…but a brilliant build nonetheless, Robert4186‘s beautiful mini-figure scale wooden ship is packed with stunning details. There more to see, including some cunningly photoshopped images with real-world backgrounds, on Flickr. Click the link above to set sail.
Angka Utama is a regular here at The Lego Car Blog with his beautifully unique Lego concept cars. This is his latest, and it has an unusual trick up its sleeve. Find out what it is here.
Yes it’s that time of year again, when a crack team of Elves ‘volunteer’ to be fired over the perimeter wall of The Lego Company’s HQ, tasked with bringing back the brand new Technic sets due for release next year. Elves that manage to successfully navigate the maze of air-conditioning ducts and dodge the guard dogs return as heroes, by which we mean they get fed, and we get to reveal LEGO’s newest Technic sets before they hit the shelves in the new year. On to the sets!
Pictured above, the LEGO Technic 42066 Air Race Jet puts the Technic line-up’s on/off relationship with aircraft back into the ‘on’ position. Clearly based on a well-known military aircraft, 42066 covers up its death-from-above intentions with some jazzy stickers, but they look passable if nothing more than that. The set features working elevators and tail rudders, folding landing gear, and an opening cockpit, and will sit in the middle of the 2017 Technic range when it’s launched early next year.
We have absolutely no idea what this is. None. Built purely for play value rather than a demonstration of technical engineering, 42065 does – admittedly – look like a hoot to drive with twin Medium motors and skid-steering. We’ll leave that to someone else though, as its aesthetics are about as appealing as the Elves that make up our workforce. Next.
This is more like it. 42062 is the first double-vehicle set of 2017, and it looks like a lovely way to introduce Technic to builders stepping up from City and other simpler themes. The neat articulated truck features working steering whilst the heavy-duty forklift includes rear-wheel-steering and a mechanically operable boom lift and grab. Good stuff.
2017’s other multi-vehicle set also sits towards the bottom of the Technic range and it too looks like a good introduction to more complex building. The truck features working steering and a tipping load bed, whilst the excavator includes a mechanically operable shovel. Both vehicles feature a few stickers and more visual detailing than Technic sets of old, and should be priced well within pocket-money ownership.
Pull-back motors. Nothing else. Next…
An unusual vehicular streak seems to be running through the 2017 Technic line-up, as a second aircraft joins the range. The 42057 Ultralight Helicopter actually looks more like a gyrocopter to us, but as we assume both the main and tail rotors are connected to the inline two-cylinder engine 42057 is indeed technically a helicopter. More stickers abound and the tail fin steering, controlled via a hot rod style pitman arm, looks novel. Expect 42057 to be priced under $20 when it arrives in stores next year.
Things are starting to get really weird now. This attractive looking ship, complete with a helicopter and submersible, looks more like a City set rather than something from the Technic line. And it may as well be, as so far as we can tell it does nothing more than the equivalent City set would. If it wasn’t for the superb-looking BMW R 1200 GS Adventure set revealed here earlier in the month we’d be wondering what the hell’s happened…
Finally, some redemption. 42061 is a long way from being the best Technic set ever made, but it is probably the best non-licensed Technic set of the 2017 H1 line-up. All-wheel steering, a mechanically extending boom, and a tilting bucket all feature, and its simple construction should mean 42061 is reasonably priced too.
So there you have it, all nine 2017 Technic sets due to reach stores in the new year. Aside from some decent starter sets in 42060 and 42062 we’re somewhat underwhelmed, although there are three empty spaces in the 2017 range due to be filled later in the year. At least there’s that brilliant BMW…
This incredible motorcycle is the work of TLCB debutant Kieran Chamberlain, and it’s an absolute masterclass in Technic engineering. Riding on brick-built wheels and constructed from over 3,100 pieces Kieran’s motorbike is probably the largest that we’ve ever featured. The engine is something spectacular too, featuring four working cylinders with overhead cams, working valves and a twin-screw supercharger. It’s hooked up to a functioning footshift-operated gearbox and the whole lot is powered by an L motor and battery box mounted inside the frame. You can see more of Kieran’s jaw-dropping 1/3 scale bike at his Flickr photostream – click here to go for a ride.
We don’t particularly like the Hennessey Venom GT. There, we said it. Cue the wrath of the internet. OK, we’ll explain. The Venom GT is a Lotus Exige with a GM V8 shoved in it. There’s nothing wrong with a Lotus Exige with a GM V8 shoved in it, but it’s a long way from being the greatest car ever made ever, which is how much of the internet views the Venom.
In fact we get the feeling that the Venom was built purely to satisfy the aforementioned keyboard warriors who only look at the stats of a car to judge how good it is. If the Venom is the fastest ‘production’ car in the world it must, therefore, be the best. Which it isn’t. At all.
Anyhoo, this Technic recreation of a car we don’t particularly like is a model that we do like rather a lot. Built by Lachlan Cameron it’s packed with working features, and it looks spectacular too.
Underneath the wonderfully replicated Exige-on-steriods bodywork is a full Power Functions remote control drivetrain, electronically deployable rear wing, working V8 engine, all-wheel suspension, and opening doors, engine cover and roof.
