Tip the Man

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This superbly built MAN LE 4×4 tipper/crane truck was discovered by one of our Elves on Flickr today. It comes from previous bloggee Damian Z aka Thietmaier and it’s a deceptively brilliant bit of building.

Firstly Damian’s MAN looks excellent, with lovely attention to detail adding much realism to the model, despite it only being eight studs in width. That realism extends to an ingenuously constructed Plafinger crane mounted between the cab and the load bed, which can unfurl and sort of work thanks to some clever parts usage that employs both System and Technic peices.

The load bed properly works though, being able to tip left or right whilst the dropsides rotate upwards (does that still make them dropsides?) to allow the load to discharge.

It’s a mighty clever design and adds a level of realism to the model that’s typically found on creations far larger. There are loads more images to see of Damian’s MAN LE 4×4 crane/tipper truck at his Flickr album, which demonstrates presentation skills as good as the model itself. Take a look via the link above.

 

Sprinting to Save

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The world’s emergency services battle to save us every single day, with the current Coronavirus pandemic highlighting in particular what an incredible job they do. Of course they need the tools to do the job, and that’s what they’ve got in the Netherlands with their Mercedes-Benz Sprinter ambulances. Flickr’s Ralph Savelsberg is the builder behind this one, recreating both the converted van and its complicated Dutch chevrons over EU-mandated yellow paint job with brilliant accuracy. Opening doors reveal a life-like interior too, and there’s more of Ralph’s Sprinter to see at his photostream – click here to call an ambulance.

5920 Redux

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One of LEGO’s weirder themes, Dino Island (basically Jurassic Park meets Indiana Jones without paying the licensing) did feature some rather nice vintage vehicles. 5920 was one of them, and TLCB favourite Chris Elliott has rebuilt it in his trademark style; with beautiful attention to detail and gorgeous presentation. Suggested by a reader, there’s more to see of Chris’s 5920 Redux on Flickr – take a look via the link above.

My Other Crane’s a Telehandler

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LEGO’s slightly uninspiring Technic 42108 Mobile Crane set has certainly proved, er… inspiring, with several awesome B-Models being built from it for TLCB Lock-Down B-Model Competition. Joining previously blogged 42108 alternates like this roll-off container truck and this rotator tow truck, Brickshelf’s mpj has constructed this fantastic JCB telehandler.

With a wealth of mechanical functionality mpj’s B-Model is every bit as technical as the model from which it’s derived, and includes working stabilisers, boom elevatation, extension and fork tilt, all-wheel-steering, and a rotating superstructure. It’s a brilliant build, showcasing both why LEGO is such an incredible toy and the reason why we started this contest; to use what you have to make something new. And awesome.

There’s much more of mpj’s 42108 B-Model competition entry to see on Brickshelf, and there’s still time to enter your own B-Model into TLCB Lock-Down B-Model Competition; click here to read the competition rules and see how to enter.

B-Model Bussing

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We’re in the final two weeks of TLCB’s Lock-Down B-Model Competition, where you could win an incredible SBrick Bluetooth Control Pack! Hoping to do just that is Davide Bersia, with his superb Technic city bus, built only from the parts found within the 42098 Car Transporter set.

Featuring working steering, suspension (cleverly re-using the donor set’s rubber pieces), a working rear-mounted V6 engine, and mechanically operated opening doors, Davide’s 42098 alternate is both unusual and brilliant. Davide has also made building instructions available too, so you convert your own 42098 set into this bus at home. Click here to head to Flickr to find out more!

YouTube Video

Collection of Letters

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Mercedes-Benz might make some brilliant cars, but their naming policy is madness. We’re not sure if Germans play ‘Scrabble’, but we suspect the naming department at Mercedes do, as their cars seem to be whatever letters Klaus pulled out of the Scrabble bag that day. A, B, C, E, S, GLA, GLB, GLC, GLE, EQC, CLA, CLS, SL, SLC, and lastly AMG GT. And that’s not including all the past combinations of letters Mercedes-Benz have recently dropped in a (failed) attempt to make their range less complicated than the large hadron collider.

