Movie Optimus Prime build
 

Hi All

I'd been looking for a truck to build for a while, needed inspiration. As soon as i saw 1985Kenworths OP build, I knew thats what I had to build!

I usually make military model kits, so I tend to pay attention to detail on all sorts of things. Started this about 3 months ago, but still a lot to do!

Started with a basic chassis build to see what fits where:
http://members.iinet.net.au/~canison/prime/1.JPG

Then moved on to filling and sanding.
http://members.iinet.net.au/~canison/prime/2.JPG
http://members.iinet.net.au/~canison/prime/3.JPG

Re: Movie Optimus Prime build
 

The OP truck has full height doors on both sides of the sleeper, so i extended the door on the left of the KH sleeper.
http://members.iinet.net.au/~canison/prime/4.JPG

Also made some indicator bars.
http://members.iinet.net.au/~canison/prime/9.JPG
http://members.iinet.net.au/~canison/prime/10.JPG

But after the lighting test, i decided they were too small, so made some larger ones (on top)
http://members.iinet.net.au/~canison/prime/12.JPG
http://members.iinet.net.au/~canison/prime/14.JPG

Re: Movie Optimus Prime build
 

Got some silver ali wheels, but they didnt have enough shine, so stripped the anodising and started polishing them.
http://members.iinet.net.au/~canison/prime/18.JPG

Flared the rear of the front fenders, and levelled the bottom of the sleeper with the cab. Also squared off the gap between the fender and hood.
http://members.iinet.net.au/~canison/prime/19.JPG
http://members.iinet.net.au/~canison/prime/20.JPG
http://members.iinet.net.au/~canison/prime/21.JPG

Re: Movie Optimus Prime build
 

Love the maker lights, just above the bumper! I've always wanted to try that, but I could never find LEDs small enough. That looks really awesome!

Re: Movie Optimus Prime build
 

Some test fitting once i finished drilling and tapping the new chassis rails.
http://members.iinet.net.au/~canison/prime/31.JPG

Finished polishing all the wheels, and fit them.
http://members.iinet.net.au/~canison/prime/32.JPG
http://members.iinet.net.au/~canison/prime/33.JPG
http://members.iinet.net.au/~canison/prime/34.JPG

Re: Movie Optimus Prime build
 

Then tragedy, the liquid mask i used turned out to REALLY not like the paint it was over. Destroyed the paint which i had to strip. Then had an accident with the paint remover!
http://members.iinet.net.au/~canison/prime/35.JPG

Actually ended up completely cutting one of the cab doors away completely, and had to rebuild it completely.
http://members.iinet.net.au/~canison/prime/36.JPG

Replaced all the rivets, and scribed new lines for the door frames. All more in line with the actual truck.
http://members.iinet.net.au/~canison/prime/37.JPG

http://members.iinet.net.au/~canison/prime/38.JPG

Re: Movie Optimus Prime build
 

Made up the door trims. These sit in the scribed grooves, but wont be fully attached until after painting, that way they're a nice shiny silver. Used 2 thicknesses of aluminium tubes, thicker for the hinge.
http://members.iinet.net.au/~canison/prime/39.JPG

Since i was doing all this rebuilding, i noticed the gap between the rear of the front fenders, and the cab was bigger on the real truck
http://members.iinet.net.au/~canison/prime/40.JPG

So its time to chop and extend
http://members.iinet.net.au/~canison/prime/41.JPG

Took a break from the cab to start the rear fenders:
http://members.iinet.net.au/~canison/prime/42.JPG

And build the light buckets up.
http://members.iinet.net.au/~canison/prime/43.JPG
http://members.iinet.net.au/~canison/prime/44.JPG

Re: Movie Optimus Prime build
 

New grill polished up, mesh and badge added:
http://members.iinet.net.au/~canison/prime/45.JPG

Re: Movie Optimus Prime build
 

Thats the build for now. Have had a load of bits of shiny arrive from Russ in the Boneyard. Steps, fuel tanks, etc, but havent fitted them yet.

I'm going to redo the light bars above the front bumper. They should have 2 ovals not 1.

