I want to introduce you to my friend, Optimus Prime

At The Brothers Brick we aim to present some of the best fan-built LEGO models. We’re not necessarily used to our own models exploding all over the internet or on the occasions when they do, it is usually because we ourselves have posted them here first. In the last few days, this normal order of things was turned upside down. I went on a little trip visiting family for a few days, but before leaving I posted a few pictures of my latest model, Optimus Prime, on flickr. These were picked up by a number of other LEGO blogs (the LEGO Car Blog and Bricknerd among others) and subsequently pretty much went viral. I was going to write something here eventually, but hadn’t gotten around to making the video that I wanted to include and, because of this, I got scooped.

Optimus Prime

I have finally completed the video and I will use this post to add more info about the build, that I know people have been wondering about, such as why I built a so-called Bayformer rather than a G1 Optimus Prime or whether this model will make its way to LEGO Ideas, so that other fans may eventually buy one. I’ll start with the biggest question, though: is it actually fully transformable or am I a big cheater, who has built two different models to separately represent the robot and the truck mode?

As you can see, the model can indeed go from truck to robot by sliding and rotating various parts. The only exception is that the fuel tanks are separate parts that are pinned to the truck. This is similar to how the toy that I used as the basis for the transformation sequence works. The sequence is complicated and some stuff usually breaks in the process, but having seen videos of people transforming their toy versions, I get the impression that this is normal.

Optimus Prime

I’m hardly the first person to build a working Transformer in LEGO. We’ve blogged Transformers on many different occasions and, as a child, I myself used to build the original G1 models from the cartoon. The designs from the recent movies by Michael Bay, also known as Bayformers, are rather more complicated than the older models, though, and this is exactly what makes them more interesting to me. I also think that a long-nose Peterbilt looks more attractive than the red and blue cab-over-engine truck used for the G1 Optimus Prime and happen to like building flame patterns. To my surprise, some die-hard Transformers fans hate Bayformers with an almost scary passion and consequently they hate mine. I recommend they go look at Alex Jones’ version from a few years ago or perhaps at some kittens instead.

My Optimus Prime will not be making it onto LEGO Ideas. Even if I could drum up enough support for the project by plastering it all over social media, LEGO wouldn’t touch this with a stick. The Transformers toy line is owned by their competitor Hasbro, who produce rather poor-looking Transformers sets in their own Kre-O range of LEGO compatible construction toys. If you want your own LEGO Optimus Prime, you’ll probably have to build it yourself. This should be easy enough. After all, to quote one commenter on my model, “my nine-year-old can do better”. You have got to love the internet.

8 comments on “I want to introduce you to my friend, Optimus Prime

  1. Simon

    Amazing build Ralph!

    Though I’m disappointed by lack of sound effects, I volunteer to make transformer noises for your next video!

  2. Josiah N.

    Love everything about this build! I personally like the classic LEGO tribute that all of your builds have, the studs that are shown are a gentle reminder that the model is LEGO. Always nice to see a trademark technique from different builders. :-)

  3. Ralph Post author

    @Simon
    Thanks. You know, I did think about adding sound effects, but the transformation sounds in the Bay movies differ from the sounds in the cartoon and Transformers purists don’t like that ;-)

    @Josiah N.
    Thank you. I know all the cool people build studless, but I’m too old to be cool anyway.

  4. Ralph Post author

    @Tate and Jai,

    I suppose I had that coming. It’s a bit embarrassing really, but then again, even though we didn’t blog it here first, it’s very rewarding to know that it is being seen by hundreds of thousands if not millions of people.

  5. leonardo

    @Ralph, amazing build!!! Id love to feature it on my blog. I run an open source blog where I include build instructions/details/models wherever possible. Would that be something you’re interested in?

  6. Ralph Post author

    @Leonardo,
    Thank you. I appreciate the interest, but it’s not very likely that I’ll make instructions for this model. I’m happy to share pictures showing details at some point, but that will have to wait for a bit, as I am nowhere near the model in the next few weeks.

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