And unveiled for the first time at TFCon 2011 is my custom entry.

I present you: Transformers Animated Galaxy Optimus Prime!

Note that, for those who attended TFCon 2011 and saw this in person, the info and pics that follow are the same as the accompanying photo-album.

This idea was initially conceived in early 2009, and was originally supposed to be a custom entry for TFCon09. Lack of time for planning caused the project to be pushed back 2 years.

Interestingly enough, the original plan was for the final product to be Transformers Animated G1 Powermaster Optimus Prime, complete with Powermaster partner (unlike the recently announced 3rd-party TFA Powermaster Prime add-on, which is based on the design in the Allspark Almanac). This was changed to Galaxy Convoy in the prototype stage, as the first test-fitting version looked more like the latter than the former. (Which works out well, since my favorite Prime/Convoy is Galaxy Convoy)

The power-up adds-on to an unmodified stock Transformers Animated Voyager Optimus Prime; all parts connect to already existing hardpoints used during the stock transformation process. Casting and parts replication was never part of the design phases, though most of the parts do separate by color for ease of painting.

All connections between parts were done with simple pegs and holes (without the use of magnets) to simulate a regular Transformer; the handles for the guns are standard 5mm rods that will fit the majority of other Transformers toys.

The color-scheme was chosen to match the Hasbro release of Animated Voyager Prime; a non-shaded, non-weathered look with minimal metallic paint applications was chosen to mimic a real production toy. (Didn't feel like cracking open my MISB Takara Voyager Prime signed by David Kaye to have it match the japanese metallic paintjob)

Practically the entire thing (about 95%) is scratchbuilt with white styrene sheets, styrene rods and brass rods; only one pair of joints and one set of "wheels" (which became the red/blue lights on the forearms) were not built from scratch. (It was just MUCH simpler to steal a set of joints from an old Gundam kit).

All accompanying artwork in the accompanying photo-album are original and initially hand-drawn; inked and colored in Photoshop. (Yes, the dialog and text is lame, mainly due to the forceful intent to include the words "Galaxy", "Force" and "Convoy" in there)

Work Timeline:
- Design phase for started in December 2010.
- Experimental and Prototyping phase was during January and February 2011.
- Actual build started mid-February 2011
- Actual date of 100% completion of toy: July 1, 2011
- Actual date of 100% completion of photo-album: July 6, 2011

Materials used:
Build:
- unmodified Hasbro release of Transformers Animated Voyager-class Optimus Prime
- Lots of sheets of styrene of varying thickness
- 3mm and 5mm styrene square rods
- 3mm and 5mm styrene round/circular rods
- 1/32 inch brass rod
- 1 set of shoulder joints from an old 1/144 Gundam Deathscythe Hell EW-ver. Gundam kit
- 1 pair of wheels from an old Tomy candy-toy car kit
Finishing:
- Tamiya Basic putty
- Aves Apoxie Sculpt
- Tamiya liquid primer (gray)
- Plamo Colour lacquer paints (red, blue, gray, black, silver)
- Tamiya Acrylic clear paints (clear red, clear blue)

Without further adue, here are the pictures!
I apologize for the odd-ish sizes for the pictures; all of these were planned/designed for print primarily.

Box front:


Comic:








Japanese-style new-product promotional advertisement:

 

Truck mode and comparison:


All parts (minus guns/cannons):


Robot mode:






Robot mode comparison:

 

Transformation instructions:








Assembly instructions:


Weapons features:

 

Older WIP pics:

Phase 1 (photos taken April 05, 2011)




Phase 2 (photos taken April 11, 2011)




Phase 3 (photos taken April 23, 2011)






Phase 4 (photos taken June 15, 2011)










Phase 5 (Final) (photos taken July 1, 2011)


Those who saw this in-person with the photo-album also got a glimpse at my rough sketches and design process; I'm rather lazy and not really up for uploading them here.  

 

Unfortunately for me, even with all that, I was unable to stand next to Chansformers' and Nemesis Predaking's kick-ass customs.  

 

I loved this piece, fucking EPIC.
I so had you & Chans pegged for 1st & 2nd.

 

Damn that thing is siiiick. Like the cheesey story you came up with too. Fantastic work on this one. I would definitely consider buying this set if it were sold in stores

 

I'm not an animated fan, but THAT is freaking awesome. perfect for the animated line. Really impressive.

 

WOW! Hasbro must give you job now

 

This is a pretty cool trailer/armor kit!

There a thread showing the customs that beat yours? >_>

 

Awesome work.

 

Incredible work!

 

Awesome. Cybertron/Galaxy force Prime is my favorite too.
Will you be making other Cybertron-style Animated characters? Like, say, Master Megatron?

 

The work on this is incredible - love the little extra touches like the story and Japanese-style advert - but the additions to the toy look wonderful as well!

 

I'd totally buy that

 

This is really an awesome piece of work.

 

That is awesome!

 

that looks awesome!!!!

i especially love the helmet! just makes him look WAY too cool  

 

thats awesome man!

 

 
Awesoooommmmmmme!