Crossfire Combaticons

[kup]

A couple of days ago Lord_Zed mentioned to me that Powercore Combiner Heavytread would make a pretty cool Brawl if he was able to combine. I begun to have a look at pictures and wondered if this was indeed possible.

So I bought one today and...

http://kupscigar.com/custom/Brawl2.JPG

This is pretty much out of the box, all that I did was just remove the Energon port from the spare Hasbro Swindle and place it in the gap at the back of the tank (you need to remove that 'butt' panel but that is ridiculously easy). The foot attaches to that fold out peg the PCC figure has at the front of the tank mode so no customization required there.

http://kupscigar.com/custom/Brawl1.JPG

As you can see, he retains full ankle and knee articulation (as far as the Onslaught mold allows anyhow):

http://kupscigar.com/custom/Brawl3.JPG

As a lucky coincidence, PCC Heavytread and the 'Energon' mold Brawl are pretty much 1:1 in size so both legs would be the same length when combined. I am amazed at how unintentionally suitable and accomodating this PCC mold is for this gestalt combination.

http://kupscigar.com/custom/Brawl4.JPG

All that I need to do now is make sure that the Energon combiner port attaches in the back gap of the tank more securely and get rid of all those obnoxious PCC blue ports and we are ready to rock!


Here is some robot mode comparisons to show that the PCC mold is indeed suitable as a Classics/Crossfire Brawl:

http://tfwiki.net/w2/images2/3/31/MTMTEBrawl.jpg

http://kupscigar.com/custom/Brawl5.JPG

[UltraMagnus]

A couple of days ago Lord_Zed mentioned to me that Powercore Combiner Heavytread would make a pretty cool Brawl if he was able to combine. I begun to have a look at pictures and wondered if this was indeed possible.

So I bought one today and...

http://kupscigar.com/custom/Brawl2.JPG

This is pretty much out of the box, all that I did was just remove the Energon port from the spare Hasbro Swindle and place it in the gap at the back of the tank (you need to remove that 'butt' panel but that is ridiculously easy). The foot attaches to that fold out peg the PCC figure has at the front of the tank mode so no customization required there.

http://kupscigar.com/custom/Brawl1.JPG

As you can see, he retains full ankle and knee articulation (as far as the Onslaught mold allows anyhow):

http://kupscigar.com/custom/Brawl3.JPG

As a lucky coincidence, PCC Heavytread and the 'Energon' mold Brawl are pretty much 1:1 in size so both legs would be the same length when combined. I am amazed at how unintentionally suitable and accomodating this PCC mold is for this gestalt combination.

http://kupscigar.com/custom/Brawl4.JPG

All that I need to do now is make sure that Energon combiner port attaches in the back gap of the tank more securely and get rid of all those obnoxious PCC blue ports and we are ready to rock!


Here is some robot mode comparisons to show that the PCC mold is indeed suitable as a Classics/Crossfire Brawl:

http://tfwiki.net/w2/images2/3/31/MTMTEBrawl.jpg

http://kupscigar.com/custom/Brawl5.JPG

(kisses your feet)

Now I gotta find this toy :)

[liegeprime]

NIce one kup, there was a thread about this I read a few days ago here... posted a link to tfw2000 about someone who did the same thing you just did. Sweet!!:D:D

[Vector Prime]

Cool! Now I just have to get my Bruticus out of storage so I can try it. :o

Somehow I think there's going to be a shortage of PCC Heavytreads shortly :p

[kup]

NIce one kup, there was a thread about this I read a few days ago here... posted a link to tfw2000 about someone who did the same thing you just did. Sweet!!:D:D

I missed that but anyhow, I am glad I heard of the possibility of doing this as it's pretty cool!

There are a couple of flaws - one being that the Energon port would end up being a detachable 'combiner' part rather than being properly built into the figure and the other that some minor mods need to be done so that the energon port attaches more securely to the tank and perhaps strengthen the joint on the front tank peg (if needed) for added stability.

However to achieve combination as seen in the photos, you do not need to mod anything. It's just disassembly of the Energon figure to remove the port and that is super easy.

