The Energon Pub

I finally got started on something that's been on my mind for a while: A Diaclone/Facsimile Diaclone collection. By facsimile I mean making home-cast repro drivers, using de-factioned and in some cases repainted G1 Transformers (legit or KO) as the Car Robots, as well as potentially reconstructing things like the Powered Buggy and Change AttaCars from scratch.

And the beginning of this is a duplicate Ultra Magnus cab, being repainted into Powered Convoy colors:

The blue paint I used might be closer to the blue of the Diaclone-homage reissue's cab than to an official Powered Convoy but it's good enough for my purposes. Now, in addition to the color changes I'm also painting the molded detail - things like the cab upholstery, the handrails, the horns and lights on top of the cab...

Now, this photo is a bit behind my actual progress. By now I've actually finished the painting work and have been clear-coating the parts to protect the paint. Also clear-coating the chrome parts to protect them from further wear.

Don't have a trailer yet, but I will be getting one at some point and painting that too.

The clearcoating is done and I've started the reassembly. However, I could use some help with that. Specifically, descriptions or reference photos of how the lower torso and the arms go back together.

Found a video guide that helped with the reassembly, and man was doing the shoulders frustrating.

Anyway, have some photos:

First, the robot mode from the front. The paint turned out pretty well. I think the added details help the look, though of course I need to get new decals.


Now a shot with the windshield hatch lowered to expose the cockpit. The upholstery of the seats has been painted in gray to make it actually stand out.


I painted the mechanical detailing on the inner faces of the legs in metallic dark gray, so that it no longer goes to waste.


And to round things out, a shot of him in truck mode.

I will come back to this for further improvement when I get a couple of those liquid chrome pens to properly restore the chrome parts with, but for now I'm satisfied with the repainting.

With the painting done, the next step is to cast reproduction fists. And any other Ultra Magnus parts I can squeeze in when I make the mold with my Allumilite mini casting kit.