Alanyuppie's LEGO Transformers: Video Tutorial: Transformer Benatar ship from LEGO Creator 31115: Space Mining Mech

Set 31115 Space Mining Mech is probably my most anticipated set for this year(2021).

This is because it seemed to be the spiritual successor to set 31090: Underwater robot , which I had built four Transformers so far using it (click here to view them).

I've been receiving many requests from my youtube viewers to build a TF using this set. I only managed to acquire it few months ago. .Project was initiated at the second half of April 2021.

What struck me was the sheer number of brackets in this set. But I was perplexed to discover only one curved slope inside (weird, considering such part is a staple in many LEGO Creator sets).

ABOUT THIS PROJECT

The type of specialized parts from a set usually dictates what alternate mode I am planning to build. This set has a domed windshield. So Benatar ship from Guardians of the Galaxy: Vol 2 movie came to mind.

The precious and sole curved part from the set has the honor of become the nosecone of the ship.

There are always one or few components that disproportionately took me the most time to get right (or at least presentable). For this project, it's the hinged panels covering the plane body, below its wings.

The windshield opens to reveal a gaping hole.

Close-up of the wing. The hinged wingtips are coincidentally becoming the nimble robot feet (or toes).

A CONFESSION!

Building this creation was not smooth sailing all the way. At one point I'd thought of restarting anew (different alt mode), after being frustrated of not able to streamline the vehicle mode exterior, despite having many smooth tiles at my disposal..

I have to settle with clunky, splotchy exterior with bits of yellow and orange all over the place.

There's something I given up trying (after many times).... that is to lengthen both the tail ends. Duh.... no curvy parts !!!

I think one of the reason I pushed on to complete this project is the fact that this is my first TF attempt using set 31115. Despite its flaws , there's definitely room for improvement in my subsequent projects with the set.

TRANSFORM!

Note how the brackets allowed the robot hands to latch on to form the wings.

The robot heels was the final building challenge I need to tackle. Already pretty much used up all the hinges, the application of the gray rounded parts to the back of the legs was my last option in connecting the heels.

ROBOT MODE

Initially his cockpit-turned-chest can be folded all the way down (think Transformer Sideswipe) instead of facing forward now (cue Transformer Jazz). But the former design made him looked fat. So to prevent the accidental saggy chest when handling him, I applied a damper underneath the cockpit to limit the folding.

In the past, I used to ignore the gaping technic holes on frictional joints (see robot thighs). Now I'm making it a point to cover them up with whatever greeblings I have left from the set.