There’s more to see of Lachlan’s Venom GT at both his Flickr photostream and the Eurobricks forum – click the links to join the discussion.
If you’re a gym bro, juiced on protein shakes and creatine, and wondering where the headaches are coming from, this post is for you! This absolutely enormous Liebherr HS 895 tracked crane is the work of Eurobricks’ Shineyu, who is steadily becoming one of our favourite Technic builders here at TLCB Towers, and it can lift big.
Weighing over 5KGs Shineyu’s remotely controlled Liebherr can lift over a kilogram via its reel winches, and it can even drive too (sort of…). There’s more to see at the Eurobricks discussion forum, where there’s also a video of the crane in action; click the link above for some mad gains.
Nope, Ikea haven’t started selling Italian super cars, these two gorgeous Ferrari mosaics come from Ryan Link of MOCpages, and they are quite astoundingly brilliant.
Unlike many Lego mosaics, where the pieces simply slot together but are unattached to one another (or worse, when someone just runs a photo from the internet through a computer programme), Ryan’s stunning images are completely brick-built and every piece is connected. You can see how it’s been done thanks to a ‘behind the scenes‘ shot, and if anything it’s even more impressive than the images here, with some fiendishly difficult connections.
There’s more available on MOCpages – click here to see the beautiful Ferrari 625 TRC and here to see the Ferrari Enzo.
…whatta man, whatta man, whatta man, what a mighty good man. Sorry about that. Anyhoo, this is a mighty good MAN, built by Beat Felber of Flickr, and featuring remotely controlled 8×6 drive, steering on the first and second axles, motorised trailer coupling, working headlights and warning beacons, opening doors and hood, and a pneumatically tilting cab.
It’s a spectacular creation, and it looks absolutely stunning on the outside too (and orange isn’t an easy thing to pull off if you’re a man). There’s lots more of this incredible creation to see at Beat’s photostream – click the link above to make the jump to the full gallery and technical details.
Due to the ongoing Dieselgate scandal the Volkswagen Group have a bit of reputation rebuilding to do. Cue motorsport; get your cars on the track, win some races, and everyone loves you.
Unfortunately for motorsport fans (and for Volkswagen), this method is very expensive, and criminal investigations, lawsuits, and fines do not come cheap. It also doesn’t look too good if you’re caught fiddling diesel emissions tests to then put said diesel engine on a racetrack to promote its sales…
Sadly the current situation has meant that Volkswagen have decided to pull the plug on both their WRC campaign and their Audi Diesel Le Mans team, both of which have won everything going in the last few years. We think they’ll probably enter Formula E at some point to show how they’ve turned over a new leaf and that they really do care about the environment after all, but until then it falls to Porsche to keep the Group active in motorsport.
Fortunately Porsche have picked up exactly where Audi left off, winning the Le Mans 24 Hour race back-to-back in 2015 and 2016 with this, their magnificent 919 hybrid LMP1 racer. This incredible replica of last year’s race-winning car is the work of Manuel Nascimento of Flickr, and it’s one of the finest Technic supercars of the year.
Manuel has built the 919’s LMP1 bodywork beautifully, including accurate recreations of the sponsorship and branding decals found on the real car. The beauty is more than skin deep too, as the model features Power Functions lights, remote control drive and steering, and electrically opening doors.
There’s a huge gallery of stunning images available to view; click the link above to see more at Manuel’s photostream.
We round off a busy day here at TLCB Towers with this, Crowkillers‘ stunning new supercar. Built from the pieces of the 42056 Porsche 911 GT3 RS Technic set, Crowkillers’ latest creation goes back to the roots of the Technic Supercar franchise, without Power Functions, pneumatics, or a limited edition book.
Instead Crowkillers has focussed on mechanical functionality, and in doing so he’s created a wonderfully functional model. Suspension is independent on all wheels with an in-board pushrod set-up, there’s a mid-mounted V8 engine connected to a sequential 4-speed gearbox driving all four wheels, plus working steering, opening doors, engine cover and luggage space.
There’s more to see of Crowkillers’ ‘Scorpion’ Supercar via his Brickshelf gallery and the Eurobricks discussion forum, plus you can read our interview with Crowkillers as part of the Master MOCers series by clicking here.
Trams are – if you’re a cyclist – fraught with peril. One second you’re happily riding along, the next your wheels have dropped into a tramline, and the next you’re in an ambulance. This Lego Town cyclist seems to have taken the ‘if you can’t beat ’em join ’em’ approach and hitched his bike to the front to go for a nice safe sit down inside. Either that or he crossed in front of it without looking and it now has a new hood ornament. Let’s hope it’s the former…
There’s more to see of this lovely Town-style tram on Flickr courtesy of Prison Brick. Click the link to take a ride over to his photostream.
This brilliant-looking buggy is in fact a Reform Metrac lawn mower, and it’s one of the most well-engineered Technic creations of the year.
Built by Anto of Eurobricks, the little Reform is packed with Technic functions, including all-wheel-steering (with front-only and crab options too), all-wheel-drive, twin lifting power take-offs for the mower attachments, pendular suspension, and a working four-cylinder engine.
