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[Fighbird]

This was a long time coming, since I got the donor body some 2 years ago from Osku, and like most of all my other projects, I get started on something, and then I never get it finished...

Enter NTFA mini-con in Norway, and I figured I might as well bring some of my work there to show. So I finished this one, and have been waiting for an opportunity to take some pictures and share this with the rest of you, and especially Osku, who has been clamouring for updates on this for ages.  

I'm lousy at backstories and stuff like that, but I figured that Vortex' Combaticon-comrades were obliterated late in G2 continuity, and that Shockwave decided to update him and put him through the Trippelchanger convertion process, since he valued Vortex as a warrior and needed him for his sinister purposes.



Basically basing the whole project on the helicopter mode of Sandstorm somewhat resembling Vortex, and that the off-roader being quite cool for the character IMO, the robot mode does suffer a bit in not being very much like Vortex. Did modify the face somewhat to give him a full mouth plate, but the rest of the body in this mode is unmodified. I figure that his robot appearance has changed because of the "upgrade" anyway.



Now, it's not spot-on, but IMO it works very well for Vortex' G2 appearance in helicopter mode. I've filed down and modified the front windows to be one bar instead of 3 seperated, but the most work was done on all the rotors. First, I broke the rear stabiliser rotor during diassembly, so I had to rebuild that in styrene. Turned out pretty well, but then I wrecked the main rotor blades -- all 4 of them.   So they are scratch-made as well... took like forever, and they won't spin freely now. Oh, and also removed the read stabiliser wing -- thought it looked stupid on Sandstorm as it was, so why keep it here?  



And my absolutely favourite mode.   I figure that Vortex in this mode is able to generate a "vortex" of gravel and dust in the right environments, and in this mode he has discovered and neverbefore found craving for speed.



And just for the fun of it, stuck him in my G1 Classic box. Might do a complete box for Vortex. Later.

I dedicate this one to you, Osku -- even though you won't be gettin' it!  

[BigPete]

Hey, that's really cool, my man! Finally we get to see more of your work

[Inkku]

nice one  that looks really good..

[Vector_Sigma]

nice to see sandstorm in a new version...nicely done

may I ask what kind of paints you use for this purpose? acrylics? Thanks

[Fighbird]

Thank you all for the kind words.

Vector_Sigma: I use enamel paints. Always have, and I don't really know why; I think I chose those because they were water proof. I've since read elsewhere, that enamels will give you a more shiny finish.

[SureShot]

Thank you all for the kind words.  

Vector_Sigma: I use enamel paints. Always have, and I don't really know why; I think I chose those because they were water proof. I've since read elsewhere, that enamels will give you a more shiny finish.

Do you use an airbrush for the paintjob ?

Extremely well painted I think

[Fighbird]

Thanks.

No, it's all done with brush. I'm always very careful about not getting grit or dust or anything into either the paint nor the brush, and I try to apply it as evenly as possible; I find that the thicker running the paint is (as opposed to it being very watery and runny, as in diluted), you are able to "mould" the surface with your brush, evening out any imperfections as you go along.

But it all also depends on how many layers you do. I think the base colors are done with 2 coats, and the then the cameo blotches are only 1 (but very thick).

[Vector_Sigma]

just wondered,cause i got like a ton of the games workshop miniature paints,,,they are good for both plastics and metals,maybe I`ll try them out on my beaten Jetfire

[Osku]

Heh, I still remember sending that Sandstorm for you. I disassembled it to little pieces. Partly because of lowering postage, partly because it was fun seeing how the figure looks from inside.

Well, I can honestly say it was worth waiting. Does this mean that you have time to dye Primal's sword and missiles in near future.

My favourite mode is definitely helicopter mode, decision to make "merge" the front window works well.

Few questions and comments.
-Why G1 decepticon symbols instead of G2?
-What did you use for car windows? Paint, stickers?
-Some special reason why fists are partly black, partly gray?

-Have you considered adding weapons for figure? I'd suggest two sideguns, which would require drilling two holes, but could enhance the look and make it more like Vortex. I'll edit the pictures to show what I mean. Might take until tomorrow.

Edit. I was lazy and made really bad mock ups of what I meant. You should still get the idea.
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y143/bwku.../ntfa/temp1.jpg
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y143/bwku.../ntfa/temp2.jpg
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y143/bwku.../ntfa/temp3.jpg

[predaking]

as I have said earlier, you did a fantastic job on this. It's always great to see obscure characters with a new look.

[Jorgo]

Great job! You should deffinently do a box for him to. The backstory you came up with is extremly neat!

[Fighbird]

Well, I can honestly say it was worth waiting. Does this mean that you have time to dye Primal's sword and missiles in near future.

Thanks for the kind words -- and just you keep waiting for those Primal parts...

Few questions and comments.
-Why G1 decepticon symbols instead of G2?

Because I happened to have some of them lying about anyway; frankly, I didn't even think about that when I put them on... Will consider replacing them, if I should get any G2 stickers.

-What did you use for car windows? Paint, stickers?

Paint. It's a bit messy, because I took some sanding paper to it, but then got sidetracked, and never fixed it. Hence the "weird" surface on it.

-Some special reason why fists are partly black, partly gray?

Ah, yes -- I love the "semi-glove" look found on some toys with the fingers being a different color than the rest of the hand. Not very toy-etic for a G1 toy, no, and it doesn't really work all that well for this toy IMHO, but there we have it.

-Have you considered adding weapons for figure? I'd suggest two sideguns, which would require drilling two holes, but could enhance the look and make it more like Vortex.

I can see your point, and it would definitely work for him, but I consider him "finished" -- no more add-ons or modifications.   Will consider making a box, but that is peripheral to the toy itself, so that is a nice selfcontained project for later.

[Sandstorm]

Nice work Fighbird  i just love the mold and those collors rocks on him

[Feikki]

Nice work and great idea! i like it.

[Fighbird]

Thanks, guys!