* Update 8.24.10 - did some work on the head using the Generations Thrust noggin', parts of the G1 Swoop head, and a small ball joint post from one of the little guys that come in the Neo Shifters kits. http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/radicons-customs/320164-swoop-wip.html#post5138981 (link takes you straight to the new updates) * Next up with my G1 Dinobots customs is Swoop. This is an idea I've had kicking around for a while, but never gave it a go until seeing how great rumble619's Swoop is shaping up. You can check it out here: http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/radicons-customs/319468-classic-swoop-dynobot-1-wip.html#post5119402 You can check out my previous G1 Grimlock WIP here (it's still in a WIP stage due to quite a few roadblocks here on the homefront and working with other customs): http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/radicons-customs/285678-g1-grimlock-wip.html#post4434998 rumble619's Swoop really inspired me to get off my rear and give mine a go. It's a bit different from his so far, but they're both distinctively "Swoop". Mad respect to his work and his WIP Swoop! I basically wanted to do something new to keep my mind on some "fun" stuff instead of the serious crap going down with myself and my family right now (some of you already know what's going down). I wanted to upgrade Swoop a bit, since he always seemed kinda small and thin. Once the Classics/Universe Seekers hit, I knew I would eventually do Swoop from one of them. I had originally planned to use one of my Acid Storm figures, but seeing as those are put aside for a future Aerialbots reshell project, I decided to go with rumble619's idea and use a Generations Thrust. I pulled the wings, then cut off the tailfins and the front air intakes with my dremel (cut off wheel). I cut down the back of the legs, removing the rounded parts leading to the thrusters (basically squaring the legs off instead of the back being rounded). I then removed the cockpit/head section (unscrewed them from inside the chest). I shaved off the top tabs that originally set into the front air intakes of the jet, then shaved the rounded area on his back (the part that led up into the cockpit). I then cut and removed the small piece above his rear end (yes, his backside--lol). This allows the legs to swing back much better. I took my G1 Swoop and unscrewed the wings (don't lose these screws or plastic washer pieces if you plan to try this--you'll need 'em later). I also unscrewed the black piece that fit onto G1 Swoop's back (this piece is also used). I took the small gray plastic pieces that were originally screwed in behind the diecast metal of G1 Swoop's chest (these pieces fit between the wings and Swoop's back). I took the Swoop wings and cut off the bottom section tight in the middle of where the bottom screws once screwed in--this opens it up a bit more so that the legs can still swing up some and not hit anything hanging down in the way. Once I had the parts I needed, I went back to the Thrust figure. I took the wings (I left the small tabs where the original landing gear for G1 Swoop was snapped in) and I shaved that piece down a bit, just enough for it to slide into the open groove running down Thrust's back (which was left after shaving earlier). I test fit the wings and found a good position for them that allows the Swoop dino head to still swing down (I also shaved a bit of plastic from Thrust's back to allow the head/neck width of the dino head to swing down easy). Once I figured out where I wanted the wings, I took a small drillbit and drilled holes in Thrust's back (4 holes to screw the G1 Swoop wings into). Once I had those and made sure screws would fit, I positioned it and using the original G1 red washer pieces, I screwed the wings in place--Now here's the catch, I had to use 4 smaller screws--same diameter, just much shorter, to allow the arms to still fold into the chest and not hit the screws). Once I had them in place, I then took the original screws that held the black piece onto Swoop's back and screwed them back in. I did a test transformation and found that the legs now hit the wings a bit and I'm still working on those. I did shave a section from the backside of the legs to allow them to fold in even more, but I may need to add another piece to extend the thighs a bit to allow a smoother fold for the legs on the back. I've also considered leaving the legs at a bit of an angle to give it more bulk in alt mode, but that's still something I'm working on. I then checked to see how the front dino head folded down onto the chest. It hit an area around the crotch, so I took a dremel drill bit and shaved out an area for it to fit and rest into in bot mode. I then took the Thrust launchers and shaved down the missiles to give a more rounded/small look. I took some round styrene tubing and cut a couple of pieces that would allow the launchers to peg into easily--I then glued those next to the old G1 Swoop launcher holes in the wings. That's about it so far. Still doing some leg work on Swoop and I plan to use the Thrust head/face on this, just haven't done anything with it yet (what you see in the pics is still the G1 head/face).
