Transformable Kre-O Ultimate Optimus Prime

[Pascal]

After checking some recent non-transformable Kre-O Optimus Prime customs, I decided I wasn't completely happy with certain aspects of my transformable version, namely the unsightly blue doors on the upper arms in robot mode and how the cab didn't look finished in truck mode. So I removed the blue doors, made them red, put them on hinges and filled out the cab with more hinged parts. Also redesigned the back legs a bit and because of the new transformation, I've been able to free up the hands (they used to have a red square underneath that was facing out in truck mode to hide them, but now the hinges and doors cover them). As a result, both the robot mode and the truck mode look cleaner. Still a hell of a monster.

Revised robot mode

http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k132/megatroptimus/100_6195.jpg

http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k132/megatroptimus/100_6196.jpg

http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k132/megatroptimus/100_6197.jpg

The doors now are sandwiched in the backpack

http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k132/megatroptimus/100_6198.jpg

WEAPON

His gun transforms into his hitch part for truck mode.

http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k132/megatroptimus/100_6199.jpg

http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k132/megatroptimus/100_6200.jpg

TRUCK MODE

http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k132/megatroptimus/100_6201.jpg

http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k132/megatroptimus/100_6202.jpg

http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k132/megatroptimus/100_6204.jpg

http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k132/megatroptimus/100_6206.jpg

http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k132/megatroptimus/100_6213.jpg

http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k132/megatroptimus/100_6214.jpg

I'll post pictures of Optimus combined with his trailer soon.

(PS: This project is an evolution of this (http://www.cybertron.ca/boards/showthread.php?t=35047) design. Basically, echotransformer's version has the backpack in the same position as for truck mode, just facing rear and farther from the body. On my version the backback turns around 180 degrees and then flip up another 180 degrees to face front, toward and closer to the body. The front wheels then fold forward on both sides of the waist to prevent the assembly from rotating, which is locked anyway with another hinge that grabs the bumper. Most body parts ended up being redesigned later, but as you can see, his design is truly the basis of this custom. I will post a transformation video soon, that will probably be easier to understand.)

[Pascal]

Btw, I just fixed the front grill to make it symmetrical and all silver.

[Gaming Turtle]

not bad

[The Ark]

Can you post instructions?

[Pascal]

When I'll be 100% satisfied, I'll try. Might be tough though since some core parts have been superglued for stability. Also, you will probably need parts from several sets. Echotransformer's design was only using parts from the big Prime + Sentinel sets but I ended up using way more from all my other sets.

[Pascal]

With the trailer...

http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k132/megatroptimus/100_6216.jpg

http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k132/megatroptimus/100_6217.jpg

Revised cab alone...

http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k132/megatroptimus/100_6218.jpg

http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k132/megatroptimus/100_6219.jpg

http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k132/megatroptimus/100_6221.jpg

Mid-transformation...

http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k132/megatroptimus/100_6223.jpg

http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k132/megatroptimus/100_6224.jpg

Super mode...

http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k132/megatroptimus/100_6228.jpg

http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k132/megatroptimus/100_6226.jpg

[chans formers]

holy f@ck!!!!!

apex powermaster armored lego prime!!!!!!!
beefy blocky goodness!!!!
so when all is said and done,do you super glue every last bit?or just the core like you mentioned.
now you should try to make a kreon become his engine somehow:clapping:

[Pascal]

I only superglue (lightly) the parts that tend to separate. If I want to undo something, it's usually still possible.

Hi-Q? Now that's an interesting idea... Maybe I could turn him into a triplemaster (head + target + power)!

That said, I may shorten the trailer to make the arm extensions shorter. Right now I see them as power arms, but they would look better if they were 2 nubs shorter.

[Echotransformer]

Holy crap that's awesome, power armor! Epic Pascal, epic.

I wonder if there's a kind of non-permanent glue like hot glue or something...

--Echo

[Pascal]

Some more revisions to the trailer... Most of them are cosmetic (swapped a lot of grey parts for red and black to give the trailer a more unified color scheme), but also:

-added stabilizers that prevent the trailer halves from rotating (you can see them on the wrists in super mode)
-added stabilizers that help support the backpack in super mode (seen on the back)
-revised thumbs (now all 3 claws are identical).
-rear braking lights
-fold down bar with more lights on the rear
-lenghtened wrists blasters that also make the trailer more level
-revised smokestacks on Prime
-super mode arms shorted by one nub

http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k132/megatroptimus/100_6249.jpg

http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k132/megatroptimus/100_6250.jpg

http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k132/megatroptimus/100_6251.jpg

http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k132/megatroptimus/100_6252.jpg

http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k132/megatroptimus/100_6254.jpg

http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k132/megatroptimus/100_6255.jpg

[Pascal]

A few updates:

-reworked chest struts that now help complete the cab in truck mode with red plates (barely visible on robot mode) that rotate out and down

-reworked hitch gun (I went for a more aggressive look)

-newly integrated dual-barrel weapon on the left arm (folds in for transformation)

-longer smokestacks


http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k132/megatroptimus/000_0759.jpg

http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k132/megatroptimus/000_0761.jpg

I spent like 10 hours trying to figure how to integrate additional weapons and that was my only option. And really happy with the chest mod, I found out I could rotate the struts by accident because of the bricks I initially chose. Pure luck.