A tiny nuisance would be that for some straight leg poses you need to move the turret a little bit but this is more in the realm of nitpicking.

[liegeprime]

Yeah the guy in tfw did this but I dont know how he secured the energon port, supposedly its now attached to the PCC figure , but he was quite vague in his discription ( for me it was) and not much pics to show what he did ( like a step by step kinda shots)....yeah the annoying blue tabs must go heheheh

[Lord_Zed]

I never thought it would be so easy.

I'll have to try this out on the weekend.

[kaiden]

omg i went to big w today and bought this, played with it a bit this afternoon and thought to myself - this would be a good brawl.

great pics kup!

[kup]

Note that I mentioned "Hasbro Swindle" as the source of the Energon port - That is not completely correct, I grabbed that from a custom I made a couple of years ago from an Energon combiner tank I changed into Swindle. However take note that the Energon ports on the tank and Helicopter molds are suitable as they are the same.

Some time in the near future, I will make a proper tutorial on how to do this including some extra mods for increased stability and removing those damn PCC ports. As the thread title mentions, this is just the proof of concept and it passes ;)

[Hursticon]

Wow! :eek:
That is ridiculous how 'fitting' that PCC really is and how well it works! :cool:
Well done to both yourself Kup and Lord_Zed for noticing/coming up with the idea, I look forward to see where you go with this. ;):)

[kup]

Wow! :eek:
That is ridiculous how 'fitting' that PCC really is and how well it works! :cool:
Well done to both yourself Kup and Lord_Zed for noticing/coming up with the idea, I look forward to see where you go with this. ;):)

Thanks! but apparently we didn't come up with the idea first. Some guy at a TFW beat us to it! :o

However he used a different method for combination. The guy basically kitbashed his own Energon combiner port from scratch while I am just using one from a spare figure. His method has given me a bit of an idea when it comes to refining the combination process a bit better.

[snaketales]

I painted my Heavytread's visor red and swapped his Autobot label for a reprolabels' Decepticon sticker this weekend in the lead-up to having a go at this myself.
This looks much easier than the tfw link I posted a few weeks back.

[chuttla]

i really like this idea, and bot and alt mode are a way better representation of g1 cartoon brawl, though im pretty happy with my collossus atm, il probably want to do this mod later down the track when the mold is impossible to find.....

[SharkyMcShark]

I instantly love this.

[1AZRAEL1]

Looks mad, I will have to do that once I get a Crossfire Kit.

[KaRNiV8L PRiME]

i just repositioned the turret and put the 2 PCC plugs facing back

[kup]

i just repositioned the turret and put the 2 PCC plugs facing back

Awesome! I have gone and removed all the blue PCC ports on mine. I will now need to make the Energon port more stable and strengthen the peg for the foot.

[valkyrie_76]

Thats a pretty good find. Its too bad I never got the Bruticus pack but I was thinking about getting the two FP items later one so I might get this as well.

[Oilspill]

Damn it, I'm going to have to pick up Heavytread now. :)

[1AZRAEL1]

Damn it, I'm going to have to pick up Heavytread now. :)

For the price he is at Big W, it's worth it.

[kup]

It's been a while so here is some more proof of concept tests for making this Autobot PCC mold into a suitable 'Crossfire' Brawl.

In order to make the PCC figure more Brawl like, I have done some digibashes to test if color changes can make the head look more like G1 Brawl's.

G1 reference - Goal is to get the head as close as possible to this:

http://tfwiki.net/w2/images2/3/31/MTMTEBrawl.jpg


1 - PCC Heavytread out package:

http://kupscigar.com/custom/brawl00.JPG

2 - Crossfire Brawl with only color changes:

http://kupscigar.com/custom/brawl01.JPG

3 - Crossfire Brawl with minor visor changes to define the eyes and perhaps a more 'evil' look - There are no mold changes just painted detailing:

http://kupscigar.com/custom/brawl02.JPG

So which is better 2 or 3? Or should I just leave it as is (1)?

[kaiden]

reminds me of master chief :P

i dont have a preference between 2 & 3 though sorry.

