Custom Made LEGO Optimus Prime is Fully Transformable

StewShearerOld

Geekdad News Writer
Jan 5, 2013
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Custom Made LEGO Optimus Prime is Fully Transformable


A LEGO fan has built a 50cm Optimus Prime that can switch back and forth between his robot and vehicle modes.

As we've stated in the past, when it comes to custom <a href=http://www.escapistmagazine.com/tag/view/lego>LEGO builds, the focus of many of builders is to construct <a href=http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/141505-LEGO-Builder-Creates-8-Foot-Tower-of-Orthanc-From-The-Lord-of-the-Rings>the most gigantic and <a href=http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/141401-Dont-Protoss-tinate-Check-Out-This-StarCraft-LEGO-Build-Now>awe-inspiring dioramas they possibly can. That being the case, there's more than way to impress. Flickr user Ralph "The Mad Physicist" S, for instance, eschewed "bigger is better" for a "more than meets the eye" approach.

A physicist by day and LEGO builder by night, he recently completed a brick replica of the Autobot leader Optimus Prime that not only looks the part, but also transforms just like the deal. The model itself was based on the Revenge of the Fallen Voyager Class Battle Blades toy and measures about 45-50cm tall while in robot mode. The only hitch, according to Ralph, is that the transformation process, while functional, is still "horrendously complicated and awkward." He hopes to "revisit this at some point" to improve its structure with Technic pieces.

Even if the transformation process might be headache inducing, we're going to go ahead and say that it's impressive he was able to make it work at all. Building an accurate looking Optimus Prime, especially based on the complex movie version, would be challenging enough for enough for most people. Creating one that can actually shift back and forth between the character's vehicle and robot forms though? That's an accomplishment even if the transforming part is a pain in the ass. Check out Ralph's model for yourself and then hop over to <a href=https://www.flickr.com/photos/madphysicist/sets/with/72157655830139525>his Flickr page to check out some of his other LEGO work.
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Source: <a href=https://www.flickr.com/photos/madphysicist/sets/72157655830139525>Flickr


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RaikuFA

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Jun 12, 2009
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That is awesome. Speaking of Transformers toys. Why don't half of them transform anymore? Dosen't that defeat the purpose of Transformers?
 

StewShearerOld

Geekdad News Writer
Jan 5, 2013
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RaikuFA said:
That is awesome. Speaking of Transformers toys. Why don't half of them transform anymore? Dosen't that defeat the purpose of Transformers?
I think I remember reading (maybe even reporting on) a few years ago that they wanted to simplify them to make them more appealing to kids not patient enough to go through the transformation process. Cause, you know, that's not half the fun.

Edit: Found the news story!

Hasbro: Transformers Toys to Be Simpler Going Forward
http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/131536-Hasbro-Transformers-Toys-to-Be-Simpler-Going-Forward
 

teqrevisited

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Mar 17, 2010
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RaikuFA said:
That is awesome. Speaking of Transformers toys. Why don't half of them transform anymore? Dosen't that defeat the purpose of Transformers?
The cynic in me wants to say that it's probably so that they can sell each version separately for more money.

The question with this one is which one hurts more when you step on it?
 

Silentpony_v1legacy

Alleged Feather-Rustler
Jun 5, 2013
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Correct me if I'm wrong, but aren't all Lego toys fully transformable? Isn't that the entire point of Lego?!
 

Buizel91

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Aug 25, 2008
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RaikuFA said:
That is awesome. Speaking of Transformers toys. Why don't half of them transform anymore? Dosen't that defeat the purpose of Transformers?
Some are simplified for kids (3+) and then there others for older fans and collectors, still with kids in mind, but have at least 15 to 20 steps depending on size etc.
 

FalloutJack

Bah weep grah nah neep ninny bom
Nov 20, 2008
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Next time, on Lego Movie 2...

Optimus: Master Builders, transform and roll out!
 

RaikuFA

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Jun 12, 2009
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StewShearer said:
RaikuFA said:
That is awesome. Speaking of Transformers toys. Why don't half of them transform anymore? Dosen't that defeat the purpose of Transformers?
I think I remember reading (maybe even reporting on) a few years ago that they wanted to simplify them to make them more appealing to kids not patient enough to go through the transformation process. Cause, you know, that's not half the fun.

Edit: Found the news story!

Hasbro: Transformers Toys to Be Simpler Going Forward
http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/131536-Hasbro-Transformers-Toys-to-Be-Simpler-Going-Forward
The toy version of pay to win?
 

LazyAza

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May 28, 2008
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RaikuFA said:
That is awesome. Speaking of Transformers toys. Why don't half of them transform anymore? Dosen't that defeat the purpose of Transformers?
Well yes and no, hasbro has multiple lines, some much more simplified than others. With regards to official product actual collectors focus on the Takara high end Masterpiece line - which features slavishly accurate but pricey large scale versions of the original G1 characters that look like they walked right out of the original cartoon and many of the current combiner wars figures which are a continuation of the generation line which was a continuation of the classics line which come in various levels of complexity.

Concerning unofficial product collectors have many many different things available to them. I personally own some of the most complex transformers in existence and about 12 of my most expensive pieces are combiner sets with price ranges between 350 and 600 dollars.

The stuff that barely transforms or doesn't at all is simply made for much younger kids who hasbro considers too stupid to enjoy the standard products. And history shows this is very true and their are simply a lot of people, let alone kids, who can't wrap their brains around the simplest transformations so those products are aimed at them.
 
Oct 20, 2010
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FalloutJack said:
Next time, on Lego Movie 2...

Optimus: Master Builders, transform and roll out!

EEEEEEEEEE! That sounds awesome actually!

Also, when this guy get the transformation sequence to be at least Half managable, he wins LEGO- forever.