Part of the reason for this blog is to keep centralized WIPs that I previously posted across several forums. This WIP had 4 updates on those forums before I created the blog, new updates will appear as separate blog entries.

I'm building this GM Spartan from Ako Creation, I have some ideas on what I'd like to do with this kit, going for more of a "Spartan Custom" so to speak. My goal is to finish this kit for the MMC Conversion Contest, as well as teach myself new techniques... also, to have fun with magnets...

Progress so far:

Cut down the tabs on the side skirts that hold the Minovsky chaff grenades, placed magnets in the grenades and filled the matching holes with putty. Glued magnets on the inside of the side skirts (not shown).

Replaced the stock backpack thrusters with Ako Medium Metal thrusters, using Ball-bearing/Ring-magnet joints. Glued magnets in both sides of the backpack to allow view access to backpack internals. Magnets on the internal backpack piece are in the gap between in and the back of the GM. The downside of the ball/ring magnet joint is now the thrusters can point almost vertically down towards the rear skirt armor, *sigh* additional mobility comes at a price.

The additional armor around the chest vents didn't fit together very well so I glued .5mm pla-plate between them. I'm thinking of adding putty so it looks more like one solid piece.

Some of the ideas floating in my head for this kit are:
- Additional thrusters on the back of the legs.
- Metal "pistons" on the ankle joints.
- Modding the cockpit hatch so I can open it, the kits design is locked with tabs.
- Replacing the non-moveable plastic thrusters on the "butt", upper back pack, and front torso with metal thusters like the Ako display pics.
- Scratch-building a knife or 2, like the 1/144 B-Club version has.
- Adding additional armor to the knees.
- Replacing the antenna with a metal rod, the plastic one was bent when I opened the box
- Adding pla-plate to the bottom of the backpack to stop the thrusters from moving to far downward.

Update 2

Cardboard mockup for the leg thruster guard. Using Ako small metal thrusters and ball/ring magnet joints.

Replaced the antenna with a bit of leftover Guitar string, seemed like a perfect fit. My cat found the sharp pointy metal string after it missed the trashcan, he's ok though I took it away fast.

Drilled out the upper backpack where the thrusters get glued, used the long inner piece of Ako flat metal thrusters with ball/ring magnet joints glued to the internal backpack for limited movement, better than no movement

Update 3

Added some braided fiberglass sleeving to the backpack internals, I think I want to add more details, but I'm not sure what else to add now.

Added a "thruster stop" to the backpack.

Placed magnets inside the Missile pods and inside the shoulder armor.

Scratch built the leg thruster guards out of pla-plate. Still kinda rough, need to smooth out the edges.

Update 4

Added magnets to the interior of the chest, and the cockpit hatch to work as a hinge. It's not perfect, but I'm satisfied with it.

Added magnets to the "butt" thrusters. I decided to use metal thrusters here, but I might pull out the ball/ring joint since the thrusters protrude a little more than I wanted. Or I might keep the mobility. I'm still thinking.

Last, I've been toying around with the idea of added an external propellant tank. So, I cut up an old pen and taped it to the backpack so I can get a visual before I make up my mind. I kinda like it so far.