This drop-dead gorgeous example of a Vic Viper is full of win. Nick V. has orchestrated something quite nice here. I love the color scheme and how the details pop from the center section. But most of all I love the use of the various blades all over this ship. It’s probably the ‘Castle’ guy in me, but it really rocks!
My photostream is currently flooded with Vic Vipers so I felt impelled to post two that really jumped out at me.
Christoph Monnaie’s (stenrtje) is loaded up with all sorts of awesome detail and greebly goodness.
Rodney Bistline’s (Buster®) contribution literally leaps out of the screen in this lovely homage to vintage space box art.
This year’s NnoVVember seems to have rolled in with more discussion and politics than most years…and let’s be honest there always tends to be a fair amount of that anyway. But when you boil it down, this month is all about having fun and building some spaceships. And this my friends is a sexy example. Pascal is well known for the minimalist artistic style he puts into his builds, and that is exactly why I appreciate his work so much. Pascal continuously proves that you do not need an incredibly complex creation and abundant parts to create something unique, well designed and interesting.
His epic photographic skills certainly helps as well.
Happy building NnoVVemberites!
The last stage of the sci-fi theme month trifecta is upon us. And NnoVVember is the original theme month. Started in 2008 by the late great Nate “nnenn” Nielson as a personal challenge to post a Vic Viper starfighter from the Gradius video game series for each day of the month. The challenge has continued each year since, and evolved into a yearly tribute to Nate since he passed away tragically in April of 2010.
Well this year is no different and we want to see everyone’s contribution to the monthly build challenge. However, after some discussion in the Vic Viper flickr group, we want to make sure that everyone brings their A-game. The whole premise of these theme months is to challenge people to build things that they otherwise may not have. But it appears that they are starting to become just an excuse to try and get your build on the final poster/map. Now don’t get me wrong, seeing people building, no matter the quality is great. But it does appear to be a trend in seeing submissions, that quite often by the builders own admission, are sub-par. People are rushing to either get as many builds as possible submitted, or scrambling at the last minute to get something added.
I saw this a lot during the Ma.Ktoberfest challenge, where people continuously posted builds and admitted that they didn’t really think they fit the theme and typically that they didn’t even fully understand what the theme was. I felt rather elitist when having to edit these submissions out, but at the end of the day, the information is out there. I know myself and the other organizers get a lot of satisfaction out of hosting these sorts of events, introducing people to a new theme and challenging them in their building. But if they are choosing to not look into the plethora of background information provided and/or interact within the group to learn from the active members, then that is no fault of my own. Rest assured that there is never a shortage of high quality builds, but I see this as somewhat of a slippery slope and I certainly don’t want the trend to continue and in turn discourage others from participating in the future.
So with all that being said, for this year’s NnoVVember let’s honour Nate’s memory the best way we can, let’s see Quality over Quantity Nate always gave us top quality builds, so we should do the same for him.
Once again Pascal (pasukaru76) worked his magic with the final Nnovvember map. This year was a very impressive turnout of 269 Vic Vipers by 133 different builders! I actually found it hard to keep up with all the amazing creations this year…I am still playing catch up in fact.
Awesome job everyone and as usual a huge thanks to Pascal! It really makes me proud to be a part of such an amazing community that continues to come together from all corners of the Earth to remember and honour the late Nate “Nnenn” Nielsen.
In contrast to the helicopter I just posted, Bartosz Kacprzyk (the oneman) has posted a Vic Viper for Novvember that’s so unusual it almost feels plausible. Those weird wings just have to be for something important.
I actually avoided featuring Nick Trotta’s (tardisblue) model over the weekend and hoped one of my cohorts would do it first…I simply didn’t know how to properly express how cool this build is! But they didn’t so I guess I can nolonger avoid it.
So instead of trying to put it into words, I will simply make note of some of the descriptive words that were posted on the photo:
Beautiful, Spectacular, Perfection, Gorgeous, Mind-blowing, Fan-freakin’-tastic, Wonderful, & Zowie!
And perhaps, Fredoichi summed it up best:
“Best of show, period!”
There are a lot of zany Vic Viper designs out there, but it is really nice to see a good ol’ classic design every now and then. Uspez Morbo has produced one such spacecraft with his BP-8272 Stealth. It is a perfect example of how you can stick close to a design while still giving it a personal twist. The colouring, sleek lines, and overall girth make this one beautiful looking starfighter…the little hits of red really make it pop for me!
Uspez is no stranger to large scale starfighters, as this wonderful trio shot showcases!
Be sure to check out the full photo set for all the details including working landing gear and smokin’ hot engines!
The last three months of every year have become quite the flurry of LEGO challenges and contests, with NoVVember swooping in right on the mechanical heels of Ma.Ktober. For those of you concerned about the proliferation of mecha and starfighters over the last few weeks, fear not! The Colossal Castle Contest will be bringing you plenty of gorgeous castles and comely medieval lasses through the end of December.
In the meantime, enjoy this rockin’ viper by Fredo. With splashes of light blue against two lovely shades of brown, plus a clone-brand cockpit, I’m sure the late, great Nnenn would be proud.
UPDATE: Overnight, Fredo also added a second awesome Vic Viper:
See all of the NoVVember entries so far in the entry thread on Flickr.
This early in the game, there has been no shortage of fabulous Vic Vipers posted for this year’s NnoVVember, but seeing Jake’s this morning had me saying “WOW”!
The top view is particularly impressive…it has such a brilliant balance of fragility and deadliness to it’s look. (perhaps a bit more on the fragility side).
Be sure to check out the full set for all the details.
After my failure of participation to Ma.Ktoberfest, I wasn’t really feeling NnoVVember…but seeing everyone’s awesome submissions these first few days has totally put me in the mood!! :D
Just a quick reminder that NoVVember 2012 is now upon is. Help celebrate the late nnenn’s love of the Gradius Vic Viper by building your own (or more!). Post your entries here and Pascal (pasukaru76) will perform his magic at the end of the month.
Keep an eye out for further updates once the East Coast of the US recovers a little.
Novvember is the month of the Vic Viper, and the tradition lives even stronger than the previous year. Here is the fighter map by Pascal of the 255 Vic Vipers by 135 builders.
