The Energon Pub

6/3 Update - the first in-progress pics of the robot mode!

5/4 Update - I can't believe I haven't posted since January. SHAME ON ME. FB's coming together, soon....

1/13 Update - No pics, but I'm still chuggin along!

11/5 Update - Please scroll to the last post in this thread for updated pics!

**original post below**

Hello all. I mostly lurk on the boards here but I've finally gotten brave enough to tackle a scratchbuild. Most of you are probably familiar with Steelskin ( http://johnspangler.com/steelskin/index.html ) which did inspire this project. I'm taking it a bit further. Mine will be scaled to Energon/Cybertron deluxe size, feature full articulation, and sport full Back to the Future gear. The arms & head are missing, but will transform like Cybertron Downshift's. The time travel booster things will become the robot feet. The character's name will be Flashback. I'm a big fan of media machines, and Hasbro will never do another DeLorean, so I'm doing my own.

Attached are pics of a PAPER mockup of this project to show size and how it will transform. I am using this as a guide to size my plastic components. More to come, so stay tuned!

Awesome! a DeLorean transformer!

Oh, wow. This is gonna be good...

John is a good friend of mine and his custom Steelskin was one of the first customs I ever saw (I saw it at Botcon 2K1, where he won that competition if I'm not wrong). DeLoreans rule (John owns a real one, btw) and I plan to make an Alt DeLorean . . . down the road . . . lol!

You're a bit further along than I am, as I am not brave enough to tackle my Alt Steelskin project just yet. All in due time though!

I can't wait to see how yours comes out! Keep it up!

Thanks for the early praise everyone! Supersquad, I had emailed John a while back when I started doing sketches for Flashback, but he never answered. I guess he's out of the hobby these days? Steelskin blew me away when I saw it (so did Redline).

I'll be posting progress pics as I make the components. Being able to share them with you folks will certainly keep me motivated to finish.

I had considered doing a stock DeLorean, but honestly, BTTF is the main reason any of us even know about the car, so why not go all the way?

The two biggest hurdles facing me now are the head and the rims. I can't find DeLorean rims in this scale, so I may have to cheat a little. I'm not sure if I can sculpt a head as well as I can cut flat surfaces, so I may use an existing deluxe toy's head. More to come this week.

see if you can get someone to draw you a micheal j fox face and do a sculpt! as for the rims and smaller details, let your imagination flow, give it your own touches, thats what makes it truely fun, seeing the start you have now, you'll do fine, you should have the flux core capasitor as the weapon, lol

Commander Loktober wrote:see if you can get someone to draw you a micheal j fox face and do a sculpt!

Sorta like a BTTF version of Star Wars TFs, huh?

Can you put Michael J. fox in the drivers seat?

BTW NICE!

Why not start with a deloren Model and modify it to transform.

lol, no MJF head on this guy. He's gonna have a plain head with a visor & faceplate....simple to make (I hope). And yes, the flux capacitor will show up on his robot mode....prob on his abdomen under the car's bumper.
I'm not doing a model Delorean because I want this scaled to Cybertron Deluxe size. If all goes well, I will cut up a model for an Alt version.

Awesome! Always loved the Delorean and would love to see a deluxe scale one.

Minor update: scratchbuilding is a pain in the arse, but I'm not giving up. But when you scratch you literally have to form every single surface. Its time consuming. I'm currently working on the framework for the hinge under the hood. Its not pic worthy, but I should have more formed by the weekend.

It's so funny that you mention doing a BTTF DeLorean, because as my first attempt at a kitbash, that's what I am in the middle of working on now!

I'm using the Polar Lights Snap-together Model kit and an Alternators Smokescreen (because I got a couple of them at Toys R Us for $8 each)

The model is 1/25 scale, so I have to do alittle more compensating, but the hood is big enough to house the arms.

The scale of the car is in the middle between the 1/24 scale alternators and the Cybertron Deluxe Hot Shot figure.


I was also originally going to use the thrusters as flip down feet, but doing that while using the model was going to be complicated, so I decided to go with the bottom half of the car flipping around 180 and being big feet (with the thrusters up around the knees)



So are you doing to do the car with Mr. Fusion or with the Lighting Rod?

