Monthly Archives: February 2011

Spongebob terminator

rack911 haung shows what’s really under the skin of Spongebob, and it’s definitely not squishy.

10219 Maersk Train unveiled [News]

The latest LEGO Exclusive kit is the 10219 Maersk Trainicon arriving in April 2011 [UPDATE: It’s now available]. Click here for the complete set of pictures.

icon

Below is the official press release from LEGO:

10219 Maersk Train

Ages 14+. 1,234 pieces.

US $119.99 CA $159.99 DE 119.99 € UK 91.99 £

The highly-realistic Maersk diesel-electric freight train has arrived! A replica of the real engine that operated on the railroads of America, this Maersk train features exceptional detailing and functions, such as opening driver’s cab, removable side panel revealing a detailed, 16-cylinder engine, and authentic Maersk branding. The model also includes 2 wagons and 3 containers with opening doors (1 with refrigeration detailing). The set also includes a shunter truck and detachable trailer for loading and offloading the containers. Add LEGO® Power Functions accessories to motorize!

• Includes 3 workman minifigures!
• Train measures 36″ (92cm) long!
• Building instructions include a historical description of the LEGO Group/A.P. Moller Maersk Group cooperation and a timeline of the products launched!
• Containers can be loaded side-by-side or stacked!
• Motorize your Maersk train by adding LEGO Power Functions 8878 Power Functions Rechargeable Battery Box, #8887 Transformer 10V DC, #8884 Power Functions IR Receiver, 8879 Power Functions IR Speed Remote Control and 88002 Power Functions Train Motor!

UPDATE: check out the designer video by LEGO.

Cosmic Fleet Voyager

Shamisenfred has just posted the first segment of what I hope will continue to be a great project. He is building a remake of the classic space set Cosmic Fleet Voyager.

Cosmic Fleet Voyager 2012 (front part)

I’m enjoying the style of this remake, the rounded fuselage has a cool anime vibe to me. The round body together with the stuby wings can’t help but feel cute. The windows on the side are also just pure win.

Beautiful curves of the Phenix

Christophe Corthay‘s Star Trek inspired Vulcan ship called the Phenix has some of the craziest curves I’ve seen. They’re crazy because not only are there so many rings, but they are also textured by SNOT techniques. I can’t imagine the amount of strain in this model, which could make it explode at any moment. But for what it’s worth, the result looks drop dead gorgeous.

Tough but Fair

This new ship by Marcin N (martin86bb) has a vibe I really like. It’s a little ugly, a little boxy, and it all just works. It reads as a utilitarian space ship, and like it was really designed purposefully. The builder doesn’t describe the function of the ship, but I like to think it could be the space equivalent of a tug boat or shunting locomotive.

There are just enough details around the engine section to really work (and I’m always a fan of a little hexalateral symmetry). The chairs as fins are also a nice touch.

gr03

Massive Tow Truck Attack

Yet again we should thank our Technic guest blogger Peer Kreuger (mahjqa) for this one.

If you’re interested in technic, you should know about Sariel. He’s a very productive builder, who takes his time to document his building process and share his techniques. He’s also equally proficient at both system and technic building. So if we’re talking about lots of functionality crammed inside a single unit, it’s probably best to mention his latest creation:

The complete story (and it’s a big one) can be read here. And if you want to see it all at work, better check this out:

Sure, the video takes it’s sweet time, and we’ve seen the Black CatTroll Assault Wagon before. Still, this is a worthy upgrade and a magnificent build.

EDIT: As Paul mentions below this is not actually based on the Black Cat, it’s based on the Troll Assault Wagon. Or at least that’s how I read his comment ;)

Sign up for BrickMagic in Raleigh, NC May 5-8, 2011

The second annual BrickMagic Lego festival is happening in Raleigh on Mother’s Day weekend. This year’s event will have more display space along with a two-day private convention on top of the weekend public expo. Perhaps more exciting is their recent announcement of a $1000 cash prize and LEGOLand annual pass for the best in show creation along with features in BrickJournal magazine for the best creations of each category. Click here to register for BrickMagic 2011.

Big is beautiful but small is sexy

Ice Sat V MkII

For his LEGO models Pierre A. Fieschi dispenses with minifigs and builds small. But you’d never know it looking at the thumbnails for his models. In the last two weeks he’s posted 6 models and I recommend checking all of them out (and anything further back). This, dear readers, is how you build small.

EDIT: As Dan rightly points out there is indeed a minifig in the minifig scaled vehicle above. I am blind and wrong.

FBTB covers 2011 LEGO Star Wars & more from Toy Fair 2011 in NYC [News]

Though The Brothers Brick couldn’t make it to New York this year for Toy Fair, our friends over at FBTB attended both the press event and the full show, to bring everyone great pictures of new and upcoming LEGO sets.

A few quick highlights…

LEGO Star Wars returns to Episode I: The Phantom Menace with a number of new sets that refresh designs from 10 or more years ago, including podracers and Darth Maul’s Sith Infiltrator.

LEGO Toy Fair 2011 - Star Wars - 7962 Anakin's and Sebulba's Podracers - 01

LEGO expands its Disney/Pixar line with a System-scale Cars theme.

LEGO Toy Fair 2011 - Cars - 8201 Classic Mater - 1

I’m personally most intrigued by the new Alien Conquest theme, which, if it’s anything like Agents or NinjaGo, has serious potential to be rather awesome. (Xenophobic blah blah blah. I’ll apologize on behalf of humanity when the little green men show up at my front door.)

LEGO Toy Fair 2011 - Alien Conquest - 7052 UFO Abduction - 1

Check out all of the different themes on FBTB.net.

Announcing the 2011 MocAthalon!

The 2011 MocAthalon is here! It is an annual competition held on MOCpages where teams of 5 builders make creations from 30 categories. Last year’s MocAthalon brought out 450 entries from 18 teams, which is no small feat. Check out this article by Keith Goldman that nicely recaps the spirit of this contest. Here are the rules and info on how to get involved.

Motorized Sci-fi Contest

The Motorized Lego group on Flickr is hosting a contest for sci-fi creations that feature motorized components. The contest starts now and runs until April 1st. You can win custom trophies that include their own playable functions. Now that’s awesome.

Presidio Cadiz by Detroitika

New builder Detroitika has certainly made an impact with his first posted creation, Presidio Cadiz. This is, of course, an entry to Forbidden Cove‘s Jolly Roger Contest–and you’ve got just until the Ides of March to get your entry in.

I really like the green design against the white. The whole build just works for me…I like the roofline with the green, and I like the attention to detail in side the entry arches. I like the overall feel of the build.