NFS Racing Motorcycle Power Crosskart

A work in progress, this Crosskart was a must when I looked at it during a trip to Sevilla, Spain. Lowcost and high potential for the 3 3/4" figures.

A quick glimpse is usually enought to know if we can make anything out of it. It was light, it was agressive and it´s on its way to become a monster!

MIB, (year unknown) WENYI (chinese company). Not sure if it´s a "borrowed" image, may very well be.

Vehicle: WY029 model Crosskart. Great lines, a working push and pull sort of engine. With nice chromes and very light, it´s almost perfect custom project.

The seat is very close to the right size, and in a way reminds me of the buggy models from GTA Vice City that I long to make a 1:18 scale version.

Engine (from a motorcycle, of course) looks fine and even comes with a tow ring.

Rollbars are sweet and the F1 steering wheel is awesome and even moves.

It´s easily taken apart (3 screws) which makes the customizing even more gratifying.

Floor is cut, which saves some work. Even though this is just a "preview", I´ll just cut the parts needed to create space for the figure´s legs... just so you get the idea.

Next step will be lowering the bottom end of the seat so the whole figure drops down just enough to rest the head and the handle ends up in its normal position for the driver. It may eventually need an extension to come closer to the figure´s chest, but it´s looking fairly good as a concept.

Obviously not finished, one can get an idea. I can´t wait to get my hands on this and properly develop this Crosskart. And give it a proper driver... any ideas?

Coming soon...

Status: In progress.

Custom fodder: Stats Splash Turbo Racer Boat

Another toy found for a friendly price and purchased with a specific purpose: G.I.Joe... adaptation.

I must say I always had the fixation with toy boats such as Racing Remote Controlled Boat. And I still hold this dream of customizing a Moray Hydrofoil with R/C capabilities. But returning to this actual item, it was found in the "aqua sports and pools" section at some Toys R Us store, and considering the low price, captured my attention. The definite "ok" would be given by the scale/size. That dark windshield is so cool.

Given the toy boat size, I had a future fast attack or escape boat in mind for Joes or Cobra in the custom line.

Some all around shots give you an idea of the hull shape and engine positioning, all pretty good for the money spent.

The engine requires a "C" size battery and supposedly turns on upon contact with water. Will be tried, I assure you. For now, I´ll take their word for it.

For the interesting part. Disassembling the cockpit and scale shots with ARAH G.I.Joe figure. I wouldn´t consider this to be a "on the fly" conversion. The scale is about 90% on the money, but as we all know, many if not most Hasbro lines vehicles weren´t scaled for the figures, but adapted for playability maintaining them as realistic in size as possible. Same happens here and I can´t wait to shape it even more.

Status: Unavailable

Custom fodder: Xishini Power Plane

As many of our fine readers know, from time to time we get some low budget vehicles and figures from all kinds of places and sources which may become a 1:18 custom someday. This is another good example.

 The first I looked at it, I noticed the 1:32 scale mark, but fortunately they had an assembled one around and with a US$10 tag, I decided it could serve a purpose... eventually.

 A Bump & Go toy, includes a lot of electronics which have to be stripped, but also useful in future projects. Lights, (irritating) sounds and even a working propeller.

  A-1 Skyraider model-based toy. It needs a new landing gear and little more to integrate a 1:18 squad.

Looks good and the lines are pretty balanced. Cockpit has to be totally redesigned to hold a 95mm figure, but there´s no such thing as difficulties, only challenges.

 
Of course all those missiles have to go and probably be replaced by fuel tanks or rocket launchers.

Scale shot with ARAH G.I.Joe figure. Looks promising...

Status: Unavailable