Matt Hamann (Jaster) has built an adorable steampunk walker. It’s a six-legged tank, that would be a pretty decent creation, if it weren’t for one thing… it can walk!
He’s motorized it, and it sort of toddles along the table. Check out the video. I just love the way it clomps around, it’s like a six-legged toddler or something.
Tim (Roguebantha) has built an entry for the FBTB Podracer contest that’s sure to strike fear into Mumra’s heart. It looks like it would fit in with the vehicles from the old TV show perfectly. I love the claws, and mouth detail, and basically everything else about it. The engine pods even retract and attach to the body!
Set 6951, the Robot Command Center was my absolute favorite Classic Space set (of the sets I actually had) when I was growing up. When the opportunity came up to create a Neo Classic Space creation, my mind immediately went to this set. It was basically a mecha, except that the legs didn’t move at all, and the arms were attached to the knees.
I figured that new parts and techniques would allow me to do something really cool with this idea. I did decide to lose a few of the play features from the original, even though I like them. There was just something about a little ship docking in my mecha’s crotch that didn’t seem right. I’m surprised that so few of the builders in this effort built robots, but at least it makes my contribution fairly unique.
I also have to thank one of my non-LEGO friends for suggesting an electric guitar, so it could rock out.
March is may be winding down, but the level of creations being posted for the LEGO Neo-Classic-Space project sure aren’t. Some really spectacular stuff has been posted lately. There’s a really cool research base by Ben Jarvis, shown below. Not to mention Adrian Drake’s massive updated rendition of the 6950 Mobile Rocket Transport (which is the huge truck with rocket, at right). I also cannot get enough of the LL-301 Falcon (below, spaceship) by Stuart Crawhaw. Stuart used old train rail pieces to make the wings, which came out beautifully. I’m also really excited, because I’m finally going to be able to post my own creation tonight, after more than a month of keeping it secret.
I came across two different LEGO renditions of VW Beetles in the past few days, and I thought they were both great. I don’t know if there’s some sort of Beetle meme going on that I’m unaware of, but these are both nice models, for different reason. Daniel Zayac (urthedead) built a model that looks like it would be great fun to play with, and is roughly to scale with a minifig. Meanwhile, Ralph Savelsberg (Madphysicist) has built a larger, more detailed model, that captures the shape of the original excellently.
I wasn’t planning to blog any of my contributions to Keith’s big diorama independently here. Then someone told me that they thought my helicopter was the best thing I’d ever built. I thought that in that case, maybe I should post it, in case I never match it again. I hope other people like it as much my vocal friend does. I have to give some credit for the dual-interlocking rotor idea to Tim G, as I first saw the idea on one of his creations.
Matt (Plastic Matt) has built a really cool mech for the mecha hub civilian mecha contest. I love the feel that this thing captures. It seems industrial and heavy-duty, just like something carrying an I-beam should. The head is just perfect too, though it reminds me of Maximilian from The Black Hole. Sometimes, it doesn’t take using crazy new techniques or bizare uses of parts to build something that looks fantastic, and this demonstrates that principle terrifically.
Keith Goldman‘s latest diorama is a true community effort. He has recruited help from twenty other builders in the LEGO community to help him populate his massive highway scene. Moreover, he recruited each contributor in secret, giving each contributor a code name ala Reservoir Dogs. Keith has called it a star-studded affair, and given me the cast list to reveal here on The Brothers Brick. So, without further ado, I give you Zero Hour on Highway 44. You can see more photos of the entire diorama on flickr (here or here) or MOCpages (here or here).
Starring:
Brian Kescenovitz:
As Mr. Black
Brian contributed a whole slew of MOCs to this display. Whether his army is invading, or marching to the defense of the city, I can’t say, but I can say that the vehicles are awesome. What a great use of castle pieces on the armored cars.
Co-Staring:
Carter Baldwin:
As Mr. Dark Red
Carter built some neat stuff for this display. I especially like his garbage truck, which includes a lot of nice angles and recessed spaces. The semi seems to steer from both the front and the back, which is a cool touch.
Chuck Citrin:
As Mr. Flesh
Chuck’s car is a nice bit of futuristic engineering. It captures the sleekness that says “future” to so many of us, even if a one-seater this large isn’t exactly green. The backwards windscreen piece makes for a nice effect.
Tyler Clites:
As Mr. Orange
Tyler’s car is also a one-seater, but it’s absolutely tiny. It reminds me of a nose on wheels, but in a good way. The dark red and the gray look very nice together as well. The piece he’s used for a windshield continues to elude me, but one day I’ll find one to use myself.
Fradel Gonzales:
As Mr. Dark Tan
As usual, Fradel would like us all to “Get to da choppa!” However, I think the best action he has to offer is in this dune buggy. I’m a sucker for a good build and yellow, and the details all seem to click in this one. I need to get my hands on some of those roll cage pieces.
Nick Kappatos:
As Mr. Pink
Nick is a fellow Washingtonian (that’s D.C.) and so I shouldn’t be surprised that it looks like his trike is on its way to a Redskins parade. I love the huge rear wheel, and I hear that the car rolls very well, which is more than can be said for my contribution.
