Monday, November 28, 2011

Restoration - WST Slag

Yeap, restoration time! This time is the WST Slag, which unlike the original size counterpart, has teeny-weeny removable fists to attach to the front dinosaur legs to become arms in robot mode...



So to avoid the vulnerable fists to disappear and go missing, I decided to make them slidable in and out, like the original counterpart... Crude, but workable! Hahaha...




Robot mode!!!! Nope, no stickers, at most will be making and giving him the eyes-stickers and an Autobot symbol...

Side-Tracked: Recent Haul of TFs (119) - TFA Takara Prowl, DOTM Deluxe Topspin

Went to TRU Forum, Paragon, OG PP, and CSC on Sunday... Sigh.... As usual, not very exciting... In the end, settle for these 2 in CSC, at 2 for $30... And WHAT THE HELL?! Prowl has 2 right arms (and thus fists)!!!! What the... ??!!!!.... sigh... Nevemind, will repair it....

Tuesday, November 15, 2011

Restoration - KO G1 Mirage, KO (Slightly) Oversize Alternators Rodimus

KO G1 Mirage
Bought a "Fuitty-Tutty" KO G1 Mirage in September last year, so happy... except the weird colours get too uncomfortable, day by day... so decided to repaint it to near to original colours...


So after painting... still needs something... yes, stickers... Oh, please look with eyes half-closed... Painting is horrible, as usual, I know...


Used some Mirage pictures from the internet and edited using MS Word, and printed out the stickers ... Looks good after sticker-ing!...




Stupid blue paint still not fully dried after 4 days... Nevermind, I can wait... hahaha...



KO (Slightly) Oversize Alternators Rodimus
A very nice piece, can't really understand why I don't quite like it in when I bought it... Joints are relatively tight, and is slightly oversized than the original figure (seen somewhere in the internet, can't remember which though...) Some simplifications in the removal of visor, back of robot (car roof) is molded as 1 piece, back of car (with license plate) is to be removed when transforming into robot mode, missing the original gun... not sure if there is any more, since I don't have the original...


Car mode... looks good...




Back of the car... Since it will be very troublesome to make the linkages to connect the back pieces to the robot legs, I decided to make the back of car to become a rifle...


...Rifle barrel and handle can be swiveled out...



Also make the back piece to be foldable into 2 pieces, not very good as there are still protruding parts to prevent the end piece to collapse fully down... anyway, too lazy to redo...


Now Alternators Rodimus has a big rifle to wield...





What to restore next? Hmmm... Should be making sliding fists for my WST Slag... I think...

Edit: Nope, have not began on WST Slag, because have been busy repairing my KO Galaxy Convoy (aka KO Cybertron Optimus Prime), sigh... wanted to just repair the loose legs, then 1 old "wing" joint broke again.. and when I tried to repair it, it crumbles... yes, literally crumbles.. very weak plastic.. in fact, 1 breakage came after another while I was repairing... even till now there is still the 2nd wing joint that broke as I was attempting to put in OP's "backpack" for his super mode... sigh..may do tomorrow, too tired...

Anyway, saw on some TF website there are already KOs of RTS Legends Trailbreaker and Generations Deluxe Warpath, but I just couldn't find in TaoBao... sigh... well, never-mind, see if got any luck to find some legit ones in CSC on Sunday... if going, that is...

Monday, November 14, 2011

Side-Tracked: Recent Haul of TFs (118) - Generations Scourge, DOTM Darksteel

Went to Orchard area just now and try to hunt for TFs... but... went to TRU Forum, not much, only bought a DOTM Darksteel (which is 1 of the 2 Darksteels out of hundreds of TF Deluxes there...)... Then walk over to Isetan and Metro at don't know where... also nothing good, only dominated by Bumblebees and Mudflaps... Then went over to TRU Paragon, also not much choice... got 1 bin of DOTM Deluxes, and 2 bins of Generations TFs... The Generations bins have Wheeljacks, Cybertronian BBs, Scourges, Kups, Thundercrackers... which I already have... Then went over to Takashimaya, where the basement is having a toy sales.. but still... went up to the toy section, and still... in the end, went back to TRU Paragon, and finally got a Scourge, with the intend to paint to black.. or something dark...



