Optimus Prime, pack 3

[Mark A]

Assembling the thumb

Step 1

OK Gang, here we are with pack 3! The first bit of work is assembling the thumb. Pay attention to the part numbers here, as it is easy to get the wrong parts involved with this assembly. (Don’t ask….)

Start by clipping the parts you’ll need, TR-3-38, nos 1.2,3 and part 6 from sprue TR-3-39. You’ll also need the sheet of rubber washers, and 2x of the PB2x5mm screws. (These are the shorter ones) Take care of the sheet of rubber washers, as there is an exact count on the sheet.

Once the parts have been clipped, assemble them as shown, with a rubber washer on each side of the part.  

Next, snip part 4 from sprue TR-3-39. This part forms the base thumb joint. Place the 3 TR-3-45 rubber parts onto the thumb base, then insert this assembly into part TR-3-28. (Assembly A) Now, snap part 5 into the assembly, then screw the thumb to part 5, using 2 more of the PB2x5mm screws,

Locate sprue TR-3-33 and BREAK the parts off of the sprue. This goes against decades of modeling experience, but it really does look cleaner than snipping them off. Using CA glue, apply it to the areas indicated and then place the finger covers into position. Let the glue dry before manipulating the thumb.

[Mark A]

Steps 1-7

Assembling the fingers is virtually the same process as building the thumb, but with an added “joint.” As before, snip the parts from the sprues TR-3-40, TR-3-41, and TR-3-44 and assemble using the rubber washers and 3x PB2x5mm screws.  Snap the covers off of TR-3-34, and secure with CA glue, as indicated.

I did these “Assembly line” style. It makes fast work of a rather repetitive task.

[Mark A]

 Assembling the Left Hand

Locate TR-3-26 and TR-3-14. Using 2x PB2x5 screws, attach TR-3-24 to the palm.

Then, in step 2, attach the fingers. As the directions indicate, it is much easier to attach the fingers by twos. Otherwise, it’s like trying to get snakes into a basket.

Screw the thumb to the palm with 2x PB2.6x6 screws, then add TR-3-29 to the palm as well, (not pictured) using another PB2.3x6 screw. (Step 3)

 

In step 4, the wrist joint is made. The metal part, TR-3-51 will only go in one way, and it does take a bit of persuasion. For step 5, locate the two wrist brackets, TR-3-24 and TR-3-25. Screw these together, with the part from step 4 sandwiched between them to the inside of the left han

. For step 6, locate the back of the hand (TR-3-27) and apply CA glue as indicated. This is a good tight fit, but a bit of glue will not be amiss, given that the hand will be manipulated while posing the model on completion.

Steps 7 and 8 are concerned with the wrist joint. Again, the metal part TR-3-51 will need a bit of persuasion to be  seated fully into place in TR-3-25. Next, locate parts TR- 3-20,21, and 22. Assemble as shown, using 4 PB2.3x6 screws.

 

This wraps up the left hand! Give yourself a pat on the back. It’s been a fiddly stage!