Tamashii Soul of Chogokin C-3PO & R2-D2

[D.R.37]

Niiice Looking forward to seeing the your next and final stages.

 

[TaliBane]

Looks great Ahab. What did you do to the dome to make it look more metallic? Some light sandpaper or a repaint and sandpaper?

It's amazing how much people are doing to this fig vs. the Tama 3PO though. We've now seen someone completely cover the rivets and redo the dome, and someone else bought the HT fig to use dome on this figure (which must have been $$$.)

 

[Ahab]

Thanks.
I masked the lenses and dull coated the dome. I experimented with a product I've used twice before (on the probe and K2), AK Interactive True Metal wax based aluminum pigment...right out of the tube. I used my old Taito R2 as a test platform for different techniques. None of the original dome color(metal part)remains. Started with brushing then buff, then dragging a dry stiff brush following the circumference, adding additional pigment in a more random and mottled applications, sanding with 1500 to 2400 grit, buff(parts, but not all)...etc until I was happy with the look. Once I've completed the blue areas, the whole thing will get a unifying layer of grime, dirt, dust etc. Its a fun and adaptive process if you have the wherewithal.

As for modded Tami R2's, if haven't seen any yet. I'd love to see what people are doing. I read another member did a cool lighting mod, but would be cool to see what others have done.

Customizing/modifying in general... I look at the figure the way some approach Vader, troopers and Fett (there use to be a ton of folks Frankenstiening Fetts..). Striving to make these concoctions live up to an individuals expectations is just part of this whole collecting thing, and for some, it's actually fun!. As for how a Tami/Ht hybrid might fit next to a stock Tami 3po, I'm not sure. I'd image it would look pretty good. I did recall seeing a TN 3PO next to a HT R2 and it looked great.

Cheers

Looks great Ahab. What did you do to the dome to make it look more metallic? Some light sandpaper or a repaint and sandpaper?

It's amazing how much people are doing to this fig vs. the Tama 3PO though. We've now seen someone completely cover the rivets and redo the dome, and someone else bought the HT fig to use dome on this figure (which must have been $$$.)

 

[TaliBane]

Thanks.
I masked the lenses and dull coated the dome. I experimented with a product I've used twice before (on the probe and K2), AK Interactive True Metal wax based aluminum pigment...right out of the tube. I used my old Taito R2 as a test platform for different techniques. None of the original dome color(metal part)remains. Started with brushing then buff, then dragging a dry stiff brush following the circumference, adding additional pigment in a more random and mottled applications, sanding with 1500 to 2400 grit, buff(parts, but not all)...etc until I was happy with the look. Once I've completed the blue areas, the whole thing will get a unifying layer of grime, dirt, dust etc. Its a fun and adaptive process if you have the wherewithal.

As for modded Tami R2's, if haven't seen any yet. I'd love to see what people are doing. I read another member did a cool lighting mod, but would be cool to see what others have done.

Customizing/modifying in general... I look at the figure the way some approach Vader, troopers and Fett (there use to be a ton of folks Frankenstiening Fetts..). Striving to make these concoctions live up to an individuals expectations is just part of this whole collecting thing, and for some, it's actually fun!. As for how a Tami/Ht hybrid might fit next to a stock Tami 3po, I'm not sure. I'd image it would look pretty good. I did recall seeing a TN 3PO next to a HT R2 and it looked great.

Cheers

Always love to see people go the extra mile on mods or custom figs. Really stellar work.

 

[Ahab]

^Cheers!

 

[Solo_bones]

That's really quite brilliant work, Ahab. Well done. I'm really looking forward to the finished product. It's a fantastic piece with your modifications.

Did you also cover the finger nail slot?

 

[Ahab]

Thanks, Man. Yes, I covered the nail slots as well. The center door slot is a little hard to see due to the doors being open (I'm letting everything cure a good two days before I close the doors. The other two doors you'll notice the slots are filled and primed. I did test on the functioning of the doors before priming and they look great and function well. I have an update in the queue on body shopping the slots and rivets.
Cheers,
Ahab

That's really quite brilliant work, Ahab. Well done. I'm really looking forward to the finished product. It's a fantastic piece with your modifications.

Did you also cover the finger nail slot?

