I’m not one-hundred percent certain what this is, but given the builder’s (62778grenouille) history of creating other gorgeous models from Miyazaki’s films, I’m guessing this is the giant horsefly, or ushiabu, from Miyazaki’s 1984 masterpiece, Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind. In any case, it’s a fantastic and slightly terrifying creature, with some really interesting building techniques.
Anyone interested in mecha and unfamiliar with Zi zy‘s work should remedy that now by going carefully through his photostream. He is one of the original, and still best, masters of the small mecha. His latest offerings are no exception, ranging from ‘standard’ mecha like below, through to transformers in the same scale. Hot stuff.
In this fun little diorama, Chris (Ironsniper) re-employs two drill part to great effect as the base of a giant mushroom. I also have to commend LEGO for their vast improvement to the horse design.
Perhaps I have missed them, but I am surprised that we have not seen more creations made for the Space Marine Collectible Minifigure.
But Peter Morris (peterlmorris) has done it in spades with his Rapid Reaction Force. The SM-41 Mauler mech is a more heavily armed variant of his previous Futuron Strategic Pursuer Mk II. Not only does the mech add some firepower to his squad, but he also outfitted the figs with some extra pew-pew. I also must give props to LEGO for giving us so many unique sci-fi heads over the years…as a result there is a lot of added personality in Peter’s squad, and that is very cool!
Kyle Collard (Lazer Blade) says that he built this wonderful little drone in 10 minutes…I wish I was that efficient! The unique shape and rockin’ colour scheme really make this ship pop. Well played Mr. Collard, well played!
Vimal Patel has built a sweet LEGO Technic version of the the A-Team’s iconic van, and it’s remote controlled.
Vimal’s also filmed this awesome video of it in action (though I wish it had that classic A-Team music, but I’m guessing Vimal doesn’t want to get sued).
At the end of December, Kyle Wigboldy (thirdwigg) posted a LEGO Spitfire fighter plane from World War II that has the most functions I’ve ever seen in a LEGO plane.
Kyle spent about six months on his Spitfire, and the finished model has a wingspan of 112 studs and is 96 studs long. Not only is the Spitfire model gorgeous (too many LEGO Technic models are just skeletons in odd colors), it also includes lots of functionality:
The YouTube video shows off all the moving parts.
Read Kyle’s full writeup on Thirdwigg.com, and a more complete review on TechnicBRICKs.
Alex Kobbs of Kooberz Studios posted his LEGO Portal video back in December, but it looks like we only featured the behind-the scenes video. I recently finished Portal 2 again, and Alex posted about the video on Flickr, so now seems as good a time as any to highlight the main video.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6V0R8Qpjl8Q
Since this is Part 1, I wonder when Part 2 will be out. Can’t wait!
Eight months ago I built a spaceship and my son Tate decided that the pilot should be my wife Trish. I thought that sounded like a nice idea, and since I didn’t want any family member to feel left out I decided to build one for each of us. I built both my son Milo’s, and mine within the following two weeks. I even did a substantial upgrade on Trish’s in the meantime. But considering Tate came up with the idea, the poor little guy had to wait eight whole months for his very own. (I am such a horrible father :P)
So to reward his patience, I tried to go all out on his. As a result I built quite possibly the craziest vessel to ever come out of the .Tromas Shipyards. He ended up with not only a rockin’ starfighter, but it converts to a mecha as well.
I am still trying to talk them all in to taking a family swoosh-portrait, but in the meantime…
I also just realized that I am going to have to build another ship for our bambino that is due in March…a father’s work is never done :)
Eurobricks is holding a Micro Sci-Fi Contest this month (the trophies themselves are noteworthy examples of the genre), and at mid-month we’re already starting to see some really nice entries.
Ryan H. (eldeeem) enters the fray with this gorgeous biodome on an ice planet, complete with a resupply ship hovering above.
Notice the Modulex bits attached to the side of the freighter as containers. LEGO produced Modulex as a tool for architects in the 60’s until they spun off the company in 1965. Early Modulex bricks even have the LEGO logo on the studs, just like System bricks.
Over the years, LEGO builders have figured out various connections between the two systems (officially not compatible with each other), and Ryan has collected all of the ones he’s aware of in the following photo:
Post-LEGO Modulex with an M logo continued to be available until fairly recently (the company is a successful signage company today), and it’s always interesting to see what new ways LEGO builders incorporate them into their models.
I’ve always thought that the majestic locations of Middle-earth would make for a great set of microscale dioramas. Last week, we featured George G’s Helm’s Deep, and today I’m pleased to highlight this beautiful Minas Tirith by diegoboy. I love the angling on the great stone outcropping in the center of the city, and parts like minifig ski poles and steering wheel bases add wonderful detail.
diegoboy recently used his micro Minas Tirith as part of a forced-perspective backdrop for a scene titled “The Ride of the Rohirrim.”
…because it is too big to fit out the door.
Ryan McNaught has built quite possibly the coolest helicopter ever to be created with LEGO. His Erickson Air-Crane “Elvis” has been created with over 100,000 LEGO elements, and was built in only a month! Those of you lucky enough to be attending Brickvention will be able to see it in person this weekend.
I was having trouble deciding which photos to include in the post, so please be sure to click through the photoset, but this engine detail shot puts a gigantic smile on my face.
The only thing left to say is; let’s see a swoosh pic Ryan!