Batman has no shortage of specialized and well-equipped vehicles at his disposal, ranging from fighter jets to submersibles, but this touring Batbus by Jme Wheeler is ready to rock your world.
See more of this rockin’ Batbus
Posts by Patrick
Little space rover packs a big punch
Sometimes big things come in small packages — especially highly explosive things. This adorable little space rover built by Pascal for FebRovery no doubt packs a serious wallop with its integrated missile launcher:
The smiling minifigure is absolutely fitting. As the builder suggests, who wouldn’t be happy driving a rocket equipped go-kart?
Saving the world in this totally awesome and totally blue APC
I can’t lie, I’m in love with this blue armored vehicle by Andrea Lattanzio. Based on the S.H.A.D.O. mobile from the 1970 British sci-fi series, UFO, this tracked creation has a ton of great details and features wrapped in a classicly pleasing color scheme.
The builder did a great job staying faithful to the original S.H.A.D.O. design while incorporating a few extra touches such as the bubble dome and radar array. Also, the canopy opens to expose a detailed little interior – very cool! With such an assortment of high tech computers and equipment (well, at least for the 70’s) this tracked command center looks more than ready to lead the fight against the alien invaders.
Fly above the blue yonder in this LEGO UH-2A Seasprite
Rotary-winged aircraft are probably not the first thing to come to mind when contemplating the excitement of naval aviation (who remembers seeing a helicopter in Top Gun?). But these whirlybirds are the unsung heros of navies across the globe. The UH-2 Seasprite is a perfect example, painstakingly detailed here in LEGO form by TBB’s own Ralph Savelsberg.
The Seasprite entered service with the United States Navy in the early 1960s and played a vital role rescuing downed pilots during the Vietnam War. This particular model, Ralph explains, is an early model UH-2A which served aboard the USS Forrestal in 1965. After a complete rebuild, this helicopter was delivered 50 years later to the Royal New Zealand Navy.
Ralph is no stranger to building military aircraft, particularly naval models — check out how he does it and his recent LEGO Sikorsky HH–60G Pave Hawk. His newest creation is no less accurate or well-built than his others. Every angle and shape of the Seasprite has been captured. The coloration and markings also help bring this beauty to life. In fact, it’s so realistic it looks late for an important mission. After all, naval planes may get the glory, but its naval helicopters which get the work orders.
February is the month of love – for space rovers!
It’s February and that means one thing – no, not romance and chocolate, but space exploration rovers! Yes, it’s FebROVERy again and we’re seeing a ton of sweet entries into this annual event where builders focus on creating strange and fun little space exploration vehicles. First up, check out this awesome insectoid-style rover by F@bz.
See more awesome LEGO space rovers
Paving the future of personal computers, 128 kilobytes at a time
This retro computer work station by Ryan is a real blast from the past considering how far technology has come since those early and wild days of personal computers. This particular model is the Macintosh 128k – originally released as the Apple Macintosh – the company’s original personal computer. With some 4,500 bricks in its construction, this LEGO recreation must be as hefty as the real thing. But don’t let the computer steal the show, however. The 80s vibe is enhanced by the addition of a rolodex and clunky calculator which, alongside the 128k, won’t be found on any work station in the 21st Century – today’s bargain-level smartphone can do all this and so much more.
For younger readers who don’t remember such things, the slot on the front of the computer accepts 3.5-inch floppy disks (which, according to the U.S. Government Accountability Office, are still used to coordinate the operational functions of the nation’s nuclear forces. Doesn’t that make you feel comfortable?). The Apple logo and the friendly icon on the warming-up screen are great touches as well. Overall, a very accurate and rather nostalgic take on the 80s workdesk. The only thing missing is a can of Tab and the sweet, soothing sounds of Duran Duran.
