Hello, first post on TFW. Been a lurker for a fair few years and have been modifying figures along the way but never shown them to anyone (small changes, usually ball joint heads, small paint apps, slight green stuff re-modelling) and decided to post this as I have yet to see someone else attempt it. I've been watching the new RID 2015 cartoon online, and although it's different to my all time favourite show that was Prime I've grown to appreciate it. I especially like some of the unique Decepticon character designs, particularly Steeljaw. I kept seeing the RID Warrior Class figures on the pegs but the superior Combiner Wars constantly overshadowed the other toys. Picking up Steeljaw on a whim I liked him, but I did have a few problems, I didn't like the face, the scowl looked odd and didn't fit the smug, charming character we've come to know on the screen, I also didn't like the simple neck swivel, I prefer all my Transformers to have ball joint necks if possible, so that's what I did. Here in the UK a short while ago we got Transformers Prime toys in our Kinder Eggs, I stocked up on these as there were plenty of Ball Joints I could use for future customs. The Ball Joint for Steeljaw's neck came from one of the Optimus Prime arms. I wish I took some WIP pictures but unfortunately I didn't, but I basically cut the mushroom peg off Steeljaw's neck, leaving as much of the peg as I could, I then made a small hole inside the neck post, chopped off the ball joint from Optimus leaving a small nub which I then glued inside of the neck post. The ball joint fits perfectly inside the neck joint, no mods needed, then for aesthetic reasons I just glued a random piece of plastic into the visible empty space so as to hide the ball joint slightly around the collar of the neck. The scowl was covered in Green Stuff, a small smirk modeled into it and when it dried I sanded away at it and painted it up (the pictures make it look bumpier then it actually is in person) the head was also sanded slightly at the back to allow for a greater range of movement. I also didn't like the squatted pose Steeljaw was constantly in, so I cut away some of the plastic around his knees to enable him to stand up straight. Let me know what you guys think, sorry this post was so long...
Awesome! You inspired me to do the knee mods myself, so now my Steeljaw can stand up straight too. Thanks for the instructions!
I got my Green Stuff from a games workshop shop a couple years back. As I understand it's essentially a two part epoxy, two parts a lime green/yellow substance and a blue substance, the two mixed together create the putty, it's easy to manipulate and sculpt, once dry you can cut/sand it to your liking. Think you could probably order it on Amazon or something like that if you can't find it in stores. There is also a liquid version of the green stuff called...liquid green stuff but I've never used it so couldn't recommend it myself.
Nice work. Did you shave off that little bit of plastic on his arms that was preventing his arms from being raised up? Can't understand why they hindered the articulation so much on this guy.
Yes I did cut those plastic nubs that hindered his arms off. I really wish the plastic was more closer to the colour he is on the show. In fact I wish this toy was made with a similar quality to the generations toys we've been getting
Very nice Mod, I will try it Can you please take a photo with others RID warrior class? for size comparision, that will be great