Collection

PostPosted: Fri Jan 24, 2014 3:56 am
by albnok
(This has been adapted from a blog post so pardon the un-forum-ish writing style.)

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Transformers: Construct-Bots! I have to say, I love the line, despite all the flak it gets. Once you get past the notion that you're only supposed to assemble it as per instructions, you can get some really cool alternate modes. Here's Blitzwing, using all parts that came in the box, forming a more stealth-bomber-like plane.

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Once you get past the notion that it must transform from robot to alternate mode without detaching parts, it gets even better. Bumblebee is a truck!

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I first bought Blitzwing and Bumblebee, because I have a thing for triple-changers. Shame that the instructions tell you to detach parts to go from one alternate mode to another. For the others, you don't need to detach parts to go from robot to alternate mode. I think this particular configuration doesn't need detaching, though it will be calf-heavy; not a problem as it adds to stability.

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All the triple-changing Blitzwings for scale.

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My colleague didn't like the hollow look either, and he didn't understand the appeal of it, until he fiddled around with Blitzwing. Here's an awesome alternate mode, that doesn't transform, but uses all the parts in the box.

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More angles of this masterpiece.

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I was fiddling around with both, when I realized I could have a gestalt! I just needed to buy 3 more Construct-Bots.

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I then bought the Optimus Prime Versus Megatron set, and make a gun entirely from all the pieces from Megatron's box. Yes, it has a moveable trigger and safety lock.

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Please pardon that the plasma cells are not symmetrical.

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Non-transforming Huffer! Only Optimus Prime pieces.

All pictures above from my phone and processed by Instagram. Now for some serious camera action!

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When stripped down for hands-on battle, you can stow away the pieces as a suit on wheels.

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Megatron's broken C-shaped wrench. Go easy on these.

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Now, I had 5! Notice that Bumblebee who is normally short is taller because of his feet.

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My first attempt at a gestalt, with the conditions:

1) use all the parts in the box
2) parts from a robot don't cross over the merge points (I accidentally used Blitzwing's machinegun on Bumblebee, so this is imperfect)
3) have modern-day articulation

I managed to use all parts for Soundwave and Blitzwing (the legs) but adding more to the upper three would make it imbalanced.

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The wings of Soundwave and Blitzwing were used as giant rear braces. The wings on Megatron and Bumblebee can fold out for a wide-winged gestalt form.

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My second attempt at a gestalt, Menasor-style. It balances a lot better and is more playable.

If you recolored Optimus Prime to Motormaster, you could buy the Stunticon limbs and make a proper-colored Menasor!

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I didn't use all parts this time, even removing Optimus Prime's feet.

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The limbs are simple, too; detach the arms on the leg limbs and put them behind, and detach one arm from each arm limb to attach to the underside. The cannons add stability. Originally, Megatron's black cannon was in the left arm, keeping to no-crossover-rule, but it didn't match in color so I swapped them.

I also made a jet wing attachment, but that made him fall backwards.

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In scale to Transformers Fall Of Cybertron Bruticus (with non-destructive flamethrower mod).

Re: My Construct-Bots Collection

PostPosted: Mon Jan 27, 2014 1:51 pm
by albnok
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I had some time to fiddle around, to make Version 3 of a Transformers: Construct-Bots gestalt.

On the right is Hasbro Transformers Masterpiece Optimus Prime (the later one, based on TakaraTomy's Transformers Masterpiece MP-10.)

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He also has modern articulation. The fists at his elbows can be employed to stop the forearms from being able to turn backwards.

I wanted the arms to extend out further, so I had to use a rather flimsy way and cover them with wings.

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From the back.

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It's really hard to describe how I did the waist and back. The waist joint is not that playable, though.

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He's double-jointed at the knees, when most Transformers aren't (one of my main gripes, as well as feet that can fold either way.)

Re: My Construct-Bots Collection

PostPosted: Tue Feb 04, 2014 3:39 pm
by albnok
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I had a bit more time to fiddle with Transformers: Construct-Bots. This time, my objective was to merge just two figures into one, with modern articulation and all the robot parts used. In a way, like Star Saber and Victory Leo. There would be no crossover outside of the two figures involved, even though I had five figures.

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View from the side and back. I like how limber the two figures from the Optimus Prime versus Megatron set combine to form.

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He's even double-jointed at the knees! I did not improve on arm articulation, though.

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But wait, there's more! On the right is Soundwave and Triple-Changer Blitzwing combined, with Triple-Changer Bumblebee in the middle to show scale.

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The back. It's a bit different, with Soundwave's feet sticking to the wings on the shoulders.

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He, too, can lift a heavy weapon (or, depending on orientation, a shield!)

Re: My Construct-Bots Collection

PostPosted: Wed Apr 09, 2014 8:59 am
by Maerviska
For a moment I thought I was the only one enjoying the Construct-bots haha!

I don't feel confident enough to mix them and play around with them, but I love what you did! Mostly the Megatron/Optimus mix! Since I already have Megatron on his own, maybe I could get the double pack and try something like this too.

What's the next one you wanna get?

Re: My Construct-Bots Collection

PostPosted: Fri Feb 13, 2015 8:22 am
by albnok
Maerviska wrote:For a moment I thought I was the only one enjoying the Construct-bots haha!

I don't feel confident enough to mix them and play around with them, but I love what you did! Mostly the Megatron/Optimus mix! Since I already have Megatron on his own, maybe I could get the double pack and try something like this too.

What's the next one you wanna get?


Gah, didn't notice your reply! Nope, not gonna get any more. The later series did not appeal to me, in the way they are designed now.

Re: My Construct-Bots Collection

PostPosted: Fri Feb 13, 2015 8:33 am
by donny1975
If there were something akin to this when I was a kid I would have been all over it, I think it's a great toy, very similar to the Lego Hero Factory series but for TFs.

Who cares what flak it gets, if you love it geek out!

Do you have any other pics or I like to see people innovate with their toys.

Re: My Construct-Bots Collection

PostPosted: Fri Feb 13, 2015 9:33 am
by albnok
donny1975 wrote:If there were something akin to this when I was a kid I would have been all over it, I think it's a great toy, very similar to the Lego Hero Factory series but for TFs.

Who cares what flak it gets, if you love it geek out!

Do you have any other pics or I like to see people innovate with their toys.


Unfortunately, that's all I have, but there is mini-community on another forum that goes nuts with this - just as we have different rules for what we collect, the others have different rules with how they construct their bots!

Google for "The Construct-Bots 'Look what I made' Appreciation Thread."