The Energon Pub

So, back in December I [url=https://www.seibertron.com/energonpub/firedrive-gun-mode-correction-t112346.php]modded WFC SIEGE Firedrive (Firebolt)[/url to make his gun mode better. I had previously tweaked my Titans Return Hot Rod's bumper tuck so it wouldn't break up his flame decal, and after modding Firebolt I drilled a hole in his engine block so I could mount Firebolt in vehicle mode. After that I didn't make any progress on either of them, but I've been getting back to it lately.



Cut Hot Rod's engine block out and built up a chest panel on the other side. Set up a wire rig for mounting it. Drilled holes in Firebolt's heels to let him stand on Titan Master pegs, and have been painting him.

Further progress:


And even further progress:


Firebolt's paint detailing is almost done. Once he's done I'll start painting Hot Rod.

Firebolt's repainting is complete. And you can see in the background that Hot Rod is dismantled with repainting underway.

More progress!

Full size available on DeviantArt

Full size available on DeviantArt
Painting most of Hot Rod's parts magenta is proceeding apace. Soon I'll be ready to add supplemental colors and detail paint. Also, have some views of Firebolt in gun mode.

Not sure how I should paint the face... Should I go with silver? Or light gray?

The detail painting is underway, as is painting the non-magenta parts. Decided on light gray for the face and hands.

Full size available on DeviantArt

Very curious to see how this looks! Firedrive looks especially great. Love the bronze

Thanks! By the way, I love your Cybertron Jolt avatar.

Most of the parts are done or close to it. The chest is only about half-done though because I still need to paint the cockpit interior. And I haven't touched the Titan Master's arms and legs yet.
Larger view available on DeviantArt

ZeldaTheSwordsman wrote:Thanks! By the way, I love your Cybertron Jolt avatar.

Thank you, man. Jolt was my first transformer, so what better to draw for my avatar?

ZeldaTheSwordsman wrote:Most of the parts are done or close to it. The chest is only about half-done though because I still need to paint the cockpit interior. And I haven't touched the Titan Master's arms and legs yet.
Larger view available on DeviantArt

Looks like your patience and diligent use of masking are paying off, awesome. Any specific plans for the titan master, since Firebolt is already represented? Maybe a human driver or holomatter avatar?

Latebrus-K wrote:

ZeldaTheSwordsman wrote:Thanks! By the way, I love your Cybertron Jolt avatar.

Thank you, man. Jolt was my first transformer, so what better to draw for my avatar?

ZeldaTheSwordsman wrote:Most of the parts are done or close to it. The chest is only about half-done though because I still need to paint the cockpit interior. And I haven't touched the Titan Master's arms and legs yet.
Larger view available on DeviantArt

Looks like your patience and diligent use of masking are paying off, awesome. Any specific plans for the titan master, since Firebolt is already represented? Maybe a human driver or holomatter avatar?

Thanks! Although actually I haven't used masking tape for anything besides preserving the orange paint and flame decal on the chest ^^;
As for the Titan Master, I'm painting him into Hot Rod's own colors.

ZeldaTheSwordsman wrote:Thanks! Although actually I haven't used masking tape for anything besides preserving the orange paint and flame decal on the chest ^^;
As for the Titan Master, I'm painting him into Hot Rod's own colors.

Neat, in both senses of the word!

Latebrus-K wrote:

ZeldaTheSwordsman wrote:Thanks! Although actually I haven't used masking tape for anything besides preserving the orange paint and flame decal on the chest ^^;
As for the Titan Master, I'm painting him into Hot Rod's own colors.

Neat, in both senses of the word!

Thanks. Using a tiny brush for some things, and toothpicks for fine details and minor edge cleanup, helps.

Been working on painting the vehicle interior, assorted details, and the Titan Master's arms and upper legs. The back of the upper legs will be painted crimson to better blend in head mode.

As always, larger image available on DeviantArt

Do my eyes deceive me or is that a GREEN interior?
Interesting work as always, this will be quite the Hot Rod

Latebrus-K wrote:Do my eyes deceive me or is that a GREEN interior?
Interesting work as always, this will be quite the Hot Rod

That is indeed a green interior. I checked the movie, and Hot Rod has a bright somewhat-yellowish green interior in it.

Hmm, better tell Takara. Sounds like a thing they'd like
"ANNOUNCING DEFORMATION MASTERPIECE MP-28+ ANIME EDITION, ONLY USD195! THE COCKPIT WAS GREEN ALL ALONG YOU GUYS"

Latebrus-K wrote:Hmm, better tell Takara. Sounds like a thing they'd like
"ANNOUNCING DEFORMATION MASTERPIECE MP-28+ ANIME EDITION, ONLY USD195! THE COCKPIT WAS GREEN ALL ALONG YOU GUYS"

Except that Hasbro and Takara continue to be in denial about Hot Rod having been magenta, so...

I'm in the home stretch now! I've actually started clear-coating most of Hot Rod's parts and the others are nearly ready to be coated as well.


All the painted main body pieces, first layer of clear-coat applied and drying in the sun.
Larger view available on DeviantArt



The parts that weren't ready for clear-coating yet. Well, technically the parts in the bag were, but the rest weren't.
Larger view of the upper pic available on DeviantArt

Hot Rod has been reassembled, although sadly not without incident:

Firedrive's right shoulder ball broke off and had to be repaired with a reinforcing rod.

I also damaged the right shoulder while extracting the ball. Oh well...


The Headmaster figure standing beside the full robot mode body.




Car mode shots. Still need to take a rear view one to properly show the taillights.



Car mode with weapons. This better shows that the clearcoating of the canopy did not go entirely smoothly.


Robot mode, armed with the default guns


Robot mode, armed with Firebolt.[/img]

The promised rear-end pic