Fakebusker's Shapeways Store​

Hunter Killer: Combiner Wars Predators

- - - - - Update 1st June 2018 - - - - -



At long last, my Combiner Wars Predator project is finally complete!
It took roughly two whole years and across 3 sub-lines (Combiner Wars, Titans Return
& Power of the Primes) to get them to a state I'm happy with. Through them I've learnt a whole
bunch of new techniques, like dyeing of plastics, painting fluorescents and tasteful colour matching.

The project started when I saw the Predators appear in Nick Roche's Last Stand of the Wreckers,
and I was wondering what would happen if they'd be able to combine. Would they be able to repel
Overlord? Would they have held onto Garrus-9 and kept it permanently from Autobot hands?

Without further ado, here's the gang!

Predator Skydive





Skydive was the first to be worked on, and the last to be finished. The main reason was that
he was totally redone to get a closer match in colour to the original G1 figure.
Version 1.0 was made with a mix of Skydive and Air Raid parts, but I was able to use a POTP
Blackwing for version 2.0.

His head was from Autobot Aerialbot Skydive because, hey, it's funny.






Predator Snare





The choice of mold for Snare is obvious. Aerialbot Firefly is mostly red, and I only needed to paint
his white legs red. Other parts of him were dyed black and his head was 3D printed in high detail resin.

In order to flip his wings around, I had to drill a hole on the front of the wing pins in order to access
them. After knocking the pins out, switching and cutting the wings to shape was straightforward.






Predator Commander Skyquake





Skyquake was made from Combiner Wars Silverbolt and given a full repaint. Thankfully the paints held
and there was minimal paint rub on his jet parts. Also, I didn't need to alter the colours on his thighs and biceps as the orange worked perfectly with Skyquake's scheme.

His head is 3D printed and I really liked how the design turned out.






Predator Stalker





Everyone's favourite sadist is given the full body repaint here. It was tough deciding the colours
to use for him but I think the combination of Wine Red and Metallic Blue Green really worked for him. His distinctive head design was also 3D printed.

I've received comments that Titans Return Quake/Hardhead would be a better choice for this character,
but in my defense, I really wanted him to combine with the rest. Besides, CW Rook already comes with
a perfect 'endoscopic claw' for Stalker.

Stalker does not need his large ICBM rocket either, because he's the main carrier for his team's
armament.






Predator Talon





Talon is created from a POTP Dreadwind, which I thought was the perfect mold to use for him.
Besides, his robot form is distinctive enough from the rest. He's the second last Predator to be completed
and the first to be using a POTP mold.

I originally didn't like the head I designed for him but after everything was painted up he really
grew on me.



The Hunter Killer





The Hunter Killer is Megatron's elite pursuit unit. When all five Predators are united, their
combined bloodlust and hunting savvy gave Hunter Killer immense talent and capabilities
for tracking down her prey. Once she locked onto her target, none can escape her grasp.




- - - - - Update 3rd Dec 2017 - - - - -

Finally! A mold comes by that fits what I need for Talon!
Upwards pointing shoulder kibble, a different bot silhouette from the previous guys,
a suitable alt mode, correct sized neck ball-joint...Perfect.

As my schedule allows for the remaining days of this year, I'm gonna paint him up
and Team Hunter Killer will be soooo ready!

- - - - - Update June 14th, 2017 - - - - -
Update June 14: Hoo boy, this took me a year to get to a point of wanting to post an update.
Things have been going swimmingly, slowly but surely I'm painting these guys up and
I hope to have them complete by the end of the month.

I just completed Stalker. Take a look.

I'm really happy with how he turned out in the end. Choosing the right colours was a
headache as I couldn't find any Gunze paints that match the original character (and also
because I couldn't figure out what were the original character's colours. Was it teal? Cobalt blue?
Light blue???)

Eventually I decided to use what looked the best among the paints I have. Gunze Sangyo Wine Red,
Metallic Green Blue, Gold.

Gator will be coming up next. Stay tuned!

- - - - - Update June 19th, 2016 - - - - -
Hi all!
This thread is going to be a basic photo dump for now since they are still works in progress.
But I'll still love to hear your thoughts and comments!

My current plan is to create a combiner based off most of the original Predator designs with a dash of
inspiration from their appearances in More than Meets the Eye and Last Stand of the Wreckers.
Members currently planned:

Skyquake
Snare
Stalker
Skydive
Gator

They are all done with a mix of lacquers, fluorescent paints and dyed plastics. Most of the heads are
new and 3D printed. I'm thinking of doing their weapons as well. More to come soon!




Plastic dyeing experiments.

Shapeways links:


Skyquake head for CW voyager
Silverbolt (5mm dia. neck ball)


Snare head for CW deluxe Firefly
(6mm dia. neck ball)


Stalker head for CW deluxe Rook
(4mm dia. neck ball)


Talon head for CW deluxe Skydive/
Air Raid (4mm dia. neck ball)


Krok head for CW deluxe Skydive/
Air Raid (4mm dia. neck ball)


- Ariel

Fakebusker's Shapeways Store​

 

I knew it would happen eventually! I had the idea floating around in my head months ago, nice to see that somebody got around to making a - frankly, badass - set of heads. Any plans for the turbomasters? We've already got a billion sets to turn BC Prime into Thunderclash, plus a helicopter mold, two cars, a racing vehicle, and a jeep...

 

How did you get the pins out to flip Firefly's wings round?

 

Oh I drilled a hole on the other end of the wing and tapped the pin out. Yeah there's a hole on the front now but I hardly minded it.

 

Aah ok; I didnt even notice the hole on the front where the pin goes!

 

Oh lol, it's alright. The holes are on the underside of the wing, so it's hidden in the photo. The holes are most conveniently placed :3

 

Amazing already. Beautitul work on the heads and paint. Can't wait to see the big guy.

 

any plans to do a falcon head, i have an idea for a voyager character dude, and these heads look really good, already ordered the set

 

When I first read the title, I thought it was a crossover with the Predator franchise ... I should have known better.

 

completely awesome!!!
any idea for a combined head?
has anyone done combined heads?

 

Awesome!

 

Wow, really nice work there.

How clever!

Nice Haiku!

 

Excellent!

Those head sculpts look amazing.

 

Thanks for the comments guys! Like you, I can't wait to get this whole set done. The cool thing and curse behind combiner sets is that you have to go all in customizing 5 figures, which doesn't sit well with my crazy schedules.

Honest mistake, no worries  

No plans for a Falcon head, as I can't match his character with any existing CW mold plus he didn't appear much in the IDW issues. Thanks for your support and let me know how your set works out!

I have a few plans for combined heads but I'm still working on it.
My original plan is to use Superion's head painted in black and bronze, green eyes but it seems like a cop-out.
Let see if my time allows me to do something more.


Update:
Added the fifth and final member of the team. Honorary Predator Gator! I should be placing an order for his head soon. :3

 

completely unintentional!!!

cool!!!

 

You never cease to amaze me with them skillz.

 

Great presentation!

 

looking great so far!

 

Very nice! I can't wait to see more!

 

fuckin slick!! any plans to adapt the stalker head for CybDef Red Alert?