Bryan “MicroBry” Wilkinson

Long-time Micronauts and Microman fan, Bryan “MicroBry” Wilkinson, is one of the select few who’ve made the transition from toy fan to toy designer. His website was one of the earliest to draw attention to Transformers’ (then) little-known origins, and he was given the opportunity to work on Palisades’ Micronauts revival in 2002. As Transformers celebrates its 25th. anniversary and Microman celebrates its 35th., we thought it only appropriate to ask him about Micronauts, Microman, Transformers, fandom, and making the transition from consumer to creator.


Interview
part 1
part 2
part 3
part 4
part 5

MicroMan re-issues : MP-13 & MP-15

It seems that the upcoming MP-13 Masterpiece Soundwave and his cassette-bots is sort-of following MicroMan release back in days 80s

MP-13 Soundwave + Laserbeak
Pretty much MC-10 CassetteMan, but MC-10 actually came with MC-01 Red Micross (Rumble)
instead of MC-03 Condor

MP-15 Rumble & Ravage
Hence MP-15 is needed, and MP cassette mold is complete for me


MAR 2013
MC-01 Red Micross / MP-15 Rumble
MC-02 Black Jaguar / MP-15 Ravage


END 2012
MC-03 Black Condor / MP-13 Laserbeak
MC-10 Cassette Man / MP-13 Soundwave


Happy :D

Diaclone Car-02 - revisited

DOTM Ironhide seems small compared to iGear PP05M,
hence the need to re-consider the Movie Ironhide mold (TFTM vs DOTM)


Length
6782mm / 0180mm
6782mm / 0165mm


Width
2438.5mm / 0070mm
2438.5mm / 0063.5mm


Height
2413mm / 70mm
2413mm / 63.5mm


Scale calculation

2007 Voyager Ironhide
L - 1:37
W - 1:35
H - 1:34.5

DOTM Voyager Ironhide
L - 1:41
W - 1:38.5
H - 1:38

Obviously Movie I Ironhide wins T_T let's hunt for one

MP-12 Scale + it's derivatives

1. T_T
Let's hope there's Hasbro version


2. Scale calculation
Originally from http://starscreamslocker.blogspot.com/2012/05/mp-12-lambor-sideswipe-size-comparison.html

whoever actually calculate the pixel OR width of MP-10 chest & MP-12 chest is super awesome

Anyway, it says there
MP-10 width = 100 unit & MP-12 width = 89  unit

so, to get the actual size of MP-12, we need MP-10's measurement, which I got ::BRAGS::


OK, the calculation as follows

MP-12 width / 089 = MP-10 width / 100

MP-12 width = MP-10 width / 100 x 089

and we get 67mm, with actual Lambroghini's width is about 2000mm

The scale is 2000 / 67 = ~30

1:30

dem it

3. must buy, BUT
it must be yellow / Tigertrack (impossible) T_T or black repaint / Deepcover (s*** expensive for sure, it's black T_T)

on 3rd Party

1. Expensive
HasTak can sell cheap, as they're producing 100s-of-thousands of figure

Fair price (IMHO) is as below

e.g :
Leader Class : RM 210 x 2 = RM 420
Voyager Class : RM 120 x 2 = RM 240

Anything more is krazy :D


2. Trumps HasTak
It shouldn't happen, HasTak has the designer & money to produce awesome figure,
Instead, they produce 'smaller' Deluxe that can combine + Bumblebees
Although this is to be expected, big company plays it safe, so 'test' the market first with small figures etc..


3. Awesome
FP CA / Insecticons
FP WB Steelcore / Roadbuster
FP Assaulter / Broadside
PE-11 Scouting Force X / Reflector
TFC Hercules / Devastator
TFC Uranus (haha T_T) / Superion
KM-03 Cyclops / Shockwave
KM Hexatron / Sixshot
iGear PP03 / Coneheads
iGear PP05 / Ironhide + Ratchet