I also spent several hours (probably another 10) trying to figure out how to compress the backpack even more but there's no way to do it. I'm still perfectly happy with the current look, I was just being too finicky. :)

I will now try to add some more weaponry on the trailer for the super mode. Maybe a big gun and a sword or two that would either fold under the trailer or just store under it.

[Echotransformer]

So beefy! I love watching this guy evolve. Nice job as always!!!

[Pascal]

Just to show the evolution.

From this:

http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k132/megatroptimus/100_4426.jpg

http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k132/megatroptimus/100_4422.jpg

To this:

http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k132/megatroptimus/000_0762.jpg

http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k132/megatroptimus/000_0763.jpg

Rear view showing how busy is the area... You can see the chest struts rotate out on both sides and also a bit of the left arm dual-barrel cannon underneath... that's all the room I had from the beginning! In the middle you can see the hinged clip that secures the backpack at the bumper in robot mode.

http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k132/megatroptimus/000_0765.jpg

http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k132/megatroptimus/000_0767.jpg

[Pascal]

Some more revisions to the cab:

-redesigned upper arms
-slightly revised roof (more red + yellow lights)
-revised hitch gun (clear lights)
-redesigned cab sides/doors (doors can't open anymore - there was nothing to see inside the cab anyway, not enough space - but now they sit more forward and down, which allow them to be compressed more inside the backpack)
-newly integrated shoulder cannons (can't believe I found the space for that AND to have them deploy in the proper direction - they're double hinged - again, pure luck)

http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k132/megatroptimus/000_0776.jpg

http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k132/megatroptimus/000_0777.jpg

http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k132/megatroptimus/000_0778.jpg

http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k132/megatroptimus/000_0779.jpg

http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k132/megatroptimus/000_0781.jpg

http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k132/megatroptimus/000_0784.jpg

http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k132/megatroptimus/000_0786.jpg

[zuffyprime]

that thing is awesome!

[Pascal]

Thanks! Doing some revisions to the trailer now, I'll post new pictures tomorrow!

[Pascal]

Final version of my Kre-O Ultimate Optimus Prime trailer that combines with my, well, fully transformable Kre-O Ultimate Optimus Prime.

On top of changing the aesthetics, I've:

-revised the hitch section (used to be 6 nub wide all the way up to the front) to make it more streamlined
-found a way to cover the exposed wings... I feared the cover would interfere with the combination, but no, it slides perfectly inside Prime's backpack all the way down to the last nub!
-shortened arm extensions (2 nubs shorter)... this makes the trailer slightly shorter but improves the look of the super mode a lot
-revised thrusters (located at the very front of the trailer - that block folds up to reveal 4 thrusters in super mode)
-revised chest plate (a bit shorter and detailed differently)

TRAILER MODE

http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k132/megatroptimus/100_6398.jpg

http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k132/megatroptimus/100_6399.jpg

http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k132/megatroptimus/100_6400.jpg

BROKEN DOWN INTO INDIVIDUAL COMPONENTS

http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k132/megatroptimus/100_6401.jpg

COMPONENTS TRANSFORMED INTO SUPER PARTS

http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k132/megatroptimus/100_6404.jpg

[Pascal]

COMBINATION

1. Place Prime's feet on each plateform then flip up the shin guards

http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k132/megatroptimus/100_6405.jpg

2. Open the rearview mirrors, peg the chest armor onto the waist, fold the top portion back so it follows the shape of the chest and close the rearview mirrors against the chest armor

http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k132/megatroptimus/100_6406.jpg

3. Rotate the first around, peg in the arm extensions and flip up the wrist cannons (the trailer's feet)

http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k132/megatroptimus/100_6407.jpg

4. Place Prime's gun onto the support struts on the jetpack.

http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k132/megatroptimus/100_6408.jpg

5. Fold up the thrusters on the jetpack.

http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k132/megatroptimus/100_6409.jpg

6. Slide the jetpack all the down Prime's backpack.

http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k132/megatroptimus/100_6410.jpg

7. Peg the hitch onto Prime's back plate.

http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k132/megatroptimus/100_6411.jpg

Combination complete!

[Pascal]

http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k132/megatroptimus/100_6416.jpg

http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k132/megatroptimus/100_6415.jpg

http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k132/megatroptimus/100_6417.jpg

http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k132/megatroptimus/100_6419.jpg

http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k132/megatroptimus/100_6423.jpg

[nervousviper]

Wow that's impressive. Wished that there's a helmet so the head won't look too small.

[Pascal]

I tried doing some Headmaster, but it didn't work, it's impossible to fold back the head in super mode, the jetpack gets in the way. Maybe I'll try a helmet!

EDIT: Looks like that helmet thing might be working...

[Pascal]

Battle helmet!

After a while, I thought some kind of Prime-ish roll cage could be cool to give Prime a more armored mode (a "fit" helmet just wasn't possible). Now the challenge was: how do I integrate this new component in the mix? Here's what I come up with.

