Thanks to Fansproject.com they sculpted and mass produced the best Transformer accessory this year.
Hasbro came out with their Classics Line back in 2006. Optimus Prime was made as a Voyager class toy. Then a repaint was made in a Target exclusive two pack of Ultra Magnus & Skywarp. As usual, when it comes to a Ultra Magnus repaint of Optimus Prime, Hasbro and Takara will just make a white repaint of a Optimus Prime mold. Such was the case for Classics Ultra Magnus.
Two years later, here steps in Fansproject. They made a name for themselves with their Classics Cliffjumper upgrade kit. A small accessory set to make Cliff Jumper different from Bumblee. Like Ultra Magnus, Cliffjumper is usually a red version of Bumblebee.
Now Fansproject makes a City Commander Set. Ultra Magnus’ job title is City Commander. There is a really good gallery of the Fansproject City Commander set on Seibertron.com.
http://www.seibertron.com/transformers/toys/classics/ultra-magnus/1585/
I drooled over those pictures. Finally mine has arrived. After opening it and analyzing the pieces, I noticed that the photographer missed a few features of City Commander.
1. The license plate location can rotate. I think this allows two options. You can have two sets of license plates and flip between them. For those times when Ultra Magnus is fleeing from the authorities, runs a traffic stop, runs a toll booth etc. OR it is there so that the license plate can be flipped up and hidden while in Bot Mode.
2. In the Seibertron Gallery of City Commander, there is a BFG. However it is not transformed properly
Here is a picture i took of the BFG, as Seibertron photographed it.
However upon looking closely at the BFG I noticed an odd shape to the gun handle. there is a slant molded. Obviously this is not a mistake, but designed for a purpose.
Also remembering the artwork in the Mini Comic/instructions, There was a picture of Optimus holding the BFG differently. Again looking at the BFG, I notice that there are two sets of barrels. Then it donned on me, the slant in the gun handle is supposed to line up with the slant in the arm armor. Here is how the BFG is supposed to be held, bakwards (in reference to the Seibertron method). Now it more resembles a shoulder carried rocket launcher.
After a little bit more analysis of the BFG, I noticed that the handle is on a hinge which matches another action sequence, in the Mini Comic. Here is the BFG as it is supposed to be handled. . .
Unfortunately to actually aim the BFG is too much and is too heavy for the arm of Ultra Magnus to hold in place. (I got lucky in the picture below but it is on a hair trigger)
3. Better Trailer Mode for trailer. Seibertron did a little clever positioning by placing Bumblebee on the “ramps” and placing Hotrod on top of the trailer. http://www.seibertron.com/transformers/toys/classics/ultra-magnus/1585/1/78/
However I discovered “hidden ramps” and a slightly better looking car carrier mode. This requires removing the top layer of armor.
Here is what the trailer looks like from the rear. pay close attention to the BFG handle. I discovered that the BFG handle can fold out. Normally the handle provides stability and structure to the trailer, however thanks to the fantastic design, there are enough redundant attachment points for the structure. So the handle can fold out and become the “hidden ramps”
Here is how it looks with the “hidden ramps” deployed. 
4. Chest can open for “Matrix Mode” too bad the windows of the cab are in the way. but you can open the chest and put a small matrix inside.
5. Credit goes to a member of TFW2005 for this idea. The BFG can be mounted to the pack for storage in robot mode. UM’s back has a small vertical tab that fits in the slot along the side of the BFG.
Fansproject did a fantastic job on this toy. I wish official toys were made this well. Crisp clean lines. No screws that i can see and therefore no holes. It is the perfect accessory for a fan of the Classics Line.
See Gallery for more pics.
October 16th, 2008 at 9:15 am
LOOKS great!!!
October 16th, 2008 at 5:30 pm
Also I saw a review on youtube that noticed that the old G1 should rockets can be placed in the holes on this version’s shoulders to make it look more G1.
May 6th, 2010 at 1:20 pm
hi my name is robert e. lee i like the photo’s of optimus prime with ultra magnus and the trailer ther cool i have 1 qweston r thay 4 sail