On the other hand, the MP 2.0 series seems awesome enough (MP-10, MP-11, MP-13)

~~~~

So who win & lost? Collectors of course
Lost money, wins satisfaction haha

T_T

Mirage

There are two pre-G1 mirage, blue (normal) & red (exclusive with pre-UM)


CHUG Mirage - BLUE - 7/10
H : 0959 / 0040 = 24
L : 4545 / 0140 = 32.5
W : 1796 / 0070 = 25.5




Liger - RED - 7.5/10
H : 0959 / 0030 = 32
L : 4545 / 0110 = 41
W : 1796 / 0050 = 36

Width is important (always does), so deviation from the the ideal / magical 1:32 should be minimal


So, it seems like RM Liger is the 'cute' version of Mirage T_T in terms of length anyway..


Nevertheless, both are nice, which means

tfwiki/cockpit OR Soul Figures

Well, it seems that three Beast Wars figure actually have an official cockpit that's designed to have a Soul Figures (sounds like Spark Driver to me :D)

- VOK Emissary - TransMetal Tigerhawk
- Maximal - TransMetal Optimal Optimus
- Predacons - TransMetal Megatron

So, diaclone also do have drivers with magnetic feet, great homage
never manage to find / create one

But it's not 1:32 scale, obviously T_T
But then they're imaginary creature, hmmm

So transtech it is T_T

p/s: I'm guessing this'll never ends ...

BotCon 2012

2012 EXCLUSIVES
Masterpiece Optimus Prime with trailer, spike, blue roller (Toys R Us exclusive)
>> let's find someone to trade the roller with :D


TRANSFORMERS GENERATIONS
Kickback (Insecticon)
Starscream
FOC Sideswipe ??
Ultra Magnus (Optimus remold) A1427
Fireflight (Shockwave remold) A1428



NEW FOR 2013 - Spring 2013 
Voyager Soundwave
>> upgrade time, maybe

3rd Party
TFC Superion
>> I'll be damned T_T

howto - re-shell

http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/radicons-customs/418336-wip-mp-prowl-how-i-build.html

1:24 custom tho :D

Using tamiya model kit + gundam frame

Custom Molds - Shapeways

How it works

1. design in 3d software (e.g Blender)
2.  Export / save to supported formats
3. send to shapeways
4. select material
5. charged / pay
6. shipped
7. assemble


Example

http://www.shapeways.com/shops/process
http://www.shapeways.com/designer/Treadshot%20A1
http://www.shapeways.com/shops/scramblecore
http://www.shapeways.com/shops/nevergrowingup

Shogo Hasui - MP10 designer

- What was the reason for including the Spike figure?
Hasui: The main reason was to do something that was not done with MP-1. Also, while developing the trailer, I thought I shouldn't overlook "Diaclone". The trailer was designed to be played with human figures as their base. I wanted to do something for the human characters of the TF world, too. I believe the Transformers story couldn't have been created without the friendship between Convoy and Spike.

Full Translated Interview

PRID Wheeljack

L : 3708 / 127.0 = 1:29 (accurate)
W : 1750 / 063.5 = 1:27.5

Conclusion, not really in scale, but I still dig it

- gorilla hands
- diaclone marlboor wheeljack-like head
- transformation sequence very diaclone-like

So hello Marlboor Wheeljack :D


Some sub-group who actually digs scale issues YAY
http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/transformers-toy-discussion/504731-transformers-scale-project.html

Let's see what can be contributed

pre-TF to TF mappings

part 1
part 2

a lot more details then mine haha..
OK, need to update the wiki

All Hail xeltecon

Feast on these

G1 Optimus

Movie Optimus
Movie Starscream

Toy Fair 2012 Figures

src = tfw / tformers / seibertron

FOC Jazz = Nightbeat (Porsche alt-mode)
PRID Hotshot = Glyph
PRID Vehicon = Runabout
PRID Knock-out = Knockout
PRID Wheeljack = Marlboor Wheeljack
PRID Legion Arcee = Chromia

that's all for now :D yes no bruticus, as they're only deluxes T_T

Tech Specs - Scrapper

Diaclone : Construction Vehicle Robot No. 3 Shovel-dozer
Neo G1 : TFC Hercules 03 Structor

Tech Spec
"My work is a monument to -- and of -- my enemies."
A wizard at designing fortresses and energy plants, but modest. Shows his true malevolent genius by incorporating defeated Autobots into his buildings' structures. Shovel can slice through 12in. thick carbon-steel, lift 30 tons. As right leg and part of torso, combines with fellow Constructicons to form giant robot "Devastator".
Strength	Intelligence	Speed	Endurance	Rank	Courage	Firepower	Skill
8	8	4	7	5	5	3	9

Function : Demolitions

tfu | tfwiki

Tech Specs - Hook

Diaclone : Construction Vehicle Robot 03 Truck Crane
Neo G1 : TFC Hercules 04 Dr Crank

Tech Spec
"Strive for perfection even if others must suffer."
With the precision of a fine jeweler, Hook performs his job with skill unequalled among the Transformers, whether reconnecting a damaged microchip or setting a two ton girder into place. He's a snobbish, supercilious, unpopular perfectionist who is able to lift 20 tons. As shoulders and head module, combines with fellow Constructicons to form giant robot "Devastator".
Strength	Intelligence	Speed	Endurance	Rank	Courage	Firepower	Skill
8	9	3	6	4	6	5	10

Function : Surgical Engineer

tfu | tfwiki

Jizai Gattai - Free Combination

src = tfwiki

Metroplex was apparently designed as part of the aborted Diaclone line, Jizai Gattai ("Free Combination"), given the high degree of interactivity he has with other toys confirmed as part of it—namely, the Aerialbots, Stunticons, Protectobots and Combaticons.

Each of the smaller "limb" robot from these four groups (and those that came after using their basic design, like the Technobots, Terrorcons and Seacons) can plug into ports in Metroplex's shoulders and knees in robot mode, while the base modes of the four leaders—Silverbolt, Hot Spot, Motormaster, and Onslaught—can connect to him in city mode.

While the former feature was included in the Hasbro instructions, the latter was omitted. The peg-size of Metroplex's weapons also allows them to be wielded by the leaders and super-robots these teams create.

diaclone - Yellow Sideswipe

image source - http://www.tf-1.com/articles/pretf/yellowswipe_template.html

note : not mine obviously :D

sunstreaker

Impulse buy is *bad*, so Hi Henkei Sunstreaker T_T

......

So scale calc is as below

H - 1165 / 040 = 29.0     << should be higher
L - 4345 / 130 = 33.5      << 32-ish
W - 1900 / 055 = 34.5    << 32-ish
Fine then