I'm using the Lighting Rod which doubles as a sword-like staff.


As for the head, I wasn't quite sure what head to use.

One idea that popped in mind is to use a repainted Star Wars transformer head (in case you wanted a Micheal J Fox or Doc Brown Robotic head)

Palamon wrote:It's so funny that you mention doing a BTTF DeLorean, because as my first attempt at a kitbash, that's what I am in the middle of working on now!

I'm using the Polar Lights Snap-together Model kit and an Alternators Smokescreen (because I got a couple of them at Toys R Us for $8 each)

The model is 1/25 scale, so I have to do alittle more compensating, but the hood is big enough to house the arms.

The scale of the car is in the middle between the 1/24 scale alternators and the Cybertron Deluxe Hot Shot figure.


I was also originally going to use the thrusters as flip down feet, but doing that while using the model was going to be complicated, so I decided to go with the bottom half of the car flipping around 180 and being big feet (with the thrusters up around the knees)



So are you doing to do the car with Mr. Fusion or with the Lighting Rod?

I'm using the Lighting Rod which doubles as a sword-like staff.


As for the head, I wasn't quite sure what head to use.

One idea that popped in mind is to use a repainted Star Wars transformer head (in case you wanted a Micheal J Fox or Doc Brown Robotic head)

Funny you mention the legs. My original design called for flip legs as well, with the thrusters as kneecaps. But due to the odd shape of the fenders, this made the robot mode way too tall. So I decided to just have him stand on his back bumper.

I'm not doing a robo Doc or Marty. This is gonna be a strictly new Autobot character who scanned his altmode after watching BTTF reruns on TBS from earth.

Cant wait to see how your Alternator turns out. Keep me posted!

Another small update: I didnt forget about this, but work had me sidelined a bit.

No pics yet, but I made the hip/thigh area. There isn't much interesting to see at this point, but I will take some pics as soon as I get the swivel knees and lower legs in place.

True to my word I have finished the framing for the legs/rear of the car. Sorry it took so long, I was working 12-14 hour shifts cause of the GD heat wave (I work for a utility) and had no energy for my hobby. Im pleased so far. He enjoys full articulation and everything lines up. I know there isnt much to see yet but I am taking my time. Enjoy:




Car mode




Standing

That sir, is some damn fine work you've accomplished there! I'm getting antsy to see the finished product!!!

Impressive. I wish I could get all these diffrent style pieces of styrene here. As it is i had to visit 4 diffrent stores to get two tubes that would slide into each other.

Keep up the good work.

Looking great layouts!

Keep up the good work!

Damn good articulation there!
I must admit, I've never been a fan of BTTF, so the deLorean customs don't spark my circuits like they do for a lot of other people. But this is looking to be a top-notch project... can't wait to see how it turns out.

Well, obviously I can wait... but you know what I mean.

Thank you all! I'm sorry for the lame pic quality but the point gets across. It is my first build so I apologize for the snail's pace. With all the great customs in this part of the forum and all the encouragement, I'm certainly inspired to see it through to the end.

Tonight I started sculpting the torso and the car's roof.

Well, shame on me. Its been almost a month and no updates from me in this thread. I didn't abandon the project, heaven forfend. In fact I have made some nice progress. But due to friggin Tropical Pain In The Arse Ernesto, I've been working two weeks straight on 10-12 hr shifts on storm duty (I work for an electric utility). Needless to say this has sapped my energy and I am sorely overdue for a vacation (by 3 years to be exact). More pics will follow, likely this weekend.

Looking forward to the new pics! Also, Hats off to you my friend for putting up with people who want their electricity! (I was kinda grouchy during the blackout of 2003 )

Looking good. Having just started my wn scratchbuild, I know how hard it is to get even that far along.

Hobbyist Prime: Thankfully I'm not dealing directly with customers...but I had line crews on one side & the big shots on the other, which is just as bad if not worse!

Greyryder: with the experience of making your avatar under your belt, you'll likely finish your scratchbuild before me! hehe