Patrick (cement mixer)/Behind the Scenes

Television Series
Patrick is a fictional cement mixer created by Phil Fehrle and writer Paul Larson.

In 2003/2006, Patrick made his debut in the spin-off series, Jack and the Sodor Construction Company. Due to the spin-off series being cancelled halfway through production, Patrick's only appearance was in the episode On Site with Thomas.

Patrick is based on a 1943 Mack NM3.

Live-action model
The model's chassis was built out of brass and the top was built out of plastic to keep the weight down. A small flat fan was built underneath the chassis to cause the dirt to be kicked up. The model was painted in a matte finish and the numbers were custom stickers.

There were two remotes built to control Patrick. One was used to control his movement, and the other was used to move his eyes.

The eye mechanism had two servos, one for up and down movement and one for left and right movement. The up/down servo was attached to the body. The left/right servo had a rod attached to the arm, which connected to a bracket. The eye balls were coupled to the bracket and locked in by the face-plate, so whenever the servos were powered, the eye balls would move however the crew member desired.

Faces
Fourteen different facial expressions were sculpted for Patrick, although only four were used on-screen and one of which a joyful face appeared in his promotional image whilst nine of which snoring, clenched, angry, smirking, happy, content, laughing, worried and sleeping were left unused. The faces were first sculpted in clay and from that resin casts were made using a silicone mould.

Present Day
After production of the model series wrapped in 2008, most of the models and sets would be put into storage, with some being put on display at Drayton Manor Theme Park. All other models would be logged and referenced in 2009 by HiT Entertainment, from this HiT would decide on which models were to enter storage once again, which would be given to crew members and which to be disposed off. Due to only having one model made to this scale, Patrick's model would stay under HiT and later Mattel's ownership.

Patrick's model is currently in Mattel's storage unit in Southampton England.

Close-up Model
A close-up model of Patrick was required for scenes in the Jack and the Sodor Construction Company episode, On Site with Thomas, where he was shown pouring cement. The model was not complete and only the rear-end was built.