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UPDATE
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I released this Shapeways as Beta! Link here: Groove Trailer--REV2a (beta) by echotransformer on Shapeways


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THE STORY


I find it pretty ironic that (what i think) to be the best proportioned G1 Scamble-city combiner is actually the WORST proportioned Combiner wars combiner. I'm looking at you, Defensor. No worries, these things can be easily fixed!!!

Okay before we get into the discussion here, I should say I started this back at X-mas break, and even then I was fully aware Takara had made a deluxe class Groove. Hell I even expected that Hasbro would release a deluxe class Groove, so let's say it was pure curiosity that drove me to do this. (even back then).

I really like Groove as a legend size...it just makes sense...so basically I designed "yet another trailer" to solve the issue of CW Defensor having a proper leg.

While I was at it, I designed some crotch plates, hands, feet and knee extenders (those are still in development, expect more details soon).

Also another thing to clarify--this is just a one-off custom project, there are no plans to mass produce it like my previous stuff...just wanted to make a better Defensor for my CW display.

Okay, on with the project details!

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As with my other projects, I started with some sketches:



You can see that very early on, I wanted some kind of trailer for the leg. I also was thinking of some feet and knees, as i've always thought the legs were too short on these figures.



Here are some later sketches, with basic CAD starting to take shape. At this point I like to print out some early geometry and 'sketch over' it to understand where to take the design. I created a pretty detailed sketch of what I wanted the trailer to look like, in addition to having all the 'constraints' to the design--maximum height, width, room for Groove, etc.



Here are the upgrade parts. I had received these at X-mas but only got around to painting them last weekend. I used black dye (which turned out a bit blue) for the feet, hands and crotch plates, then painted everything over with Tamiya Acrylics in several thin coats.



Here are the trailer bits. You can see that there is a hitch there...it swivels on a ball joint. On one end is the "low" adaptor for Hot Spot, and the other end is the "high" adaptor for First Aid. Originally I had this as two parts, but with luck I was able to make it simply rotate 180 degrees to work for both. Also there is a water tank and some hose reels that "partsform" between "Trailer mode" and "Leg mode".



Here is the trailer attached to First Aid. The trailer can pivot at the hitch.



And here is the trailer attached to Hot Spot. There are some extra 5mm ports to add guns and accessories!



The trailer can be used to carry Blades!



Here's the leg. There is a basic ratchet and CW port at the top. The tank splits and attaches upside down to the sides of the trailer, and the hose reels peg into the tank halves. Groove nestles in between the tank halves.



Here is the resulting leg installed. I have already updated the knee designs...but even this early version can ratchet. This makes his legs more posable. He has ratchet ankle-tilts also!



Basically his legs can fold well over 90-degrees with this knee design. I have added rotation as well in my newer design (not printed yet)



Bit of an awkward pose but you get the idea. I'm still not 100% satisfied with the crotch flaps or the feet...there is too big a gap between the feet and the legs...so you can see I stuck a gun there to close the gap, lolzzzz...and the crotch flaps stick out a bit--but in this picture they could have been flatter I forgot to the fold one of the side-flaps out. Either way this is my first test print so it will evolve.



Here he is next to his amazing G1 self. Finally they look similar beside each other!



So that's all for now...it's been a fun project. Given the number of people working on these it's very clear they have lots of potential and they are super-fun all-around, so glad Hasbro/Takara made this line, I'm really enjoying it.

All the best,

Echo

 

Absolutely BRILLIANT. And, if you were to say, change your mind and mass-produce them anyway, I can see this making you a lot of money.

 

Wow!   Most impressive. Just love how it all goes together. Dig the feet for Defensor especially since they look like updated version of the G1.

 

that is FANTASTIC!!!!

regarding production, will you at least be uploading this stuff to shapeways like your usual stuff?

I could really go for that waist filler piece.

 

Cool idea. Nice execution.

Regarding the items being "a bit blue," I found that to dye something black with Rit Dye... you need to basically do it TWICE. First time I did it for some PCC fists I printed, they came out indigo... let it dry, made a new dye batch, dipped and... Black.

 

whoooooaaaaa!!!!
*realizes its echo*
*gasps* i've missed you!!!!!

 

That is freaking amazing, and you ABSOLUTELY Pull it off!!

if you put this up for sale.. I'd buy this ASAP..

 

That is fantastic. I especially like that the rest of the leg becomes a usable accessory in vehicle mode, rather than just having to be put to the side

It's a shame you've decided not to mass produce it. I'd be all for getting one!

 

I'm kind of disappointed too. I'd certainly be down for having the option of having a scale-accurate Defensor in addition to G1 and IDW accuracy. Still, great work Echo!

 

I like your idea

 

Dude, this is all kinds of clever, practical and awesome.

 

please make these
i need it

 

Amazing idea!

 

Such a shame this is just a one off..
This has serious promise, and would sell if put up on Shapeways..

What did it cost to design and print?

 

I'd buy those Hands and Feet in heart beat! That whole apparatus is genius though!

 

I'm not really at all familiar with the CW stuff, so i was unaware previously that you were using a more properly scaled Groove. As far as i knew, that was the one Hasbro intended everyone to use. That it was actually an intentional effort on your part to correctly scale what is typically ridiculously out of scale is just awesome.

I hate that in most cases, with any Defensor set, official or 3P, Groove is as big, or even bigger than the other vehicles. It makes the scale nut in me cringe. (Blades doesn't help any either.  )

Anyway, well done buddy! You picking up MT's set?

 

You are the only person in all TF history to have Groove make ANY sense. BRAVO BRAVO BRAVO !

 

Now that's just brilliant!

 

you always impress me man. great work!

 

Goddamn, I love this place. This is sheer genius.

Please make this available for sale.