Hi. I'm new here lol

 

Let me first say that I've never attempted a kitbash before, but I've done reading here and there on it and seen what other people have done. I haven't even started this one yet; this is my "getting all my research done" phase so I know how I'm going to do what I'll be doing before I do it so I don't mess up and have to spend more money on another model.

 

I've seen a bunch of kitbashes using Gundam models of a variety of Transformers, but I'm surprised how the people who kitbash Optimus Prime never use probably the most intuitive model there is to make him: Heavyarms Custom.

 

His head has all the antennae where they should be; it's just a matter at that point of getting the little head plume thing right and giving him blue eyes. On top of that, his chest opens up, so you could potentially put the Matrix in there if you cored out enough room and removed the guns. His legs also have the little rocket launcher things where the wheels would go, which continues to make things easier. His mid-section is divided into two parts, so the top one would be painted white while the bottom part would be red, and thus you have Prime's midsection.

 

Here are the only problems I've run across while brainstorming this idea: shoulders (what model can I get the right ones off of? They all go out instead of up...), chest windows et al, and the grill on the abs.

 

I'm sure in some way, shape or form the first and last ones are self-explanatory, and that somewhere I'll run across the proper shoulders and that I can probably take the ab plate that's already there and carve it up to make the grill.

 

However, the second one sort of bothers me. I can't wrap my mind around it. One option I potentially have is to cut giant holes where the windshield would be (and I'm not sure how I would go about cutting those out) and take some form of translucent, rigid, blue-tinted plastic and crazy glue it 'round the backside of each chest plate, but then I worry that the transparency will allow for people to see the Matrix behind the windows, which I don't want. That means I'd have to create some contraption with a joint system (which I'm not sure how to do) like in Masterpiece Prime that will cover up the Matrix while the chest is closed....

 

The other option is simply to erode away all the carvings in the face of his chest and then somehow make a window-shaped depression which would be painted blue. Despite the fact that it means more work, I think I like the first option better. It's more creative and gives a more "real" sense to the transparencies of certain materials. I think I have the concept down, but I'm not sure how I would pull it off.

 

Truth be told, I'm also not totally sure how I would deal with the thing on the top of his head. I know I'll probably have to cut it to make it bigger/longer, but the slit for the head crest/V-shaped antennae goes down so low I'm not sure how I would seal something like that. I guess I could put another piece of plastic in there to seal it and then glue it shut...

 

Then I'm not entirely confident I know how to make the mouthpiece more Prime-like and less Gundam-like.

 

Aside from these questions, I have two others:

 

1) Is it possible for Gundam Models kitbashed to become Transformers to properly transform, and if so, what has to be done to ensure that?

 

2) Is there any website where I can buy specific parts of a Gundam model still on it's little model "tree" without having to buy the entire model kit?

 

These are just some things I was wondering. If and when I get around to building it, I will most definitely post pictures on this forum, but I thought I should at least bring up the whole Heavyarms Custom thing to inspire other people on the boards here to try it as an alternative option to other Gundams like the MK-II which was used by a kitbasher called Q.

 

If anyone can provide me with answers/explanations to my questions, I thank you greatly in advance ^_^

Will these help?

 

HERE

 

AND HERE

 

HERE TOO

 

LAST ONE

 

Just go to Google.com and type "Gundam Optimus" and these will pop up. :tftongue

Will these help?

 

HERE

 

AND HERE

 

HERE TOO

 

LAST ONE

 

Just go to Google.com and type "Gundam Optimus" and these will pop up. :tftongue

 

They're very nice but they don't exactly answer my questions.

But they're nicely, aren't they?

Will these help?

 

HERE

 

AND HERE

 

HERE TOO

 

LAST ONE

 

Just go to Google.com and type "Gundam Optimus" and these will pop up. :tftongue

 

They're very nice but they don't exactly answer my questions.

 

 

Actually, the third one answers your question in very explicit detail. Step by step walk through of the conversion complete with how to transform the 'bot mode into the semi mode.

 

http://www.geocities.com/duom/tfproject/prime/prime.html

Will these help?

 

HERE

 

AND HERE

 

HERE TOO

 

LAST ONE

 

Just go to Google.com and type "Gundam Optimus" and these will pop up. :tftongue

 

They're very nice but they don't exactly answer my questions.

 

 

Actually, the third one answers your question in very explicit detail. Step by step walk through of the conversion complete with how to transform the 'bot mode into the semi mode.

 

http://www.geocities.com/duom/tfproject/prime/prime.html

 

He's right all of your question as to how it's done are there. However to really get a true transformer look you'll also need to get a model of a semi truck and mix the 2. I have seen a number of kitbashes where they took a Gundam and used it for the body, and built the car on just right so that everything fit and transformed the way the real TF toys do. I personally have used some Gundam parts in kitbashing though mine was from a more mainstream hard plastic Gundam toy that they had out during the G Gundam series, and I just used his lower legs, and hid them inside of the rear of the truck in alt mode (see sig). Anyway to answer your question as to why most people don't kitbash Optimus from a Gundam it is more that he is the one TF that you never really have to hunt for a good figure of, also as you'll see if you look further down though the guy did a great job unless you add a semi truck into the mix you get what kind of looks like a Cybertronian alt mode though since we have WWI now you would want to shoot for that if you want to go Cybertronian. Shoot it's harder to find a good figure of Megatron than Optimus, and to be honest with the right tank model or a little styrene, and a Heavyarms custom you could probably build a sweet Megatron. Imagine Megs with a Vulcan gun. Heh now that's scary. :tfgrin

1) The short answer: depends on your TF of choice, but in general, no. Gundam kits aren't made to be transformed in ways that TFs are supposed to. They're meant to be poseable figure kits, that's all.

 

2) I believe that, if you're in Japan, you can order specific trees/sprues from Bandai directly, but it requires you to cut out a coupon/form that's one of the pages in the instructions. This is mainly for people who bought the kit, and either had a defective or missing sprue. I don't think it's meant for people to buy random sprues for kitbashing purposes.

 

Personally, I generally avoid using Gundams in most of their entirety to "become" a TF... Gundams have a much slimmer form-figure than you'd like your TF to have... unless you're out to make an anime-accurate Action-Master or something.