The Energon Pub

Lord_Loqi wrote:At first i thought you were trying to make a Cobra Rattler (i think that's the name of there small tank)

The Rattler was the Cobra jet based off the A-10 Thunderbolt.

But this is looking interesting. Are you planning to do anything with the space between the two front treads?

Nope. In fact, I just finished the last bit of fabrication and will be taking pictures tomorrow.

Jimsloth wrote:Its really nice to see a transformer with tank treads that actually move. Hell, I'd settle for ones that when they transform they just look like they could still move instead of splitting in half to allow for an elbow or knee (ie: RID Landfill team).

Unfortunately, the tracks don?t roll very well, since only a few of the wheels actually move. However, the intent was indeed to have them actually work, but it just wasn?t feasable. If he were bigger, then I could get all the wheels working, but? I have been tempted to attach a set of small wheels to him so he could actually roll along the ground, but they would be painfully visible in robot mode, so I am very reluctant to do so.

I agree about the poor design of so many tracked Tranformers (particularly tank-bots like Warpath and G2 Megatron). Breaking the tracks is just not possible for a real transformer. The track would fall apart like a broken rubberband. That is also one of the problems I had with WWI Grimlock, with his forearms coming out from through his tracks, it just can?t work. Sure, he looks cool, but it just could not function.

Well, as promised, here are the (hopefully) last batch of WIP pics before I start painting. Let me know what you guys think, including anything else you might think he needs.

Really really good job!

well, i made a few more additons and modifications, including to the head to make it look even more like Megatron?s. I added some caster wheels?so he can actually roll?disguising them as best I could.

this is getting better and better!

I think he might be ready for paint, what do you guys think?

Thats hot! Can't wait to see it finished.

Thanks, but do you think he?s ready for paint?



(my 666th post. Evil number. )

I would say it is. It all comes down to are you done adding to it?

This'll become one of my favorites!!

.billy

Just too cool! But, how come all the bad guys gotta be badass strong?

Tramp wrote:Well, I am adding tank tracks to the shoulders, so he will be wide, which is one of the things I am going for. I already have the other tyank mostly put together and cut in half length-wise for the two track assembiles. I still have to add some stuff to them though. Remember, this is supposed to be a tank when he?s in vehicle mode. It wouldn?t be right if he were long and narrow now would it. I want him big and bulky. I?m taking the original JagdPanzer turret and modifying it to be his turret. The gun barrel is going to be offest to the right so that is can drop over his right shoulder in robot mode. The hard part will be making the socket to fit the original ball joint that CD Hptshot?s original turret fit onto.

huh... well I see what you mean about the tank mode, but his robot mode... is so wide... he looks like a dwarf. the parts with tank treads on them are almost as wide as they are tell. I don't think there's any way to change that now, but if I had seen the rough mock-up of the proportions before all the work was done, I would have suggested reworking the transformation. maybe make his upper-legs from his previously lower-legs, and the tank treads fold out to form the lower legs. or maybe vice versa, I don't know.

RavageX-9 wrote:

Tramp wrote:Well, I am adding tank tracks to the shoulders, so he will be wide, which is one of the things I am going for. I already have the other tyank mostly put together and cut in half length-wise for the two track assembiles. I still have to add some stuff to them though. Remember, this is supposed to be a tank when he?s in vehicle mode. It wouldn?t be right if he were long and narrow now would it. I want him big and bulky. I?m taking the original JagdPanzer turret and modifying it to be his turret. The gun barrel is going to be offest to the right so that is can drop over his right shoulder in robot mode. The hard part will be making the socket to fit the original ball joint that CD Hptshot?s original turret fit onto.

huh... well I see what you mean about the tank mode, but his robot mode... is so wide... he looks like a dwarf. the parts with tank treads on them are almost as wide as they are tell. I don't think there's any way to change that now, but if I had seen the rough mock-up of the proportions before all the work was done, I would have suggested reworking the transformation. maybe make his upper-legs from his previously lower-legs, and the tank treads fold out to form the lower legs. or maybe vice versa, I don't know.

That wouldn?t work for several reasons. First off, the treads couldn?t become the lower leges and still be working treads. You run into the some oif the same type of issues as breaking the treads. The mechanics of the tread assemblies simply do not allow it. Remember, this is supposed to be a design that could actually work if he were real. Secondly, I wanted him this big and broad. Since he transforms into a tank,which are wide, not long and narrow, He needs to be broad, not thin. It also add to his intimidation factor. Thirdly, remember, one of the designs this was based off of is War Within Megatron, who has the treads on the sides of his calves and the sides of his upper arms. WWI Megatron is just as broad; just as beefy. I wouldn?t change the base design, even if I could.

kodafrenzy wrote:Just too cool! But, how come all the bad guys gotta be badass strong?

Not all of them do, but the leader had better be. How else is he going to keep his minions under foot? Megatron has always been designed to be strong, powerful, and massive like a powerlifter.

Uh, oh. We're gonna need a bigger Prime

Wow I'm really impressed. I'd say its ready for paint, I can't wait to see it finished! Amazing work! I was always bothered by tracked TFs who had to split their treads too.

That's gorgeous work, and I can't wait to see it painted. Initially ,while scrolling backwards up the thread and viewing the robot mode pics, I saw what Ravage was talking about, and wondered if the sections to which the track assemblies were attached actually needed to be that far off the limbs. Having seen the tank mode, though, I see now why it was necessary, and it really does look effective.

Again, great jeaaoorrrb!

Well, I have started painting him. I just finished the black base coat, and it?s drying now. I?ll start on the silver after the black has had a few hours drying time. Maybe tonight, but probably tomorrow. I left some of the pieces unpainted.

Here?s a WIP pic so far.

Looking good!

Well, here are a few more. I just finished the paintjob but haven?t reassembled him yet. I?ll do that tomorrow.

this is going to be sweet!

I love that worn-down metallic look. Yeah, this is gonna look awesome once reassembled.

I agree, The metallic look is incredible (Drybrushed?). It makes him look like a hulking war machine!

The worn down Metallic color is true megatron class! Keep it up!

Hobbyist Prime wrote:I agree, The metallic look is incredible (Drybrushed?). It makes him look like a hulking war machine!

Yep, Drybrush. I used silver and gunmetal over black. And, yes, the ?hulking war machine? look is exactly what I was going for.

Speaking of hulking war machines, He is finally assembled, though I do need to go back in and paint the inside of his back black. So here are a few more pics for you to hold you over until I have his decals made and applied, and then a gallery submitted.