This is one HUGE WIP that I've been working on since July on and off. Most recently, I've been working on the connectors and smaller mods on some of these--as well as trying to figure out which figures to actually use. Since then, I've come up with this formula (while it's probably not the best, it's what I'd prefer to use and I'm glad they differ from the other WIP Combaticons/Bruticus stuff a bit). Onslaught - Universe Onslaught Blast Off - Classics Astrotrain Vortex - Cybertron Buzzsaw & Energon Barricade (modded into one figure) Brawl - Classics two-pack Megatron (tank) Swindle - Universe Hound ========================================================== Brawl is a WIP using the Classics two-pack Megatron tank. I cut off the back leg panels of TFTM deluxe Brawl to use as the front leg panels on the Megatron tank (to cover up the "human-like" legs that were showing). I cut the knee spikes that were sticking up above the knee, swapped the lower legs (now the original knee area is the back of the leg and the tank treads face backward now (similar to G1)--so the back of the original tank Megs feet are now the front feet of this custom. I swapped out the arms at the shoulder joint with that of another tank Megs and the forearms of the Classics two-pack Optimus Prime. I cut the front part of the turret and glued the piece on to match the other side (which I left intact). The turret now snaps into the space between the arms in alt mode. The only downside to this custom will be an obvious parts-forming issue that I can't seem to get around with this mold. I plan to use the other turret platform from my other tank Megs (the light gray part that swivels and has the arms on it).........when combining into Bruticus, I'll have to remove the swivel part with the arms, and place the other swivel part (with no arms) onto it with a Neo Shifters connector. I plan to incorporate the other swivel part with the arms into the Bruticus leg somehow--still a WIP on that part. I also may use some tube styrene to build on the tank turret/cannon so that it's not so skeletal (just not sure yet). One other mod is I plan to use some sheet styrene to build over the top of the turret to cover the open area and give it a more complete turret feel, instead of being parts.
Geez, that's original! That Bruticus is gonna cost you a fortune!! Anyhoo, you have excellent ideas and you execute them brilliantly! Hope you'll give him a new head sculpt!
this looks great! i agree that a new headsculpt is in order, i may need to borrow some ideas from you, i was gonna use universe galvatron for my bruticus. keep up th good work.
I like all your ideas, except for the one that you can't get around parts-forming. I know for a fact that you can do it without it
Ptitvite - You got that right, man (it probably will cost a fortune to make this in the end). But it's something I've always wanted to do and Bruticus is to me, what Devastator is to you--it's my favorite and something I've wanted to do for a while now. Thanks to you and your great ideas, you've helped me to achieve this for my collection. Thanks--I've got some great ideas of my own, but your Primus/Unicron parts ideas are what helped me realize that I could do this once finding the individual bots/vehicles I needed. A new head sculpt will definitely be done, in a more G1-style, as always. caretaker27 - Borrow away, bro. That's why I'm dropping 'em for others to enjoy. Maybe I can help those interested with some ideas or vice versa. Galvatron might be a too loose to use as Brawl--I'm sure it can be done, but mine seems to be loose and parts almost want to fall off him. REDLINE - Thanks bro! That is the ONE thing that is bothering me about this. If you can share any tips, I'm more than willing to listen. The problem I'm running into is where the turret rotates around in bot mode--the arms fold down and snap in and the swivel piece covers the top of the tank (where the head sits on top). In alt mode, going into the Bruticus leg formation, the turret swivels around and while I can come up with something to have it fold down, much like G1 Bruticus looks, I can't seem to figure out where to place the connector for the upper leg (it would need to go where to the swivel piece and head normally rest). So it seems like it's one or the other--or have them snap on and off (as the plan is for now--snap off turret swivel piece, snap on extra swivel piece with leg connector). It's a real pain and the one thing that is bugging me througout this entire 5-piece custom. I'd appreciate any help or tips, my friend. Your Menasor was an inspiration and I'm still learning a lot of the tricks of the trade.
hxc, this is looking really nice! Keep working on this, especially if you're wanting to do what REDLINE is talking about
this is looking solid hxc. I'm confused as to what's not working out in transformation. I'm slow like that. but I would love to help if you can re-explain with images pointing to things. anyway, all of these are off to a good start homie.
make it so the knee connects by snapping over the head (that'll kill two birds with one stone, since it'll hide the head), and make a flap that is pegged onto the tank around the neck so you can still swivel it around, yet fold the turret down so it points up behind his back.