This weekend i'm aiming to finish shaping the light buckets on the rear fenders. And then rejoin the hood to the cab with extension.

Once they're both done, be time to start painting!

Comments??

Cheers Bob.

Re: Movie Optimus Prime build
 

Very nice work keep it up!

Re: Movie Optimus Prime build
 

Love this build glad you found your way over here

Re: Movie Optimus Prime build
 

Top notch on the details! Very nice work. This truck is gonna be sweet when it's done:cool:

Mario

Re: Movie Optimus Prime build
 

Very detailed! I will be following this sweet build!

Re: Movie Optimus Prime build
 

Great ride :cool: Impressive building skills :D :D

- RCT

Re: Movie Optimus Prime build
 

That is a sweet looking rig great work I like how you are paying close attention to the little things on your build that is what makes these trucks come to life and look just like the real deal.

TONY

Re: Movie Optimus Prime build
 

Even after all of the mishaps, O.P. is turning out looking really gooooooood.;):):D:cool: How are you going to mount the door trim? Great job buddy.

Big John

Re: Movie Optimus Prime build
 

Impressive!

Susan

Re: Movie Optimus Prime build
 

Very nice :D Did the liquid mask not work on the abs body? i was thinking about trying that on my next paint job

Re: Movie Optimus Prime build
 

what would you charge if I ordered some of the marker lights? also was that the stock grille you did?

Re: Movie Optimus Prime build
 

wow another optimus build..now there is 2 being done...what did i start now with the replicas....didn't think anyone else wanted to build this truck..oh well it will be interesting to see who else will decide to do this build too:rolleyes:

Re: Movie Optimus Prime build
 

Great minds think alike :D

Re: Movie Optimus Prime build
 

That looks really good! I love the door trim pieces you made. That's a very nice touch. How did you scribe the lines for the trim to fit into? It's a very clean job.

Now that you've chopped the hood, and you are busy cutting away, might I suggest you replace the front fenders with something a little more accurate? Slide them forward too? Just a suggestion. The truck is looking so good, I just think it's worth the extra effort to make Peterbilt fenders look right!

Re: Movie Optimus Prime build
 

Hi Kingbob

Looking good so far, I am a Big transformers fan so I cant wait to see this build finished.

From Cameron.

Re: Movie Optimus Prime build
 

The lines were scribed with.. well... a scribing tool lol. Once the lines were drawn i just used the scriber against a steel ruler.

I have looked at the fenders, but the OP truck doesnt have standard Peterbilt fenders. The truck they built OP from didnt have any fenders at all, so i dont know where they come from, but the reshaped KH fenders actually are a close match:

http://members.iinet.net.au/~canison/prime/48.JPG

Re: Movie Optimus Prime build
 

As far as i've been able to discover, this is the truck that Prime was built from.

http://members.iinet.net.au/~canison/prime/49.JPG

Re: Movie Optimus Prime build
 

Bob, you're right. The Transformers movie truck is running aftermarket Peterbilt fiberglass fenders, and I think they are made by WTI. Though they are different from the stock Peterbilt fenders, they do still have the smaller innder fender radius, like the stock fenders do. Here is a link you can check out!

http://www.wti-fenders.com/classicff-pb379.htm

Re: Movie Optimus Prime build
 

Well i'll be damned, i never noticed the inner radius. It gets hidden in most photos by the headlights, cant see the change in radius. Had to look might close to see it.
http://members.iinet.net.au/~canison/prime/50.JPG

The smaller radius doesnt appear at the back though, so must only be a wedge.
http://members.iinet.net.au/~canison/prime/51.JPG

Hard to see because i had to blow it up, but you can just make out the wedge shape here.
http://members.iinet.net.au/~canison/prime/52.JPG

I might be able to get away with just cutting out a small wedge on the inside of the fender. Shouldnt need to actually remove the fender completely.

Re: Movie Optimus Prime build
 

Sorry to make more work for you, Bob! The truck just looks so nice, and you've been pretty thorough with everything else, I just had to bring up the front fenders!

