Original thread: Combaticons/Bruticus - Brawl WIP And I bet you thought you'd never see another WIP on this for another 6 months. lol I've been plugging along with this project (on top of a few others that some know about) and I thought I'd share the new WIP pics after finally getting pushed to do it by ZiZi, Spurt, and turboedguy (after seeing their respective WIPs with this figure at S70). There have been a few updates to this since the last one you saw. I spoke to Spurt through PM about his custom to find out the type of hinge he used for the turret. After seeing what he did with his, I got an idea of what I needed to do. I hacked up an Energon Combaticon (Kickback) to use his feet as parts of the tank turret on Brawl. I also hacked up the hinge piece that his head was on and salvaged that part to use (you'll see in the pics). After assembling this, I decided that the head just wasn't good enough, so following what I started with my Blast Off custom, I rebuilt the head with sheet styrene and some small strips of styrene. I tried to keep it close to the G1 look, but slightly updated. I'm still not finished with it, but you'll get the idea from the pics here as to what it will look like.............and to answer your question before we begin Tramp, the light-piping will be no more (I've opted to paint this). I used a spare Universe Hound noggin' for Brawl. (thanks again for the help, Spurt)--and also, pay no attention to the frigged up chest/tank front. I experimented with a couple of things--building Brawl's chest and tried it angled, then flat--still not sure what I'll go with on that. So yeah, it's screwed up, but it will be fixed. Also, I used my Dremel Stylus to drill out the ends of the weapons/cannons to make them more realistic (didn't care for the flat, plastic end). Enjoy it, guys.
It would be cool if you added a little height to the duel cannon so it sits flush on the turret like his G1 counter part.
Thanks, guys! I'm thinking of making the cannon a bit taller (to lay over the turret better), but I don't know if I will or if it will stay like this. The head is also my favorite part, so thanks for the compliments on it!
as awesome as this is, I can't help but feel a little bummed, as ours are going to be nearly identical.
Don't worry, bro--I'm sure they'll differ enough. Also, I'm cool with them being similar and I enjoy seeing and learning from other takes on customs. I plan to do more modding to him (trimming the sides of the shoulders down a bit, possibly--and adding some pieces to the fronts of the shoulders to give it some bulk and depth. Can't wait to see yours, REDLINE. You do great work and it's always inspirational in some way.
I was just watching Starscream's Brigade/Revenge of Bruticus lastnight and this is practically dead on with his animation model thus far.
Thanks, man. Trying to keep it similar to G1, yet "updated" like the Classics/Universe stuff. Thanks a lot, man. I'm with you on that one. I never cared much for the mold before, but it does work much better here than I originally thought. And to think, I was going to go with Movie Brawl (deluxe) to use as Brawl--but somehow I like this better. Thanks, bro--I did a lot of research and studying on our reference galleries both here at Radicons and the ones we've been working on at S70. I also watched those episodes and paused quite a bit to make sure it's staying pretty similar to G1 Brawl (at least in the head). The rest of him looks close (but not perfect), but it works great for this character.
I hate to ask, but do you plan on doing up the whole team? I'd love to see them all with this updated look!
Definitely--I posted WIP pics of the Combaticons back in December (minus Onslaught, since he hasn't been modded any yet--I'll put those up once he's in the WIP stage). Do a quick search and you'll see 'em. I haven't worked much more on the others since then (personal/family stuff going on), but I'm getting back to them now. Brawl is further along, but I've already done the head mods to Blast Off. Swindle and Vortex still need new head sculpts and a few mods, then they all need some paint. I still have new minor mods to do on Brawl and I should be posting those up when they're done. So yes, they're planned, my friend.
Thanks, bro! It seriously means a lot, coming from a great 'basher such as yourself. And don't worry, Satomiblood--they're coming along, SLOWLY. lol