Tuesday, November 8, 2011

Side-Tracked: Recent Haul of TFs (117) - Generations Skullgrin, DOTM Sideswipe, HA Roadbuster, Star Wars Quad-changer Darth Vadar, KO Ovs Megashoton

Went over to TRU Suntec, and found some good stuff.... no KOs of course...

Generations Skullgrin
Picked up this guy for $10... because there are not many choices, I have to stop at 1 piece... only left with Thundercracker, Kup, Thunderwing and this... the cashier auntie says this (Generations series) sells well, and some people bought 10... wow, scalpers or not, this may be 1 of the reasons why Scourge is missing from the racks... Anyway, I have gotten the Darkmount/Straxus version before, so expectations for this mold is quite high... will de-tomb later...

Edit: Absolutely nice TF, must think of ways to differentiate it from Darkmount/Straxus... Leg joints are slightly slightly bit loose though... Think maybe I'm just nitpicking, hahaha...


DOTM Sideswipe
$16.65... Was intending to get a Darksteel version but couldn't find any, so thought of getting this for own repaint... Heard that DOTM deluxe versions have Mechtech weapons that don't stay in place, so probably will remove the spring later...

Edit: This is definitely on par with the ROTF version!!! ... well, at least to me... Blades are slim and seems more movie-accurate... but the weird chicken legs (knees)... hahaha... Can I mod the Mechtech weapon to be similar to that of the voyager's version of locking?... hmmm...


HA Roadbuster
Frankly, I don't know if this is kept away secretly by 1 of the TRU staff or something, because I found it, alone, at the most interesting place - deep behind and hidden by some random boxes of TF gift-sets on a higher rack... and the whole pile of HA TFs at the entrance are just Bumblebee and Mudflap... Nevertheless, grabbed it and proceed to pay... and yes, the bar-code scans to read $39.90,which is the offer piece... nice...

Edit: Oh! I gotten the running-change version! The "88"s are nicer... Upon de-tombing, immediately tried to close the open doors... and realised the big gaps... wah... ugly... headlights panels cannot push all the way down... sigh... nevermind, transform it to robot mode... Wow! Amazing looking figure!! The best of my HA TFs!!!! (Ok, got to admit I have only 2 HA TFs, this and the 1-fist BB, hahaha)... After watching the Youtube reviews, have not much difficulty in transforming.. very solid TF... only minor gripe will be the small visor and the chainsaw needs to be position extremely carefully in order to roll the car on the floor...


Star Wars Quad-changer Darth Vadar
Wow, finally decided to get this figure... was struggling a few weeks... seen some reviews... but the main factor that pushes me to buy is it's price... hey, its price is the same as the HA TF! $39.90! Leader-size equivalent!... wow... Of course the Quad-changer is not really true, as the 2 ships can be achieved by flipping the ship to its back (or front)... and Anakin changes to Darth Vadar in while maintaining most of his limbs features... Anyway, will de-tomb and see if it is worth the $...

Edit: No time to get all the loose pieces to assemble and transform, so only manage to play the most interesting features: (1) pressing the button to get the various sounds and voices! (2) switching between Anakin and Darth Vadar (keep twisting the waist to see the head change, damn mindless and fun!!! Hahaha...)


Sigh... have not been buying KOs much lately... Seen the KO PE Reflector in Taobao, but reluctant to buy, as somehow I kindda don't like Reflector... Anyway, waiting for my KO Cutthroat and Rippersnapper to be delivered (will bash them into Sinnertwin and Blot) and also the KO oversize Targetroid Megatron!


Edit: Delivery came just now for the KO Cutthroat, Rippersnapper (to bash next time!)and KO oversize (Targetroid) Megashoton (Megatron) (which has loose joints, as expected)... Lazy to take pics today, tomorrow or Thursday then see how!

Edited Edit:
KO Oversize Megashoton

Took pictures for the KO Oversized Megashoton, loose joints for the legs... implified fists cannot be folded in... and is missing the handle/peg... But found a way to make a gun "handle"...



Size comparison with ROTF Hubcap... about Scout class size!

