Animated and RID aside we haven't had an updated Soundwave since FOC and I don't see one on the horizon so I've decided to make one myself, based on his current Armoured Transport/Comms Truck look in the IDW comics. Although the body type looks close to CW Optimus Prime or Motormaster, the alt-mode wouldn't work and they're both bloody expensive, so after spotting an OSKO CW Rook on Sirtoys I decided to get one to use as the base for my Soundwave. Size-wise he's Voyager height but obvs with the girth and bulk of a CW figure. He needs a bit of physical modding, a new head and chest, some actual hands, traditional Soundwave weapons and a radar dish. I already ordered the head from Shapeways a few weeks ago whilst waiting for my Sirtoys order to arrive so I could get a head start on this custom (pun intended) - ...and I've got some lovely metallic blue paint for the repaint, so I can get cracking now!
Nice idea. I had the same concern...that we were never going to get a decent classics style Soundwave. So, I also made my own. This concept looks like it could be a great interpretation though. That mould looks like it will work perfectly for what you want. Good luck and I'm looking forward to seeing more.
Here's a better look at the metallic blue I'm using. One thing I would like to figure out is if I can get those overhanging plates on the inside of his forearms to fold underneath the forearm. Need to figure out how to make a couple of tiny hinges.
That's what I was thinking. With a new face and chest, this mould is almost perfectly designed for that version of Soundwave.
Yeah. Looked around for one I could cannibalise but figured it would just be easier to make one. Mind you, I'll need two anyway - one for the front of the vehicle mode and the fake chest one.
It's really annoying, though, that the 'bot mode is clearly drawn as being the CW Optimus Prime mold - look at the legs and arms - but the alt mode just wouldn't work at all. Grrr.
I remember someone doing this with a regular deluxe rook, using the legends class groove bikes to represent rumble and frenzy. It was a great idea then, and using this voyager sized ko, it's an even BETTER idea. Good luck with this one, looking forward to seeing it completed!
SO, here's where I'm up to with Soundwave at the end of day one. It's all a bit rough atm, but I just wanted to get some paint on him and get an idea of how he'll look when he's done. Tomorrow I'll cut the 'hands' off and attach the articulated ones I got from Shapeways that are meant for FOC Soundwave, sand down the neck ball joint so the head can actually fit, measure him up for kneepads and touch up the paintwork. Once that's all done I'll puzzle out exactly how I want to do the chest piece. I think it will fold up onto the rear in vehicle mode, like a garage door, but we'll have to see if I can pull it off.
It's too bad you can't do anything with that chest cavity that the CW port is using to make it an ejectable minion. Really liking this concept overall.