you know you're right....

I'm looking at my reference pics now that you've said that and the movie truck does have standard GMC/Chevy mirrors instead of Topkick mirrors.

I must have just latched on to the shots of the "production" model.  

Looks like I need to add a mat coat on the mirrors and door handles as well... I need to work on the running boards some. Add the black top parts.

I'm glad I didn't submit a gallery yet.

If you see anything else I missed let me know. lol.

 

You sure know how to do Ironhide right. I've been wanting to fix the smokestack issue since I got him. The running boards are simple but brilliant. It allows him to look better in vehicle mode without the guns (I.E. not so conspicuous.)

I'm looking forward to your Bumblebee mods.

 

Thanks! I think Ironhide is one of the easiest Movie molds to make look a lot better very simply. IMO one of the best molds of the last line. Right now I'm just praying that the new version with all the weapons isn't as good a people claim so that I don't have to buy him..... again...

BBs mods will be a bit on the light side. I'm going to do my usual increased articulation, the roof mod, and maybe some other small stuff, but that's about it. Now if I could just find some of the right yellow....

 

that is nice

 

They posted a pic of Jungle Ironhide on the front page. It is shit. Were your version goes for a 'less is more' approach, theirs is just 'what more can we possibly hang off the original mold?' approach.

It should appeal well to their target demographic.

Keep up the good work.

 

how did you make the smoke stacks? there really well made.

 

ya I saw it. It does look a bit bad. If they had found a way for everything to be a bit more well integrated, and have the parts fold away a bit better....

but adding roof lights and a cow catcher just make it look like "spotlight huntin' Ironhide" as do the lightning bolt/scratch paintapps.

honestly I was hoping for a new mold as well.

They are cast off of a diecast smokestack I had then attached to the factory base parts.  

Now that I have declared this guy finished I'm naturally going to start working on him again. I've had a setback with my Mixmaster project and am waiting on access to my air compressor to paint BB. So it's time for accurized runningboards and rear bumper, then decals.

 

This looks good!!! Casting.. It will kill ya!!

 

lol. ya. But really, these parts were so simple that it went practically without a hitch. At least compared to ravage's tail. lol. Thanks man!

 

Ok. Update!

I've built the bumper parts and just need to clear out the license plate recess to finish it off. Sideskirts come next (once I find the rest of my styrene lol). God bless Powerblock on Spike. I've been watching it for years and the sheetmetal working techniques they use are perfect even at this scale.







Bonus:

Since he's put on hold, and there really isn't enough done yet to make a new thread, I decided to post up a couple of WIP shots of Mixmaster.

I've added wrists to him so that he can get a little closer to the concept sketch pose and increased the articulated range on his ankle joints.



Here is a sort of teaser shot of his deceptikitty hood ornament. It's on hold until I get the rest of the face carved, and then order some Hydroshrink (Hydrospan 400) so that I can reduce it to the proper size for this scale. I plan on rebuilding his whole wheel arrangement to be more screen accurate as well, and need the hydroshrink in order to create the missing wheels (I've looked and looked for wheels that are the right size without success).



still lots more to do on MM as well but right now it's all about reworking his altmode.

 

Wow you are obsessed about alt mode accuracy, aren't you?

Not to say that there's anything wrong with that. These customs look awesome!

 

In a way, ya. The whole thing I love about movie bots, and the movie itself is the hyper-realism. Now that we FINALLY have licensed vehicles in movie and alt lines that look like ACTUAL production cars I cant help but make them look as good a possible as vehicles. Besides, how are they supposed to be "Robots in disguise" if they don't really look like cars?  

 

Ok. I decided not to redo the runningboards as they are close enough to the movie truck to work for me. Decals are done as well as the rear bumper. Here is a shot of the finished work. I'm really proud of how the bumper turned out. I love how much it adds to the truck despite being a really easily overlooked mod.



I'll redo some of the photoshoot in the next couple of days for my gallery submission.