This is one of brand’s more sporting collection of letters; the AMG GT, a name so anonymous we’d forgotten it existed at all. Built by previous bloggee Alexander Paschoaletto this Model Team replica of Mercedes-Benz’s V8 sports car captures the look of the real thing superbly, and includes opening doors, hood and trunk too. There’s more of Alexander’s excellent creation to see at his ‘AMG GT’ album on Flickr – click the link above and try to get a triple world score.

Brick Dominance

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The 2019 Formula 1 season belonged to Mercedes-Benz. As did 2018. And 2017, 2016, 2015 and 2014. This year of course, who knows, seeing as we should be approaching the mid-season break and the Championship is yet to start, thanks to the virusy dick that is COVID-19. It’s hard to see it being anything other than another Mercedes whitewash when it does start though.

Still, whilst they may seem like an all-powerful dominant force now, it’s worth remembering that the Mercedes-AMG F1 team came out of the defunct Honda F1 team that first became Brawn, who rose from the ashes to win the World Championship in their debut year (whoops, Honda), in part thanks to Mercedes giving them an engine to enable them to run.

This excellent Technic recreation of the title-winning 2019 Mercedes-AMG W10 comes from Mane of Eurobricks, who’s made instructions available too so you can have your own Championship-winning Formula 1 car at home! Mane’s 1:8 model features a working V6 engine, functioning steering and suspension, a removable front wing, engine cover and HANS device, plus an operational DRS on the rear wing.

There’s more of Mane’s Technic Mercedes-AMG W10 to see via the link above, including full build details, further images, and that all-important link to building instructions.

Supernova

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We’re rounding out today with a simple Speed Champions style build that’s both beautifully executed and presented, proving just a handful of parts can create something special. Jonathan Elliott is the builder, his model is a classic Chevy Nova SS, and there’s more to see here.

Chop Shop

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This beautiful chopper motorcycle workshop comes from yesterday’s bloggee Faber Mandragore, who’s becoming a regular here at TLCB. Fantastic attention to detail is in abundance, both in the garage and the brick-built custom chopper, and you can take a closer look on Flickr via the link.

When 2 Become 1*

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BMW’s stunning i8 is soon to be retired. A three-cylinder Mini Cooper engine and electric motors delivered kinda super car performance with kinda supermini economy. Except it didn’t really do either of those things. But it did look great.

Also looking great is James Tillson’s Technic version, built from the parts found within the 42056 Porsche 911 GT3 RS and the 42093 Chevrolet Corvette sets. James’ model features working steering and suspension, a three-cylinder engine, gearbox, and the option to add an electric motor to drive the front axle.

Whilst not qualifying for TLCB Lock-Down B-Model Competition as it’s made from two LEGO sets, James has already entered the contest with another build (also derived from 42056), and you can build a qualifying competition entry from two official LEGO sets, provided each set’s RRP was under $25 at launch.

There’s more to see of James’ excellent B-Model at the Eurobricks forum and on Flickr, the former of which where you can also find a video demonstrating the model’s features and a link to building instructions if you’d like to turn your own Porsche 911 GT3 RS and Chevrolet Corvette sets into a BMW i8 too.

*Today’s title song. We’re nothing if not diverse…

Blurry*

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Blurry photos do not get published here at TLCB. In fact we’re quite picky when it comes to what we publish (you can read our publication standards here), however today we have an exception, because Faber Madragore‘s blurry hot rod is brilliant. In fact it’s not the rather excellent Town scale hot rod that’s blurry, rather the wooded background behind and road underneath it, giving the model a superb sense of speed.

You can see Faber’s stunning photo in full size at his photostream, along with many other top quality images, one more of which will appear here tomorrow…

*Today’s distinctly early 2000s title song.

Two Weeks to Win an SBrick Plus!

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There are just two weeks to go in TLCB’s Lock-Down B-Model Competition! We’ve had dozens of entries so far, many of which have appeared here, from Cobras to ‘copters, Formula E to Formula 1, and mining excavators to Miuras, with many more brilliant builds besides, it’s going to be a tough competition to judge!

There’s still time to enter your B-Model, with the June 30th being the deadline for new entries. You can read the rules below, and if you’ve built a B-Model and you’re not sure we’ve seen it, you can let us know via the contact page, Facebook, or on Flickr via these links.

