Monthly Archives: April 2013

Avenger, US Army style

The High Mobility Military Wheeled Vehicle, better known as the Humvee or Hummer, has been the standard general purpose vehicle of the US Military since the mid-Eighties. As such it is a popular subject for military builders. Despite the easily recognisable angular shape, it’s not an easy vehicle to build properly, certainly not if you want it to look decent with minifigs. In the last weeks Project Azazel has been steadily cranking out new versions, but I am going to highlight one.

It is the Humvee Avenger, a version used by the US Army for air defence armed with Stinger missiles and a .50 machine gun. The body of the model has a width of seven studs, which is an excellent compromise between detail and interior space on the one hand and a size that does not make the minifig look like a midget on the other hand. The presentation doesn’t hurt either. I’d love to see one in woodland camouflage or a maxi ambulance next.

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.

An AFOL’s guide to having a newborn

As some of you may know, my wife and I welcomed our third little kidlet into the world on March 5th. I don’t recall how I juggled babies and LEGO with my first two, but over the last month I have observed a few things, in particular by reviewing what I have been posting to my flickr stream recently. As a result I thought it may be useful if I point out a few tips for those that are about to, or are in the middle of, juggling LEGO and babies.

Disclaimer: The Brothers Brick in no way endorses the act of actually trying to juggle with a baby and LEGO. Feel free to juggle with LEGO at your leisure, but NEVER throw in a baby!

1. Yep, you REALLY should have finished sorting:
I learned this by not doing it. With bambinos comes a lack of free time, a lack of free time means you really don’t have time to rummage through bins of unsorted LEGO. So add ‘finish sorting LEGO’ to the list of baby preparations. As a serious LEGO maniac this should be as important as putting the crib together, stocking up on diapers, and getting a bunch of meals made and in the freezer.

2. WIP it good:
If you get a stroke of inspiration, run with it. Even if it means throwing a few pieces together in order to be able to go back to it when you have time. The theory is, that with a bunch of partially constructed models, you will not forget about them, and over time will complete them all. That being said this theory is still a work in progress (pun fully intended), and I am just hoping that I eventually finish the 5 or 6 projects that I currently have going.

3. Doodle like there is no tomorrow:
One more thing to add to the baby preparation list; buy a Moleskine, preferably a LEGO version. When you get that stroke of inspiration (see rule # 2) but do not have bricks on hand, a quick doodle is the perfect thing to keep the idea fresh in your mind. Even if you don’t have drawing skills (see left) it is worth getting the idea on paper to come back to later. Also it makes you appear 27% more artsy.

4. No honey it really is for him:
This only works if you have another kid already, but they are perfect accomplices. I have mastered this technique. All you have to do is show your other kid some cool concept art or watch something on TV or Youtube and then say, “Hey, we should totally try and build that out of LEGO!” They will of course totally agree as you have already spent the preceding 5 years molding them into the little geek that they are. The key is to do this right before supper, because then while sitting at the table they are sure to ask, “Daddy are we going to build that [insert model idea here] after supper?”

“Why yes son, I am sure we can probably do that…but only after Daddy does the dishes!” (this step is important…browny points never hurt anyone)

5. Pfft! Size doesn’t matter:
Remember that grandiose plan to build that giant spaceship? Well forget that! You just have to lower your expectations slightly. Build small, it is amazing how gratifying a small build can be, in particular an impromptu one (see left). This usually happens as a result of my failure of step # 1. But I suppose that it can be looked as a positive side effect of unsorted bricks. This is also another fun thing to include your other kids in. You just set a big unsorted bin of bricks on the floor and all start building, if the spouse walks downstairs you are ‘playing with the kids’, not ‘playing LEGO when you could be doing something more productive’.

6: Don’t be afraid to FIGBARF:
If you are anything like me, when you are short on buildy time, you will Figbarf, a lot! But don’t worry, the act of barfing figs can be very therapeutic. You feel like you are ‘building’ LEGO, and it is at least some small means of creative release. Again a perfect thing to include your other kids in…they really are the pefect little cohorts!

