Spychanger Bluestreak Kitbash
Based on Robots in Disguise figure Hot Shot

Bluestreak Robot Mode

Bluestreak Vehicle Mode Bluestreak Vehicle Mode (rear)

UPDATE: After deciding the original color scheme was too bland, I used some reprolabels (an Autobot symbol and the background edging of the freebie sheet) to jazz it up. Also added a moon roof. For the original color scheme, click for Image 1, Image 2, Image 3.


    Years ago, among my first kitbashes were clearanced GoBots, the Hot WheelsTM-sized Transformers released during the G2 period. The molds were reused as Spychangers in the Japanese Car Robots line, and then brought over with slight paint differences for Robots In Disguise in the U.S.. Hot Shot is one of the most re-used molds: Blow Out, Megatron, Frenzy, Autofire, Hot Shot. It's a Porsche, which I turned into Jazz many years ago. I initially considered turning it into Stepper, the Jazz recolor Targetmaster from Japan, but realized that it would only require a few touches of gold paint. Then I decided to make it into Bluestreak...but not the original car mode. Rather, I dug up reference pictures of the new 2003 Nissan 350Z (Fairlady Z's descendant) model as a basis.

    First I cut off the spoiler from Hot Shot and determined that even without it, the robot mode could still stand. So I wouldn't need to add anything to the 350Z mode to stabilize the robot mode, as I'd had to do for Trailbreaker. The Porsche base shape didn't let me get 100% dead on to the new Nissan model, but I tried to get as close as I could.

    I used putty to build up the front and back of the car mode, and carved away the window divisions on the sides. I made sure to drill a hole in the hood to accommodate the rifle in vehicle mode. I also decided to give Bluestreak Crosswise's red rifle, since I could turn it into something like Bluestreak's original red bomb launchers. After the initial putty hardened, I used a Dremel to carve out the shapes of the head and taillights.

    For the paint job, I decided to go with a risky scheme, the coloring trick I'd used on my previous Bluestreak kitbashes and decoys. An underlayer of light grey, then a thin layer of gunmetal to get that flaked metal silver look of the original car. The end result was a bit more mottled than I'd like, unfortunately. I painted the gold rims of the wheels silver to match the overall scheme, and made the underside mostly black and metal-flake effect, with some pen work on the boots. As with Trailbreaker, I was careful to paint around the Autobot symbol, so I wouldn't have to make my own. I left the glowing eyes effect in place, as seen by the nifty effect I got from putting a laser beam on his head.

    In the revision, I painted over the original symbol to make a moonroof, then added a new symbol on the hood using Delta's Reprolabels (reprolabels.com). I trimmed the blue edging from one of my Reprolabel sheets to make the racing stripes.


AUTOBOT: Bluestreak
Altmode: 2003 Nissan 350Z (descendant of the Datsun 280Z)
Function: Gunner
Motto: "I'd prefer peace with the enemy, but I'll settle for pieces."

Years of combat on Earth have done little to dull Bluestreak's dislike of warfare, but Autobot tacticians have learned to use his skills in roles that increase his effectiveness, such as long-range support and bombardment. However, the incessant chatter that Bluestreak uses to cover his nervousness has only gotten worse, even as his combat steadiness has improved. Recently upgraded to a new model of his original Earth form, he can now reach ground speeds of 300 mph with much improved fuel efficiency. In robot mode he can run so fast that his legs are a blur, at speeds up to 80 mph. His weapons have been combined into the Bomb Cannon, which fires guided spheres of bright cyan plasma that can detonate either on contact, time delay, or remote command. Their range is over fifty miles, and they can travel at Mach 2. For those rare cases where close combat is necessary, the Bomb Cannon can emit streams of electrically charged plasma that detonate on contact with a solid object. Improved optics and the ability to see through the eyes of willing allies nearer to the action make him an excellent artillerist, capable of moving rapidly around the battlefield without ever entering it.

STR 5  INT 6  SPD 8  END 10   RNK 5  COUR 5  FRP 9  SKL 8   Avg 7


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