Looks perfect, the wings fold in very nicely. Also glad they released another seeker for us to tear up, great work, b!
Well......no need to finish mine now(throws Swoop in trash can).....DAMN YOU!!!!!!!!! lol Awesome work bud!!!!!!! I love everything about this.I even see things I wish I had done differently on mine.And I also love your Grimlock.Iwas starting on Snarl but now I want to jump on Grimlock. Awesome awesome work my friend.Get this guy finished up soon.I should hopefully have mine finished today!!!!!!!
wow man this looks awsome im contemplating putting my wip pics on here as ive heard some rumors of a dinobots challenge over at sector70, hmmm should i wait, but again love this swoop and all the others out there. mat
Thanks, dude! I definitely agree (hell, it's great for quite a few different 'bashes). lol Thanks, Daniel! I'm debating that still--I'm considering using the Visual Works Swoop artwork as reference and doing his chest more like that, but I haven't planned that part out just yet. But yes, I'm planning to, just need to figure out which way I want to take it--more like the Visual Works Studio Ox look or the toon, which is similar, but slightly different. Do it, man! There can never be enough Dinobots or Swoop customs. lol Thanks, Dave! These Seeker molds are like GOLD to us kitbashers. Thanks, Rafe! Definitely glad you dig it, my friend. What would you have done differently on yours? I really love how yours turned out and that Hound head worked great. I love that yours is definitively "Swoop", yet ours are different. I really enjoy seeing us all do similar, yet different takes on things like this that ultimately show a certain character. As for Grimlock, I need to get back on that sucker! (started on Sludge since then, but haven't shared up any WIP on him yet--but SOOOON). Can't wait to see what you do with your Dinobots! Thanks, Mat! I'd hold off just to make sure we aren't doing a Dinobots challenge anytime soon over at S70 (as far as I know, there isn't one planned before November or possibly Decemeber--so I think a Dinobot challenge would be a ways off). Thanks, man! Don't lose faith in yours! I saw what you had going and I really like it, dude! I need to comment on that (and MANY other customs--been busy with so much junk lately). Now get to work on your Dinobots! (or is it Dynobots? lol)
Did some head work tonight--took the Thrust head and cut off just above the forehead, then cut some on the sides and back. I used the Swoop artwork from Visual Works as reference and I'll drop it here from our Reference Library over at Sector70 so you guys can see what I'm shooting for. I'm still working on it, but for the most part, the overall shape is there. Just needs some minor styrene work to some areas, some sanding and filling around the thing on his head and the head should be done. Also added the claws to the knees from my old G1 Swoop. No alt mode until the glue dries on the head post. The head is now on a tiny ball joint (thanks to those little guys from the Neo Shifters kits). Here's the Swoop artwork from Visual Works I'm using as reference on the head (and possibly on the chest area):
Hey man, this looks great so far. I like the concept of the seeker base very much. Cant wait to see the finished result! Keep up the good work
Dude this guy is shaping up great. I really like how you are doing the head. Thrust's face has a great serious expression on it which really befits a Dinobot. Are you going to cut the bottom corner of the front of his helmet too so that it looks more like the picture reference?
HELL YEAH !!!!!!!!!!!! That's what I'm talking about.He looks awesome!!!!! Now hurry up and do some more lol
first a lot of MP's...then coming classic size..i thnk everybody crazy on swoop nowadays...i think i like the chest ...mate
dude...I just did the same thing with the face last week....well...kind of...I really like how yours turned out..I am seriously looking forward to this guy getting done..