Jon Langrish:
As Mr. Sand Green
Jon’s built quite an SUV for us. It reminds me of a mix of a Hummer and the crazy SUV that Lamborghini briefly built a couple of decades ago. He’s done a great job reversing the studs for the bottom, allowing him to put do a nice job around the wheels.
Andrew Lee:
As Mr. Chrome Silver
What can you say about Andrew Lee, he’s a great builder, and extremely prolific. I’m not sure how he found time to build so many vehicles for this display, because the quality doesn’t seem to suffer in the slightest.
Joe Meno:
As Mr. Maersk Blue
Most of us know Joe Meno as the man behind Brick Journal, the print magazine about LEGO. Apparently he still manages to build once in awhile, though. The forked nose at the front of his trike is cool, and I like how he’s concealed half of the rear tire.
Paul Meissner:
As Mr. Aqua
Paul is another over-achiever who contributed many vehicles to this display. It looks like he’s drawn inspiration from Ferrari and Citroen with great result, but I think the real star of his stuff is the forklift.
Peter L. Morris:
As Mr. Metallic Silver
Peter Morris is one of the better starfighter builders out there. In fact, that’s about the only thing I’ve ever seen him build. You can see that influence in his car, which looks almost ready to fly off into space.
Shannon Sproule:
As Mr. Magenta
Most of us know him as Shannon Ocean, the nickname he uses on flickr and MOCpages. He’s built a pickup truck that I can’t quite wrap my head around. Is the entire front area made of tinted glass? That’s so crazy that it works.
Nathan Proudlove:
As Mr. Trans Neon Green
Nathan has built an impressive hot rod. It must be from the future, because there’s nothing like it around. He did a great job with the flame work, and nothing says “future” like a dome. It looks like this thing goes crazy-fast in a straight line, but probably can’t turn… perfect.
Peter Reid
As Mr. Violet
Pete is the master of tiny parts. You can see that in his cars if you look closely. Check out the front bumpers on these things, they’re packed with tiny details and changes in brick orientation.
Dan Rubin:
As Mr. Tan
My own contribution was News Chopper 3, which may have wound up on the cutting room floor, and a tan car (did you expect some other color from me?). I know it looks like I’m another one of the people to build a one-seater car, but it really can seat two, I promise. If only Keith hadn’t given the driver such a huge hat.
Ryan Rubino:
As Mr. Copper
Michael Rutherford:
As Mr. Dark Green
Ryan and Mike got to share a photo, apparently it’s hard to capture an off-ramp in a single photo. Mike’s train is a cool bit of future if you ask me.
Dave Shaddix:
As Mr. Glitter trans dark-pink
Dave has built a couple of interesting cars. The blue one is your typical sleek futuristic pod car. The white one is… well, I don’t know what it is. The grille work on the front end is really cool, but I can’t help expecting the whole thing to transform into a robot.
Julie Stewart:
As Mr. Yellow
Julie’s car must be rocket powered, it certainly looks like it’s intended to go fast. It’s safe though, as there are indicator lights all over it. There are even lights along the side, so that nobody can miss it.
Shannon Young:
As Mr. Trans Purple
Shannon has built a couple of neat cars. Yellow and dark gray is one of my favorite color combinations. The gray jeep thing is just really cool, it looks ready to head off road at any moment. I’m not sure where it’s going, but a buzz-saw is apparently necessary.
Nannan Zhang:
As Mr. Bley
Nannan’s vehicles really are something else. Of course, we get a taste of a Halo Warthog in civilian colors, but the really interesting vehicle is the one with a ball instead of a front wheel. I think maybe Nannan watched I Robot recently. He’s made great use of stickers throughout, as well.
Trees Provided by Gary McIntire:
Consultants to Mr. Goldman:
Jon Palmer
Ley Ward
Victor (>>hobo<<) must really like guns. That’s the only explanation I can think of for why his King Crab mecha has at least nine miniguns mounted on it. Disregarding the ridiculous level of armament, this is one cool robot. I know we’ve seen motorcycle bodies used as legs before, but the missile launcher on the turret is new to me, and I think it’s a great detail. The design also just clicks well overall.
Aaron Dayman (CBLA Member) may not be the champion of the sun, but it looks like his Treeman creation probably is. Just look at how huge it has grown! I know that I blogged about another ent creation a few weeks back, but I just can’t get enough good organic looking creations. Maybe it’s because I find that style difficult to build myself. Anyways, it looks like the posability on this sucker is really good.
Chris Wunz (Wuntztwice) has built a cool little flying car. I love retro-futuristic stuff, and this car captures that aesthetic very well. He’s also built in some cool features, like the rotating hover engines, and a very detailed cockpit.
Chris B has recently posted a couple of small robots/hardsuits that have a lot of style. He has achieved some really cool shapes and details at a small scale. I especially like the head and shoulder winglets on the yellow one. Based on their names, there may even be a third one in the works.