[humtan]

2 looks good

[snaketales]

#3 looks good but I'd question it's practicality. The visor is small and I think you'd need a steady hand and a really fine brush to accomplish it.

For my PCC Brawl I went with a version of #2, but if you think you can accomplish #3, go for it!

[1AZRAEL1]

3 looks best IMO. Something I may do soon as well.

[kup]

Thanks guys for your views. I will think about it more after I figure out how to incorporate the Energon port into the toy.


#3 looks good but I'd question it's practicality. The visor is small and I think you'd need a steady hand and a really fine brush to accomplish it.

I have this covered - You can disassemble the head by removing the 'face' forward half and get full access to the visor. It was actually designed as a light-pipe but Hasbro has molded it in solid plastic for some reason.

[kup]

reminds me of master chief :P


lol I didn't think of that until you mentioned it. He does look like Master Chief!

[GoktimusPrime]

I'd go with 3. Btw, doesn't Heavytread have an Autobot logo somewhere?

Also, I got mine from Woolies for $12-something, and still saw some at another Woolies earlier today. Dunno how that compares with Big W's prices - but anyway, this toy seems easy enough to find at a decent price. And it is a pretty neat to! The baby blue PCC connectors are annoying, but this toy manages to conceal some of them fairly well.

And is he the first Transformer to transform into an Israeli tank?

[kup]

I'd go with 3. Btw, doesn't Heavytread have an Autobot logo somewhere?

Also, I got mine from Woolies for $12-something, and still saw some at another Woolies earlier today. Dunno how that compares with Big W's prices - but anyway, this toy seems easy enough to find at a decent price. And it is a pretty neat to! The baby blue PCC connectors are annoying, but this toy manages to conceal some of them fairly well.

And is he the first Transformer to transform into an Israeli tank?

Thanks, I am also leaning towards #3 but I think that I will do another digibash with a different color variation that may get the head closer to Brawl's.

He does have a very subtle Autobot logo but it is very easy to rub it off or put a Decepticon sticker on top of it.

I have removed the PCC ports from mine as they no longer serve a purpose since I am re-purposing the toy as Brawl - That is the only reason of why I bought him hence this thread.

Although it is possible to 'combine' the toy into Bruticus almost out of the box, it is another story to integrate the Energon port into the figure to avoid 'extra' parts and also to make him more playable.

[kup]

How is this?

http://kupscigar.com/custom/xfirebrawl1.JPG

http://kupscigar.com/custom/xfirebrawl2.JPG

As you can see, I have removed the Autobot symbol:

http://kupscigar.com/custom/xfirebrawl3.JPG

Here you can see where I have 'incorporated the Energon port in the robot mode. You can see that I have filled in the gaps with custom made 'putty' plates to grip the mold's 'leg pegs' and allow friction for better articulation and stability.

http://kupscigar.com/custom/xfirebrawl4.JPG

I gave him a silver Decepticon Symbol where G1 Brawl's rub sign used to be. I wanted to use a purple symbol but didn't have one the correct size. Due to the 'shiny', you can't really see it in the photo:

http://kupscigar.com/custom/xfirebrawl5.JPG

Although it can look a bit odd, it is good to know that you can use the individual xFire weapons in tank mode:

http://kupscigar.com/custom/xfirebrawl6.JPG

http://kupscigar.com/custom/xfirebrawl7.JPG

Energon port incorporated into the Tank mode:

http://kupscigar.com/custom/xfirebrawl8.JPG

http://kupscigar.com/custom/xfirebrawl9.JPG

You can also use the other xFire gun in this mode:

http://kupscigar.com/custom/xfirebrawl10.JPG

Combined - He now has much greater stability as the tank leg is no where near as loose as before although it does not ratchet. Still, he still has the full range of 'knee' movement as the Energon Brawl.

http://kupscigar.com/custom/xfirebrawl11.JPG

I also strengthen the foot joint so it's much more stiff which helps with stability. A side effect is that on this leg you get much better ankle movement than the regular Brawl as the foot can now rotate.

http://kupscigar.com/custom/xfirebrawl12.JPG

[snaketales]

ooooooooooo that looks great! :D

Now I have to try it....