Disclaimer Part Deux: Only attempt the above once you have helped your spouse with the laundry, made sure there is food in the cupboards, done the dishes (refer to rule #4), gotten them a cup of tea and changed the baby’s diaper. On the surface it may appear that these tips are intent on weasling out of work and/or spending time with your spouse or new baby…but that is just silly and/or means for a swift slap upside the head

A Perfect Bit of Space

Sometimes, a creation just jumps out at me as an ideal contribution to a theme. This ship by Chris (ironsniper), is an example of just such a creation. The color scheme is sharp, and has the right among of pop. The shape has tons of compound angles, curves, and even protrusions, it’s just lovely.

Inphobot

Cole Blaq makes what seems like his weekly appearance on the blog with a trans-neon green bug he calls “Inphobot”. Built with just 16 parts, Aran proves you don’t need a bloated collection to build something eye-catching. The model reminds me of the battery-eating HEXBUG toys, your results may vary.

Take two, they’re small.

I’m talking about 4-wide cars of course. First up is Angka Utama and his “Retro Blue”.

And sharing the white-hot spotlight of TBB is “Coach” by Starscream Soundwave.

I wonder how well these would run on a classic orange Hot Wheel track?

$165 Million Plus Interest

It’s been about a year since we last heard from David Collins (intrond) who returns to TBB with a sci-fi model simply titled “485”. This quasi-Tachikoma strikes a nice balance between smooth armored sections on top and the mechanical details beneath.

As for the title, I thought “485” seemed too stiff and the soundtrack for Ocean’s 12 was playing in the background.

Spine Lizard

I think most of us enjoy a good dinosaur model, and ∆TMM∆ provides tonight’s Cretaceous offering. If you’re a fan of Spinosaurus, check out Mike Psiaki’s version from June of 2009.

Sydney Brick Show – April 20th-28th, 2013

The second Sydney Brick Show is on in the Harbour City from April 20th to 28th.

The Sydney Brick Show will be held from 20th -28th April at David Jones in Sydney. Public tickets this year are only available by online pre-booking and are available for purchase at sydneybrickshow.eventix.com.au.

Ryan McNaught (TheBrickMan) will be attending the show with a few of his creations including “Elvis”.

LEGO® set designer Craig Callum will be joining the event on Friday 26th, Saturday 27th and Sunday 28th. Craig has worked on some awesome projects at LEGO, most recently Chima Speedorx. He will be available to meet with fans and will participate in a Speedorx challenge.

AFOL Exhibitor and Attendee registration close on Sunday 7th April. This is an opportunity for advanced builders 16years and over to join the event for 2-9 days and display their creations. More details and guidelines can be found here.

Ride the Russian Rails in the Rasputin Battle Engine

Hailing from Buenos Aires, Argentina, Ignacio Bernaldez (Ignacio.B)has designed a steam powered war-train that would look right at home in Lemon_Boy’s awefulworld. I’m not sure how to file this one…steampunk, tweepunk, railpunk? I suppose “Train” will have to do.

LEGO firehouse from Portland

I bet you thought this model was about twice as big from the thumbnail. Jonathan Lopes (BKNY Bricks) continues with his sub-minifig scale building series with this delightful Portland firestation. The flag is very cool.

“Shut up and drive”

Lucky for you Bob Alexander (bobalexander!) is handing you the keys to his Nissan GTP ZX-Turbo (1988 Spec). Bob’s choice of windshield is perfect, and his attention to detail puts him up there with some of the best builders in the genre. So now you’ve got a premium ride, show us that fancy driving you’re always talking about.

On a related note, I really enjoy it when a builder includes an exclamation point in their screen name. Bob Alexander is nowhere near as cool as bobalexander! It forces you to run the names together and really say it with gusto. On that note, I’m off to alter my screen name on Flickr. I hope you’re enjoying Saturday as much as I am.

A Different Sort of Mech

Most of the mechs we see are hard, utilitarian machines bristling with guns and rocket launchers and big steel panels. Which is cool, to be sure, but sometimes it’s refreshing to see a different take. This gorgeous mech by Legorobo is wonderfully organic, and armed with one of the coolest looking battleaxes I’ve ever seen.