Leave some skid marks with this LEGO 1970 Dodge Challenger
There’s something about racing strips, cowl scoops and 440 cubic inches of pure, unadulterated horsepower that just screams my name. If that sounds like your kind of thing, then you’ll be equally in love with this 1970 Dodge Challenger R/T by Havoc:
One of the most iconic American muscle cars (and not to be confused with the largely plastic and uninspiring version reintroduced in 2008), the 1970 Dodge Challenger R/T was the choice for those wanting sheer performance – and the envy of pretty much everyone else. The Challenger R/T is no less impressive nor eye-catching replicated here in LEGO form. This model is just plain gorgeous. Check out the clever techniques and parts usage to capture the angles of this majestic muscle car. The opening hood exposes the beautifully detailed engine compartment.
This model brings out the inner kid in me and, as an adult, makes me want to check my savings account. This is the stuff of a male adolescent’s dreams. Perhaps it’s just nostalgia, but one thing’s for sure – no kid ever grew up with a poster of a Passat on his bedroom wall.
Expanding The Expanse with this UNN freighter
One of the most interesting aspects of LEGO is the opportunity builders have to recreate and expand the universes of their favorite books, movies and TV shows. It’s awesome watching builders bring these stories to life and creating whole new elements through the use of bricks. Shannon Sproule does just that with a series of spaceships inspired by the book/TV series, The Expanse, such as this United Nations Navy fast transport vessel:
The builder has chosen to design an entirely new ship to the UNN fleet, which, though numerous, is less technologically advanced than its counterparts. That is evident in the utilitarian design of the ship and its appropriately blocky shape. The cargo containers help round out the imagined role of this UNN workhorse. The builder is working on a series of The Expanse-inspired ships, so make sure to take a look at his Flickr for more.
Some people run from problems, others run to them
Engine Company 10 and Ladder Company 10 of the New York Fire Department were among the first units to respond to the September 11, 2001 terrorist attack. Located across the street from the World Trade Center, its firefighters rushed to rescue survivors during those first few terrible and confusing moments. By the end of the day, several of the station’s firefighters were dead and many others wounded. Builder sponki25 memorializes these brave men and women in LEGO form with this recreation of a truck from Engine Company 10:
There’s a lot to appreciate in this model besides its significance to one of the United State’s darkest days. The accurately detailed pump panel and the shaping of the canopy are particular highlights here. The stickers do a nice job of bringing the model to life, though the side yellow and white stripping could have been done just as well with LEGO plates. That aside, this is a wonderful model and does well to remember those who gave their lives saving others.
Kenworth wrecker in 1:13 scale spares no detail
‘Lifelike’ isn’t a good enough adjective to properly describe this Kenworth K100 wrecker by Dennis Bosman. Built to 1:13 scale, this thing is not just big but beautifully detailed.
At such scale, the little details really come to life. We can see how much painstaking effort was put into creating such an accurate model. I could go on and on about everything to love here, but a few details really stand out, like the fuel tanks, cab striping and the radiator build on an offset. Oh, and all those lovely chrome bits. And the liftable cab, exposing the nicely detailed engine. And, well, everything else, too. Can you tell I’m in love?
Grasshopper touches down to support the troops
Close behind his recent space fighter, ZCerberus proves he’s on a Neo-Classic Space (NCS) roll with a similarly-themed support craft. It’s neat to see such a specialized spacecraft in minifigure-scale, and furthermore in those classic space colors. The builder incorporated enough functions and hidden features to resonate the inner child of any adult – including a compartment for a small ATV. This latest build is just one in a series of NCS creations by ZCerberus, and we’re told the biggest and best is yet to come.
Flies like a space butterfly, stings like a galactic hornet
Space isn’t always dark – sometimes there exists flashes of blue, gray and trans-yellow. ZCerberus has done a fine job capturing those colors with his Neo-Classic Space fighter. You have to love this style of space building, which has seen a significant comeback over the past ten years or so, alongside the Blacktron style of building. The color scheme here is spot on and there’s plenty of little details to enjoy. The converging blue and light bluish-gray lines on the side of the fuselage are a particularly aesthetic touch.
One also has to appreciate the good use of an otherwise awkward and bulky canopy piece (being Neo-Classic Space, a trans-yellow canopy is a must). Overall, this little space fighter looks more than ready to rain destruction on its Blacktron foes.