You can see all of the details at the Eurobricks forum here, plus you can see the mower in action via the video below.
YouTube Video:
Porsche-building extraordinaire Malte Dorowski has appeared here numerous times over the years with a huge variety of Stuttgart machinery and he’s currently hoping to turn one of his stunning Porsche replicas into an official LEGO set.
His latest upload evolves his previously featured 911 GT3 into a small scale version of LEGO’s Porsche 911 GT3 RS Technic set. We are not fans of the overpriced Technic flagship, but we do very much like Malte’s Model Team masterpiece. With the license already in place between LEGO and Porsche turning Malte’s design into an official LEGO set seems like a no-brainer to us!
Click here to see more of the model and to add your vote via LEGO Ideas.
Steven Spielberg’s 1993 blockbuster ‘Jurassic Park’ didn’t feature many vehicles. The stars of the movie were definitely the big lizards, but nevertheless the few vehicles that did appear in the film have gathered a bit of a following. This is one of them, the early ’90s Jeep Wrangler, and it’s been recreated beautifully in full Jurassic Park specification by previous bloggee Silva Vasil.
Powered by LEGO’s LiPo battery, Silva’s Jeep features remote control drive and steering (via an XL and Servo motor respectively), all-wheel drive, suspension, working headlights, opening doors, hood and tailgate, and a folding windshield.
Silva has photographed his build beautifully too, and you can see all of the images via his Flickr photostream – click the link above to go on an adventure 65million years in the making…
This review must start with a disclosure. The lovely, kind people at the No Starch Press sent us a copy of this book for free. The weighty package from the USA, dropped through the letterbox of TLCB towers and caused great excitement. So much so, that all of the 32⅞ Elves in the office were given a Smartie each to celebrate. This was followed by a short, sharp blast from Mr. Airhorn, just to show them that we weren’t going soft. So a big “Thank you” from The Lego Car Blog and some well fed Elves too.
For this particular reviewer, Paweł “Sariel” Kmieć’s first edition was published at exactly the right moment. I had emerged from my Lego “Dark Ages” and was enjoying building again. As kid I’d enjoyed building both space and Technic models but now beams had no studs on them and apparently they were called “liftarms”. Connections were all via pins and axles and specially shaped pieces that were undreamed of in my teenage years. These new parts and techniques opened the doors to building things that were either too bulky or too structurally weak in days gone by. The opportunities were immense but also bewildering.
The light in the wilderness was the first edition of “The Unofficial Lego Technic Builder’s Guide”. My copy is bent, dog-eared, coffee stained, tear stained and much cherished. The second edition is bigger, at just over 400 pages but still small enough to keep handy on your bedside table or read in the bath. If you don’t own a copy of the first edition and have any interest in Technic building, the new book is a must buy. It is presented in a clear visual style, well written and has a good index. At around $35/£25 the book is great value too. But if you already own the first edition, is it worth buying the new version? Let’s take a look inside.
The second edition uses the same style as the first. The pages are packed with information but are easy to read, with text and illustrations placed well. The font is the same, comfortable to read font as the first edition. The author is a graphic designer by profession and it shows through in this product. This is a very technical book but it doesn’t have the feel of a school science textbook. Although most of the illustrations are the same as in the original book, many have been changed for subtle upgrades that are visually clearer. There are also many brand new illustrations.
The second edition is 70 pages longer than the first. One of the ways that these are accounted for is in additions to the early chapters that cover the parts range of Lego Technic. It’s amazing to step back and reflect on quite how many new Technic pieces have been created by Lego since the book’s first edition just three years ago. There are also additions to the definitions of technical terms and “Tricks with Bricks”. Chapter 5 is a brand new chapter on wheels. It starts with defining what a wheel is, in Lego terms and finishes by covering the up-to-date topic of using RC car tyres on large Technic cars. As you carry on leafing through the book you spot more upgrades. There is a tabular version of Sariel’s famous online gear calculator. The “Pneumatics” chapter includes the V2 version of Lego’s system and like the “Pulleys”, “Building Strong” & “Motors” chapters, the pneumatic “Devices” chapter has been slightly upgraded too.
The one big disappointment for me in this book is that the chapters on “Levers & Linkages” and “Custom Mechanical Solutions” are unchanged. These were one of the most inspiring chapters in the first edition, making me want to revisit my old engineering text books and try building some of the mechanisms in there. It would have been good to have seen some extra ideas here. These sorts of things are extremely useful for landing gears or feed mechanisms or kinetic sculptures. Overall the book is very focused on Lego vehicles, which is what you’d expect coming from a famous builder of Lego vehicles of all types. Lego Technic forums tend to be focused on vehicles too, so this book is spot on with its content for the market. However, it would have been nice to have had a bit more about the creativity, engineering and Lego techniques which go into things such as Great Ball Contraptions or kinetic sculptures. Then again, Lego produces model vehicle sets, the market is about cars & lorries and things that swoosh along are more fun than a static model. Oh, and we’re car blog, so we’d best not go on about this for too long… Continue reading