From the front, all looks the same. Almost...

http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k132/megatroptimus/100_6472.jpg

Powermaster?

http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k132/megatroptimus/100_6473.jpg

Engine block removed

http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k132/megatroptimus/100_6474.jpg

Prime in robot mode, back view

http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k132/megatroptimus/100_6475.jpg

Engine block transforms into a jet pack!

http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k132/megatroptimus/100_6476.jpg

Jetpack transforms into battle helmet!

http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k132/megatroptimus/100_6477.jpg

http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k132/megatroptimus/100_6481.jpg

Might not be obvious, but this new little piece almost has as many transformation steps as the big Prime himself!

Hard a very hard time figuring out how to squeeze that thing in the little space left inside in truck mode, pivot was in the way, fists were in the way, truck doors were in the way...

The design is not final, but it gives a pretty good idea. Trying to make the engine mode more silver to differenciate it from the blue battle helmet.

[BScorpinok75]

Pure awesomeness!!!

[Pascal]

Ahhh... Not 100% happy with that helmet, too fragile and it kinda kills the look, so I'll design an engine that turns into a weapon for the super mode instead.

[Pascal]

At first there was nothing. Then I tried to add a Powermaster partner. I failed. Then I tried to add an engine that would transform into a jetpack and a battle helmet for the super mode. Not convincing enough. Then I thought about doing an engine that would transform into a weapon for the super mode. Weapon ended up being too small (looked more like a pistol). So here's what I came up with: an engine that stays attached and transforms into an integrated dual cannon in truck mode, the only mode without any weaponry so far. Stealth Force mode!

Front view: all looks normal, save for a couple new hinges next to the grill

http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k132/megatroptimus/000_0827.jpg

Oh look, they open up and there's an engine inside!

http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k132/megatroptimus/000_0828.jpg

First flip the entire engine block forward and then flip back the central part and this is what you get:

http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k132/megatroptimus/000_0829.jpg

http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k132/megatroptimus/000_0830.jpg

Stealth Force mode (w/ trailer)

http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k132/megatroptimus/000_0831.jpg

Transformation to robot mode is unchanged.

Robot mode - back view

http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k132/megatroptimus/000_0818.jpg

Robot mode - top view

http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k132/megatroptimus/000_0819.jpg

All was good until here, but then I came across a problem: I couldn't attach the jetpack in super mode anymore! before the jetpack used to peg right in the middle of where the grill was and sandwich the front the of the truck on the other side. Now with the central part full of hinges and stuff, it wasn't possible anymore.

So I redesigned the front part of the trailer (the jetpack) once again, made the hitch pin longer (to move it slightly away from the robot) and move it to the very front (so it would peg lower on the backpack, under the grill), changed the cover plate (made it shorter to gain some clearance behind Prime's head), then added hinged "grabbers" on the front of the truck that magically end up pegging on the only nubs available on the T bar AND fitting under the top portion of the cab in truck mode. Still had to redesign one last time the front of the truck to move those hinges in the middle of the plate to make the jetpack perfectly perpendicular to the ground.

Robot mode - engine flipped forward, ready for super mode

http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k132/megatroptimus/000_0820.jpg

Top view

http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k132/megatroptimus/000_0821.jpg

Hitch pin pegged on the backpack

http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k132/megatroptimus/000_0822.jpg

Grabbers pegged to the T bar

http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k132/megatroptimus/000_0825.jpg

VoilÃ*! I don't think there's much left to improve at this point, the list of features is getting long:

TRUCK MODE

-front grill that reveals an engine that converts into a weapon
-functional trailer

ROBOT MODE

-hitch that turns into a weapon
-hidden weapon under the left arm
-chest windows open up to reveal the matrix of leadership
-full range of articulation

SUPER MODE

-trailer transforms into armor
-hidden upper arm weapons (both arms)
-trailer feet double as forearm weapons (both arms)
-full range of articulation preserved

[Pascal]

Several revisions to the trailer. Changed a lot of parts from red to black or silver, added hand blasters for combined mode that double as clips to solidify the trailer, new and simpler hinge connection for the rear trailer halves and at last, real feet for the combined mode! I decided to sacrifice just a tiny bit the flat trailer surface to integrate the feet, I thought it was worth it. Also made slight revisions to Prime's upper legs.

http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k132/megatroptimus/100_6707.jpg

http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k132/megatroptimus/100_6708.jpg

http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k132/megatroptimus/100_6710.jpg

http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k132/megatroptimus/100_6711.jpg

http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k132/megatroptimus/100_6712.jpg

http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k132/megatroptimus/100_6713.jpg

http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k132/megatroptimus/100_6714.jpg

[Echotransformer]

This guy is so awesome...those hands!!!

How are the joints holding up? My recent Devastator was definitely at the limits of what these can handle...

[Pascal]

Starting to get soft, I've transformed that thing like a hundred times so far! I'll need to replace them soon (well, at least the leg ones). It's not too bad though, because in combined mode, Prime's knees are supported by the shinguards.