Thanks, e'reyone! For those following at home, you know I've been working on a series I call the "Kenner Predator Upgrade Project" for a while now. It's kinda like "Pimp My Ride", only for Predator figures produced in the 90s by long-gone toy giant Kenner. The sculpts were and still are awesome, but like most toys released in the 90s, the articulation and paint apps are lacking. Plus, most all of them feature some giant projectile launcher. I've taken it upon myself to upgrade these great figures. The latest KPUP figure is thus:
Ironhide, the Yuatja Armorer. A metalsmith of great renown in the Yautja region of space, Ironhide is the chief metal worker to the ruling clan. His work is famous for his artistry and ability to blend several rare metals (phrik, adamantium, beskar, vibranium) together in one piece. A walking advertisement for his work, Ironhide is covered nearly head to toe in armor. His chest plate features a xenomorph head and it's double jaw. He wears it's tail on his left shoulder. The trophies were taken from his first xenomorph kill, which he accomplished while still a cub. He has also studded his armor with teeth taken from a Rancor, which he defeated single handidly. In battle he wields a reptile-motif sword of his own design, along with a large shield and two perfectly balanced javelins housed in a quiver on his back, in addition to the standard plasma caster favored by Yuatja Predators. Ironhide is joined in the hunt by a large robotic scorpion. The device was claimed as a trophy from a larger transforming robot Ironhide defeated several cycles ago. The larger robot called the samller unit "Scorponok" and that is what Ironhide refers to it as. The unit is adept at flushing out prey, with it's innate tracking programs and ability to burrow under the earth while stalking prey.
Mask now attaches to backpack:
This KPUP was a straight-up repaint. Well, mostly. I removed and replaced his left hand into a more natural postion, and made a small hook and loop to store his biomask onto his backpack. The javelins are standard issue, the sword is from a Mummies Alive figure. The shield was gained in a trade and I believe it's from a Mega-Blocks set. The Scorponok was an accessory from the Blackout figure from the 1st
Transformers flick, completely repainted. Sorry for the cruddy pics. I hope to get some "Before and After" pics done soon, since I'm fairly certain most of y'all have no idea of these figs and what they looked like before I got ahold of them. But, before that, I have at least a few more KPUPs to finish and post. Thanks for tuning in!