[snaketales]

.. and here we are. I used an energon port from a junker energon aerialbot (sorry, don't know their proper name) and screwed it through the waistpiece. In tank mode it has to be at an angle otherwise the tank won't be flush on the ground. I can make it flush but I think it will be at the expense of the screw's security, so I'm happy to make do.

http://i55.tinypic.com/o8b3sx.jpg

I have Onslaught's leg to the side to provide more clearance for the tank barrel.

http://i53.tinypic.com/oszyqc.jpg

http://i51.tinypic.com/2nt8wwn.jpg

Yes yes he has a big butt now....

[kup]

Very nice Snaketales! Love the new paint job you gave him. It seems that you may have done something similar with the port to what I did, is that right?

[kup]

Not Brawl but what do you guys think of this?

http://kupscigar.com/custom/ons1.JPG

http://kupscigar.com/custom/ons2.JPG

I changed the Energon 'Princes Leia' head to that from a G1 KO Onslaught and painted it. Unfortunately there is no way to elegantly mount the dual canon on his back like in G1.

[snaketales]

Very nice Snaketales! Love the new paint job you gave him. It seems that you may have done something similar with the port to what I did, is that right?

Thanks... I'm not sure if I've done the same as you. I drilled a hole through his crotch plate and ran the screw through there into the energon port. No modding of the port was needed (apart from the painting).

[snaketales]

Not Brawl but what do you guys think of this?




I think you should stop reading my mind! Or vice versa...

Was this easy to do?

[kup]

I think you should stop reading my mind! Or vice versa...

That's one of my many evil powers ;)


Was this easy to do?

Somewhat easy. The trickiest part was removing the Energon head as it's attached by a pin. I heated it up using a solder and then janked the head off. I then used the same pin to reattach the G1 KO head.

[loophole]

Not Brawl but what do you guys think of this?
http://kupscigar.com/custom/ons2.JPG

i think its perfect might have to do this to mine

[Hursticon]

That's an excellent retro-fit Kup. ;):cool:

[RageOnTheRoads]

That Onslaught is pure brilliance Kup! I spotted heavytread cheap in Woolworths a couple of months ago, so I grabbed him as a G1 Brawl... God I want me a crossfire kit.

[kup]

Here is my attempt at 'Classicizing' Vortex with a new head:

G1 Vortex head (the control):
http://l-userpic.livejournal.com/98645891/3659698


http://kupscigar.com/custom/vortex1.JPG

http://kupscigar.com/custom/vortex2.JPG

http://kupscigar.com/custom/vortex3.JPG

Still a bit rough as it lacks any paint apps. At this point I needed to see if it works before going forward.

[Hursticon]

It doesn't look bad at all Kup, far mre accurate compared to that toy's vanilla head; Maybe post some close-up pics of the new head sculpt so that we can more clearly see it's design and such? :)

[kup]

It doesn't look bad at all Kup, far mre accurate compared to that toy's vanilla head; Maybe post some close-up pics of the new head sculpt so that we can more clearly see it's design and such? :)

How is this?

http://kupscigar.com/custom/vortex4.JPG

http://kupscigar.com/custom/vortex5.JPG

Still rough in a 'home kitbash' sort of way but I like it better than the default generic head. At least he now looks like a Combaticon.

[Hursticon]

Oh yeah dude, that is mountains better! :eek:
HeadRobots should really live up to their name and start producing replacement heads for figures... Wait, iGear is pretty well on top of that huh? :p

Still, that looks awesome Kup - A bloody top job mate. ;):cool:

[kup]

Thanks Hursti but I think I can do better. The head is missing the G1 Vortex forehead turnbines so I will attempt to make a new head with them.

http://www.robot-japan.com/images/stories/Transformers/G1/G1_Vortex_-_Combaticons/4.jpg

[loophole]

Heres my go at a Crossfire Brawl using PCC Heavytread.

