Monthly Archives: July 2008

LEGO Military Build Contest winners announced

LMBC Banner

The winners of the first LEGO Military Build Contest (LMBC) have been announced. There were an excellent selection of models throughout the contest and I’m certainly glad I didn’t have to judge (and not just because I came third in one category… not that numbers mean anything ;) ).

For those of you paying attention quite a few of the winners have featured on The Brothers Brick although I’m not sure we ever mentioned that they were entries. Congratulations to all the winners, it really was a superb showing and it looks like the LEGO military flickr group has been well and truly kick-started.

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Nick Dean goes online at the Antipasta Internet Cafe

Nick Dean (Flickr) takes a break from his usual military creations with this airy Internet cafe where spaghetti certainly won’t be on the menu:

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Jehkay’s Stamen mecha has lots of cool attachments

Jehkay has been working on a mecha titled “Stamen” that serves as the base for lots of great attachments.

Here it is without any of the attachments:

And with rail guns, leg boosters, targeting module, and counter-measures:

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AG-89 Ghost fighter by dasnewten

Rob presents a small, brilliantly designed fighter:

The custom stickers add great detail to an already excellent model reminiscent of World War II fighters.

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Fear the Dark Lord

Brickshelf user edulyoung built a commanding figure of Darth Vader. Using Technic, Bionicle, and System parts, edulyoung mashes these eclectic piece together with interesting results. While Vader’s proportion’s aren’t 100% accurate, he certainly boosts an imposing form.

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Train building with Cale Leiphardt

Cale Leiphardt's Locos

Cale Leiphardt presents some photos of his (and possibly other people’s) trains set up in an industrial diorama. Lots of excellent details including the textured ground with footpath and the track furniture (bits and pieces the live next to tracks). And of course his locomotives more than stand up to their surrounds.

The Brothers Brick is funded by our readers and the community. Articles may include affiliate links, and when you purchase products from those links, TBB may earn a commission that helps support the site.

First look at future BrickArms prototypes [News]

Will Chapman of BrickArms was at BrickWorld 2008 the weekend before last, and Nannan scored a selection of custom items and prototypes for future BrickArms products. Since this isn’t a review (like my recent BrickForge review), I’ll mainly just show you pictures.

My favorite BrickArms prototype is the unique Lewis gun from World War I:

BrickArms Lewis gun on Flickr

In addition to historical accuracy — the round magazine is removable — I think this gun has the most potential beyond military applications. In fact, the real-life Lewis gun inspired the T-21 light repeating blaster from the Star Wars universe.

The BrickArms machete and KA-BAR (“survival knife”) add sharp edges to the BrickArms inventory:

Military builders have already expressed excitement over the M21 Sniper Weapon System:

BrickArms M21 prototype on Flickr

The baseball bat and “cleaver” improve minifig odds against the zombie horde:

The “Spy Carbine” and “Golden Gun” evoke the world of Ian Fleming’s James Bond:

See more in my BrickArms photoset on Flickr.

I know lots of you want to know when these are going to be released and whether these prototypes represent the final design. To save you some confusion, here’s the official word from the BrickArms spokesbadger:

  • Cleaver – Prototype only. Design is finalized. Will eventually see mass production.
  • Machete – Prototypes only. Two versions were distributed in a variety of colors: one with a lip on the handle and one without. The design is still being finalized. Will eventually see mass production.
  • KA-BAR – Prototype and included in a special BA custom Commando fig. Existed in a variety of colors including trans-colors. Will eventually see mass production.
  • Golden Gun – Prototypes only. Existed in a variety of colors including trans-colors. Unlikely to ever see mass production, but may be available beyond the Spy Contest prizes at some point in the future. Design is final.
  • Spy Carbine – Prototypes and included with a special BA custom White Tuxedo Bond figure. Decision regarding mass production still in flux as is the design of the accessory.
  • Needler-inspired accessory – Only included with a special BA custom Marine fig. Will never see mass production due to the complexity of the process to produce the item (multiple molds and over-injecting).
  • Baseball Bat – Available for purchase in a variety of colors. Design is finalized. Will eventually see mass production.
  • Lewis Gun – Prototypes only. Design still in flux. Will eventually see mass production.
  • Brodie Helmet – Prototypes only. Design is final. Will eventually see mass production.
  • MGL – Prototype only. Design still in flux. May or may not see mass production given certain design difficulties.
  • M21 Sniper rifle – Prototype only. Design still in flux. May or may not see mass production.

The Brothers Brick is funded by our readers and the community. Articles may include affiliate links, and when you purchase products from those links, TBB may earn a commission that helps support the site.

Screaming along with Matt Wagner aboard the Sleepy-time Express

Our resident virtual LEGO and cave racer expert is dutifully withholding judgement as the Pigs on the Wing contest winds down.

But this virtual cave racer by Matt Wagner is too cool to pass up:

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7628 Peril in Peru out, 7036 Dwarves Mine back, and more [News]

The Toys R Us exclusive LEGO Indiana Jones set 7628 Peril in Peruicon is now available from the LEGO Shop online.

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One of my candidates for “favorite LEGO set of all time,” 7036 Dwarves’ Mineicon is once again available:

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Of course, this latest update to the LEGO Shop online also includes a whole bunch of other new sets, as well as a fair amount of clearance items. Some highlights:

Last but not least, the long-awaited 10187 Volkswagen Beetleicon is also available.

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Arvo builds a hermit crab

The Arvo brothers‘ latest addition to their awesome creations gallery is a lonely hermit crab carrying an incredibly beautiful shell, where the pattern of the spiral is created with white hemisphere windscreen pieces.

The Brothers Brick is funded by our readers and the community. Articles may include affiliate links, and when you purchase products from those links, TBB may earn a commission that helps support the site.

35,310 LEGO Star Wars clone troopers raise money for autism

LEGO employees in the UK have put together tens of thousands of clone troopers to raise money for the National Autistic Society. As you can see, this puts Moko’s golden army to shame:

More details on Gizmodo. (Thanks for the link, Jesus Diaz and Jeramy Cooke!)

The Brothers Brick is funded by our readers and the community. Articles may include affiliate links, and when you purchase products from those links, TBB may earn a commission that helps support the site.