This may be the most ambitious toy photo spread I've ever done - so large, it's split into three parts. After having gotten Sky Lynx, and tapping into my interest in the NASA Space Shuttle that's been retired for a while, I scratch-built a few add-ons to make him look like the real Shuttle, which you'll see here. And rather than talk about it more, I shall pass it on to the Autobot Lieutenant Commander himself, as he guides you to
2020: A Sky Lynx Odyssey.
[Part 1]
"Salutations, ladies and chaps. I am Sky Lynx, Lieutenant Commander of the Autobot Third Air Strike Division. Now, you may have been misinformed of a rumor that the United States Government had retired NASA's Space Shuttle program in 2011. I am here to inform you that I
refused to recognize that premature declaration. After all, as the most magnificent and superior of all Autobots and still in my prime, retirement is the furthest from my concerns."
"Now here is my standard form in alernate mode: my sleek shuttle orbiter coupled with a crawler transporter that can double as a supplementary carrier bay. This is aerospace-dynamic perfection at its finest, but some self-described space travel 'purists' would consider my design 'incomplete' to represent Earth's classic space shuttle. In that case..."
"Not that I require the aid of booster rockets or an additional fuel tank, but I must say, these additional modules do suit me fine."
"Please note that these rockets and the tank do not complete me.
I am the one that makes
them look good."
"There is no question as to which is my best side.
All my sides are best!"
"Following NASA's tradition set down by test craft
Enterprise, and active orbiters
Columbia,
Challenger,
Discovery,
Atlantis, and
Endeavour, I have accepted a customized name to emblazon my fuselage. And you don't get a moniker more fitting than this."
"Now, just a few final systems verifications, and I should be prepared for launch."
"And now, on my way to the launch pad."
(Background image: movie poster to
2001: A Space Odyssey.)
"A long trek to the launch site in the pre-dawn hours...."
"And ignition!"
[Continued in Part 2, next post....]