Update 9/28/2015 all parts tested and are released on Shapeways! Thank you for your support. Please see latest pictures following this link.



Update 9/11/2015 tail and rotor section tested - still need adjustments but looking good so far - follow link to the post.



Still WIP, ready for the first test print of the tail section. This is modeled after SH-60 Seak Hawk, successor to SH-2 Seasprite which is what G1 Vortex transforms to.

The model features turnable tail rotor, rear landing gear wheel, and stabilizer. Hopefully the material will support the design.



8/30 Now testing four-blade rotor kit! The new rotor kit replaces the flip-out base of the original figure and added an additional pivot. If my calculation is correct, it should allow the assembly to fold up like this in bot mode, which will raise the center of the rotor a bit higher on the back and allow all four blade to stay unfolded like the G1 model.



My test print didn't include any rotor blades as I have two extra from another custom. I will of course design rotor blades in the final print.

9/3 just finished shoulder replacement and gatling gun based on IDW "International Incident" appearance:



Next up:

- nosecone/cockpit replacement

Stay tuned!

 

Yes, Lets see this done!

 

This is nice! I hope this design works!

 

I can't wait until 3d printing tech moves to the point of full color, factory smooth and accurate parts.

I will be all over stuff like this when that comes about.

 

This too legit to quit...er...uh I mean awesome...too awesome...

As will I...as will I...  ...

 

this is FANTASTIC!!! Though if i might give a bit of constructive criticism.
this is supposed to be an upgrade for a combiner wars figure, it seems a little too detailed, the aesthetic doesn't seem to really fit with that particular copter very much. Unless you decided to change some other things as well to make it fit, like the cockpit and primary rotor blades just to name stuff that easily pops off.

it also seems a little too tall, and long.

 

Thanks for the feedback...I definitely did the design not from a toy perspective, almost like a scale model   it is hard to control what keeps and what throws away.

In any case, I expect much of the detail other than the deep panel like will get washed away after printing and polishing.

And yes I have the rotor and cockpit planned to make it even more like a navy copter!

 

awesome!

also might i suggest making the wheel actually part of the landing gear rather than an actual rolling wheel, it will reduce the parts count and make it less likely for the part to break during printing. That and considering its the only moving wheel (unless you plan on adding some to the cockpit as well) its useless. That or remove it entirely.

 

yay!!!!

 

I kinda want this for Alpha Bravo. Or maybe Blades...

 

This looks great, actually. I love how it looks so model-like.

 

I would disagree about the detail, I've painted some of the arielbots and have to say that there is loads of sculpted in detail, it's just that it's understated unless brought out with a wash.

This is looking good. looking forward to seeing the nose section.

 

Love this...looking forward to seeing how it progresses! We need accurate Combaticons!

 

Instant buy!

 

8/30 update: Just added model of the four-blade rotor replacement - sent to test print on the last day of free-shipping deal!

 

sweet! wil the rotor blades be optional? cuz i have 6 hanging around my weapons box.

 

Absolutely  

 

double yay!!

 

Interesting stuff SS  

 

The rotor base seems interesting and I now noticed that the stock rotor base on the helicopter mold is held by a screw.