AND....another update! I think this'll be the last update before I post some pics of the pre-painted, complete custom. These pics show bot mode front and back, and tank mode (though the turret isn't properly attached yet; trying to see if I can find some small electronics that I could fit in there to give him firing sound effects...it's a long shot, but maybe something at a dollar store...) . In bot mode, I've attached gundam fists so they fold into the forearm, and built up the chest plate some more. What's left to do: -I want to build up the front of the legs a bit to hide the connection with the thighs and give it a bit more detail. - More detail on the chest plate; maybe a sculpted Decepticon insignia would look nice. -Attach the turret in tank mode. -Patch a few gaps and maybe add some little bits from some junker tank models to make the tank more...tank like. -find an appropriate headsculpt Once again; comments, critiques and suggestions are very welcome!
just needs a head an arm and some sculpting and it's there! great job so far and keep it up! as for the head i can't think of any toy that would make a good donor off the top of my head if i think of something i'll let ya know. good luck!
Yeah, I was just finishing up putting the fist into the other arm... As for the head, I'm thinking that since this figure is to scale with the FP Combaticons, why not use one of their heads (slightly modded) to make it all fit together? That means making a cast of one of the original heads, but it could be worth the effort... I'm afraid it's unlikely I'll ever sell this custom; it's really one of those "labours of love", as Brawl is my all time favourite G1 childhood toy! However, with all the WIP picks I've posted, I hope I'm giving enough info to inspire others to do similar projects. On that note; I"ll be happy to answer any questions about how this custom was done for those who want to do something along these lines! Also, I'll be starting to post pics of previous finished projects soon; I started getting into this "hobby" about five years ago, and I've accumulated a good number of finished projects! I'm thinking of putting a couple up on ebay, but I"ll see what you guys think of them first!
Yeah, now you'll actually see I wasn't kidding when I told you I had a whole collection of custom Brawls! (to each their obsessions: mine are Combaticons and good Gin!)
How did you now I was sophisticated? Was it the fact I drink Gin? Also, that's the best kept secret about academics; we're all just socially maladjusted geeks of another sort who can't survive in the normal world! I just happen to belong to more than one geek-dom! (I believe that's called "multidisciplinarity"! I wonder if I can get funding for this... )
Love where this is going so far. Really amped about the final product. And now I want Gin. Damn it, lunch doesn't come fast enough sometimes!
Another update: So I ran into some issues that brought things to a crawl for the last little while...With all the added joints and bits, I found that things didn't really line up quite right in alt mode, and I'm a bit of a perfectionist, so it was annoying the hell out of me. Several hours were spent, filing, rejigging, cutting, and I finally ended up putting magnets in so that things line up as perfectly as possible. I find magnets are the customizers version of tabs, because it's hard to make custom tabs that are solid! As for the turret, I'm pretty sure I'm using generation Warpath's for that. However, I noticed yesterday that I could make generation Skullcruncher's turret a bit smaller by eliminating the middle section and maybe sanding down the bottom of it too. I'd have to find a conon for it though...I'm putting some pics for comparison. Opinions people? What do you think works better?
i definitely prefer the warpath option, the skullcrucher turret just looks out-of-proportion, it's almost as big as the body of the tank.
True that. But I was thinking that I might sand the bottom of the turret to make it less bulky..I just wish Warpath's turret was just a little bit bigger. Actually, overall I wish I'd been able to make Brawl just a little less bulky in general; I guess he's more in line with the G1 toy that with the G1 illustrations of him!
UPDATE! I've failed, it's true. My Warbotron Brawl arrived in the post today, and I haven't managed to finish my latest custom Brawl as I'd planned. Oh woe is me, Warbotron has beat me to the finish line of my doorstep! So, instead, while I finish this project up in the next two weeks or so, I'll be posting some OTHER custom Brawl projects I've finished over the last five years!! Yep, it'll be a Brawl marathon! Like the 12 days of Christmas, only with big angry tankbots smashing into your home!! Keep your eyes peeled! In the mean time, I now have the extra time to really make this current project shine! The build is pretty much done, but needs some details added in tank mode before I basecoat him. So here's a question: what head to use? Here are two possibilities: the first is the FOC prime head, modded. The second is the head from one of the Fansproect stunticons (don't worry, it's a cast, not the original!). Other suggestions are welcome! (Note the tiny sculpted 'con symbol I stole from an Energon Blastoff!) helicopter! Let me know what you think!
Neither of the heads work particularly well to me, I'd go with something like TFTM Longarm but with the chin piece cut off and a full visor instead of the two individual eyes. Or perhaps take the head from Fall of Cybertron Brawl. I always liked that one. Whichever head you end up using, I'm still very excited to see the finished product!
I get where you're coming from; the longarm head is definitely a good choice. Thing is, I'm going for a G1 updated toy aesthetic; trying to meld the feel of the 80's toys of my childhood with modern poseability and detailing. And for me, one of the hallmarks of the 80s combiners were the ITTY BITTY SILLY HEADS! It also really seems to work well for Brawl, because it gives that sense that he's a big brute; not very bright, kind of like the Hulk!
Updated on page one!! http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/radic...rgon-scale-combaticon-brawl.html#post11022494
Devilishly well-executed! I'm calling the witchfinder on this alchemy! He looks like a big, noisy brute... as it should be! zmog
