Finally Finished. The Autobot detective was made using the Universe Hotshot (which I hate!!!) and was a great body and base for this custom. The rub issues were a bit tedious but some of them couldn't be avoided with out risking integrity of the structure. The gold was done by first laying down a silver metallic paint and later going over it with a clear yellow once the silver dried. The blue is a custom mix and the flames are from Pinewood racing decal set. I like the overall idea of him being a Fast and Furious like car. But it isn't very undercover hahahaha. And now a pic of one of the best Duos in Tf history. ALT Mode ====== The alt mode I wish would have come out better but the reasoning behind it is this mold has alot of pegging parts and tight fittings. I tried shaving them down but it was starting to puncture through the backs of some parts. Weapon Alt ======== And as Homage to the original figure the gun can be mounted in car mode. Comment,Critique, and mostly Enjoy. ===============================================
Interesting. The head is a little weird for Nightbeat, but I see you have a different head there. Lovin the flames.
Hot shot really does seem to lend himself well to Nightbeat actually, I made mine from the Cybertron version. Hope you intend to leave the spoiler off, even on the Henkei version of the mould it just causes his shoulders to hurt.
This is absolutely gorgeous! What a great idea to use for the character. May I ask what you used as the base head? - Gregg
now this is making me drool the paint detailings are so crisp and pecise so far!!! this is gonna be a sweet update!!!
Nice! I forget how his Minicon attaches to him in botmode but you could make him a Powermaster instead of a Headmaster.
Thanks G. I am please with the way this is turning out this time. Had some snags along the way. Yeah it still the Hotshot head just modded. That reminds me I should really start a facebook page for my customs I would have now that you say that but I am utilizing it for his gun/blaster to be mounted on it when in ALT mode. Thanks guys I am really trying to get back into the game been outta practice way too long. And someone saying they want it lets me know I still have a skill set to be able to toss a custom on auction every now and then. I modded the base Hotshot head shaved and sanded the chin to get rid of that nascar helmet look and scultped a visor across the eyes and added pieces to the sides of the head to give it the Nightbeat motif. It was a Paiiiinnnnn to get the paint right. I had so much trouble do the two different colors I gave up on it for a long time. Then one day I said '"FRACK" this sanded off the paint, reprimed and repainted. I used a technique I saw on Jin Saotome's website. The silver base with clear yellow over the top. As I was painting this and once I added the detailing and the paint I thought it started looking like a down scaled Altenator with the metallic gold. But maybe its all in my head. Yeah I was going to add the helicopter but mod it into something else but My son played with the minicon. But now he is missing an arm and something else off of it. Hahahaha
I like this so much I am going to do one myself. =) I am not sure if I am going to use the flame motif, which if I am not mistaken, looks like some dry rub decals from Pinecar, right? =) I thought of even making it more of like a crime scene vehicle, but have the robot mode be in the colors similar like the G1, but use a chrome yellow and a dark matte navy blue with a clearcoat..... Nightbeat as a character was always one of my favorites growing up, but I hated the toy.... Again, MAD PROPS! When I do get around to working on mine, you'll definitely be getting credit for the inspiration. =) I'm currently working on a custom Chromedome and have been heavily modifying the head with styrene to give it that more G1 look. I would do the same for this too. Take care, - Gregg
Why, o why, would you think of Alternators and replying to my post? Honestly, this was my thinking as well when I saw your work. I was reminded of yesterdays when people were taking the BT Prowl and making Nightbeat figures left and right. Thanks for the trip down memory lane, dude Also, it seems that the crowd who once hailed Alternators and Binal Tech as THE "modern update to G1" have shifted to Classics anyways.
With being off today and doing final apps on a custom for SQ7, I dived right in on my Nightbeat custom. Totally inspired by yours. I am using the same base mold, but I am totally reworking the head, using the ball joint base, the face from Universe Sunsteaker, and then the rest of the head will be built up from styrene t have a reimagined G1 look. As with all my customs, I am using Tamiya sprays, and am using a brilliant blue for the vehicle mode. Am thinking of using Silverleaf for the base spray for the body and clear yellow over the top. I'm really looking forward to seeing yours finished. Just wanted to say thanks again for the inspiration. I've been wanting to do this character for a while, and could never think of what figure to base it from.... lol - Gregg
I am really kicking myself for not getting into Alternators. It was around the time beast wars was fizzling andI was kinda back in collecting but not much. Hell I hadnt even heard of TFW yet at that point. But just working on that scale I think would have been a hell of a lot easier than regular stuff with the rub points and what not been much easier to spot and manage. But that is just my thoughts when I think of the few alternators I had. Sweet Gregg, I am honored to have inspired you to make one of your own. I like the idea that your going with. It reminds me of movies where the hot shot detective in a action film always has a nicer car than just a regular cruiser. It fits well with Nightbeat being a kinda detective. I can warn you about a few issues a came aross. Rub points are a pain on this guy. The one that comes to mind most is the feet. On the inside hinge is a catch like system and the front part where the ankle snaps into the foot should be sanded. And on the outta sides of each foot as well. They rub badly when transforming. If I can remember (and there is) any more I will let you know. It's curing still and I don't want to risk scraping the paint job by messing with it too much. That being said I hope to have it posted and in full on friday-sunday at the latest.
lol nice nightbeat, i feel sad for the minicon though =( although that does encourage me once i have a house im putting a lock on my art room door (i'll deffinitely keep all my customs in there as well cause when i have kids i want them to have them once there older)
I found a major spot is that small panel the door swings on, but I sanded that down and used a different paint on the inside the hinge piece goes into, which i'll explain more later. I actually used the dark matte navy blue on the insides of the panels. Did alot of pre sanding on these points too. Not using the same paint on the inside panels is going to add alot of depth against the outer brilliant blue. I'll snap some WIP pictures by tuesday. Have only to this point sprayed the pieces for the outer car. Gonna do some tests tonight to see how the silver leaf wo/ clear yellow looks over top. Take care, - Gregg
