Dual Model Kit - Optimus Prime; Inner Frame

Most Master Grade (MG) Gundam kits from Bandai typically have what is known as an "inner frame." Basically, it the skeleton of the kit, and the armor and bits are built on top of it to complete the looks of the mech. This kit is from TakaraTomy, a company that rarely (to my knowledge) dips into model kits. While a Bandai kit comes completely unassembled, this Optimus Prime has an almost completed inner frame straight outta the box. It only lacks the hands and parts of the feet, so the inner frame can basically be completed and ready to go fairly quickly. In theory! This kit, while pretty amazing and detailed when finished, was a pain in the ass to build at times. Many pieces are simply too big to plug onto to where they are intended, and without shaving them down, can lead to stress marks, and potential breakage. Thankfully, I read about this beforehand, so I took my time to make sure parts were going in as they should. This however, makes it take much longer than it could have to assemble. The feet and hands took long enough to put together that I shelved this kit for about a week before continuing. (This is something that would happen several times over the course of the build...)