UPDATE: He's now basically finished. I may add a couple more decals, but not enough to post. I do have the G1 style rocket launchers on order. If I like those better than the ones he has now (which I do like), I'll update again with those. Basically toon Wheeljack is a lot more blocky, white and bland in the upper torso than the G1 toy was. I added removable wheels off Drift (G1 toy had wheels in this area), interpreted where the car decals might go (since the car basically turns inside out on this version hiding most of the decals) and added just a little bit of paint. I wanted to get that unpainted white under control. I'm much happier with him now. Pretty sure I'll do something very similar with exhaust when he comes out (I'm sure reprolabels will do a set for him as well). OLD POST: Basically, the G1 toy of Wheeljack has one of the best TF heads ever. I was much more interested in this than the cartoon version. After I get settled with the head, I may experiment with mounting Wheels on his arms somewhere (like the toy) and try out those G1 style launchers that were recently offered. The main thing I did here was to cut off the lower face of the toy, take a smoothie straw and cut it into the plate you see. I then took pin striping tape, painted it silver and applied it to the face panel (to give me the clean lines and elevate things slightly off the panel). The silver isn't sticking to the pin striping- that's why I'll have to seal it with a clear coat after I touch it back up. I photographed the good side, there are some really bad blemishes on the other side.
I'm surprised just how little interest this one has generated. Just in case my timing was bad, I'm going to go ahead and bump it once.
I just saw this, and I'm really impressed! I always liked the G1 look for Wheeljack. I'd like to see what else you do with this one, harrismonkey! Looking good!
Ah... back to being the Geordi La Forge of Cybertron. I like it. Would've actually been a cool gimmick for Takara to have added a slide of some sort to move the face shield up and down.
I dig it! Those original G1 heads don't get enough love. If they'd given MP Wheeljack a moveable visor or something to replicate this look, I would have been thrilled. zmog
i prefer this head, and hope someone makes one along with a set of launchers that arent half the cost of the whole toy.
I like it. The original head was always cooler than the cartoon version, it also reminded me of the second release GI Joe Snake Eyes face and gave him that mysterious kick-ass look.
Thank you! I have pre ordered the G1esq launchers. I'll certainly post pictures with those. (I also may mod those and space them out slightly- I think Wheeljack's shoulder pegs are a bit close to his head. I got two so I'd have the nerve to try this and don't like the way he looks with both official launchers on his shoulders, it crowds his head to much) Hopefully I'll get to the wheel experiment. It's not a huge priority and time is tight lately. If I do it and don't hate it, I'll definitely post it here. I never really thought of that. He does resemble Geordi! I agree, it would have been a great MP extra to have switchable face plates or heads or something. I didn't mind so much with Prowl and Sideswipe because the toon versions were very similar, but with both WJ and BB it bugs me. BB is getting the battle mask, but that was the most boring part of his head, he really needs the vent work and such. Oh well. I'm really curious/dreading seeing how they'll handle Jazz. The cartoon is the only iteration of classic Jazz I'm aware of where he doesn't have the door wings. They're a pretty iconic part of the character. Will they really lose the doors? Will I even want him without the doors? Honestly I think G1 toon Jazz is one of the uglier iterations of the character. I agree completely. I'm still mildly dissatisfied with mine because it covers more ear than I'd like making the already slightly small ears even smaller. Thanks!
This is looking good! I'm glad you found a way to mod Wheeljack so that you have the MP Wheeljack you wanted.
There are still a few things I'm not totally satisfied with (which I may or may not solve). But when you say crest, are you referring to his chest, the top of his head, or something else entirely?
cool and all but the back of his head looks similar, i would have rotated it, and moded the back of the head, thus, not taking away, his cartoon face and the hidden face i mean, you did a good job but i really dont get why not use the back of the head(and maybe, put something to cover his regular eyes when using this head or something so you dont have a head backwards looking at you
You raise a good point. There are some reasons I could list off for why this would be a problem- but the reality is those reasons are for the most part not that difficult to solve. The biggest issue might be difficulty tilting his head back. The reality is I purchased a second Wheeljack specifically so I could go into this without having to chose one over the other or be afraid of wrecking my toy. Because of this, your suggestion never seriously crossed my mind. I've heard so many people try to tell me the back of his head looks just like The G1 toy that I just sort of stopped thinking about the back if his head in frustration. I can tell you it would have been more difficult to do than what I've done though. It's a great idea though, and even though it would be more work, it might have been the most practical way. I don't dislike the mp head, I just like the toy head better (and it's always been a very special one to me). I'm glad I have both options even though my other one will probably spend almost all his time in car mode. Thank you.
Hey, I hear you: I modded my MP Megatron to have a more G1 toy type head because I like that head better than the "buckethead" cartoon version: I like the work you've done on this, and applaud you for not feeling like you have to apologize for liking the G1 toy version. If I may recommend it: you may want to wash the plastic with rubbing alcohol, then lightly sand it ( more like buffing it, really) with 1000 grit sanding film. then paint it; I think you'll find the paint will stay on better. Awesome job bro!
That's great! I actually feel the same. I was never a big fan of cartoon Meg's head- but I'm not committed enough on that one to do the work. But he looks great. As far as sanding- that might be a good idea. If it was plastic it would be, but since I literally took pinstripe decals and painted them silver (to keep it clean and make sure the spacing on the lines was right)- I don't know how how those decals will take it. I'll start with glosscoat. If that doesn't solev it (it should), then I may experiemnt with this. Thanks!
Looks pretty cool I guess, but I'm a more cartoon/marvel face kind of guy I did discover that the back of the MP head looks a bit like the G1 toy but you've obviously gone further, the stripes look quite good as eyes.