Monday, November 7, 2011

Restoration - Generations Drift : Left Fist

Gotten a nice Generations Drift some time back, and was very glad to have this, considering the aesthetics, 3 swords (3! and all able to be stored inside the car/robot!!), amazing posability... But there was a flaw... It came with 2 right fists!!! What the ...

Car mode... Very sleek looking...



So managed to get a very crude left fist, after cutting off the thumb sections and glued them on the bottom of fist, reverse it, and thus the left fist is born... Did not remake new thumb as I can't find matching dark brown colour to paint, and am reluctant to paint the right fist to match left fist (whatever colour)... So... Anyway, click and zoom in the below picture to see Drift's new left fist... Crude, but don't care, am concentrating on repairing the 2 WWE belts at that time...



Superb articulation!!!! Can manage to pose to pull out the sword! This TF can do many many poses, took many pics but will just pose some here...


2-hand-hold for sword!!! Wow!....







Hope can get some good deals tomorrow at TRU...

Sunday, November 6, 2011

Side-Tracked: Recent Haul of KOs (116) - Bootleg (?) WWE Heavyweight Championship Belt, Spinner Belt

Gotten this at CSC today... Not sure if these are bootlegged or legit versions of the Jakks Pacific belts, but they sure do have KO quality... Price is 2 for $30...


WWE Heavyweight Championship Belt
Hmm... After de-tombing and toying around for some time then realised the front piece is missing a red jewel... the fake leather belt itself seem to be the same for both belts, which means the shape did not follow the front piece's profile... and the side pieces are mounted vertically instead of horizontally... ok, going to make things right later... but will need to cut some patch-ups... hope can find some good materials... "As you can see", the paper for the package is the same for both belts, which is of course the wrong one for this belt... And printing quality is bad.. that is also a reason why I think they are bootlegged versions...


Update:
Managed to reposition the side pieces horizontally, but they are not really aligned to the front piece, slightly higher... All because I am too lazy to cover up 4 more holes, thought will be ugly...




WWE Spinner Belt
Yes, the one John Cena has/had... I mentioned KO quality as the chrome job is not done properly, sprue cutoffs are not that good, and worst is spinning action is not possible... After an initial examination, realised the axle is not secure and wobbles the plate, need to make the axle smaller to fit in hole, or make the hole bigger to fit in more of the axle to stabilize... Will do later, after posting...



Update: Managed to fix the spinning wheel to be able to spin now... not as good as the legit ones seen on Youtube, but at least it goes freely for a few revolutions! Happy... Also swapped the side plates to their right places, and painted a bit (preferred the words "MON NITE" to be in silver though...) ...



... back of the belt, which is also the same for the WWE Heavyweight Championship Belt... Yes, uses velcro... very aesthetically pleasing...


Overall the length is too short for my 35 inch waist... well ,either I need to trim down, or find a way to extend the belt... I think I'll choose the latter... hahaha...

Thursday, November 3, 2011

(Crude) Repaint & Restoration - KO (mini) Jetfire, KO Astroplan

KO (mini) Jetfire
Repaired an old downsized KO Jetfire/Valkyrie, and due to itchy hands, painted it to resemble G1 Jetfire's colour scheme... yes, crude painting at its worst, hahahaha.... just for fun and laughter, peace & joy...

Jet mode looks terrible in picture, but not really that bad in real-life...


Gerwalk mode is possible!


Robot mode... yes, modded the chest piece slidable to look better, as posted in my earlier first few posts...



KO Astroplan
Tighten some joints and made bicep swivel for the right hand, using some STIKFAS parts; the left hand bicep swivel failed as it was too loose, so had to superglue the 2 parts back with elbows now bending the arm forward...

Jet mode is nice.... especially with the "drooping" front... Removed 1 of the vertical tail-fin as this KO doesn't allow the 2 halves to close together well... Oh, yes, the canopy can open...


Gerwalk mode is also possible!!!! Mod the gun handle to be able to fit into fist-hole... Probably this is not the official Gerwalk configuration, but I like it better this way...


Robot mode! Nice... head seems to be sunken in a bit though... Modded arms so that they can bend forward instead of inwards...




Next to restore: KO Fruitty-Tutty G1 Mirage!!! Hahaha...