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I have been lazy on buying more puck lights for my display cases. Recently, bought two packs, which enabled me to complete two more cases. A third display case (that has the parking garage), i was able to add lights to two shelves, leaving two more left. Then i still need lights for one more tall case and my shorter one. It’s finally getting there.

Now i have my Loyal Subjects diorama all lit up. I think that was the last diorama i had that wasn’t lit. Of course i should take a closer shot of that scene now that i have lights. Will update later on that.

With these puck lights, while they a bit up there price wise for a set of six, it certainly is much cheaper than buying a crap load of batteries. I do regret not putting in something more permanent in as i assembled the cases but for something simple, these puck lights do the job.

Enjoy,

SGM

The glow is spectacular my friend

Thanks brother!

In my earlier post i have talked about collecting and finding characters that are complete versus trying to find missing weapons and accessories later on. When i was stationed in Germany I failed to research certain G1 Transformers and often thought “i can find those missing weapons later”. As the years went on, I realized some of those missing weapons became some of the most expensive ones to buy.
Moving forward, right before i retired from the Army (3 yrs ago) i decided to make an excel sheet of my collection. A lot of my G1 collection i just assumed was complete from what I remembered, mainly the combiners. I had some individual guys missing weapons but failed to pay attention more to those combiner teams. You thought i would think about this once i pulled out everything and put them into those display cases, nope.
I know i am circling the airport but stay with me, i am landing soon.
Just recently i decided to inventory my combiners. I realized i was missing a lot of weapons. In the photo you can the latest weapons i have purchased. I still have more weapons and accessories to buy, mainly for Piranacon, but have a few for Computron and Abominus to buy as well. So in a couple of months these three combiners will be 100%.
It’s a lesson learned, it is what it is but if you can afford buying select characters 100% then do so. Trying to buy certain weapons gets expensive and is not cost effective.

Other news, some new additions to the colleciton.

For my multi-verse Space Bridge diorama, i have added Nemesis Leo Prime and Frenzy to the gang. I have one other i will add from the Buzzworthy Troop Builder set, Seeker. I am waiting on material to make a display stand for him, then i will add him to this scene.

From the Super 7 ReAction line, I have added Burning Red Primal and Quintesson. Not a line i am trying to buy a whole bunch of but i do like certain releases.

Lastly, i bought the upgrade kit that replicates Megatron’s gun for Brawn. A nice addition for him. Well made too.

Enjoy and as always thank you for checking out my photos,

SGM

The parts hunt is something else. I think I spent $80 getting parts just for my G1 Scattershot, Lightspeed, Afterburner, First-Aid, and Tentakill!

Moving onto something else. I have started my latest diorama project. This will most likely be my last one to build as most of my remaining shelves are too full to make something.
This one is for my ROTB characters. I am removing my AOE and TLK colleciton and putting this on that shelf. Still deciding if i should sell off both of those line i have, who knows.
Anyways, from the photos you can see from start to what i have currently. It will basically be two scenes so to speak within one. On the left will be sort of the main battle, while on the right, i am making a condensed bridge scene. That corner piece is going to take some time. I’ve included an initial attempt for the piece that will hold the Transwarp Key. There will be some paint details to bring this out but for the initial attempt, it’s ok.

Back to the battle scene, it’s like Cheetor throwing his spear up at Nightbird, then you have Primal and Battletrap. Rhinox will be smashing Freezor/Novakane. Then i will have Wheeljack and Arcee battling Freezor/Novakane. I bought some extra ones of them already but may buy more, their size is perfect for the space i have and good troop building. Even though she was killed off, I will include Airazor, she will be flying from the top left side hill piece. I have something for Bumblebee, but that will have to wait once i get other things in order.

Definitely plenty of work to do on this but like the others, I will add more photos as i progress on this.

Enjoy,

SGM

Very cool! Looking forward to the result!

Thanks D

One update on my ROTB diorama. I have been working on the right side/corner area. From the three photos, i have how it started out and what it currently looks like now. The bridge piece itself, i still need to add more details on each side of the center section. For the corner section, i have carved out three columns for added detail. Still plenty to work on there and the platform. This is obviously not screen accurate but hoping that my interpretation still gives a good representation.

I mentioned in a previous post about adding the Buzzworthy Seeker to my Space Bridge scene. It is now in place. At some point may buy the sticker set from Toyhax for it.

Lastly, some G1 merchandise type stuff. I added another McDonalds Transformer toy from 1985. These were only available in the St. Louis area. The newest one is the pink and black Bumblebee mold. With these, they had four molds, six each. I will collect what i can based on price (of course) but to have all 24 is a bit of a challenge. Then moving on the ink stamps that were available. I now have all three variants of Starscream. Ironically there is more variants of the others i have. While they are subtle variations this will be much easier to complete.

SGM

An update so to speak for my ROTB diorama. Because I won’t be transforming any of the characters displayed throughout i have decided to modify some of them. Some of that is to give it a more screen accurate look or close to it.

