The Energon Pub

Well, as I have been discusdsing over in Darkfool?s Megaplex thread, I finally started on my custom Megatron. Like DF?s Megaplex, I?m starting with a Cyberton Defense Hotshot model. The biggest difference is that I am turning him into a tank by adding two full pairs of tank track assemblies using two 1/72 scale WWII JagdPanzer models. The design I am going for is a bit of a cross between war Within Megatron and G2 Megatron with a rotating turret like Armada Megatron had. I have the legs mostly done already, as well as the head, and have done some modificattion to the torso already, but there is still much to be done in that regard. Here are some WIP pics so far:

Looking very cool!

looking good

I like what I'm seeing, despite the feelings of envy

his legs look a little wide. I guess it would be hard to cut into the legs to the same depth as the wheel wells.

I really shouldn't be reading topics like this, because I really don't want to buy a second CD Hotshot. I really don't...


...but this looks really good and promising.

But I do agree with Ravage: the legs seem a bit wide. If you will also add tank tracks to the shoulders/upper arms, then Megsy will be really wide.

Well, I am adding tank tracks to the shoulders, so he will be wide, which is one of the things I am going for. I already have the other tyank mostly put together and cut in half length-wise for the two track assembiles. I still have to add some stuff to them though. Remember, this is supposed to be a tank when he?s in vehicle mode. It wouldn?t be right if he were long and narrow now would it. I want him big and bulky. I?m taking the original JagdPanzer turret and modifying it to be his turret. The gun barrel is going to be offest to the right so that is can drop over his right shoulder in robot mode. The hard part will be making the socket to fit the original ball joint that CD Hptshot?s original turret fit onto.

Looks interesting

Well, a little update. I?m pretty much done with the turret, and will be posting some new WIP pics as soon as I make JPGs out of the pics I just took.

Well, as promised, here are the latest WIP pics

I don't know maybe it's just me but wouldn't the Treads look better if you swaped the tread sections leaving the larger tread section for the rear of the tank? Instead of the cobra H.i.s.s. look you got going on now? because it looks off imo if you did it the other way the vehicle form might look more convincing...

don't forget he'll have tracks at the front of the tank as well (is that right??? on the shoulders????)

John Dillinga wrote:I don't know maybe it's just me but wouldn't the Treads look better if you swaped the tread sections leaving the larger tread section for the rear of the tank? Instead of the cobra H.i.s.s. look you got going on now? because it looks off imo if you did it the other way the vehicle form might look more convincing...

Roadbusters short shorts wrote:don't forget he'll have tracks at the front of the tank as well (is that right??? on the shoulders????)

Roadbuster is correct. I will be adding a second pair of track assemblies to the upper arms so the whole ?Cobra H.I.S.S. look will be gone. Secondly, if you look at real tanks, the front wheel on a track assembly is usually either level with or at least slightly higher than the rear most wheel, especially on older tanks from WWII. This is because you need that higher leading edge to ride up over obsticles.

Well, got most of the promary fabrication done, though he could probably use a few more details, and maybe a bit more firepower.

Here are a bunch of new WIP pics for you guys.





































I?m tempted to add a weapon mount on the side of his turret opposite the main rail gun for a plasma cannon that can also attach to his arm. It would add some breadth to the turret as well. I would need to fabricate a new mount on his arm as well because I had to cut the ?minicon ports off to allow for clearance for the rear track assemblies. What do you guys think?

That rocks!!!! I love the look of him all beefed out! He sort of reminds me of the headmaster Hardhead. I think the only thing he needs is a little more "beef" to his lower arms but I'm not familiar with that mold so I don't know if it's possible. Either way keep up the good work! can't wait till he's all painted up!

im diggin' it.....

Hobbyist Prime wrote:That rocks!!!! I love the look of him all beefed out! He sort of reminds me of the headmaster Hardhead. I think the only thing he needs is a little more "beef" to his lower arms but I'm not familiar with that mold so I don't know if it's possible. Either way keep up the good work! can't wait till he's all painted up!

Well, the base model was Cybertron Defense Hotshot, so that should tell you something. So, no, there really isn?t any way to beef up his forearms as it would detrimentally affect his transformation (make it impossible to fully transform).

nice bit of work there Tramp, can't wait to see this one finished!!!

Thanks. So, do you think I should add mounts to his turret and forearm for a plasma cannon or not?

Absolutely! He's Megatron! He needs firepower!!!!

Well, I thought so too, so I went ahead and did it. I also just got back from the hobby store to pic up some more glue, and found a sweet little accessory kit; a 1/35 scale US machine gun set which includes four 30 cal. machine guns and two 50 cal. machine guns with all the accessories for either tripod munting or vehicle mounting. I?m gonna mount one of the 50 cal. machine guns on the turret next to the main gun opposite the plasma cannon.

At first i thought you were trying to make a Cobra Rattler (i think that's the name of there small tank)

But this is looking interesting. Are you planning to do anything with the space between the two front treads?

Its really nice to see a transformer with tank treads that actually move. Hell, I'd settle for ones that when they transform they just look like they could still move instead of splitting in half to allow for an elbow or knee (ie: RID Landfill team).