 

The Rules

  • Build us a B-Model from only the pieces found within a single official LEGO set. The set can be from any era or theme, including Technic, Creator, Town, Space, Pirates… everything except Galidor. You may also choose to use the pieces from two official LEGO sets if the RRP of each set was below $25.
  • Photograph and upload your B-Model to Flickr, MOCpages, Brickshelf, or Eurobricks between May 1st and June 30th 2020.
  • You must include the words ‘TLCB Lock-Down Competition’ or a link to this page somewhere in the creation’s title or description, so that we know you’re entering it.
  • You don’t actually have to be in Lock-Down to enter, although do please abide by whatever the COVID-19 advice is in your country of residence.

How to Enter

If you upload your B-Model to one of the free-to-use creation-sharing sites above with ‘TLCB Lock-Down Competition’ in the title or description our Elves will find it. You can also contact us in the usual ways or post a message on our Facebook page with a link to your creation if you want to make sure we’ve seen it!

You may enter as many creations as you like and the winners will be chosen based upon the designs that best meet our usual Submission Guidelines and our completely subjective opinions on what we think is cool.

 

Prizes!

Winner: SBrick Pro Pack;

Includes SBrick Plus, Wire, 2x Lights, Servo, L-motor, Battery Pack, & colourful cases

Runner-up: SBrick Starter Pack;

Includes SBrick Plus, Wire, & colourful cases

 

 

Intergalactic Circus

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It feels a lot like we’re all living in a circus right now.

The world’s most powerful man is an orange megalomaniac, the streets are filled with protests, riots, and people wearing masks, history is being decided by those who shout the loudest, and governments are walking a tightrope between economic ruin and mass mortality, from which they will almost inevitably fall. It’s enough to make you want to leave Earth altogether.

Unfortunately Flickr’s Blake Foster has ensured that there’ll be no respite in space, with his Space Clowns already in occupation.

“Did you leave Earth to escape the constant chaos, noise, and bustle? Then you’re out of luck, because the Space Clowns are bringing all those modern inconveniences to space. Making noise, chasing hapless astronauts, and causing mostly-harmless mischief is their mission.”

A variety of cosmic comedy is evident, with the Jugglebot able to “instantly master juggling in any environment” and the Monopod Mech “Chasing astronauts with its water gun and banging cymbals. Operating for long hours may cause headache”.

Still, a pair of giant walking robots operated by pilots whose very job description is incompetence might yet be better than staying here and watching BLM and the Alt-Right screaming at one another whilst the Commander in Chief tweets about drinking bleach.

You can join us at the Intergalactic Circus via Blake Foster’s album on Flickr, where there’s more to see of the Space Clowns’ mechanised mischief, and very probably the best brick-built text fonts we’ve ever seen.

Espace F1

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Renault were on top of their game in the mid-’90s; winning the Formula 1 World Championship with Williams, the BTCC with their rather pretty new Laguna, and running a two-wheel-drive Megane in the WRC. Plus they had the Nicole and Papa Clio adverts…

In celebration of the above (well, mostly the F1 thing), they built this; the Renault Espace F1. Taking the second generation of the Espace that defined the European MPV segment, Renault’s partner Matra shoved their 800 horsepower 3.5 litre V10 Renault F1 engine into the middle, creating an MPV that could do nearly 200mph and an immediate icon.

This instantly recognisable Speed Champions recreation of one of Renault’s finest moments comes from dazzz99 of Flickr, who has captured the ’94 oddity superbly, and there’s more of his creation to see at the link above.

Mining Hibernia

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We’re often asked why we don’t feature more digital builds. Well mostly it’s because they don’t look like this. ‘This’ is Finn Roberts‘ Mining Truck, built to serve the icy world of Hibernia that seems to be popping up all over the place in the online Lego community of late, and rendered so well you’d be hard pressed to know it’s a digital build.

What makes the renderings even more impressive is that they showcase the model’s ‘working’ features, like its enormous tipping bucket, folding entry ladder, and four-wheel-steering system. Head to Hibernia via the link above to see more, where there’s also a link of to an animation of Finn’s model in action.