First up is Bumblebee, I bought a nice upgrade “masked” head for him. Love it, color is pretty darn close and fits well. For comparison photos if you look closely, i got rid of the front wheel pieces that stuck out behind the shoulder area. For my purpose, Im hoping to suspend BB “sort of” as he was flying down from jumping out of Stratosphere.

Next is Arcee. I cut off the wheels the heels. Then i did some trimming and glued them to her back shoulder areas. Not exactly screen accurate but more close to how she look. With the upgrade guns she stands pretty well.

Lastly, is Optimus Primal. Had to get rid of those Ape feet of the heels. I need to do a little sanding where i cut them off but for me much better and works for how i will have him displayed.

Enjoy and as always thank you for checking out my photos,

SGM

Good looking stuff my friend!

Recently i purchased an upgrade kit for Studio Series Scourge. This one is not the DNA kit and not really sure of the “kit’ name but i know PrimevsPrime did a review on it. Anyways, i think this particular kit is a nice upgrade for Scourge. It really sits itself apart from how it looked originally.

In the one photo i have all the pieces that come in the kit. The next photo shows the comparison for the left arm/claw and the right arm with the blade.
Lastly, i took a close up shot of the right arm comparison highlighting the wrist swivel and moveable thumb.

All the pieces fit well with no issues. There is one piece you have to removed two screws from the back side and install the new piece. That part is very easy. The instructions that come with it are good as well. It’s pretty simple overall.

I already had a new head that has the led eyes, but with this kit you do get a head piece, with two face mask. In the photo you will notice i have that damaged mask on.

I am happy with it and highly recommend anyone to check it out and or buy it for your ROTB SS Scourge.

SGM

That is a good looking Scourge

He certainly is and with the modification i made with the exhaust stacks, for me, he is good.

I have some updated photos of my ROTB diorama. I have been focusing on the right side area. I have the center piece, platform, lava area and two of the rock sections completed at this point. I will be adding a couple more things to the platform once i get the bridge piece in but otherwise it’s pretty much set.
Then the one photo of Primal and Battletrap, i have them close to where i want them. I was trying to replicate that scene where they clash. Again not perfect but happy with how i have them supported off the ground.

As always thank you for checking out my updates, enjoy,

SGM

A bit of an update on my ROTB diorama. For the most part everything has been painted. I still need to add some more to the back wall/cliff area then i can begin to dry brush that area. What is left is the section of the bridge that will have the Transwarp key on it and two supporting post.

With the bridge part itself i have added all the details to it, again i will add dry brushing details and blast effects to parts of it.

The rock section that supports the bridge is done. I got it all painted and added the details to include green turf. Going back watching the movie, the fight scene at the end, you can see green patches throughout, so i thought I would add some. Below the green turf, i added what is to look like the dirt below that then transitioned it to the rock look. In and around that i have added tiny black rocks. Which i will be adding more of that to the main ground area to break that up.

The one photo is just showing the painted back wall part and the main ground area. I did add details to those large rocks and again, i will add the tiny pebbles/rocks throughout.

Onto the left side, that cliff is almost done. I did the same detail as i did to the other rock formation.. I still need to finish dry brushing the remaining lower parts of it but otherwise it’s close to being complete. I did add a before and after photos.

I think that is it for now,

SGM

Not a big update but i have one on the scene. I did finish the left side cliff/wall area. Then i added the brown and black scenery material to the main ground area. For the most part that is set but there could be some modifications as i get closer to finishing this.
I did do another modification to Primal. I trimmed alittle off of his neck collar, so that i could get his head out angle back. Enabling him to look more straight on with Battletrap. So you should be able to see that somewhat in the one photo.
I still need to work on the back wall piece but otherwise the base color is complete.

Switching gears to collecting. A few post back i mentioned about completing some of my G1 Combiners. I can now say all of them are 100% complete. Now i can focus on other missing accessories for other characters. Going back to “combiners” i am now on the hunt to complete RID Urban camo variant Ruination. Again, stupid on my part for not checking it out throughly before buying it way back when. It wont be easy but just have to have patience.

Have a good day,

SGM

Ive been on a little hiatus from working on my ROTB, more so medical reasons but i am plugging along. Anyways, wanted to share an upgrade part that i recently got for Optimus Primal. It’s the head that has the full face cover and has LED eyes. Obviously much better than the original one. The only small issue i can see is that you can see the green light from the side. I may do some trimming to close that gap but otherwise this is an amazing piece.
In the photos, i have included both heads for comparison. In addition, showing him off in that fight stance with his eyes lit against Battletrap in my diorama.

Highly recommend getting this for your ROTB SS Primal.

SGM

Got my Studio Series ROTB Scorponok from Hasbro Pulse today. I've initially placed him in this spot for the fight scene.
Finally glad to have him in hand and see how he looks in this diorama.

Ive got a couple more updates but will do those here in a day or two. One though will be the upgrade kit for Nightbird.


SGM

A good day to all in your neck of the woods.

