Energon Brawl re-build BUILT! FINAL FINISHED BUILD AT END OF PAGE!! So..I've been working on a couple of customs that all turn into tanks of some sort or another. I'm obsessed, it's true. As I was finishing up a few projects http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/radicons-customs/985339-wip-energon-scale-combaticon-brawl.html http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/radicons-customs/1002685-custom-sixth-combaticon.html I've been working on this one as well. Basically I always loved the energon Brawl mold, especially how he transforms, but he always bugged me because of some obvious design ugliness... 1) the tank treads that stick out from his back in bot mode 2) his ugly duck feet 3) his spindly legs. I mean, WHY HASBRO, WHY? 4) the turret that has his two arms sticking out the back like a sore thumb. SO I've been working on remaking this mold into what I wish he'd been to begin with! Progress so far: -got rid of the energon connection port. I'm pretty sure that the big empty cavity that that leaves in his torso can be used for something....heh... -shortened the feet and beefed up his legs, by covering the lower part with some bits from my bit box, and replacing his thin little thighs with those from some scrap clunker bot. -I was going to take his treads and give them hinges so that they could fold up and be less obtrusive. Then I suddenly realized that there's a deluxe tf mold that already has folding treads...so I replace 'em. For fun, I'm not saying where the various bits I've used for this project are from. I figure it's more entertaining to see if people can guess. (It's not that hard, really!) More to come! That turret HAS TO GO!
Nicely done! All correct, except for Roadbuster. It's a bit of an older mold, so even I almost couldn't remember where those thighs were from...! So, an update. Spent WAY too much time over the last two nights working on the turret. I've included shots of the original tank mode just to give an idea. The way the turret will transform will be pretty close to the original, only very different in the details. For one thing, the arms fold up completely rather than sticking out. Secondly, I added some detail to the side panels so they look more interesting. Finally the front of the turret will fold out differently. The head is still in there, but that'll be different as well. It's still only half built and in a bit of a mock up stage, so time will tell if this works!
Thought I'd add a pick of the turret as it unfolds for transformation. This is definitely one of those projects where you start off with something you think'll be pretty straightforward, and then every time you think things are going right, something else pops up that messes up your plan... Anyway, the head is a cast of classics deluxe Grimlock, thanks to the always amazing Hondasaint! Figured that 'ol Grimmy's noggin would work for a boxy little tankbot... Anyone hazard a guess as to where the arms are from? Took me forever to find some limbs that were thick enough to fit into the turret, but I could add hands to that would be able to fold up into a tight little box...
OK, so I've finished work, basically, on the bottom section of this project. I replaced the original orange thighs (still no one has guessed who they're from!) with those from another junker figure (guess who again!) so they fit better during transformation. Also, I finished fiddling with the tracks so they fold up properly behing his back. They still stick out an an angle, but it's much less obtrusive... Now gotta finish the turret!
AAAAANNNDDD...finally done! Grimlock head by hondasaint. Arms and head fold up into a nice turret. Cannon slides into turret front and folds down to rest inside the chest in bot mode. Added a few bits and bobs from my junk bits box. Now I just have to prime and paint. Probably won't be done til after the new year, but I hope you like this project's build! Comments and questions welcome!
Thanks for the kind words, and thanks to all others who've commented so far! I've managed to do a basecoat of flat black on this guy, and am looking forward to getting him painted up! I'm pretty proud of him, as what started in my mind as a simple couple of mods turned into a pretty elaborate rebuild!