Here is the movement i can get with adding a energon port to Heavytread from the energon tank that came with the original Bruticus. With the modification I have made it can only move to a certain point and no further to hopefully give it a bit more stability in the knee joit.

http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/ll214/Loophole83/TF%20Customs%20and%20Purchases/P1010016.jpg

http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/ll214/Loophole83/TF%20Customs%20and%20Purchases/P1010017-1.jpg

http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/ll214/Loophole83/TF%20Customs%20and%20Purchases/P1010018-1.jpg

Here are some before and after shots as you can I have taken the screw that holds the port together. I have then glued the black part that has the ratcheting system on the modded port and sanded down the sides so that it fits inbetween Heavytreads legs.

http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/ll214/Loophole83/TF%20Customs%20and%20Purchases/P1010033.jpg

I have also drilled the centre holes bigger so that they fit onto the pegs found on Heavytreads Legs. I also cut a half circle into the sanded down sides so that i fits onto the peg and between the pin that holds the knee joint together.

http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/ll214/Loophole83/TF%20Customs%20and%20Purchases/P1010033.jpg

http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/ll214/Loophole83/TF%20Customs%20and%20Purchases/P1010032.jpg


So that now the half circle will move around on the peg until it hits the pin on the knee joint.

http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/ll214/Loophole83/TF%20Customs%20and%20Purchases/P1010036.jpg

http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/ll214/Loophole83/TF%20Customs%20and%20Purchases/P1010037.jpg

How the port fits in tank mode sadly there is no spot for it in robot mode.

http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/ll214/Loophole83/TF%20Customs%20and%20Purchases/P1010021-1.jpg

http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/ll214/Loophole83/TF%20Customs%20and%20Purchases/P1010019-1.jpg

One minor problem is that Heavytread sits back a little bit which doesnt allow his turret to point up like its G1 counterpart but can easily be moved to fit on with no worries and still look good in Bruticus mode.

I hope that all makes sense he will eventually get a paintjob and modified to hide the other PCC ports

[kup]

Heres my go at a Crossfire Brawl using PCC Heavytread.

Here is the movement i can get with adding a energon port to Heavytread from the energon tank that came with the original Bruticus. With the modification I have made it can only move to a certain point and no further to hopefully give it a bit more stability in the knee joit.

http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/ll214/Loophole83/TF%20Customs%20and%20Purchases/P1010016.jpg

http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/ll214/Loophole83/TF%20Customs%20and%20Purchases/P1010017-1.jpg

http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/ll214/Loophole83/TF%20Customs%20and%20Purchases/P1010018-1.jpg

Here are some before and after shots as you can I have taken the screw that holds the port together. I have then glued the black part that has the ratcheting system on the modded port and sanded down the sides so that it fits inbetween Heavytreads legs.

http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/ll214/Loophole83/TF%20Customs%20and%20Purchases/P1010033.jpg

I have also drilled the centre holes bigger so that they fit onto the pegs found on Heavytreads Legs. I also cut a half circle into the sanded down sides so that i fits onto the peg and between the pin that holds the knee joint together.

http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/ll214/Loophole83/TF%20Customs%20and%20Purchases/P1010033.jpg

http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/ll214/Loophole83/TF%20Customs%20and%20Purchases/P1010032.jpg


So that now the half circle will move around on the peg until it hits the pin on the knee joint.

http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/ll214/Loophole83/TF%20Customs%20and%20Purchases/P1010036.jpg

http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/ll214/Loophole83/TF%20Customs%20and%20Purchases/P1010037.jpg

How the port fits in tank mode sadly there is no spot for it in robot mode.

http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/ll214/Loophole83/TF%20Customs%20and%20Purchases/P1010021-1.jpg

http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/ll214/Loophole83/TF%20Customs%20and%20Purchases/P1010019-1.jpg

One minor problem is that Heavytread sits back a little bit which doesnt allow his turret to point up like its G1 counterpart but can easily be moved to fit on with no worries and still look good in Bruticus mode.

I hope that all makes sense he will eventually get a paintjob and modified to hide the other PCC ports

I can't believe I missed your post only to find it now nearly two years later! Well done. That's a nice way of securing the Energon port for further stability. Similar to what I tried to do but much more elegant.