Transformers Animated: SCORPONOK with Nebulon cohort TAILGUNNER!
Whether storming in from the skies above or bursting up from the ground below, Scorponok is one of the most feared Decepticons in the Universe!
In Scorpion mode, can travel underground by using a drilling motion with his claws, his claws can also snap a steel I-beam in half with ease. He loves burrowing behind enemy lines, exploding out of the ground to cause panic and fear! Secretes a corrosive venom from his fangs which has a paralyzing effect on his victims. Powerful blasters in the claws emit high voltage electro bolts! Tail is powerful enough to knock a concrete pole down in one swing, and also carries a plasma disruptor blaster. In bomber mode has batteries of cannon turrets and can carry additional bombs and ordinance. Surprisingly agile in Bomber mode considering his immense size. Often swoops down on an opponent and grabs them in his capture claws. In bot mode thrives on causing fear and panic, and can utilize the weaponry of his two other modes via chest cannons, electro bolts, swinging tail with plasma disruptor. Tail can detach to become a powerful battle axe, which he wields with ferocious effectiveness.
Binary bonded to his Nebulon cohort Tailgunner, which serves as his right hand bot.
Tailgunner acts as an intelligence intercept officer in tailfin/booster engine mode. Also activates the capture claws. In Scorpion tail mode has plasma disruptor blaster. In Battle axe mode can harness and channel Scorponok's claw mounted electro bolts and discharge them as lightning bolts from each of the axe blade tips. Can chop through most metals. In his true mini beast mode, Tailgunner can utilize his claws to rend most armors, as well as the plasma disruptor blaster. Extremely agile, he is a very hard target to connect to. Loves it when Scorponok hurls him in battle axe mode at an unsuspecting target, only to transform into beast mode at the last second. "The look on their face is priceless!" he snickers.
Scorponok and Tailgunner are binary bonded, sharing a unique link that allows them to see through each others optics, making it nearly impossible to surprise attack them. However they lose effectiveness when they are not in proximity of each other. Scorponok has an obsession with Blackarachnia, and can be distracted when she is near. "She's got a great thorax, don't you agree TG? And just look at those legs, all eight of them!" Whereas Tailgunner has an odd fixation against Bumblebee, he doesn't want to destroy him so much as simply humiliate him. "Teabagged Bee-Yotch"
Hey gang! Check out ol'
TF: Animated Scorponok!
Lugnut was beggin' for the treatment!
Fully "perfect" transformation, and a triplechanger to boot!
We get bomber mode, with "capture claws" ala Energon Jetfire and Skyblast! The capture claws become scorpion legs in beast mode, other than that he looks pretty much standard issue!
Bot mode features the "tail over the head" look that Energon Scorps had, and of course the tail can be removed to become his battle axe. I modded the long tail part to be hinged so it can be pointed overhead and connected the tail with a ball joint and socket. It looks nicer too when the battle axe is detached with it folded up compact. His head is a sculpted Sentinel Prime with styrene antennae. Boy oh boy, we're talkin' next to ZERO clearance for that head to fit. Double ball jointed neck adds to the posability, and that's pretty much the only added articulation I gave him in bot mode.
Scorpion mode was the most fun, but a huge challenge to get the beast mode head to work! The Blackarachnia beast head actually splits in half and tucks away behind the cockpit halves! Fun, fun,fun. I knew that was how I wanted to approach the hide away position, but it took sooo long for me to engineer a solution, especially since I had only one Lugnut and one Blackarachnia to work with! The scorpion legs were from a mechanoid walker from a GI Joe toy that came with a mini Destro. Mantis mech I think it's called. In the future I'll just use BA's legs, I had the legs done way before I figgered out BA's beast mode head! LOL!
And of course we have Tailgunner, his Nebulon cohort! Hey, when you have a triplechanger, why not have a triplechanger Mini-con companion? We get tailfin/booster engine mode, complete with radar antenna array (Tailgunner's legs), Battle axe, and of course Scorpion mode! I modded the spring loaded gimmick to be activated with the flick of a switch! I used Legends Movie Scorps for the beast parts, natch! Added a hidden hinge halfway up the tail, pull to reveal and you can tilt it, straighten it out and push to lock it in straight position.
Went with
G1 inspired colors, including all three heads. I still have to do more coats and touch ups, plus I want to sand/Future the rub spots. This was basically a test fit and check for rubbing, I figured I'd snap a few pics while I was at it. Also need some Decepticon symbols, and finish up with a matte sealer.
Please enjoy, and feel free to ask any questions about the mods, the pics might not show every trick involved! Also let me have your thoughts, good or bad. But do understand the paint still needs much work, remember this is still a WIP, but in the home stretch! I may do up a video overview for Scorponok, it would shed some additional light on the mods performed!
I was not too much for the animated line, but I would buy that. He fits right in. The head is a great. I love that shade of purple too!
It took a while, but it was worth the wait. Great job, bro.