Re: Movie Optimus Prime build
 

Nah i'm happy to have a detail pointed out to me! Added it to the very long list.
Should be a simple enough job anyway. Saw out a wedge, sand round the edge, build up some styrene.
Interestingly, looking at WTI's site, the rear fenders, and rear light buckets look like they came from there as well.

I make a lot of military models, so am well used to looking for details to model a particular subject. I've got a Tamiya 1/16 Tiger 1 on the go as well, and have got that narrowed down to a May 1943 build. There are lists of things that were changed month by month on the real thing, so making a specific tank can get ludicrously detailed. Even things like using a towing shackle made from square profile bar instead of round. A detail that probably not a single person would notice.

Pretty sure i'm not OCD :P

Re: Movie Optimus Prime build
 

Sweet build kingbob! You really are getting every detail perfect!

In the words of Optimus Prime: "We are here. We are waiting... Plz post pics!" Just kidding, but I can't wait to see this rig done!

Re: Movie Optimus Prime build
 

Chop chop!
http://members.iinet.net.au/~canison/prime/53.JPG

Just had a first coat of primer to pick out what needs puttying up still. After that, some sanding to neaten it out, and good to go!
http://members.iinet.net.au/~canison/prime/54.JPG

And pretty much finished the light buckets on the rear fenders. Ready for a final smooth sanding before painting.
http://members.iinet.net.au/~canison/prime/55.JPG

Re: Movie Optimus Prime build
 

looking good!

Re: Movie Optimus Prime build
 

Nice work! Cant wait for more updates!

Re: Movie Optimus Prime build
 

man what a great job! I sure wish I could do styrene work like that. love the tubing you installed for the doors and the polished rims really are the bling bling! did you use a dremel to polish them?

Re: Movie Optimus Prime build
 

Just noticed i missed a few questions, so here we go:

Try using surface mount LEDs. Cost me about $2.60 for 10. Bit harder to work with because of their size, but great for tight spaces.

I'll be glueing it into the groove with CA. Which will be applied VERY sparingly, with a needle applicator. Dont want to wreck the paint.

Theres a whole story with the liquid mask. Short version, i borrowed it from a friend who had thinned it for spraying with an airbrush but didnt tell me. Whatever the thinner was wrecked the paint it was over.

Ha, they're not that good! Infact i plan to make a 3rd set as i'm not totally happy with those. All i used was a pinvise and small drill bits, and some small files. No machining, done by hand.
The grill is an aluminium one by Brian in PA from this very forum. Few hours sanding and polishing to get it looking bling :D

Yup, the wheels were polished by dremel, and quite a few polishing bits! Stripped the anodising first, then cleaned in an acid bath, then dremelled with aluminium polish. The outer edge of the rims got a light sanding as well to remove some machining marks from when they were made.
Probably took a couple of hours per wheel. I only polished the outside face of the outer rear wheels. Left the inner wheels with the anodised silver finish.

Re: Movie Optimus Prime build
 

Dont suppose anyone has parts N7 and N8 from a Knight Hauler spare? Saving me buying a whole N sprue.

http://members.iinet.net.au/~canison/prime/56.JPG

Re: Movie Optimus Prime build
 

Fantastic job, I have a few questions to ask. How did you reattached the front fenders so neatly, and strong enough not to brake off,when bumpt and what kind of yellow putty is it?
Thanks
Jack

Re: Movie Optimus Prime build
 

I didnt actually cut the fenders off completely. I only cut out a wedge to a point where a molded groove is at the rear, so they were still partially attached anyway. Then i added a thin 1mm thick strip of styrene underneath the fender and under the hood side, and glued in some styrene sheet to connect it all. Pretty solid, not going to come off with a knock.

I use Tamiyas Polyester putty. Love the stuff. It has a hardener, so i mix up a small bit at a time, creamy smooth consistency, no grain at all, and hardens to a point it can be cut/sanded in an hour or so.

Re: Movie Optimus Prime build
 

Nice attention to detail

Alfy

Re: Movie Optimus Prime build
 

That's very clever, thank you for explaining it.
Jack