AirDave's Kool Wheelz Collection

[airdave]

Well then...since we have stumped Rick, its time to come clean!

The model is in fact a 1974 Marmon COE HDT-AC-86.
Which is the disguise of Optimus Prime in the latest Transformers film.
I guess, in an attempt to be less obvious, Optimus has chosen a vintage look
...that also pays homage to the original cartoon Optimus Prime look.

To be honest, I liked this film...not as much as the very first one.
But definitely more than the two previous sequels.

Anyway...back to the model...


Step...whatever number we are at....

as I illustrated, we are ready to install the cab on the chassis,
but we might aswell add a few accessories first.




...
The lower front area will receive the front bumper, and it has been folded under
to create the shelf that will support the cab on the chassis.

I'm also adding some layered parts...starting with the "grill".




...
Adding the front bumper...
and the sun visor/deflector/shield above the windshield.
and two side cupboard doors.

The last two items are optional...the artwork is in place around the cab.
I just thought some 3D layers adds a little more to the model.




...
and, the roof air conditioner housing.
(at least, thats what I think it is)

I was going to do something with those roof lights, but they are very small
and would complicate a very small model (more than I want).
Plus, I am running out of room for parts (on one page).




...
and that leaves us with mounting the cab onto the chassis.

The rear cutout aligns the cab on the frame rails
and the little "shelf" behind the bumper supports the front of the cab.

A little glue here and there will hold it in place.

[Texman]

Originally Posted by Vermin_King

But the fuel truck from Mad Max wasn't a cab over, not even in the new movie

Yes, but we didn't know it was a cab over when I guessed....That's why its guessing, not knowing!

[airdave]

Next big item is the Chain Rack and Exhaust system that mounts behind the cab.

This is basically all one part...
which requires cutting out and scoring for two folds on each side.

There is also a set of inner layers that you can add for beefing up
the exhaust stacks...and gives you the inside visuals.






...
Once you are ready, the sides have to be folded over twice.
This also creates the side mounting strips, to glue to the back of the cab.

And, you fold over the top of the Rack frame, and bend and join the side tabs
to create the frame thickness that you will see from above.




...
I decided not to bother with the Chain Rack.
These panels usually have brackets to hang various cables and chains,
as well as a shelf for tools and parts.

I just didn't want to overcomplicate and add too many parts.
And I don't think they are critical to the movie element.
Keep in mind, this model is only about three inches long
so these are some very small parts.




...
Fit the Chain Rack/Exhaust to the back of the cab...

and you can install the Fuel Tanks now!

My Tanks are a bit high on the chassis...this is why I said wait until you have
the cab in place, before you install the tanks!

[Cami]

I am always amazed by the quality of your textures! Rust, dust, bullett holes, everything look so real. That truck is really cool... I mean Kool!

Cami

[airdave]

Thank you Cami!


............

A Semi needs a "Fifth Wheel"
so, lets fit one of those too.

Two parts plus extra inside bits.
The pad that a Trailer would actually sit on (covered in grease of course)
and the support structure.



...

Score and fold (only slightly) the upper pad part.

Score and fold the inside bits and glue them to the reverse side of the support structure.
This will create the "feet" for the support structure.




...
Now fold down the sides of the support structure.

The pad will glue to the top (white) area of the supports.
You can see I have way too much fold in the upper pad part.




...
Glue the two parts together making sure everything is centered.

With all the manhandling, I had to keep refolding all the folds and keep squaring everything up.
It is quite a small part.




...
Finally, glue the entire "fifth wheel" structure to the deck plate (on the rear frame).

Not sure if it matters exactly where.
You can see I placed mine in the center, slightly forward.




...
Only thing left is to attach the side mirrors.
Right and left mirrors come in two halves.
Score and fold the halves over, align and glue them ...then carefully cut them out.
They are small.

Edge glue them to the cab, on the front edge of the doors.




And thats it!

[airdave]

And the final presentation....


I give you "classic" Optimus Prime
in the guise of a 1974 Marmon COE HDT-AC-86.

From the movie Transformers: Age of Extinction

KoolWheelz style.










and for scale reference:



I'll have the model uploaded and available tomorrow (probably).

[hawkman67]

Very, Very nice Dave!!
I know my youngest son will like it a lot, he loves Transformers, still has a big tub full of them.. Thanks for sharing such a neat model...
Jeff

[Texman]

Very cool!

[blake7]

Another fantastic model Airdave! I can't believe the speed at which you can concieve a model, design it, and the do a finished built model. It takes me a lot of time to recolor, and usually have to build it and see if it needs adjustments, and if it does reprint and build again. So I have a new view on how much you put in to your models, and a deeper appreciation of your skills. Thank you for another great model!

[rickstef]

this will look great in my Optimus Prime collection, nice job Dave