Tag Archives: Nomad

Seismic Vibrator

Today’s vehicle is large, ponderous, and causes seismic tremors. Just like your Mom.

It’s a Sercel Nomad 65 ‘vibroseis truck’, designed to send shock-waves through the earth to map rock density. First pioneered by Conoco in the late ’50s, seismic vibrators today conduct around half of all land surveys, with many mounted on enormous purpose-built off-road platforms such as this Sercel.

Constructed by TLCB Master MOCer Nico71 for the Sercel Company (along with a further five copies), this incredible creation mimics the Nomad 65’s operation thanks to a suite of LEGO Powered-Up and Control+ electronics.

Two XL Motors drive the wheels via frictionless clutches, whilst an L Motor powers two linear actuators that swing the articulated central steering pivot. The vibration unit is lowered and raised via another motor and pair of actuators, whilst a fourth motor drives the vibration device itself.

A motorised winch, pendular suspension, and an inline 6-cylinder also feature, with all of the model’s motorised functions operable remotely via a smartphone courtesy of the Control+ app.

The finished model contains around 3,300 pieces, measures a huge 68cm long, and best of all you can build it for yourself as Nico has made building instructions available.

The Sercel’s complete image gallery can be found at Nico’s Brickshelf, plus you can watch the model in action via the video below. Take a look whilst we congratulate ourselves for successfully making it to the end of this post without a single sex toy analogy. Who knew a ‘Your Mom’ joke could be the high road!

YouTube Video

Nomad

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Originally a motorcycle manufacturer, then maker of the ridiculous Atom, Ariel have since stepped into the world of off-road buggies, and what a way they’ve done it. Using the Atom’s unique external cage design and a 2.4 litre Honda engine, the Nomad can annihilate almost anything off-road, and it doesn’t even have all-wheel-drive.

This incredible-looking Technic version can, we strongly suspect, do exactly the same within the off-road Lego Community (there is such a thing!), especially as it’s rocking a third-party BuWizz+ bluetooth control battery that can deliver up to eight times the Power of LEGO’s own system to the twin XL motors driving the rear wheels.

Builder Corrado has filmed a video review of the BuWizz+ device using his Technic Nomad, with impressive results. You can see all the images of the build on both Flickr and Eurobricks, you can watch Corrado’s video review below, and you can read TLCB’s review of the BuWizz bluetooth brick by clicking here.

YouTube Video

Mass Effect Nomad

This is, apparently, the Nomad ND1 rover from the 2017 video game Mass Effect Andromeda. Unfortunately it is therefore something about which we know absolutely nothing, but to prevent an Elf riot here it is. Somewhat sadly you could ask us about the SD1 Rover though and we’d be fine…

Anyway, whilst we’re out of our depth with sci-fi as usual, we can tell you that this is a quality build, with a complete interior and fully independent suspension too. Check it out courtesy of Corvin Stichert on Flickr.

Royal Flying Doctor Service

Australia is mostly a big empty bowl of dust, and the few people that live in its vast interior are a long long way from everything. If you fall ill or get injured in the outback you’re in for quite a wait to get medical assistance. Which is where the Royal Flying Doctor Service comes in, saving lives from the skies. Using planes such as this GAF N22C Nomad short landing and take-off aircraft, the flying doctors can get to those in need in a matter of hours. Previous bloggee Henrik Jensen has recreated the twin-engine Nomad superbly, and you can see more at his Flickr photostream by clicking here.

Classic Nomadic

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Based on LEGO’s own Miniland 1957 Chevrolet, Nate Andrews makes his TLCB debut with his brilliantly reworked Nomad version of the American classic. An unusual car in 1950s America, the Nomad offered Chevrolet bling in a practical wagon/estate/tourer package. We love cars like this here at TLCB, and Nate’s is well worth a look. You can check it out at both MOCpages and Flickr.