So the highlight here is the upgrade set for SS ROTB Nightbird. I already had bought the swords for her and have now added the wings, forearm claws, and leg/feet pieces.

The quality of the set is on point, doesn’t feel cheap. At least thats my copies. The only thin i had to do was pinch the plastic a bit for the claws to stay in the slot in the forearms but it hasn’t moved.
Id say, the only part that kind of sticks out is the leg pieces. Even though you fold up the old foot part, you can still sort of see what looks like four wheels. Even though the newer part, they are quite smaller, you can still see somewhat of that. I haven't decided how i am going to disguise the original wheel/tires.
Some may notice i already tweaked the hip panels, removing part of those.

Obviously, the wings are much better, larger and than those tiny ones that came with it her originally. That is a big upgrade for sure.

Overall, a good upgrade to have for the SS ROTB Nightbird. I highly recommend checking it out and if you can buy it, do so. It is a little more pricey, i was able to get mine somewhat cheaper through a bid versus buying it outright.

SGM

This post is more on some additions to the collection.

Starting off with G1 Vroom. This has been one i have wanted off and on forever. Not sure what draws me into wanting to him but i was able to snag him for a decent price. I will say trying to complete him will be a challenge for sure. Since buying the base figure, i have purchased the large weapon and his inner robot. In addition, i did buy stickers from Toyhax to give him a refreshing. We’ll see how long it takes to find the remaining pieces. Not that it’s hard by any means, it’s more on the price for those remaining parts.

Not pictured but an update for my RID 2001 Ruination Urban variant. I have been slowly finding the missing weapons I have needed to make him 100%. I believe i am down to three on that. Unfortunately, for three individual figures. I am getting there.

For another G1 Pretender, Landmine, i was able to finally buy the helmet in order to make him 100%. I have been waiting for awhile on that one. But a listing came up and I pounced on it. Another Pretender, Bomb-Burst, I am needing his shoulder pieces. Again, two pieces that are pricey if you can find them. I got lucky with another listing, that had one shoulder part, part of the shell and weapon. I dont need the other two pieces, but was able to snag that it all for 18 bucks. I should have that next week. The hunt is on for the remaining should part.

Moving onto the G1 ink stamps. I recently added another Wheeljack and the other color variant Jazz. With the Wheeljack one, not sure if it is a variant, it is extremely close. From my research, there are three variations of Wheeljack. It’s close on that one, but the obvious one is Jazz.

Then for some rearranging, i decided to transform my Universe Sam’s Club Optimus Prime and put him on top of the one display case. I originally had him in the one case with the RID Optimus Prime. Just changing things up. Funny enough, that was the first time transforming him. I bought him when i was in Germany i think and never messed with him.

Then for something newer. An out of the blue sighting. At the Macy’s store, i found Concept Rumble, which i added to my Space Bridge diorama, Movie Frenzy, and TLK Mohawk. The movie Frenzy i bought for a friend in KC.

I think that is it for now, as always thank you for checking out my photos and updates.

SGM

Your Rise of the Beasts updates are really cool, as is that Vroom!

Appreciate it D, it's slowly getting there.

A surprising addition to the collection. At my local Walmart yesterday I found out of the blue Studio Series 86 Snarl. The thing about this, it was the first time seeing him in the store. We have line 7 Supercenters within a 20 mile radius. So its crazy.

Anyways, this is my first Dinobot purchase. Guess I need to go back and grab Sludge since there is an abundance of him on the shelves.

Guess I'm hooked,

SGM

I have more additions to share to my collection. First up, yesterday i received my copy of Gears from Hasbro Pulse. I have him displayed next to Brawn in my Ark diorama. A good addition to my Autobot team.
Something older, from the Armada line. I picked up Galvatron from a decent price. I had been on the fence on whether to buy him. I wasn't trying to buy all the variations of this line, sticking with the main cast so to speak. Then i got lucky to buy his minicon, Clench. There is just something about this line i love.
Almost forgot, i bought another character from the Armada line. This is another one i have wanted on and off. While I don't recall him being in the cartoon, just one i was curious to have that would be Cheetor and his minicon Cliffjumper. Again, got him for a great price, minus his tail, including shipping, 20 bucks. Now compare that with what’s on eBay, what a deal.

From my G1 collection, i as lucky enough to snag the left shoulder pad piece for Bomb-Burst. Funny thing about this, i got it really cheap because it was part of a lot. Normally, they are like 40 bucks or even higher. So i am not complaining on that. Now i just need to snag the right shoulder pad.

I am sharing one photo of my ROTB diorama. Nothing new other than just showing how it is siting in my room. Between some things, a short trip to the Grand Canyon and seeing the eclipse I haven’t touch it. Hopefully i will get back into the groove and work on it some more in the next coming days/weeks. Speaking of the trip i thought i would share two photos and one of the eclipse. We were lucky enough to see the full eclipse. We drove about an hour to Harrison, Arkansas and found i nice spot to witness it.

As always, thank you for checking out my updates, i wish everyone a great day wherever you may live,

SGM ,