 

[vader619]

Thanks, Man. Yes, I covered the nail slots as well. The center door slot is a little hard to see due to the doors being open (I'm letting everything cure a good two days before I close the doors. The other two doors you'll notice the slots are filled and primed. I did test on the functioning of the doors before priming and they look great and function well. I have an update in the queue on body shopping the slots and rivets.
Cheers,
Ahab

Followed your lead on the dome lights. Before reading your tutorial, i had put frosted theatrical gels (from manufacturer samples) on the inside of the dome openings for the round lights with excellent results. After reading your post, I went back in and added the same type frosted filter around the bulbs themselves also with even better results. Then i decided to experiment with the rear round light. Behind the frosted gel on the dome, I placed an orange gel (which cannot be seen when turned off). The result is when the light is activated, it's flashing sequence goes from pale blue, to violet to yellow. Not 100% movie accurate, but nice variety (and more than I was expecting).

 

[Ahab]

Nice! I'm thinking of revisiting the back light and adding a more orange/brown gel to get it a little closer.
Any pictures?

Followed your lead on the dome lights. Before reading your tutorial, i had put frosted theatrical gels (from manufacturer samples) on the inside of the dome openings for the round lights with excellent results. After reading your post, I went back in and added the same type frosted filter around the bulbs themselves also with even better results. Then i decided to experiment with the rear round light. Behind the frosted gel on the dome, I placed an orange gel (which cannot be seen when turned off). The result is when the light is activated, it's flashing sequence goes from pale blue, to violet to yellow. Not 100% movie accurate, but nice variety (and more than I was expecting).

 

[Solo_bones]

Nice! I'm thinking of revisiting the back light and adding a more orange/brown gel to get it a little closer.
Any pictures?

Maybe video might be better?

 

[Darth Fok]

I finally saw the HT R2 in person and I gotta say that the Tamashii still looks like its higher quality. The weathering on the HT looks decent and all, but Tamashii still has the upper hand imo

 

[Enzo]

I finally saw the HT R2 in person and I gotta say that the Tamashii still looks like its higher quality. The weathering on the HT looks decent and all, but Tamashii still has the upper hand imo

I have both, and although i tend to like the dome better on the HT. IMO there is no comparison between the two. The tamashi screams quality. Love the little doors that open, the weight the paint it is all very very well done and pair perfectly with my c3po

 

[vader619]

Maybe video might be better?

I'll give it a shot... the pics I took came out awful, you really can't discern the colors at all. Tried with and without flash, different lighting, etc. Maybe video will work better.

 

[ZE_501]

I finally saw the HT R2 in person and I gotta say that the Tamashii still looks like its higher quality. The weathering on the HT looks decent and all, but Tamashii still has the upper hand imo

I have both, and although i tend to like the dome better on the HT. IMO there is no comparison between the two. The tamashi screams quality. Love the little doors that open, the weight the paint it is all very very well done and pair perfectly with my c3po

Had to see for myself. Ordered.

 

[klapper]

Amazon.com is already shipping.


Enviado do meu iPhone usando Tapatalk

 

[InebriatedGnome]

I can't remember who it was, but the poster who said the Tamashii version was built to be a top-quality metal robot toy, while the HT is meant to be a movie-accurate figure, had it spot-on. If you've collected other chogokin figures, you probably know what I'm talking about. Paintjobs are almost all shiny and new, and weathering is unheard-of unless something is specifically a battle-damaged variant. Die-cast content and quality gimmicks are king, while absolute accuracy takes a backseat. From that perspective, the emphasis on a full metal body, working doors and the lighting gimmick make sense.

 

[Lee in MI]

But the only thing “glaring” that isn’t accurate is the fingernail slots.

 

[parrasmaniac]

I am getting mine next week.

It's gonna be weird for me, having 2 high end R2 figures at the same time.... never thought I could end up doing it!

(and I previously had the Sideshow R2, but sold it with no loss)

 

[DCFett]

But the only thing “glaring” that isn’t accurate is the fingernail slots.

yeah totally amazing in hand. Photos distort this.

 

[Enzo]

But the only thing “glaring” that isn’t accurate is the fingernail slots.

Agreed and was not thrilled with this when ordered. However there really is no way to open those doors without them unless I’m missing something. It comes with this little plastic type knife that allow to wedge in those nail slots and pull it open. I don’t have huger hands but there is no way I could open those doors with my nails. Having something magnetized that opens the doors like the SS i owned years ago would of been ideal